WILLIAM L. CLEMENTS
CCCC


OFORL
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27
MEMOIRS
OF
MAJOR-GENERAL HEATH
CONTAINING
ANECDOTES, DETAILS of SKIRMISHES,
BATTLES, and other MILITARY EVENTS,
DURING THE
AMERICAN WAR.
WRITTEN BY HIMSELF.
Published according to at of Congrefs.
PRINTED AT BOSTON,
By I. THOMAS AND E. T. ANDREWS,
FAUST'S STATUE, No. 45, NEWBURY-STREET.
Sold by them; by I. THOMAS, Worcester; by THOMAS, ANDREWS & PEN
NIMAN, Albany; by THOMAS, ANDREWS & BUTLER, Baltimore;
and by the Bookfellers throughout the Continent.
AUG. 1798.

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Advertisement.
IT
was not the intention, to publifh the Memoirs
during the life-time of the writer. They were penned for
his own review, and the information and fatisfaction of his
own family, as well as pofterity: If any fhould think their
prefent publication in any refpects relative to himſelf as too
oftentatious, candour, it is prefumed, will decide that there
is no alternative, unleſs the Memoirs are mutilated in facts,
or denied at prefent a publication. The preffing importunity
of very many is the fole reafon of their appearance at
this time.
SUCH of the facts as happened under the obfervation,
or within the immediate knowledge of the writer, have been
impartially narrated: Thofe which he has been obliged to
collect from other information, have been as faithfully at-
tempted; but their authenticity cannot be equally vouched
for. There are doubtlefs many errors. It is the lot of
man to be fallible.
THE AUTHOR.

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INTRODUCTION.
od 10
to listab
NATURE feems to have decreed, that
not only the minor branches of families, when
they arrive at a proper age of maturity, fhall fep-
arate from their parents, and become diftinct fam-
ilies; but that Colonies, when they arrive at a
certain degree of population and affluence, fhall
feparate from the mother State, and become in-
dependent and fovereign. Howfoever fit and
proper this economy of nature may be, experience
has taught the world, that it has been the miſtaken
policy of nations, in almoft all ages, to oppofe fuch
feparations, as the period approximates, by an im-
politic exercife of power, thereby alienating the
affections of the Colonifts, and roufing in their
breafts thofe innate principles of liberty which na-
ture hath implanted; (but which, had they not been
awakened by a feverity of conduct, would have
much longer repofed on the bofom of a mother,
and even have fpurned the idea of feparation) and
have alfo made ufe of armed force, in the moft un-
natural and cruel manner, to hold in fubjection
thofe by nature in every refpect free as themſelves.
And in the profecution of a war thus enkindled,
alliances are fought for, and formed, by both par-
ties, even with thoſe who before were confidered
as the enemies of each. This has been exemplifi-
ed in the conduct of Great-Britain towards her
American Colonies, and by the people of the now
United States of America, in their ftruggle for
freedom, and the eſtabliſhment of independence
and fovereignty.
IT

VI
INTRODUCTION.
Ir is not the intention of the writer to go into a
detail of the firft fettlement of this country, or the
viciffitudes which have attended it, at different pe-
riods; nor of the rife of the late revolution; as
thefe have already been attempted by feveral writ-
ers, and probably will hereafter be further elu-
cidated by other pens.
To preferve and perpetuate a daily Journal of
occurrences, through nearly the whole of the late
American war, is the prefent object. And al-
though the following pages are not decorated with
the flowers of Greece or Rome, and for their dic-
tion cannot claim the patronage of the learned,
they contain a ftate of facts in detail, which may
not be unpleafing to pofterity, who will wish, as
much as is poffible, to learn from every remaining
veftige, the conduct and fucceffes of their ancef-
tors, in that revolution which laid the foundation
of the independence and fovereignty of their coun-
try. To them, therefore, are the following Me-
moirs bequeathed, by him who was an eye-wit-
nefs to many of the facts which are related, and
who collected the others from the beft information
the then moment and circumftances would admit.
THAT the United States of America, by their
virtue, their wifdom and their valour, may fup-
port and maintain the noble achievements of their
anceſtors, and render them ftill more brilliant, is
the carneft with of their devoted,
Won to sto
Humble Servant,
W. HEATH.
U
900 ROXBURY, 1798.
TI

28IOMEM HITACH
bime
· MEMOIRS, &c.
had ody
M
AJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM HEATH
defcended from an ancient family in
Roxbury, near Bofton, in Maffachu-
fetts, and is of the fifth generation of
the family who have inherited the fame
real eſtate, (taken up in a ſtate of na-
ture) not large, but fertile, and pleaſantly fituated.
He was born March 2d, (old ftile) 1737, was brought
up a farmer, of which profeffion he is yet paffionately
fond. He is of middling ftature, light complexion,
very corpulent, and bald-headed, which led the
French officers who ferved in America, very fre-
quently to compare him to the Marquis of Granby.*
From his childhood he was remarkably fond of
military exercifes, which paffion grew up with him,
and as he arrived at years of maturity, led him to
procure, and attentively to ftudy, every military
treatiſe in the English language, which was obtain-
able. This, with a ftrong memory, rendered him
fully acquainted with the theory of war in all its
branches and duties, from the private foldier, to the
Commander in Chief.
Through the inactive ftate of the militia company
to which he belonged, in the fpring of the year
be1765,
* Chaftellux's Travels.

8
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
1765, he went over to Bofton, and entered a mem-
ber of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Com-
pany. This immediately recommended him to the
notice of the Colonel of the firft regiment of mili-
tia in the county of Suffolk, who fent for him, and
importuned him to take the command of his own
company; to which Mr. Heath was reluctant; ap-
prehenfive that his youth, and ftepping over thofe
who had a better claim, by former office in the com-
pany, to the command of it, might produce an un-
eafinefs. He was, however, commiffioned by Gov.
Barnard; and his apprehenfions of uneafinefs proved
to be groundleſs. mo
In the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company,
he was chofen, and ferved, first as Lieutenant, and
afterwards as Captain. odvinist par
In the first regiment of the militia of Suffolk, he
became the military favourite of Gov. Barnard, who
publickly declared, that he would not only make.
him Colonel of the regiment, but, if it were in his
power, a General Officer alfo. bbing to tell biol
As the difpute between Great-Britain and her
American Colonies put on a more ferious afpect,
our Captain did not hefitate, for a moment, to de
clare his fentiments in favour of the rights and liber-
ties of his fellow-countrymen. This alarmed Gov.
Barnard's apprehenfions, but did not alter his
open conduct towards our Captain; though he pris
vately intimated, that if he fhould promote him, he
might injure the caufe of his royal mafter. It was
afterwards intimated to our Captain, that if he was
not advanced to the command of the regiment, he
might reft affured, that his feelings would never
(during Gov. Barnard's adminiftration) be hurt by
any other officer being promoted over him; which
was verified ; Gov. Barnard leaving the province
with this regiment unorganized.
Capt.

HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
9
Capt. Heath, convinced that the cloud was
rapidly gathering, and would affuredly burft over
America, in the beginning of the year 1770, com-
menced his addreffes to the public, under the figna-
ture of A Military Countryman, and which were oc-
cafionally continued until hoftilities commenced. In
them he urged the importance of military difcipline,
and ſkill in the ufe of arms, as the only means, un-
der Heaven, that could fave the country from fall-
ing a prey to any daring invader.
Gov. Hutchinfon fucceeded Gov. Barnard. He
organized the firft regiment in Suffolk; and, as
might be expected, our Captain had a refpite from
command.
bis od
When it was recommended to the people of Maf-
fachuſetts, to choofe officers themfelves to command
them, our Captain was unanimoufly chofen to take
the command of the firft company in the town of
Roxbury, (his old and favourite company;) and on
the meeting of the Captains and fubalterns of the first
regiment of militia in Suffolk, he was chofen Colonel.
The people of Maffachuſetts, having determined
to fupport their rights and liberties at every hazard,
(finding that fuch was the fenfe of the people of
their fifter Colonies) after the diffolution of their
General Court, elected a Provincial Congrefs. This
Congrefs appointed a Committee of Safety (of whom
our Colonel was one,) vefted with executive pow-
ers; and another committee, called the Committee
of Supplies. The latter were to purchafe military
ftores, provifions, &c. and depofit them in fuch pla-
ces as the former fhould direct. Both committees
entered on the duties of their refpective functions.
The Provincial Congrefs voted a fum of money for
the purpofe of procuring military ftores and provif-
ions; and a quantity of both were collected, and
ftored in the town of Concord.
B
The

10
[FEB. 17756
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
The militia, and the corps of minute-men, as they
were called, (the latter compofed of the young and
active) were furnished with officers of their own
choofing. The greateft attention was exhibited by
the officers, which was as cheerfully feconded by
the citizen foldiers, to acquire a knowledge of mil-
itary duty. im 30 som
duty.im
In the month of February, 1775, the Provincial
Congrefs paffed the following refolutions:
"In Provincial Congrefs, Cambridge, February
9th, 1775-Refolved, That the Hon. Jedidiah
Prebble, Efq. Hon. Artemas Ward, Efq. Col. Seth
Pomeroy, Col. John Thomas, and Col. William Heath,
be, and they hereby are, appointed General Offi-
cers, whofe bufinefs and duty it fhall be, with
fuch and fo many of the militia of this province
as fhall be affembled by order of the Committee
of Safety, effectually to oppofe and refift fuch at-
tempt or attempts as fhall be made for carrying
into execution an act of the Britifh Parliament, en-
titled, "An A&t for the better regulation of the
Government of the Province of Maffachuſetts Bay
in New-England"-or who fhall attempt the carry-
ing into execution, by force, another act of the
British Parliament, entitled, "An Act for the more
impartial adminiftration of juftice, in cafes of
fons queftioned for any act done by them in the ex-
ecution of the law, or for the fuppreflion of riots
and tumults in the Province of Maffachufetts Bay"-
fo long as the faid militia fhall be retained by the
Committee of Safety, and no longer. And the faid
General Officers fhall, while in the faid fervice,
command, lead and conduct, in fuch oppofition, in
the order in which they are above named; any or-
der of any former Congrefs varying herefrom, not-
withstanding."
per-
In

APRIL, 1775.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
II
In Provincial Congrefs, Cambridge, February
15th, 1775-Refolved, That the Hon. John Whit
comb, Efq. be added to the General Officers.
A true extract from the minutes,
dost
bed
(Signed) BENJ. LINCOLN, Sec'ry."?
Gen. Prebble declined the fervice. of sage diy
In the month of March following, the Provincial
Congrefs appointed a committee to make a minute
inquiry into the ftate of the operations of the British
army. On the 20th of the fame month, the com-
mittee reported, that the British army then confifted
of about 2850 men, distributed as follows: On
Bofton common, about 1700; on Fort-Hill, 400;
on Bofton neck, 340; in barracks at the Caſtle,
330; quartered in King-ftreet, So;-that they were
erecting works on Bofton neck, on both fides of the
way, well conftructed and well executed; the works
were in forwardnefs, and then mounted with ten braſs
and two iron cannon; that the old fortification, at
the entrance of the town, was repaired, and render-
ed much ſtronger by the addition of timber and
earth to the parapet; that ten pieces of iron cannon
were mounted on the old platforms; that a block-
houfe, brought from Governor's Ifland, was erecting
on the fouth fide of the neck, between the old forti-
fication and the new works advanced on the neck,
On the 18th of April, our General had been fitting
with the Committee of Safety, at Menotomy in Cam-
bridge; and on his return home, foon after he left
the committee, and about fun-fetting, he met eight
or nine British officers on horfeback, with their
fwords and piftols, riding up the road towards Lex-
ington. The time of day, and diftance from Bofton,
excited fufpicion of fome defign. They indeed were
out reconnoitring, and getting intelligence, but
were not molefted.
Ags
lsdral On
ba

12
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [APRIL, 1775:
On the 19th, at day-break, our General was
awoke, called from his bed, and informed that a de-
tachment of the British army were out; that they
had croffed from Bofton to Phipps's farm, in boats,
and had gone towards Concord, as was fuppofed,
with intent to deſtroy the public ftores. They
probably had notice that the committees had met
the preceding day at Wetherby's tavern, at Me.
notomy; for, when they came oppofite to the houſe,
they halted. Several of the gentlemen flept there
during the night. Among them were Col. Orne,
Col. Lee, and Mr. Gerry. One of them awoke, and
informed the others that a body of the British were
before the houfe. They immediately made their
efcape, without time to drefs themſelves, at the
back door, receiving fome injury from obftacles in
the way, in their undreffed ftate. They made their
way into the fields. The country was immediately
alarmed, and the minute-men and militia turned out
with great fpirit. Near Lexington meeting-houfe
the British found the militia of that town drawn up
by the road. Towards thefe they advanced, ordered
them to difperfe, huzzaed, and fired upon them;
when feveral were killed and wounded, and the reft
difperfed. This was the firft fhedding of blood in
the American war.
This company continuing to ftand fo near to the
road, after they had certain notice of the advancing of
the Britiſh in force, was but a too much braving of
danger; for they were fure to meet with infult, or
injury, which they could not repel. Bravery, when
called to action, fhould always take the ftrong
ground on the bafis of reafon. Losing dat
The British proceeded on to Concord, where they
deftroyed a part of the ftores, while others were fav
ed by the vigilance, activity, or policy, of the inhab-
itants. In the latter, a Capt. Wheeler practifed with
fuch

APRIL, 1775.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
13
fuch addrefs, as to fave a confiderable quantity of
flour, although expofed to the critical examination of
a British officer.
The British had fent a party to the North Bridge,
while they were deftroying the ftores in the town.
A body of militia, who had retreated beyond the
bridge, and collected in this quarter, now marched
up refolutely to the bridge. The British officer,
finding their firmnefs, ordered his men to fire, which
they did, and two men of the militia were killed.
The fire was brifkly returned; fome were killed and
wounded of the enemy, and an officer taken prif
oner. The British party retreated with precipita-
tion to their main body, and the whole foon com
menced their retreat towards Bofton; the militia
galling them on all fides. This detatchment, under
the command of Col. Smith, muft have been worn
down, and the whole of them killed, or taken prif
oners, had it not been for the reinforcement fent out
to them, under the command of Lord Percy, with
two field-pieces, who joined them in the lower part
of the town of Lexington,ning
Our General, in the morning, proceeded to the
Committee of Safety. From the committee, he took
a crofs road to Watertown, the Britiſh being in pof-
feffion of the Lexington road. At Watertown, find-
ing fome militia who had not marched, but applied
for orders, he fent them down to Cambridge, with
directions to take up the planks, barricade the fouth
end of the bridge, and there to take poft; that, in
cafe the Britifh fhould, on their return, take that
road to Bofton, their retreat might be impeded. He
then pushed to join the militia, taking a cross road
towards Lexington, in which he was joined by Dr.
Jofeph Warren, (afterwards a Major-General) who
kept with him.
boided
том, пот од 300
Our s

14
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [APRIL, 1775,
Our General joined the militia juft after Lord
Percy had joined the Britiſh; and having affifted
in forming a regiment, which had been broken
by the fhot from the British field-pieces, (for the
diſcharge of thefe, together with the flames and
fmoke of feveral. buildings, to which the Britiſh,
nearly at the fame time, had fet fire, opened a new
and more terrific fcene ;) and the British having
again taken up their retreat, were clofely purfued.
On defcending from the high grounds in Menoto-
my, on to the plain, the fire was brifk. At this in-
ftant, a mufket-ball came fo near to the head of Dr.
Warren, as to strike the pin out of the hair of his
earlock. Soon after, the right flank of the British
was expofed to the fire of a body of militia, which
had come from Roxbury, Brooklyn, Dorchefter, &c.
For a few minutes the fire was brifk on both fides;
and the British had here recourfe to their field-pieces
again; but they were now more familiar than be
fore. Here the militia were fo clofe on the rear of
the Britiſh, that Dr. Downer, an active and enter-
prifing man, came to fingle combat with a British
foldier, whom he killed with his bayonet.
Not far from this place, feveral of the militia
(among whom was Ifaac Gardner, Efq. of Brooklyn,
a valuable citizen) imprudently pofted themſelves
behind fome dry cafks, at Watfon's Corner, and
near to the road, unfufpicious of the enemy's flank-
guard, which came behind them, and killed
one of them dead on the fpot.bird sch
every
The militia continued to hang on the rear of the
British, until they reached Bunker's Hill in Charlef-
town; and it had become fo dufk, as to render the
flaſhes of the mufkets very vifible. At this inftant,
an officer on horfeback came up from the Medford
road, and inquired the circumftances of the enemy;
adding, that about 700 men were clofe behind, on
their

APRIL, 1775.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
their way from Salem to join the militia. Had thefe
arrived a few minutes fooner, the left flank of the
Britiſh muſt have been greatly expofed, and fuffered
confiderably; perhaps their retreat would have been
cut off. As foon as the British gained Bunker's Hill,
they immediately formed in a line oppofite to the
neck; when our General judged it expedient to order
the militia, who were now at the common, to halt,
and give over the purfuit, as any further attempt up-
on the enemy, in that pofition, would have been futile.
pa-
Our General immediately affembled the officers
around him, at the foot of Profpect Hill, and ordered
a guard to be formed, and pofted near that place,
centinels to be planted down to the neck, and
troles to be vigilant in moving during the night; and
an immediate report to him, in cafe the enemy made
any movements. The militia were then ordered to
march to the town of Cambridge; where, after
forming and fending off another guard to the points
below the town, the whole were ordered to lie on
their arms.
About midnight, there was an alarm that the en-
emy were coming up the river. It proved to be only
an armed fchooner, probably fent to make difcovery.
She got a-ground, and continued fo until the next
tide; and if there had been a fingle field-piece with
the militia, fhe might have been taken. The marfh
was too deep to approach fufficiently near to do any
execution with fmall-arms; and the first day's hof
tilities of the ever memorable American war, was,
on their part, without a fingle piece of cannon in the
field! Gen. WHITCOMB was in this day's battle.
On the morning of the 20th, our General ordered
Capt. John Battle, of Dedham with his company of
militia, to pafs over the ground which had been the
fcene of action the preceding day, and to bury fuch
of the flain as he fhould find unburied. The grounds
around

16
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [APRIL, 1775.
around Cambridge were immediately reconnoitred,
and alarm-pofts affigned to the feveral corps; and
in cafe the Britifh fhould come out in fuperior force,
and drive the militia from the town, they were or-
dered to rally and form on the high grounds to-
wards Watertown.
How to feed the affembled and affembling militia,
was now the great object. All the eatables in the
town of Cambridge, which could be fpared, were
collected for breakfaſt, and the college kitchen and
utenfils procured for cooking. Some carcaffes of
beef and pork, prepared for the Bofton market on
the 18th, at Little Cambridge, were fent for, and
obtained; and a large quantity of fhip-bread at Rox-
bury, faid to belong to the British navy, was taken
for the militia. Thefe were the firft provifions
which were obtained.
At 11 o'clock, A. M. our General appointed Mr.
Jofeph Ward, a gentleman of abilities, his Aid-de-
camp and Secretary, (afterwards Mufter-Mafter-Gen
eral of the army) who entered on the duties of his
new office This was the first appointment of the kind
in the American army. Before noon, a letter was re-
ceived from the Committee of Supplies at Concord, ex-
preffing their joy at the event of the preceding day,
with affurances that every exertion in their power
fhould be put in exercife, to forward fupplies to the
militia in arms. In the afternoon, Gen. WARD ar-
rived at Cambridge, who, being fenior in the order
of appointment, took the command accordingly.
In the battle on the 19th, the Britiſh were faid to
have 65 killed, 180 wounded, and 28 made prifon-
ers; in all, 273. Of the militia, 50 were killed,
and 34 wounded; in all, 84. It might have been
expected, that in a retreat of fo many miles, the
British lofs would have been greater; but it is to be
remembered, that as they kept the road, the fences
(a large

MAY, 1775.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
17
(a large proportion of which are ftone walls) covered
their flanks almoft to the height of their fhoulders.
It will alfo be obferved, that the wounded of the
militia did not bear the common proportion with the
killed, and is an evidence that the Britifh did not
chooſe to encumber themfelves with prifoners, either
wounded or not, as the marks left at Watfon's Cor-
ner, and on the height above Menotomy meeting-
houfe, evinced : Nor was the dafhing in of many
windows, the firing of mufket-balls into the houſes,
in fome of which there were only women and chil-
dren, or the foldiers leaving their ranks, and going
into the houſes to plunder, (in confequence of which
a number loft their lives) marks of humanity or dif-
cipline.* Their whole force on this enterprife, in-
cluding the reinforcement, was from 1500 to 2000
of their beſt troops.d
Gen. WARD was now the Commander in Chief of
the affembled army, and exercifed the immediate
command on the Cambridge fide while Gen.
Thomas had the immediate command on the Rox-
bury fide. A few days after this, the Cambridge
camp being very numerous, and the Roxbury camp
judged to be too weak, the British having gone over
from Charleſtown to Bofton, Gen. Ward ordered
our General, with three or four regiments, to march
from Cambridge, and reinforce Gen. Thomas; and
he continued in the Roxbury camp until after the arri-
val of Gen. WASHINGTON, in the month of July.
In the month of May, the Provincial Congrefs
paffed refolutions for raifing twenty-four regiments,
to ferve during the remainder of the year. The
General
C
Stedman, in his Hiftory of the American War, vol. ift,
119, fays, "Several of Smith's party were fcalped by the
Americans;" than which nothing can be more untrue. Both
the wounded and the dead were treated with every mark of
humanity and decency.

18
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [JUNE, 1775-
General Officers were each to have a regiment. As
the new regiments began to recruit, the militia went
home, and the camps became very weak; that at
Roxbury did not exceed 1000 men. Had the Brit-
ifh fallied at that time, there would have been but
few to oppofe them on that fide. However, the ar-
my foon became ftrong, it being reinforced by the
arrival of Gen. Putnam from Connecticut, Gen.
Sullivan from New-Hampfhire, and Gen. Greene
from Rhode-Ifland; each with a refpectable body of
troops; and, in the month of June, it was deter-
mined to take poffeffion of the heights of Charlef-
town. Preparations were made for the purpofe;
and on the 16th, at night, a ftrong detachment from
the American army marched on, and broke ground
on Breed's Hill, in front of Bunker's Hill, The
latter ought to have been taken poffeffion of at the
fame time, but it was fome how omitted.
By the morning of the 17th, the troops had a redoubt
and line on its left flank in good forwardnefs, when
they were diſcovered by the British. The Lively man-
of-war firft began to cannonade the Americans; the
was foon feconded by other fhips, floating batteries,
and fome heavy cannon on Cop's Hill, on the Bof-
ton fide, which the Americans bore with a good de-
gree of firmnefs, and continued at their work. The
British army in Bofton were greatly alarmed at this
near approach, and immediately refolved on an at-
tack, before the works could be completed. A
detachment was formed for the purpofe, confifting
of ten companies of Grenadiers, ten of Light Infan-
try, and the 5th, 38th, 43d, and 52d regiments, and
a corps of Artillery under the command of Maj. Gen.
Howe, and Brig. Gen. Pigot. In the afternoon
they landed on Charleſtown Point without oppofi-
tion, where they were afterwards reinforced by the
47th regiment, and firft battalion of marines. The
regiments

JUNE, 1775.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
19
regiments in Cambridge camp were ordered down
to fupport the detachment at Charleftown, and to
Occupy other pofts thought to be effential, and con-
tiguous thereto. The British began their attack
with a fevere fire of artillery, and advanced in a flow
and regular pace. The Americans who had march-
ed on to the aid of the detachment, confifting of
the New-Hampfhire, Maffachuſetts and Connecticut
troops, haftily formed a line of defence, compofed
of rails and other materials found neareft at hand.
This line extended down towards the low ground on
the left, and was nobly defended. The Americans
referved their fire until the British came very near,
when they gave it to great effect; it ftaggered, and
even broke them, but they rallied, and returning to
the charge again and again, drove the Americans
from the lines on the left of the redoubt, and had
nearly furrounded it, when the Americans rufhed
out of the redoubt, their ammunition being ex-
pended, and made their retreat, even through a part
of the Britiſh forces. About this time Maj. Gen.
Warren, who had been but a few days before com-
miffioned, and was then on the hill as a fpecta-
tor only, was killed. A number of the Americans
were killed in retreating from Breed's Hill, to Bun-
ker Hill, and fome in paffing off over the neck.
Perhaps there never was a better fought battle than
this, all things confidered; and too much praiſe
can never be beftowed on the conduct of Col. Wil-
liam Prefcott, who, notwithstanding any thing that
may have been faid, was the proper commanding of-
ficer, at the redoubt, and nobly acted his part as
fuch, during the whole action. sill
to Juft before the action began, Gen. Putnam came
to the redoubt, and told Col. Prefcott that the en-
trenching tools must be fent off, or they would be
loft; the Colonel replied, that if he ſent any of the
men

29
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [JUNE, 775;
men away with the tools, not one of them would
return; to this the General anfwered, they fhall
every man return. A large party was then fent off
with the tools, and not one of them returned; in
this inftance the Colonel was the beft judge of hu
brig
man nature, ahol
In the time of action, Col. Prefcott obferving that
the brave Gen. Warren was near the works, he im-
mediately ſtepped up to him, and afked him if he
had any orders to give him. The General replied
that he had none, that he exercifed no command
there- The command," faid the General," is yours."
While many officers and foldiers gallantly diftin-
guifhed themfelves in this action, others were blamed,
and fome were brought to trial by court-martial.
This was a fore battle to the British, who did not
forget it, during feveral campaigns, nor until a tide
of fucceffes in their favour had removed it from
their minds. Their whole force on this day, which
was in action, was fuppofed to be about 2,000, and
their whole lofs, in killed and wounded, was faid to
be upwards of 1,000, of whom 226 were killed, and
of thefe, 19 were commiffioned officers, including
one Lieutenant-Colonel, two Majors, and feven Cap-
tains. Another account ftated their killed and
wounded to be 753 privates, 202 ferjeants and cor-
porals, and 92 commiffioned officers; in the whole,
1047. The lofs of the Americans, in killed, wound-
ed, and prifoners, about 450.
10728 065
At the time the British made their attack, the
houfes in Charleftown were fet on fire, and burnt
moft furiously, which increafed the horrors of the
fcene. At the fame time a furious cannonade and
throwing of fhells took place at the lines on Boston
neck, against Roxbury, with intent to burn that
town; but although feveral fhells fell among the
houfes, and fome carcaffes near them, and balls went
through

JUNE, 1775] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
21
through fome; no other damage was fuftained than
the lofs of one man killed by a hot driving a ſtone
from a wall against him.dels
On the 15th, Congrefs appointed GEORGE WASH-
INGTON Commander in Chief; and on the 17th
Artemas Ward, firft Major-General-Charles Lee,
fecond Major-General-Horatio Gates, Adjutant-
General, with the rank of Brigadier-General; and
on the 19th, Philip Schuyler, third Major-General,
and Ifrael Putnam, fourth Major-General; and on
the 22d, Seth Pomeroy, firft Brigadier-General-
Richard Montgomery, fecond do. David Woofter,
third do. William Heath, fourth do. Jofeph Spen-
cer, fifth do. John Thomas, fixth do. John Sullivan,
feventh do. Nathaniel Green, eighth do. and made
provifion for raifing an army for the defence of the
United Colonies. Before thefe appointments were
made known at camp, on the 21st of June, our
General received from the Provincial Congrefs, a
commiflion of Major-General. W Generals Ward,
Thomas, and Warren, had before received their
commiffions, the latter juft before he was flain.
Gen. Pomeroy declining an acceptance of the com-
miffion from Congrefs, that Honorable Body, on
the 19th of July, refolved that Gen. Thomas be ap-
pointed firft Brigadier-General in the army of the
United Colonies, in the room of Gen. Pomeroy, who
never acted under the commiffion fent to him, and
that Gen. Thomas's commiffion bear the fame date
that Gen. Pomeroy's did; indeed this was the rank
to which Gen. Thomas was entitled by former ftand-
ing. Congrefs now alfo appointed Jofeph Trumbull
to be Commiffary-General of ftores and provifions,
for the army, but left the appointment of a Quarter-
Mafter-General, and fome other officers, to Gen.
Waſhington, who appointed the able and very ac-
tive Col. Thomas Mifflin, Quarter-Mafter-General,
who

22
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [JUNE, 1775.
who did himfelf much honour, and his country fer-
vice, in this important department.
Immediately after the battle of Bunker Hill, the
Americans began to erect works on Profpect Hill,
a very commanding height above Charleſtown com-
mon, and at feveral other places. Several works
were alfo conftructed at Roxbury, and the British
confined to Bofton and Charleſtown, within the
neck.
The works now going on, both on the Cambridge
and Roxbury fidé, were confiderable, and there was
a great want of engineers. Col. Gridley was chief
Engineer, and was aided by his fon. But the ftrength
of body, activity and genius of the Americans ca-
pable of conftructing with furprifing difpatch any
works in which they were guided, called for many
inftructors in this department. Lieut. Col. Rufus
Putnam, of Col. David Brewer's regiment, was very
ferviceable in this line, on the Roxbury fide; as was
alfo Capt. Jofiah Waters of Bofton, and Capt. Bald-
win of Brookfield, (afterwards Colonel of Artificers)
and others on the Cambridge fide, and Capt. Henry
Knox, who had been an officer in the Bofton Gren-
adier Company, (and who was afterwards at the
head of the American artillery, to the clofe of the
war) occafionally lent his aid. His military genius
and acquaintance with our General, led him to be
importunate with Capt. Knox to join the army;
nor did he need perfuafion to join in the caufe of
his country. His removal out of Bofton, and the
then ftate of his domeftic concerns, required fome
previous arrangement; as foon as this was effected,
he joined the army.
24th.-About noon, a heavy cannonade and
throwing of fhells from the lines on Bofton neck
into Roxbury-but no damage done. Two Amer-
ican foldiers attempting to fet fire to Brown's barn,
on

JULY, 1775.1 HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
23
on Boſton neck, were killed by the British. The
fame evening two heavy cannon were brought to the
work on the hill above Roxbury work-houfe.
25th. At night, an attempt was made to burn
the buildings on Bofton neck; a firing took place
between the parties, but the object was not effected.
26th. A party of Britiſh, about day-break, ad-
vanced and fired on the American centinels near
the George tavern. The picket turned out the
Britiſh retreated.
July ft. A platform in the work above Rox-
bury work-houfe being laid, a 24 pounder was
mounted and difcharged twice at the British lines;
the fecond fhot grazed the parapet and ftruck on
the parade, and occafioned fome confufion: There
was more or lefs firing of cannon on both fides, daily:
All the works were puſhed with the utmoft dili-
gence.
2d.-About two o'clock, P. M. Gen. WASHING-
TON, attended by feveral officers, arrived at the
camp in Cambridge.
On the morning of this day, the British cannon-
aded briskly from their lines on Bofton neck againſt
Roxbury, and threw fome fhells; a carcafs fet fire
to the houfe of Mr. Williams, the tinman, which
was burnt down; by the activity of the troops, the
flames were prevented from fpreading further, al-
though they had to work in the face of a conftant
and heavy fire from the enemy.
5th.-Gen. Washington, accompanied by Major-
Gen. Lee, vifited the Roxbury camp, works, &c.
8th.-A little after two o'clock in the morning,
a number of volunteers, under the command of
Majors Tupper and Crane, attacked the British ad-
vance guard at Brown's houfe, on Bofton neck,
and routed them, took a halbert, a mufket, and two
bayonets, and burnt the two houfes; the ftore and
barn

24
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [JULY, 1775
barn eſcaped the flames; a fcattering fire at the out-
poft continued for fome time; a floating battery was
brought up into the bay, and moored fo as to cover
the right flank of the British works on the neck.
11th. In the morning, a party of Americans
drove back the British advance guard, and burnt
Brown's ftore. The fame night a detachment went
on to Long-Ifland, and brought off the ftock, &c.
The next day in the forenoon, Col. Greaton with
136 men, went on to Long-Ifland, and burnt the
barns; the flames communicated to the houfe, and
all were confumed. An armed fchooner, and fev
eral barges put off after the Americans, and fome
of the fhips of war near the ifland, cannonaded them.
The detachment made their way for the fhore, and
narrowly efcaped being taken. One man on the
fhore who came to the affiftance of the detachment,
was killed: It was fuppofed that feveral of the Brit-
ifh were killed and wounded. The fame day fix
tranfports, appearing to be full of men, arrived in
Bofton harbour.
13th. A heavy cannonade from the Britiſh, at
the American workmen-but no damage done.
Gen. Washington alvifited the camp. The men
were employed on the works going on upon the
ftrong rocky hill, (Col. Williams's) to the fouth-weft
of thofe above Roxbury work-houfe. This was one
of the ſtrongeſt works which were erected. quot
manner.
14th.-The British fired feveral cannon, and a
Connecticut foldier was killed in the ftreet, near the
George tavern. The fhot entered his body, drove
it fome diſtance, and lodged in him, in a remarkable
TEAsinuloy lo zedmon
18th.-Five tranſport fhips arrived in Bofton
harbour. Freſh provifions were very fcarce and
dear, in Bofton-mutton and veal, 2. per pound;
fresh beef and pork a piftareen, falt pork fixpence
resd
20th.

JULY, 1775.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
25
20th. A day of public fafting-no fatigue-all
till and quiet.
21ft. Major Vofe returned from Nantafket. The
detachment under his command, brought off 1,000
bufhels of barley, all the hay, &c. went to Light-
Houfe Ifland; took away the lamps, oil, fome gun-
powder, the boats, &c. and burnt the wooden parts
of the light-houfe. An armed fchooner and ſeveral
boats, with men, engaged the detachment; of the
Americans, two were wounded.
22d. A general order came out for forming the
army into divifions and brigades.
25th. Maj. Gen. Ward removed from Cam-
bridge, and took the immediate command of the
troops at Roxbury.
29th. The British formed a bomb battery, at
Bunker's-Hill, and advanced their advance guard.
30th. In the morning, there was a fkirmifh at
Charleſtown neck, between the riflemen and fome
British troops. Two of the latter were taken prifon-
ers, and feveral were killed. Of the riflemen, one
was killed. The fame day, the British advanced over
the neck, and threw up a flight work to cover their
guard.
31ft.A little before one o'clock, A. M. a Brit-
ifh floating-battery came up the river, within 300
yards of Sewall's Point, and fired a number of fhot
at the American works, on both fides of the river.
At the fame time, the Britiſh, on Boiton neck, falli-
ed towards Roxbury; drove in the American centi-
nels, fet fire to the George tavern, and returned to
their works. The fame morning, Major Tupper,
with 300 Americans, went to Light-Houfe Ifland,
attacked a British guard of 33 marines, killed a fub-
altern officer and feveral foldiers, took 23 prifoners,
feveral refugees, and burnt all the buildings on the
ifland, with the lofs of one American foldier. There
D
was

25
LAUG. 1775
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
was a firing, during the day, from the Britiſh, at
Charleſtown, at intervals. Two Americans were
killed; an officer, and feveral Britifh foldiers, were
fuppofed to have been killed. The Americans took
feveral mufkets.
August 2d. There was a confiderable firing be-
tween the advanced parties, and the Americans burnt
a barn, near Charleſtown neck, in which the Britiſh
had fome hay. A British officer was wounded, and
carried within their lines.
4th.-A fhip of war came up above the ferry, at
Charleſtown, and there took a ftation.
6th. In the afternoon, a party of the Britiſh, in
two barges, covered by a floating battery, burnt the
houfe on the other fide of Penny Ferry.
11th. One of the fhips which had been ftationed
above the ferry, went down.
15th. There was a fmart cannonade on the Rox-
bury fide. There was more or lefs firing every
day; but little damage done.
17th. A fhot, from the British lines on Bofton
neck, ftruck among the main guard, at Roxbury,
and damaged two mufkets in a very remarkable
manner; but did no other harm. The fame day
fix or feven tons of powder arrived from the fouth-
ward.
18th. Several fhells were thrown into Roxbury;
but did no damage.
26th. The Americans broke ground on Plowed
Hill, in front of Bunker's Hill, without moleftation.
27th. There was a brifk cannonade from the Brit
ifh on Bunker's Hill, the fhip, and floating batte-
ries, at the Americans on Plowed Hill. Adjutant
Mumford, of Col. Varnum's Rhode-Ifland regi-
ment, and a foldier, belonging to Col. Hitchcock's
regiment, were killed, and a rifleman loft a leg.
28th.

SEPT. 1775.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
27
28th. In the night the camp was alarmed, and
fome of the troops turned out, but nothing enfued.
The fire continued against Plowed Hill; one Amer-
ican was killed and feveral wounded.
b29th, 30th, and 31ft.-The Britiſh continued their
cannonade and bombardment of Plowed Hill. One
fhell fell within the works; but no damage was
done.
September 1ft.-The preceding night there was
an exceffive hot cannonade and bombardment from
the Britiſh works, on Bofton neck, against the
works at Roxbury. Two Americans were killed,
and feveral wounded.
2d.-The British threw up a flight work on Bofton
neck, advanced of their lines, to cover their guard.
Cannonading and throwing of fhells, on this day,
both against Roxbury and Plowed Hill, Two fhells
fell into the works on the latter, but did no harm.
5th. A ferjeant, belonging to the 64th Britiſh
regiment, and a feaman, were taken prifoners at
Noddle's Ifland. The heavy rains, about this time,
did fome damage to the American works. Prepara-
tions were made for fending a detachment to Canada.
6th. The Americans advanced fome works to-
wards Bofton neck, without moleftation.
9th. Two riflemen deferted to the British. A
number of Britiſh foldiers, at different times, had
come over to the Americans.
10th.-A ftrong work, at Lamb's Dam, in Rox-
bury, was completed, and mounted with four 18
pounders. The fame day, a fhot from the Britiſh
deftroyed three mufkets at Roxbury.
11th.-A boat, with fix or feven Britiſh foldiers,
was driven on fhore at Dorchefter. They were taken
prifoners and fent in.
-
13th. A detachment, under the command of
Col. Arnold, marched for Canada. They were to
take

28
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [SEPT. 1773
take a north-eaftern rout, up Kennebeck River, and
down the river Chaudiere.
Generals Schuyler and Montgomery were mak
ing their way into Canada, with a confiderable
force, by way of the lakes. They had advanced
as far as Fort St. John's; but, finding that this fort
would make confiderable refiftance, they fell back.
Schuyler returned to Albany, to hold a treaty with
the Indians; and Montgomery waited for the arri
val of his artillery, that he might reduce the forts.
Some time before this, Col. Ethan Allen, of the
New-Hampfhire Grants, (fince Vermont) with a
number of volunteers, took poffeffion of Ticondero-
ga. The artillery, fecured by Allen, were an ac
quifition to the Americans; and Col. Knox went up
the next winter, and felected and brought forward
a number of pieces to the camp, before Bofton.
The garrifon of this place, which was commanded
by a Captain, apprehending no danger, were negli-
gent, and remifs in duty. Allen was acquaint-
ed at the place; and now, as is faid, requefted a
part of the garrifon to aid him, in tranfporting fome
goods. Nearly half of the garrifon were granted
him. Thefe were plentifully ferved with liquor;
and, in the night, Allen entered the fort, and de-
manded a delivery of it. The commandant afking
by what authority he required him to furrender, Al-
len replied "I demand it in the name of the great
Jehovah and the Continental Congrefs." He alfo
took poffeffion of Crown-Point; and, before Mont-
gomery was ready to proceed againſt the Forts
Chambly and St. John's, Allen determined to fur-
prife Montreal. For this purpofe, he marched
acrofs, with a body of militia; but he was met, be-
fore he got to the town, by what force the British
could collect there, who attacked and defeated Allen,
taking him, and a number of his party, prifoners.
He

OCT. 1775.]
29
HEATH's MEMOIRS.
He was put in irons, and fent in a man-of-war to Eng
land. His narrative was long fince publiſhed.
18th. Several feamen deferted from the Britiſh
-they brought off three boats. The fame day, a
cannon fhot, from the lines on Bofton neck, went
through the guard-houfe at Roxbury. A fplinter
wounded the Captain of the guard.
21ft. The cannonade, which continued more or
lefs every day, was more brifk at fome workmen,
between Plowed Hill and Profpect Hill. Two Amer-
icans were wounded,
23d. A brifk cannonade and bombardment on
the works at Roxbury-108 cannon and mortars
were diſcharged, but no damage done.
eds
29th.-500,000 dollars, in Continental bills, were
brought to Head-Quarters, from Philadelphia. Sev-
eral deferters from the British, about this time. ano
October 3d and 4th.-General Officers in coun-
cil, on the fuppofed treachery of Dr. Church, who
was taken into clofe cuftody, and afterward kept in
confinement.
6th.-A brifk cannonade at Roxbury. An Amer-
ican loft an arm. An 18 pound fhot went through
the gate-way, at the Britiſh lines, as their guard was
marching out.
8th. The Britiſh did fome mifchief at Briftol, in
Rhode-Ifland. The report of the cannon were
heard at camp. mai 1b nom
17th. Two American floating-batteries were
rowed down the river; feveral fhot were difcharged
towards the British. A 9 pounder burſt, and 5
or 6 men were wounded; one of which died foon
after.d
22d. Intelligence was received, that fome Britiſh
fhips had entered the harbour of Cafco Bay, and
burnt a part of the town of Falmouth.
November

30
[Nov. 1773
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
November 4th.-Intelligence was received, that
the British fort at Chambly, on the lake, had furren
dered to the Americans. The artillery and military
ftores in this fort were truly an acquifition. The
privateers fitted out by the Americans, about this
time, began to fend in a few prizes. od dvoul
9th. At the top of high water, the tide being
very full, fome British light-infantry, in boats, came
over from Bofton, and landed on Leechmore's Point,
The centinels on the point came off; the alarm was
given; and feveral hundred Americans forded over
the caufeway, in the face of the Britiſh, the water at
leaft two feet deep. The British, feeing the fpirit of
the Americans, although they were very advanta-
geoufly pofted, made a precipitate retreat to their
boats. Three or four Americans were wounded,
one mortally. The Britiſh fhip and floating-batte-
ries kept up a brifk fire; but to little purpoſe.30
od 11th. The King of England's Proclamation for
fuppreffing rebellion (as he called it) made its ap-
pearance. It was taken on board a veffel from Ire-
land, which was captured by an American cruifer.
It was reported that the British had received a rein-
forcement.
14th.-Intelligence was received of the capitulation
of the Britiſh garrifon of Fort St. John's on the lake.
Montgomery was now proceeding rapidly into Cana-
da. His troops took poffeffion of Montreal on the 13th.
91516th. Several deferters came in, and two foldiers
were taken prifoners.
222d.-Aftrong detachment from the army, under
the command of Maj. Gen. Putnam, broke ground
on Cobble Hill, without annoyance. The fatigue-
men worked until near break of day, when the
whole came off. edd
23d.-At night, our General, with a detachment
of fimilar ftrength to that of the preceding night,
were

DEC. 1775.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
31
were ordered to Cobble Hill, to complete the works.
A fally from the Britiſh was expected, and Col.
Bridge with his regiment was ordered to the foot of
the hill, and to patrole towards the bay and neck,
conftantly, during the night. The picket at Prof
pect Hill was alfo ordered to be in readineſs to fuc-
cour the troops at the works, if they were attacked;
and Col. Bond's regiment alfo lay on their arms;
but the Britiſh did not move. Two of the Britiſh
centinels came off in the night to the detachment,
the whole came off at day-break; and other troops
were ordered on the works, in the day time, now in
good forwardneſs, and defenfible.
25th. An additional fhip came up and took fta-
tion at the ferry. Upon a few fhot being fired, by
the American advance centinels, the Britiſh drums
on Bunker's Hill beat to arms, which were followed
the Americans. At this time the Britiſh were
erecting feveral bomb-batteries at Bofton to annoy the
Americans. Col. Enos, who was of Col. Arnold's
detachment, from the army deftined to cross the woods
by a north-eaſtern route into Canada, having proceed-
ed a very confiderable diftance, Arnold's fick return
ing back, and his own men growing fickly, returned
with his part of the detachment. This leffened the ex
pectation of fuccefs to the American army in Canada.
30th. Intelligence was received from Cape-Ann,
that a veffel from England, laden with warlike ftores,
had been taken and brought into that place. There
was on board one 13 inch brafs mortar, 2,000 ftand
of arms, 100,000 flints, 32 tons of leaden ball, &c
&c. A fortunate capture for the Americans!
December 2d. The brafs 13 inch mortar, and
fundry military ftores, taken in the ordnance prize,
were brought to camp.
5th.-Intelligence was received, that Col. Arnold
had made his way fafely into Canada.dw
12th.

32
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [DEC. 1775*
12th. A caufeway was begun over the marsh, to
Leechmore's Point. Two 18 pounders were brought
from Roxbury, and mounted at Cobble Hill.b
13th. An exprefs arrived from Marblehead, with
advice that three British men-of-war were ftanding
for that harbour. Col. Glover's regiment, with
Capt. Forſter's company of artillery, and a company
of riflemen, were ordered to march to Marblehead
with all expedition.
14th, 15th, and 16th.-Approaches were carried
brifkly on to Leechmore's Point, and nearly to the
top of the hill.rad malay no be
17th. The morning was foggy. A detachment
of 300 men, under the direction of Gen. Putnam,
broke ground on the top of the hill, on Leechmore's
Point, at a diſtance of not more than half a mile from
the fhip. Between twelve and one o'clock, the fog
cleared away, and the fhip began to cannonade the
Americans, with round and grape fhot, and fome
fhells were thrown from Weft-Bofton. One foldier
was wounded, and the party driven from the works.
Several cannon were fired from Cobble Hill, at the
fhip; one fhot was fuppofed to have ftruck her.
18th. Our General was ordered, with 300 men,
to profecute the work begun on Leechmore's Point.
It was expected that this would have been a bloody
day, and Dr. Downer, one of the furgeons, was
ordered down with the detachment, with his inftru-
ments, &c. to affift the wounded. Fortunately for
the detachment, Capt. Smith of the artillery, had,
in the morning, difcharged an 18 pounder from
Cobble Hill at the fhip, which induced her to weigh
anchor, and run below the ferry-way.
When our General arrived nearly at the fummit
of the hill, he halted the detachment, and went for-
ward himſelf, and took a view of the ftate of the
works, which in fome places were but just begun
in

DEC. 1775]
33
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
in others were carried half way up. He then order
ed the front company to move up the hill, ground
their arms, and move into a part of the works affign-
ed to them and fo on through the whole, to prevent
confufion in entering the works, and thereby in-
creafing an object to the British gunners. As foon
as the men were placed in the works, two centinels
were pofted to watch the Britiſh batteries, with or-
ders, on diſcovering the difcharge of cannon, to call
out, a fhot! The men in the works were ordered to
be ſteady; on the fignal of a fhot, to fettle down and
remain fo, until the fhot had ftruck; or if a fhell,
until it had burft; then to rife and profecute the
work-no man to ftep out of his place. In a very
fhort time, a fhot was cried by the centinels. It
prov-
ed to be a fhell, which fell and, burft within a few
feet of a part of the workmen, throwing the dirt
among them, and a piece of the fhell hitting a fol-
dier's hat. On the fecond difcharge, the men fell
as before; when, on rifing, two or three heavy can
non-fhot ftruck in the face of the work; the Britiſh
having difcharged the cannon in fuch time after the
mortar, as that the fhot might take effect juft as the
men arofe after the burfting of the fhell; but in this
they did not fucceed; the men being ordered to
keep down until both had ftruck. Finding this de-
ception to fail, a fhell was broke in the air, directly
over the party, at 60 or 70 feet high. This alfo
had as little effect upon the Americans. The fire
continued until the afternoon, when it ceafed and
it was afterwards learnt, that the commanding-officer
of the British artillery, who ftood and obferved the
effect of their fire upon the Americans, went to their
General, and informed him, that from his own ob-
fervation, their fire had no other effect than to inure
the Americans to danger, and advifed its difcontinu
ance. In the afternoon, Gen. Washington and fev-
30t
E
eral

34
[DEC. 1775*
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
eral other General Officers came on to the Point.
Towards night, the detachment were ordered to move
out of the works by companies, as they went in ;
take up their arms, move under the hill, and form
the detachment; from whence it was marched to
Cambridge, attended by their furgeon, who had been
in waiting all the day, but had no occafion to draw
his inftruments from their cafe, or a bandage or
Foolib no atsb
dreffing from his box.
глоб
07 19th. The profecution of the works on Leech-
more's Point was continued. The British cannon-
aded and bombarded the new detachment; but to
no effect. The fame took place on the 20th. On
this day, a 13 inch fhell was thrown almoft up to
No. 2. It was probably thrown, either at the works
before mentioned, or at the colleges. It did not
burft. Nearly five pounds of powder was taken out
of the fhell. tot of 10 sosis bas modi gnome
22d. The Britiſh threw one fhell, and fired two
fhot, from Bunker's Hill in Charleſtown, at the
works on Leechmore's Point. The cannonade, &c.
continued, on the 23d and 24th; but to no effect.
28th. A ftrong detachment from Winter Hill
marched, in the night, to furprife the British out-
pofts in Charleſtown. They paffed on the fouth
fide of Cobble Hill, and were to crofs the cove on
the ice. When they came to the channel, it was
found to be open. A foldier flipping down on the
ice, his piece accidentally went off, which caufed an
alarm, and the detachment returned.
nitnoo
31ft.-Intelligence was received, that there had
been an action at Norfolk in Virginia, between
Dunmore's army and the Virginians, to the advan-
tage of the latter. Fifty of the regular toops were
faid to have been killed and wounded; among the
former was Capt. Fordyce, of the 14th British regi-
an active and good officer. The Virginians had
ment,
not

JAN. 1776.]
35
HEATH's MEMOIRS.
not a man killed. Dunmore's force was fuppofed to
be about 500. old Thotblobst
no od bas
January 1st, 1776, prefented a great change in
the American army. The officers and men of the
new regiments were joining their refpective corps;
thofe of the old regiments were going home by hun-
dreds and by thouſands. The beft arms, fuch as
were fit for fervice, were detained from the foldiers
who were going home; they were to be paid for;
but it created much uneafinefs. Such a change, in
the very teeth of an enemy, is a moft delicate ma-
noeuvre; but the Britiſh did not attempt to take any
advantage of it.
olling to nisti
20 8th. It having been thought expedient to de-
prive the Britiſh of the houfes in Charleſtown, below
Bunker's Hill, a detachment was ordered for the
purpofe. One hundred men from the First Brigade,
and a like number from Frye's Brigade, with Cap-
tains Williams, Gould and Wyman; Lieutenants
Fofter, Shaw, Patterfon and Trafton, and Enfign
Cheney; the whole under the command of Major
Knoulton, aided by Brigade-Majors Henly and Ca
rey. The detachment marched between 8 and
o'clock in the evening, and the object was effected
without the lofs of a man. Several Britiſh foldiers
were taken prifoners. The garrifon of Bunker Hill
works commenced a brifk fire down the hill, towards
the houſes; but no damage was fuftained. There
had been a number of deferters from the British,
fince thofe heretofore mentioned,
9
61 17th. Intelligence was received, that on the 31ft
of December, at three o'clock, A. M. Gen. Mont-
gomery made an attempt to carry Quebec by affault.
Col. Arnold had entered the lower city, and Gen.
Montgomery was afcending the barriers at the
other end, when he was killed by a mufket-ball, as
was his Aid-de-camp. A number of thoſe who had
entered

36
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [JAN. 1776,
entered the lower city, were killed or taken prifon-
ers, and the enterprife defeated. No account of the
American lofs was at this time reported. D
Great addrefs and gallantry were exhibited on this
expedition. The Americans afcending Kennebeck
Bod
river, crofling the height of land, and defcending
into Canada, was an arduous undertaking. Mont-
gomery was fired with a noble ardor. He had been
fuccefsful hitherto, and the reduction of the city of
Quebec would have been the finishing ftroke. With
this he hoped to cloſe the year. To reduce the city
by fiege, would require a long time, (if not relieved)
nor had he a train of artillery for the purpoſe.
With this day would expire the time of fervice of
many of his troops. He therefore refolved to attempt
to carry the place by affault. Two real attacks were
to be made on the lower city, at the oppofite ends;
one guided by himself, the other by Arnold; and
there were to be two falfe attacks made on the up-
per city, to divide and diftract the enemy. Every
thing was well arranged. Arnold forced his way in,
was wounded, and carried away--his party fighting
on. Montgomery paffed along a very narrow defile,
next to the bank, to a barrier obftinately defended
and here he fell here was an end to his attack.
The other party fought on; but thefe being now
the only enemy to oppofe, the British turned their
whole force to that quarter. They could not well
retreat the whole were killed, wounded, or taken
prifoners. There was here barely a profpect of fuc-
cefs, unleſs fortune fhould prove more favourable to
merit than fhe is wont to do. Nothing more could be
done on the ſcore of gallantry. How far the attempt
was a prudent one, is another queftion. It is a mil-
itary maxim, that "fortune may fail us, but a pru-
dent conduct never will." At the fame time, fome
of the moft brilliant victories have been obtained by
a daring ftroke.
18th.

FEB. 1776.]
37
HEATH's MEMOIRS.
do18th. Col. Knox, of the artillery, came to camp.
He brought from Ticonderoga a fine train of artil.
lery, which had been taken from the British, both
cannon and mortars, and which were ordered to be
ftopped at Framingham. olfe slords
22d. Several Indians came to camp from the
weftward. Intelligence was received from Canada,
that the blockade of Quebec was continued, not-
withstanding the rebuff on the morning of the 31st
of December.
February 1ft. A number of Britifh foldiers from
Bunker's Hill, went to pulling down the tide-millsat
Charleſtown. A cannon was difcharged at them
from Cobble Hill, which difperfed them for a fhort
time, but they returned again. gaigalls moititoqgo
465th. Three cows were feeding near the Britiſh
out-poft at Charleſtown neck. A party of the Britiſh
came out, got above them, drove them to the neck,
and killed them. This brought on a brifk firing at
the out-pofts, and fome cannon were diſcharged from
Bunker's Hill. It was fuppofed that the Britiſh had
one man killed, and one wounded.yo
8th. At night, a party of Americans, from Win-
ter Hill, went down and burnt the old tide-mill in
Charleſtown.
bamins, toot rot
доот то
14th. In the morning, a party of Britiſh troops
from the Caftle, and another from Bofton, croffed
over to Dorchefter neck, with intent to furpriſe the
American guard, which they came well nigh effect-
ing; the guard but juft efcaping them. There was
but one musket fired, on the fide of the Americans.
An old inhabitant and his fon were taken prifoners.
The Britiſh burnt the houfes on the point, and then
returned.
15th.-Intelligence was received from Canada,
that fome of the British garrifon of Quebec, having
made a fally, in order to get fuel, they were driven
back,

38
[FEB. 1776.
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
back, with the lofs of twelve killed, and fifteen
wounded.
The heights round Bofton, except thofe at Dorchef-
ter, having been taken poffeffion of, it was now de-
termined that thefe alfo fhould be occupied; and
great previous preparation was made for the purpofe.
It was imagined that fo near an approach to the
British, would induce them to make a fally, to dif
lodge the Americans. It was therefore deliberated
in Council, that, in cafe the Britifh fhould come
forth, a ftrong detachment of Americans, from the
Cambridge camp, in boats, fhould proceed down the
river, and land at the bottom of the common, in
Bofton. To this our General made a moft pointed
oppofition; alleging, that it would moft affuredly
produce only defeat and difgrace to the American
army; that the British General muſt be fuppofed to
be a mafter of his profeffion; that as fuch, he would
first provide for the defence of the town, in every
part, which was the great depofit of all his ftores;
that when this was done, if his troops would afford
a redundancy, fufficient for a fally, he might attempt
it; but it was to be remembered that, at any rate,
the town would be defended; that it was impoffible
for troops, armed and difciplined as the Americans
then were, to be pushed down in boats, at least one
mile and a half, open to the fire of all the British
batteries on the weft fide of the town, and to their
whole park of artillery, which might be drawn to
the bottom of the common long before the Ameri
cans could reach it, and be flanked alfo by the works
on the neck; that under fuch a tremendous fire,
the troops could not effect a landing; and that he
would never give his vote for it. It was however
carried, that the attempt fhould be made.
18th. It being Lord's day, after public fervice,
a proclamation from the General Affembly of Maffa
chuſetts,

MARCH, 1776.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
39
chuſetts, for the reformation of manners, was read
to the first divifion by the Rev. Mr. Leonard. ngisd
21ft. A picket of 60 men was ordered to Leech-
more's Point; and Col. Sargent's regiment at In-
man's farm was ordered to be in readinefs to fup-
port them, in cafe they fhould be attacked by the
Britiſh; as fome grounds for fufpecting it had been
difcovered.o polo be good stow haben stew
b23d. Enfign Lyman, of Huntington's regiment,
with a fmall party, took a Corporal and two men,
who were centinels at Brown's chimneys, on Bofton
neck, without firing a gun. Thefe prifoners report-
ed, that the heavy cannon were removed from Bunk-
er's Hill, and put on board fhip. niso doul diw
ST25th. Some heavy cannon were mounted on the
works at Leechmore's Point. The fame day the
British were bufily employed in erecting a work, a
little to the north of the powder magazine in Bofton.
29th. The Britiſh threw fome fhells to Leech-
more's Point
dio od lie bib as o bevorgas
March ift.Several mortars were fent over to
Roxbury, and great preparations made to annoy the
enemy. Bundles of fcrewed hay were brought from
Chelfea, to be ufed in the works. stofadoro of
2d. At night, a cannonade and bombardment
began at the American works, on Cobble Hill and
Leechmore's Point on the Cambridge fide, and at
Lamb's Dam on the Roxbury fide, against the Brit-
ith works; and a number of fhells were thrown into
Bofton. The British returned the fire, and threw
out a number of fhells; one of which, of 13 inches,
reached Profpect Hill. One of the American mor
tars of 13 inches, and two of 10 inches, were burſt.
They were not properly bedded, as the ground was
hard frozen.
7eb odt lo sg boog s
4th. There was an almoft inceffant roar of car-
non and mortars during the night, on both fides.
alangit
The

40
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [MARCH, 1776!
The Americans took poffeffion of Dorcheſter
heights, and nearly completed their works on both
the hills by morning Perhaps there never was fo
much work done in fo fhort a fpace of time. The
adjoining orchards were cut down to make the ab-
battis; and a very curious and novel mode of de-
fence was added to thefe works. The hills on which
they were erected were fteep, and clear of trees and
bufhes. Rows of barrels, filled with earth, were placed
round the works. They prefented only the appear-
ance of strengthening the works; but the real defign
was, in cafe the enemy made an attack, to have rolled
them down the hill. They would have defcended
with fuch increafing velocity, as muft have thrown
the affailants into the utmost confufion, and have
killed and wounded great numbers. This project
was fuggefted by Mr. William Davis, merchant, of
Bofton, to our General, who immediately communi
cated it to the Commander in Chief, who highly
approved of it, as did all the other officers: But
the credit of it is juftly due to Mr. Davis, and to him
the writer gives it. As the regiments at Roxbury
were parading, in the afternoon of this day, to march
to Dorcheſter, a fhot, from the British lines on Bof-
ton neck, carried away a thigh of Lieut. John Mayo,
of Learned's regiment: he foon after died. One
man was killed by a fhell at Leechmore's Point, in
the night.nises shit yun Яed to msdms.
of 5th. The Britifh, it was expected, would attempt
to diflodge the Americans from Dorchefter heights.
Signals had been prepared at Roxbury meeting-houſe
to mark the moment. The detachment at Cam-
bridge (defigned to push into Bofton in the boats)
was paraded, not far from No. 2, where it remained
a good part of the day. But kind Heaven, which
more than once faved the Americans when they
would have deſtroyed themfelves, did not allow the
SAT
fignals

MARCH, 1776.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
41
fignals to be made. About 3500 of the Britiſh troops,
it was faid, had been fent down to the Caftle, with
the intent to have made an attack on the Ameri-
cans; but, about midnight, the wind blew almoft a
hurricane from the fouth; many windows were
forced in, fheds and fences blown down, and fome
veffels drove on fhore; and no attempt was made on
the works. Some were ready to blame our General,
for the fentiments which he expreffed against the go-
ing into Bofton, as was propofed, in the boats, and
attributed it to the want of firmnefs: But the opin-
ion of every military man, fince that time, whether
American, French, or British, who have taken a view
of the land and water which was to have been the
fcene of action, with the concomitant circumftances,
(as far as we have heard) hath been coincident; and
thoſe who may in future review them, will for them-
felves determine, whether the independence of Spirit
and fentiments of our General, expreffed on the oc-
cafion, merited applaufe or cenfure: For himself, he
has been frequently heard to fay that he gloried
in them.d
b On the night of the 7th, Capt. Erving made his
efcape out of Bofton. He reported, that the British
were preparing to leave the town; that they were
putting their cannon, mortars, fhot, fhells, &c. on
board the ftore-fhips; that fome of the fhot and fhells,
fent into the town by the Americans, had been well
directed. ang mg
-
srigth. The Americans at Dorchefter neck opened
a battery to the north-east of Bird's Hill, near the
water, with the intent to annoy the Britifh fhipping.
This night a ftrong detachment went down to open
a work on Nook Hill in Dorchefter, ftill nearer to
Boſton. Some of the men imprudently kindled a
fire behind the hill, previous to the hour for break-
ing of ground. The enemy difcovered the light
O
F
of

42
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [MARCH, 1776.
of the fire; and there was, during the evening and
night, a continual roar of cannon and mortars,
from the Caftle and lines on Bofton neck, fouth end
of that town; as well as from the Americans at
Roxbury, Cobble Hill, and Leechmore's Point, at
Cambridge. The fecond fhot from the British at
the old fortification, fouth end of the town of Bof-
ton, killed 4 Americans, who were ftanding around
the fire before mentioned, at Nook Hill; one of
whom was Dr. Dow, of Connecticut. Another
man was killed at the point next to the Caſtle.
This fufpended the work for the night, during which
more than 800 fhot were fired.
A
1oth.--The cannonade continued. The British
were putting their cannon, military ftores, and bag-
gage, on board the ftore-fhips and tranfports. This
evening two pieces of cannon, and two fmall mor
tars, were carried on to Noddle's Ifland, to difturb
the Britiſh fhipping; but the enemy being quiet at
their different works, they were not molefted from
that quarter.
11th. In the evening there was a brifk cannon-
ade from the British, at the fouth end of Bofton, and
the lines on the neck.
Wir sestry
12th. A Mr. Woodward came out of Bofton.
Fle reported that the British were making the great-
eft preparations to leave the town; that a num-
ber of gun-carriages, ammunition-waggons, &c. had
been broken to pieces, and thrown off the wharves;
that fome furniture had been deftroyed, and that
many dry goods had been feized, &c.
13th.-Six regiments of the American army, viz.
Greaton's, Stark's, Patterſon's, Bond's, Webb's,
and the rifle regiment, were put under orders to
march for New-York; of thefe our General was to
take the command. A detachment of artillery was
alfo ordered to march with this brigade.
On

MARCH, 1776.
43
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
On the evening of the 15th, a fire broke out in
Patterson's barracks at Cambridge, which confumed
fix rooms, deftroyed fome musket-cartridges, &c.
This day the rifle regiment commenced their march
for New-York.
17th. In the morning the Britiſh evacuated Bof-
ton; their rear guard, with fome marks of precipi-
tation. A number of cannon were left fpiked, and
two large marine mortars, which they in vain at-
tempted to burst. The garrifon at Bunker's Hill
practifed fome deception to cover their retreat. They
fixed fome images, reprefenting men, in the places of
their centinels, with mufkets placed on their fhoul-
ders, &c. Their immoveable pofition led to the dif
covery of the deception, and a detachment of the
Americans marched in and took poffeffion. The
troops on the Roxbury fide, moved over the neck
and took poffeflion of Bofton; as did others from
Cambridge, in boats. On the Americans entering
the town, the inhabitants difcovered joy inexpreffible.
The town had been much injured in its buildings,
and fome individuals had been plundered. Some
Britiſh ftores were left. The British army went on
board their tranfports below the Caftle. A number
of American adherents to them, and the British
caufe, went away with the army. vom
New-York,
18th. The brigade deftined for
marched from the vincinity of Bolton.
daddi edi
19th. The Britiſh blew up Caftle William, and
burnt fome of the barracks.
20th. The British cannonaded, from the Castle,
the Americans on Dorchefter neck. The fame
morning our General left Roxbury for New-York.
He reached Mendon, from whence, on the fame
evening, he obferved the light in the air of the fin-
ifhing ftroke of burning the barracks, &c. at the
Caftle. The British deftroyed the gun-carriages,
eids
and

44
HEATH's MEMOIRS. [APRIL, 1776.
and knocked the trunnions off the cannon, and left
them fpiked. The cannon were afterwards drilled
free, and mounted on a new conſtruction, in ftocks,
placed on carriages, and were thereby rendered
ferviceable.
22d. Our General reached Norwich in Connect-
icut. The troops marched with great expedition;
but by the badnefs of the roads, the froft then com
ing out of the ground, the baggage-waggons moved
heavily. The tranfports, deftined for the troops,
were fitting for fea.
26th. They fell down to New-London.
27th. The troops were marched to that place,
where they embarked, and came to fail about noon.
30th. They arrived at Turtle Bay, difembarked,
and marched into the city at noon. The tranf-
ports fell down to the city wharves, and landed
the baggage, &c. Gen. Thompſon and Lord
Sterling, with fome New-York and New-Jerfey
troops, were in the city; and works were con
ftructing, in and around the city, on Long-Ifland,
and at Horn's Hook; the command of the whole
devolved on our General. The Afia, Britiſh man-
of-war, then lay off in the harbour, with the Lady
Gage, of 20 guns; but, on the arrival of the brig-
ade, the Afia moved further down, juft out of fhot.
Our General put a stop to the intercourfe between
the inhabitants and the fhips, which had, until then,
the
been kept up.
ΠΟΥ
April 2d.-Major D'Hart, of the Jerfey troops,
with 200 men, about midnight, made a defcent on
a fmall ifland in the harbour, which the British had
begun to fortify; burnt a building or two, took two
mufkets, fome entrenching tools, and came off. The
Afia fired feveral cannon, but did no harm. geve
On the evening of the 3d, Maj. Gen. Putnam arriv-
ed at New-York, to whom the command fell. About
this

APRIL, 1776.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
45
this time, a veffel arrived from France, with a large
quantity of gun-powder.com or wog-ilant or
7th.A barge from one of the fhips going near
Staten-Ifland, was fired upon by the Americans :
two men were killed, the barge and 8 men taken.
The Britiſh cannonaded the fhore for fome time,
and one American was wounded.
A od A
9th. Intelligence was received, that Commodore
Hopkins had fallen in with the Britiſh frigate
Glafgow, a bomb brig, and two tenders, and after
a fmart engagement, took the brig and two tenders.
The Glafgow made off. nood he did a list
10th. Gen, Sullivan's brigade arrived from the
eastward, barongoro ar bas
12th. There were 18 pieces of brafs cannon in
the American park, at New-York, which were view-
ed with no fmall degree of pride and wonder. but
13th. In the forenoon, Gen. Washington arriv
ed in the city, attended by Gen. Gates and feveral
other officers.
Полот
14th. The British men-of-war were all out of the
bay. The Afia fell below the Narrows; the Phe-
nix and others went out to fea. D
eidy
15th.-Four American regiments, viz. Poor's,
Patterſon's, Greaton's, and Bond's, were ordered for
Canada; Gen. Thompfon was to command them.
Gen. Thomas had been, fome time before, fent from
Bolton to command in Canada. bas modT
17th. Gen, Greene's brigade arrived at New-
York, as did a part of Spencer's. Mrs. Waſhington
arrived the fame day in the city.
21ft. The regiments deftined for Canada, failed
for Albany.
26th. Six more regiments were ordered for
Canada, viz. two from the Pennfylvania line, two
from the New-Jerfey, and two from the New-Hamp-
thire. 19
banan27th.

46
HEATH's MEMOIRS. [JUNE, 1776.
27th. Our General, having been inoculated with
the fmall-pox, went to Montrefos Ifland, where he
went through the operation of that diftemper. day
May 8th.-An exprefs arrived from Bolton, with
an account, that a number of Britiſh tranſports had
arrived in Nantafket Road, with troops on board.
All the American regiments at New-York were or
dered to hold themſelves in readinefs, to march at a
moment's notice. Several foldiers were taken down
with the fmall-pox, and fome of them died. woys10
228th. Our General having recovered from the
fmall-pox, which had been pretty fevere, returned
to the city, and took the command of his brigade;
and was the next day General of the day. bewee
31ft.-A large fhip and two tenders arrived at the
Narrows. A great number of works were now con-
ftructing, and in good forwardnefs. Aftrong work
was raiſed at Paulus Hook, on the Jerfey fide of the
Hudfon. 2010 ns vd babratis
June 4th.-A French veffel, with Weft-India
goods, arrived in the harbour.bira sdT
7th.-Intelligence was received, that two Philadel
phia privateers had taken two rich Jamaicamen, lar
den with fugars, &c. and fome plate on board.
109th. Unfavourable news was received from Can-
ada. The fmall-pox, which was raging in the Amer
ican army, in that quarter, had carried off Gen.
Thomas; and that Col. Beadle and Major Sher-
burne, with the detachments under their command,
were taken prifoners, at or near a place called The
Cedars. The army in New-York was now growing
fickly; and there was not a fufficiency of hofpital
room, or of medicines.
ol 14th.Congrefs gave intimations, that General
Howe, with the British army under his command,
might be foon expected at New-York. Some per-
fons, fufpected of treacherous defigns, were feized
and confined.
15th.

JUNE, 1776.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
47
15th. Some intelligence, more favourable than
the former, was received from Canada. The Ca-
nadians were friendly. Gen. Sullivan, who was
now in that quarter, having gone from New-York,
with the reinforcement heretofore mentioned, was
fortifying; the enemy were advancing; but Gen.
Thompfon was fent out to oppofe them. This,
however, proved ineffectual; Thompfon was defeat-
ed and taken prifoner. A number of Scotch troops,
with Col. Campbell, had been made prifoners, near
Bofton harbour. wbi brod narwond
woodw on to ansam
18th. The Pennfylvania regiments, commanded
by Colonels Shee and Magaw, were arriving in the
city; they had the appearance of fine troops. The
day before, Gen. Woofter arrived from Canada.
20th.-Gen. Gates, who was made a Major-Gen
eral, was to proceed immediately to Canada, where
he was to take the command. 5thu a'lan
22d.A plot was difcovered in the city; it was
to have burst on the Commander in Chief, and oth-
ers.
The Mayor of the city was taken into cuftody,
as was a gun-fmith; and fome of the General's own
guard, who were foreigners, were faid to be in the
plot. The fame day, more particulars were received
from Bofton; that the troops at Bofton had driv-
en the King's fhips from the Lower Harbour, and
taken feveral tranfports, with Scotch foldiers on
board.
doi istays bas
90625th. Two deferters came in, from the Liverpool
man-of-war. They reported, that the fleet from
Halifax, with Gen. Howe's army, were hourly ex-
pected to arrive at New-York. Every exertion was
now in exercife, to complete the works, and to ob-
ftruct the river. The latter was near Fort Wafh-
ington, and profecuted by finking a number of large
hulks, and frames called chevaux-de-frife, compofed
of large and long timbers framed together, with
points

48
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [JULY, 1776.
points elevated, to pierce and ftop the way of veffels
meeting of them. Thefe were boxed at the bottom,
to contain a vaft weight of ftones, which were put
into them, and with which they funk. A line of
thefe, and hulks, was formed acroſs the river; fome
of them funk very well; others, rather irregular;
and fome of the hulks, which were ftrapped together
with large timbers, feparated in going down. A paf-
fage was left open for veffels to pafs through; and
the Britifh, as it was proved afterwards, found the
means of knowing where it was, and of paffing
through it.omger sin
27th. Intelligence was received, that Gen. Bur-
goyne had arrived in Canada, with a ftrong rein-
forcement. The militia were called in, to reinforce
the army at New-York. odwast 0.5
28th.-One Thomas Hickey, a private foldier in
the General's guard, was executed. He was found
guilty of mutiny, fedition, and the worft of practices,
as it was expreffed. The fame day, the British fleet
arrived at Sandy Hook.io do toys ad
29th. The tranfports were coming in, during the
whole day. At evening, nearly 100 fail had arrived.
Col. Durkee's regiment was ordered over to Paulus
Hook: The General Officers were in council.
30th. Mrs. Washington left the city.
dy
July 2d.-Between 10 and 11 o'clock, A. M. four
British men-of-war, and feveral tenders, came through
the Narrows, and anchored near the watering-place
on Staten-Ifland. In the afternoon, they cannonaded
towards the island. A little before fun-fetting, about
40 fail of tranfports came up to the fhips of war.
The Americans lay on their arms, during the night.
3d.-The British troops landed on Staten-Ifland.
part of the ftock had been taken off. The inhab-
itants, who were about 350 men, were fuppofed to
be generally oppofed to the revolution.
A
9th.

JULY, 1776.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
49
алюмом : НТАЛИ.
9th. At evening roll-call, the declaration of the
Congrefs, declaring the United Colonies FREE, SOKE-
REIGN, AND INDEPENDENT STATES, was published
at the head of the refpective brigades, in camp, and
received with loud huzzas.oiborib regorg s to sw
12th. Two Britifh fhips of war, the Phenix and
Rofe, and thrée tenders, at about 4 o'clock, P. M.
taking the advantage of the tide and a fresh breeze,
came up from the fleet, and paffed the city up ther
Hudfon. A brifk cannonade took place from Red
Hook, Governor's Ifland, Paulus Hook, and all thel
batteries on the North River fide. The fhips were
feveral times ftruck by the fhot, but received no ma
terial damage. The fhips returned the fire, as they
paffed the batteries; and the encampment of our
General's brigade, (the right flank of which being
Col. Shepard's regiment) was on the bank of the
river. The tents were ftruck, and dropped on the
ground, before the fhips camera-breaft of them.
Several fhot fell on the encampment, and one en-
tered the embrafure of a fmall redoubt, on the flank
of the encampment, and ftruck in the banquette on
the oppofite fide of the redoubt, between the legs of
two foldiers, but did no damage. Several American
artillerifts were killed and wounded, by the bursting
of fome of our own cannon. The fhips ran nearly
up to Tappan Bay, and came to anchor.niqu nost
14th. A British officer came up with a flag, with
a letter to Gen. Washington; but the letter not be-
ing properly addreffed, it was not received. The
fame day, a flag was fent by Lord Howe to Amboy,
with fundry letters, directed to the chief magiftrates
of feveral of the Colonies, and a declaration, offer
ing the King's pardon to fuch Colonies, towns, or
boroughs, as fhould fubmit to his Majefty's laws,
&c. Lord and Gen. Howe were Commiffioners ap-
pointed to receive fubmiffions.nomigot Adirs
to
8i9lodoshsGnon beviris asiloll 16th. lo
18

а я мам
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [JULY, 1776.
50
16th. Another flag came up from Lord Howe,
with a letter directed to George Washington, Efq.
&c. &c. &c. which was likewife rejected, for the
want of a proper direction.
Luol diw bovi9091
17th. In the morning, one or two of the Britiſh
fhips failed out through the Narrows; and it was
conjectured that a number failed out during the
night. The Britifh fhips which had failed up the
Hudfon, had moved higher up. The Connecticut
light-horfe, which had come out to reinforce the ar
my, were returning home. M di no es flisd
20th. A flag from Gen. Howe, with Adj. Gen.
Patterſon, came up with a meffage to Gen. Wafhing-
ton, respecting the recent capitulation in Canada,
and infinuating that Gen. Howe was defirous, if pof
fible, to bring about an accommodation. The fame
day, news was received from South-Carolina, that
the Britiſh, in attempting Sullivan's Ifland, with their
fhips and a large body of troops, faid to be from
1300 to 2000, were defeated by the Americans;
one frigate burnt and blown up, feveral others dam-
aged, and 172 men killed and wounded. On the
fide of the Americans, 10 were faid to be killed,
and 22 wounded.bobbow bas ballidorów allitsins
21ft. A man, dreffed in woman's clothes, was
taken up, in attempting to get to the British fleet; he
was committed to prifon. The fame day, Gen. Sulli-
van arrived from Canada. About noon, a number
of cannon and fmall-arms were heard towards Eliz-
abeth-Town.oli brod yd wat esw
esw sit s sh smst
2525th,-A row-galley or two, arrived from Con-
necticut; and fire-fhips, rafts, &c. were preparing
with great expedition.out of nobreq aqui ont gui
26th. The Britifh fhips up the river fell fome
diftance lower down.
bas biod
27th. A regiment of militia, under the command
of Col. Holman, arrived from Maffachuſetts.
п
38
28th.

AUG. 1776.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
HEATH'S MEMOI
51
feat.
28th. Two row-gallies moved up the Hudfon.
37529th. Col. Sargent's regiment of Continental
troops arrived at Horn's Hook, from Bofton, and
Col. Hutchinfon's from the fame place. Several
Britifh fhips arrived and joined the fleet. bit to
ΤΟΥ 31ft. Intelligence was received, that Dunmore,
with his fleet, had got nearly 200 miles up Potowmack
River in Virginia; that he had burnt one houfe, and
was within about 30 miles of Gen. Waſhington's
bombas you ashib or bag high to not
15 Auguft ift.-About 30 fail of Britifh fhips arriv-
ed at the Hook. Three or four more row-gallies
went up the Hudfon. In bringing the hulks, chev-
aux-de-frife, &c. round from the Eaft River, to the
Hudfon, a floop funk, not far from the Grand Battery.
2d.-Glover's regiment arrived from the eastward.
3d. About noon there was a brifk cannonade up
3d.About
the Hudfon, between the American row-gallies and
the Britifh fhips: the former had two men killed;
two mortally, and 12 flightly wounded. The Brit-
ifh lofs was not known.o
birth. There were fome movements among
British fleet: the men-of-war appeared to be formed
in line. Two deferters came in, who reported that
an attack on the Americans was intended foon.w
$10.0
wedes,bashi
no the
8th. A row-galley and two fire-floops went up
the river. It was intended to attempt burning the
Britifh fhips in Tappan Bay. The American army
was now very fickly; four foldiers were buried on
br
this day, from our General's brigade only. About,
and a little after this time, the army was more fick-
ly than at any other period. The newſpapers at
Philadelphia and Bofton, rated the army at 70,000
ftrong, and in high fpirits, and that they would
35 foon clear the enemy from America. This was not
a little mortifying to Gen. Washington, who had the
evidence, that the army did not exceed 40,000, of-
stamos o libro fi won a non99 ficers
adiow

8XIOMIM aHTATH CONTI DUA
16
52
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [AUG. 1776.
tolbuH silt u Esvom asillen-worow
ficers included; and a large portion of thefe were
levies and militia, called out for fhort periods, and
unacquainted with a camp life. Hence the number
of fick amounted to near 10,000; nor was it poffible
to find proper hofpitals or proper neceffaries for
them. In almoft every barn, ftable, fhed, and even
under the fences and bufhes, were the fick to be feen,
whofe countenances were but an index of the dejec-
tion of fpirit, and the diftrefs they endured.
oth
i9th. It was learnt that the Britiſh were prepar-
ing for an attack, and were putting their heavy artil
lery, &c. on board fhip.
or In reconnoitring the pofition of New-York, long
before this time, all were agreed, that the upper end
of the island, and above Kingfbridge, muft be fe-
cured, or there could be no fecurity to an army on
the ifland; but there was fome difference in opinion
as to the place. A commanding height, near Morris's
houfe, fome diftance below the bridge, within the
ifland, was thought by fome, among whom was Gen.
Putnam, a pofition which, if properly fortified, would
be almoft impregnable. While others, among whom
was our General, and his brother Gen. Greene, who
were generally in fentiment, infifted that there could
be no fecurity on the ifland, although the poft before
mentioned was made as ftrong as Gibralter, if the
heights above the bridge were left unfortified, as the
enemy might at any time, in an hour or two, poffefs
themfelves of thofe heights above the bridge, and
completely entrap the army; and each declared pof-
titively, that he would not reft eafy or fatisfied, until
thofe grounds were taken poffeffion of. Fort Wafh-
bington was begun on the hill firft mentioned, and
tothe works were pushed as faft as poffible; and it was
ardetermined to erect another fort above the bridge,
which was alfo begun, and, called Independence.
Every exertion was now in exercife to complete the
qu
bl
works

AUG. 1776.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
53
919w9ll odt
works in and about the city, fome of which were
ftrong. Indeed, immenfe labour had been beftow-
ed on the works at the city, on Long-Ifland, at
Horn's Hook, near Hell Gate, and at Paulus Hook,
on the Jerfey fide, oppofite the city, on Governor's
Ifland, &c.
25W
11th. Our General received a commiffion from
Congrefs, dated the 9th, appointing him a Major-
General in the army of the United States of Ameri-
ca. Generals Spencer, Sullivan and Green, receiv-
ed, at the fame time, commiffions of the fame tenor.
ory 12th. In the afternoon, 30 or 40 Britiſh veffels
came through the Narrows, and joined the fleet.
13th.-A number more of fhips, fome of them
very large, came in and joined the fleet: the fhips
up the river fell a little lower down.
14th.-Our General rode to Horn's Hook and
Kingfbridge. The perfon who had the direction of
the fire-veffels, requeſted him to be a fpectator on the
bank of the river, of an attempt, intended to be
made on that night, to burn the fhips. Attended
by Gen. Clinton, and feveral other officers, they
waited on the bank until about midnight; but no
attempt on the fhips was made, and they returned
difappointed. ba
16th. Our General was again requested to be a
fpectator on the bank of the river, the approaching
night, with the moft pofitive affurances that he fhould
not be again difappointed: he accordingly went, at-
tended as on the preceding time, and took a proper
pofition on the bank. The night was pretty dark;
they foon found that the gallies and fire-veffels were
filently moving up, with the tide. After fome time,
and almoſt immediately after the centinels, on board
the Britiſh fhips, had paffed the word, "all is well,"
two of the fire-veffels flafhed into a blaze; the one,
clofe on the fide of the Phenix, the other grappling
one
وو

54
.1776.
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
one of the tenders. To appearance, the flames were
against the fide of the Phenix; and there was much
confufion on board. A number of cannon were dif
the
Jos
OT
charged into the fire-veffel, in order to fink her. A
number of feamen afcended, and got out on the yard.
arm, fuppofed to clear grapplings. The
away f
fire-veffel was along fide, as was judged, near ten
minutes, when the Phenix either cut, or flipt her ca-
ble, let fall her fore-topfail, wore round, and flood
up the river, being immediately veiled from the fpec-
tators, by the darkneſs of the night. The tender
burnt down to the water's edge, and was towed to
fhore by the Americans; out of which was tak-
en, one iron, fix-pounder, two three-pounders, one
two-pounder, ten fwivels, a caboofe, fome gun-bar-
rels, cutlaffes, grapplings, chains, &c. The Rofe, and
the other two tenders, remained at their moorings;
but it was faid that one of the tenders was deferted
by her crew, for a time. Several of our gallies were
rew a
faid to have been inactive; otherwife, a very confid-
erable advantage would have been reaped. The
Americans fuftained no lofs or injury, faving one
man, who, in communicating fire to one of the veffels,
got confiderably burnt in the face, hands, &c.
20
Off
brone
17th. The Commander in Chief, having ordered
our General to take the command of the troops
and pofts, at the north end of the iſland, and above
Kingfbridge, within which command fell the Forts
Wafhington and Independence, and a number of
other works, he took the command accordingly.
284
18th. Very early in the morning, the wind be
ing pretty freſh, and it being very rainy, the thips
and tenders which were up the river, got under fail,
and ran down, keeping as clofe under the eaft bank
as they could, in paffing our works. They were,
however, brifkly cannonaded at Fort Washington;
and the works below were feveral times ftruck, but
Shu received
TOW

Auc. 1776.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
55
bachi edi of ovo.beitsl
received no material damage.
e. They joined their
fleet near Staten-Ifland.
lo Dorris ymsns sil
19th.—It was made pretty certain, that the Brit-"
ifh were upon the point of making an attack fome-
where. By an exprefs, which our General received
from Gen. Waſhington, at half paft 2 o'clock, A. M.
of the 22d, he was pleafed to communicate, that, by
intelligence which he had received, the enemy had
intentions of making attacks on Long-Ifland, up the
North River, upon Bergen Point, Elizabeth-Town
Point, Amboy, &c. Perhaps fo many places were
mentioned, in order to divide the force of, and dif
tract the Americans. On this morning, however,
they landed, near Gravefend Bay, on Long Iſland,
about 8,000 men; Col. Hand, with his rifle corps,
retreating moderately before them, and deftroying
fome wheat which would fall into their hands.
British advanced as far as Flatbufh, where they halt-
ed. Six American regiments were fent over, as a
reinforcement. Gen. Sullivan had the command on.
the island.
The
itemA od lly bad.
24th. There were fome fkirmishes on Long-Ifl-
and; but nothing very material.
25th.-A number of the enemy's fhips fell down
towards the Narrows; it was fuppofed, with intent
to land more troops on Long-Ifland.
26th. In the morning, a brifk cannonade on Long-
Iſland, for fome time. The
The British had thrown up
fome works, at Flatbufh, from which they fired at
the Americans.
pm odt at
27th. Early in the morning, two fhips and a brig
came to anchor a little above Frog Point. Our
General immediately detached Col. Graham with
his regiment, to prevent their landing to plunder
or burn. Before he arrived, feveral barges full of
men landed on New City Ifland, and killed a num-
ber of cattle. Two companies of the regiment, im-
mediately

36
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [AUG. 1776
UA
mediately on their arrival, ferried over to the island.
The enemy carried off one man and 14 cattle-the
remainder of the cattle were fecured.
10 7690 355lt
On the fame day, there was a moft bloody battle
on Long-Ifland, between the Americans and the
Britiſh. The Britiſh, by a long circuitous march in
the night of the 26th, with a part of their army,
found the left of the Americans not fo well fecured
as it ought to have been; and they had an oppor-
tunity to reach ground, which gave them great ad-
vantage, while it equally expofed the Americans in
the ftrong grounds towards Flatbush. There was
here alſo another circumftance of ground, which
now proved very difadvantageous to the Americans.
There was a confiderable marfh, into which a creek
ran, and on which there was a mill, known by the
name of M'Gowen's. At the mill there was a pafs-
way over; but unluckily, when fome of the Ameri-
cans had retreated by this mill, (for they were foon
routed by the British, who formed an attack almoft
in a femi-circle) it was fet on fire. This would have
been a politic ftep, had all the Americans on the
other fide, in that quarter, previoufly paffed; but
thoſe ſtill beyond the creek were now driven to al-
moft defperate circumftances: they could not pafs
at the head of the creek; for the British column,
which made the circuitous movement, were in pof-
feffion of the ground on the left; confequently,
many were here killed or taken prifoners, and num-
bers perifhed in attempting to get over the creek;
fome of them ſticking in the mud. Thofe who ef-
caped retreated to the American works. The Brit-
ifh fuftained a confiderable lofs in killed and wound-
ed, and a fubaltern and 23 men were taken prifon-
ers; but the American lofs was far greater, in killed,
wounded, and prifoners. Among the latter were
Gen. Sullivan and Lord Sterling. Several field-
1100 spieces ed
ylaasibom

AUG 1776] HEATH'S MEMOIRS:
57
pieces were alfo loft. At evening, the British army
encamped in front of the Americans.
On the morning of the 28th, there was a fkirmiſh
between the Americans and British, which terminat-
ed rather in favour of the former. The fame night,
the British began to open works, at the diftance of
about 600 yards from the American works on the
left. Gen. Waſhington wrote to our General, to
fend down to the city all the boats that could be
fpared, from Kingsbridge and Fort Washington; in-
timating, that he might poffibly find it neceffary, at
night, to throw over more troops to Long-lfland.
This order was immediately complied with, and the
boats fent down; while the real intention of their
ufe was fully understood.
29th. The fhips in the Eaft River fell down to
Hunt's Point. On the fame night, the Americans
evacuated Long-Ifland, bringing off their military
ftores, provifions, &c. Some heavy cannon were
left. In this retreat from the island, and which was
well conducted, an inftance of difcipline and of true
fortitude was exhibited by the American guards and
pickets. In order that the Britifh fhould not get
knowledge of the withdraw of the Americans, until
their main body had embarked in the boats and
pufhed off from the fhore, (which was a matter of
the higheſt importance to their fafety) the guards
were ordered to continue at their refpective pofts,
with centinels alert, as if nothing extraordinary was
taking place, until the troops had embarked
were then to come off, march brifkly to the ferry,
and embark themſelves. But, fomehow or other,
the guards came off, and had got well toward the
landing-place, when they were ordered to face about,
march back, and re-occupy their former pofts;
which they inftantly obeyed, and continued at them,
until called off to crofs the ferry. Whoever has
H
they
feen

58
HEATH's MEMOIRS. [SEPT. 1776.
feen troops in a fimilar fituation, or duly contem.
plates the human heart in fuch trials, well know
how to appreciate the conduct of thefe brave men,
on this occafion.
31ft. In the forenoon, the Britiſh appeared at
Newton, where they pitched a number of tents.
Governor's Island was evacuated the preceding night
by the Americans. It was now evident, that the
next object of the enemy would be to get the city
and it was equally fo, that they would land fome-
where on the island without it. This night, feveral
of the regiments of Gen. Mifflin's brigade, of our
General's divifion, lay on the hills towards New-
York; and Gen. Clinton's brigade on their arms.
The fame evening, Hand's, Shee's, Magaw's, Broad-
head's, and Miles's battalions, joined our General's
divifion. Some of thefe corps had fuffered greatly,
in the action on Long-Ifland.
September 1ft.-The Britiſh appeared to be en
camped in feveral places on Long-lfland. They had
fun a fhip in between Nutten Inland and Red Hook.
2d. They ran a fhip paft the city up the Eaft
River: fhe was feveral times ftruck by the fhot of a
12 pounder, which was drawn to the river's bank.
Major Crane, of the artillery, was wounded in the
foot, by a cannon fhot from this fhip. It was now a
queftion, whether to defend the city, or evacuate it,
and occupy the ftrong grounds above. Every exer-
tion had been made, to render the works both nu
merous and ftrong; and immenfe labour and expenfe
had been beftowed on them; and it was now deter
mined that the city fhould be obftinately defended.
4th.-Gen. Wafhington came up, and dined at
our General's quarters. The fame day, a detach-
ment of the artillery, with one 24 pounder, three
12 pounders, three 3 pounders, and a howitzer,
joined

SEPT. 1776] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
59
joined the divifion. The enemy were plundering
cattle on Long-fland, now fully in their poffeffion.
5th.-Our General ordered a chain of videtts and
centinels to be formed at Morriffania, Hunt's and
Frog's Point, &c. The British were preffing a great
number of teams on Long-lfland-their Head-Quar-
ters were at Bedford.
7th.The militia on Long-Ifland were ordered
to mufter, to raiſe recruits for the King. The Gen-
eral Officers of the American army were in coun-
cil, at Head-Quarters in New-York. The British
were now erecting a work, nearly oppofite to our's
at Horn's Hook, and the diftance not great.
8th. The Britiſh opened their battery againſt
Horn's Hook Fort. The fire was brifkly returned.
The Americans had one man killed, and two wounded.
9th. In the morning there was a brifk cannonade
on both fides. At Horn's Hook, the American ar-
tillery was fo well plied, that the British ceafed
firing. The Britiſh were faid to be encamped in
three divifions; one at Newton, which was Head-
Quarters, one at Flushing, and one at Jamaica.
hoth. The Britiſh landed a number of troops on
Montrefors Ifland.
11th. The British continued to cannonade and
bombard our fort at Horn's Hook, and to land more
troops on Montrefors Ifland.
12th. The cannonade continued againft our fort
at Horn's Hook, and the British were moving their
troops towards the Eaft River. This day, Col.
Ward's regiment of Connecticut troops removed
from Burditt's Ferry, and joined our General's di-
vifion. The General Officers were in council.
former refolution to defend the city was refcinded,
with three diffentients.
A
13th. Four Britifh fhips, one of which was a two-
decker, ran by the city up the Eaft River. The
cannonade

60
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [SEPT. 1776.
cannonade and bombardment at Horn's Hook con
tinued. This evening, Col. Chefter, with five regi-
ments, joined our General's divifion.
ba14th. The British fent three or four fhips up the
North River, as far as Greenwich. The cannon
and ftores were removing from New-York, during
the night.
15th. About noon, the Britiſh landed at Kepps's
Bay. They met with but fmall refiftance, and push-
ed towards the city, of which they took poffeffion in
the afternoon. They availed themfelves of fome
cannon and ftores; but their booty was not very
great. Here the Americans, we are forry to fay,
did not behave well; and here it was, as fame hath
faid, that Gen. Wafhington threw his hat on the
ground, and exclaimed, "Are thefe the men with
which I am to defend America?" But feveral things
may have weight here ;-the wounds received on
Long-Ifland were yet bleeding; and the officers, if
not the men, knew that the city was not to be de-
fended. Maj. Chapman was killed, and Brig. Maj.
Wyllis was taken prifoner. A few others were kill-
ed, wounded, and taken prifoners. The Americans
retreated up the ifland; and fome few, who could
not get out of the city that way, eſcaped in boats over
to Paulus Hook, acrofs the river. The houfe, in
the fort at Horn's Hook, was fet on fire by a fhell,
and burnt down. The fort was afterwards abandoned.
16th.-A little before noon, a fmart fkirmish hap-
pened on the heights weft of Haarlem Plain, and
fouth of Morris's houfe, between a party of Heffian
Yagers, British Light-Infantry and Highlanders,
and the American riflemen and fome other troops,
which ended in favour of the latter. The troops
fought well, on both fides, and gave great proof of
their markfmanfhip. The Americans had feveral of
ficers killed and wounded; among the former, Lieut.
Col.

SEPT. 1776.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
61
Col. Knoulton, of the Connecticut line, and Capt.
Gleaſon, of Nixon's Maffachuſetts regiment, two ex-
cellent officers; and Maj. Beech, of one (f the fouth-
ern regiments, a brave officer, was among the latter.
This fkirmish might have brought on a general ac-
tion; for both armies were then within fupporting
diftance of the troops which were engaged.
It now became an object of high importance, to
calculate, if poffible, where the Britiſh would make
their next attempt; and here the General Officers
were divided in opinion. A part of them imagined,
that the British would firft endeavour to make them-
felves mafters of the whole of New-York Ifland, and
that, therefore, the reduction of Fort Washington,
and its dependencies, would be their object. Others
fuppofed, that they would make a landing either at
Morriffania, Hunt's or Frog's Point, which eventu-
ally would produce as certain a reduction of the
works on the ifland, with very little lofs to the Brit-
ifh. It was therefore determined in council, to guard
againſt both; and for this purpofe, 10,000 men
were to be retained on the island, at and near Fort
Washington. Our General's divifion was to be aug-
mented to 10,000 men, and a floating bridge was to
be thrown acrofs Haarlem Creek, that theſe two bod-
ies might communicate with and fupport each other,
as circumſtances might require; and Major-Gen.
Greene was to command the flying camp on the Jer-
fey fide of the Hudfon, which was to confift of 5,000.
The different arrangements took place accordingly.
4
17th. The remains of Lieut. Col. Knoulton were
interred with military honours. The fame day, a
troop of militia light-horfe arrived from Connecti-
cut; others, and many of the militia were on their
way to join the army.
18th. Gen. Parfons's and Scott's brigades, and
the brigade commanded by Col. Dudley Sargent,
joined

62
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [SEPT. 1776.
joined our General's divifion; and Shee's, Magaw's,
Haflett's, Atlee's, and Broadhead's battalions were
ordered away. The British army encamped between
the American army and the city. rd andmis
A picket from our General's divifion, of 450
men, conftantly mounted, by relief, at Morriffania;
from which a chain of centinels, within half gun
fhot of each other, were planted, from the one fide
of the fhore to the other, and near the water paffage,
between Morriffania and Montrefors Ifland, which
in fome places is very narrow. The centinels on
the American fide were ordered not to prefume to
fire at thofe of the British, unless the latter began;
but the British were fo fond of beginning, that there
was frequently a firing between them. This having
been the cafe one day, and a British officer walking
along the bank, on the Montrefors fide, an American
centinel, who had been exchanging fome fhots with
a Britiſh centinel, feeing the officer, and concluding
him to be better game, gave him a fhot, and wounded
him. He was carried up to the houfe on the island.
An officer, with a flag, foon came down to the creek,
and called for the American officer of the picket,
and informed him, that if the American centinels
fired any more, the commanding-officer on the ifland
would cannonade Col. Morris's houfe, in which
the officers of the picket quartered. The American
officer immediately fent up to our General, to know
what anfwer fhould be returned. He was directed to
inform the British officer, that the American centi-
nels had always been inftructed not to fire on centi-
nels, unless they were firft fired upon, and then to
return the fire; that fuch would be their conduct:
as to the cannonading of Col. Morris's houfe, they
might act their pleaſure. The firing ceafed for fome
time; but a raw Scotch centinel, having been planted,
one day, he very foon after difcharged his piece at an
American

SEPT. 1776.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
63
American centinel, neareft to him, which was im
mediately returned; upon which a British officer
came down, and called to the American officers, ob
ferving that he thought there was to be no firing be
tween the centinels. He was anfwered, that their
own began ; upon which he replied, "He fhall then
pay for it." The centinel was directly after relieved,
and there was no firing between the centinels, at that
place, any more; and they were fo civil to each oth
er, on their pofts, that one day, at a part of the creek
where it was practicable, the Britiſh centinel afked
the American, who was nearly oppofite to him, if he
could give him a chew of tobacco: the latter, having
in his pocket a piece of a thick twiſted roll, fent it
acroſs the creek, to the Britifh centinel, who, after
taking off his bite, fent the remainder back again.
020th. The Commander in Chief, Maj. Gen. Put-
nam, and fome other officers, came up to our Gen-
eral's divifion, and rode round the camp, which, by
the return, given in on the next day, confifted of
8,771; but of theſe there was 1,294 fick prefent,
and 1,108 fick abfent. nsnost.pht
On the morning of the 21ft, between one and two
o'clock, the light of a great fire was diſcovered to
the fouthward, which proved to be at New-York;
when a confiderable part of the city was confumed.
22d. Two feamen, belonging to the La Brune,
a Britiſh fhip of war, which lay near Montrefors
Ifland, deferted, and came to our General's quarters;
and informed him, upon examination, that the Brit-
iſh had then but a few men on the iſland, ftating the
number; that the piece of cannon, which had been
put on the island, was taken back again, on board
the La Brune; that there were a number of officers
at the houſe, in which there was a confiderable
quantity of baggage depofited, &c. Our General
fuppofed that theſe troops might be eafily taken;
and,

64
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [SEPT. 1776:
and, having called the General Officers of his divif
ion together, took their opinion, who all coincided
with him in fentiment. He then communicated his
intention to the Commander in Chief, who gave it
his approbation. Two hundred and forty men were
deſtined for this enterprife: the command was giv-
en to Lieut. Col. Michael Jackfon, of the Maffachu-
fetts line, with Majors Logan and, whofe name
cannot be recollected, of the New-York troops.
They were to embark on board three flat-boats, cov
ered by a fourth with a detachment of artillery, with
a light three-pounder, in cafe it fhould be found nec-
effary in retreating from the ifland. The mode of at-
tack was fettled, and every circumftance fecured, to
promife fuccefs. They were to fall down Haarlem
Creek with the ebb. The time was fo calculated,
that the young flood was to be fo much made, at the
break of day, as to cover the flats at the ifland, fuf
ficiently for the boats to float Matters being thus
fettled, our General ordered the two failors to be
brought in: he then told them, that in confequence
of their information, an enterpriſe againſt the Brit-
ifh troops on Montrefors Ifland, was to take place
that night; that he had ordered them to be kept in
fafe cuftody until the next morning, when, if their
declarations refpecting the ftate of the British on the
ifland, proved to be true, he would give them a paff-
port to the back country, whither they wifhed to go;
but, in cafe their information was falfe, he would or-
der them hanged immediately, as fpies; that he
gave them the opportunity, if they had made a wrong
ftatement to him, then to correct it. They both an-
fwered, with perfect compofure, that they would
cheerfully fubmit to the condition. Major Thomas
Henly was now one of our General's Aids-de-camp.
He importuned that he might go with the detach-
ment. He was refufed, and told that he had no bufi-
has
nefs

SEPT. 1776.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS,
65
29
nefs there; that he could exercife no command. He
grew quite impatient, returned again to the Gen-
eral's room, and addreffed him: "Pray, Sir, confent
to my going with the party-let me have the pleaf-
ure of introducing the prifoners to you to-morrow.
All his friends prefent advifed him not to go. The
General finally confented. The troops, at the hour
affigned, embarked. Our General informed them,
that he,. with others, would be fpectators of the
fcene, from a certain point near Haarlem Creek.
Notice had been given to the guards and pickets on
the Tork Inland fide, not to hail the party as they
went down. Unfortunately, the lower centinel had
not been fo inftructed. He was nearly oppofite to
the point where our General was to be; and juft at
the inftant when he arrived, had challenged the boats,
and ordered them to come to the fhore. From the
boats they anfwered, "Lo! we are friends." The
challenge was repeated.
The anfwer, was,
to We
tell you we are friends-hold your tongue."
bounce into the water was heard; and inftantly Maj.
Henly came wading to the fhore, ftepped up to our
General, catched him by the hand, and faid, "Sir,
will it do?" Our General, holding him by the hand,
replied, "I fee nothing to the contrary," to which
Henly concluded by faying, "Then it fhall do." He
waded back to his boat, and got in. The centinel
called again: "If you don't come to the fhore, I
tell you I'll fire." A voice from fome one in the
boats, was,
"Pull
""" The boats went on, and
the centinel fired his piece. The boats reached the
ifland almoſt at the moment intended, just as the
glimmer of the dawn was difcoverable. The three
field-officers were in the firft boats. Their intention,
on the moment of landing, was, for the two feconds
in command to fpring, the one to the right, and the
other to the left, and lead on the troops from the other
away!"
A
I
two

66
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [SEPT. 1776.
two boats, which were to land on each fide of the firft
boat. The field-officers landed, and the men from
their boat. The enemy's guard charged them, but
were inftantly driven back. The men in the other
two boats, inftead of landing, lay upon their oars.
The British, feeing this, returned warmly to the
charge. The Americans, finding themfelves thus
deferted, returned to their boat; but not until Lieut.
Col. Jackfon received a mufket-ball in his leg, and
Maj. Henly, as he was getting into the boat, one
through his heart, which put an inftant end to his
life. The boat joined the others, and they all re-
turned, having, in the whole, about 14 killed,
wounded, and miffing; Maj. Henly deeply regretted.
Had only one of the other boats landed her men,
the fuccefs would have been very probable; but the
two would have infured an execution of the whole
plan, in the opinion of all concerned. The delin-
quents in the other boats were arrefted, and tried by
court-martial, and one of the Captains cafhiered.
On the night of the 23d, the British got poffeffion
of the works at Paulus Hook. The Americans had
previouſly taken off all the cannon and flores. On
the afternoon of the 24th, the remains of Maj. Hen-
ly were interred by the fide of Lieut. Col. Knoulton,
on New-York Ifland, with military honours.
125th. The militia, which had come out from the
weftern parts of the State of Connecticut, were dif
charged.
26th. The General Officers were in council with
a committee of Congrefs, fent to make inquiry into
the condition of the army, and agree upon the nec-
effary augmentation.
10
27th. The Council fet again. The fame day,
Maj. Gen. Sullivan, who had for fome time been a
prifoner with the British, came to Head-Quarters.
The American prifoners, which were taken in Can-
ada,

OCT. 1776.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
67
ada, were fent round by water, and landed at Bergen
Point, New-Jerfey, where they were fet at liberty.
Gen. Thompfon was among them.
28th.-Seven recruits for Maj. Rogers's corps,
raifing for British fervice, were taken, going to Long-
Ifland, and fent in.
29th. There was an unufual movement of boats
from Long-Ifland to Montrefors Ifland, and an at-
tack was foon expected.
goth. The moving over of boats to Montrefors
Fland continued. The fame day, a frigate went
through Hell Gate, and came to anchor about 10
o'clock, A. M. near the La Brune. At 12 o'clock, fhe
came to fail, and ftood to the eastward. Juft at even-
ing another fhip came up; and the next morning,
October 1ft, was at anchor in the channel, between
Haarlem and Baman's or Eldridge's Ifland,
3d.The Brigadier-Generals of our General's
divifion were in council, and feveral new works
were laid out; among others, a redoubt on the hill
above Williams's Bridge. Our General, in recon
noitring his pofition, accompanied by Col. Hand,
below the camp of the rifle corps, being apprehen-
five that the British might land on Frog's Neck,
took a view of the caufeway between Weft-Chefter
and the point. Upon the neck, which runs between
thefe two, is a tide-mill; and a plank bridge at the
mill, at the weft end of the caufeway, (the fide of
the American army) was at this time a range of
cord-wood, as advantageoufly fituated to cover a par-
ty to defend the pafs, as if conftructed for the very
purpoſe. After taking a full view, our General di-
rected Col. Hand, immediately upon his return to his
camp, to fix upon one of the beft fubaltern officers,
and 25 picked men of his corps, and affign them to
this paſs, as their alarm-poft at all times; and, in cafe
the enemy made a landing on Frog's Neck, to direct
obus
this

68
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [OCT. 1776.
this officer immediately to take up the planks of the
bridge; to have every thing in readineſs to fet the
mill on fire; but not to do it, unlefs the fire of the
riflemen fhould appear infufficient to check the ad-
vance of the enemy on to the cauſeway; to affign
another party to the head of the creek; to reinforce
both, in cafe the enemy landed; and that he fhould
be fupported.
Col. Hand made his arrangements
accordingly.
4th.-The brig and tenders in the Eaft River came
down, and caft anchor near the La Brune frigate;
and the Roebuck and Phenix failed up the North
River, and joined the other fhips which lay at anchor
there.
5th. There were fome movements among the
British; and a party appeared to be very bufy at work,
a little below Haarlem. The fame night, the Ameri-
cans left the heights of Bergen. They were upwards
of 2,000 ftrong. They retreated as far back as Bur-
ditt's Ferry.
6th.-Orders were given for throwing up a new
work on Haarlem Creek, below the wood at Mor-
riffania.
7th.--Gen. Lincoln came to camp. He had come
from Maffachuſetts with a body of militia.. This
was the firft of his joining the main army. The
fame day, the Britiſh were putting over horfes from
Horn's Hook to Long-Ifland, and fixing their
pontoons.
รา
9th.-Early in the morning, three fhips, two of
40 guns, and one frigate, with two or three tenders,
ftood up the North River. They were brifkly can-
nonaded from Fort Washington and Fort Conftitu-
tion. They however paffed our works and the
chevaux-de-frife; the American galleys, fmall craft,
and two large fhips ftanding on before them. The
two fhips were ran on fhore near Phillips's mills,
eidi
and

OCT. 1776.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
69
and two of the galleys near Dobb's Ferry. The
enemy took poffeffion of the two galleys, and got
them off. A boat landed a number of men, who
plundered a ſtore, ftove the cafks, and then fet the
ftore on fire, and left it. The Americans foon extin-
guished the fire.
abrot dit
Our General ordered Col. Sargent, with 500 in-
fantry, 40 light-horfe, Capt. Horton of the artillery,
with two 12 pounders, and Capt. Crafts with a how-
itzer, to march immediately, with all poffible expe-
dition, to Dobb's Ferry. The enemy took a fchooner
loaded with rum, fugar, wine, &c. and funk a floop,
which had on board the machine, invented by, and
under the direction of, a Mr. Bushnell, intended to
blow up the Britiſh fhips. This machine was worked
under water. It conveyed a magazine of powder,
which was to be fixed under the keel of a fhip, then
freed from the machine, and left with clock-work
going, which was to produce fire when the machine
had got out of the way. Mr. Bushnell had great
confidence of its fuccefs, and had made feveral ex-
periments which feemed to give him countenance;
but its fate was truly a contraft to its defign.
Our General's divifion was formed in line, with
its advance, referve flank-guards, and artillery, all
in order of battle, when they were moved down over
the different grounds, which it was fuppofed might
be the ſcene of action. Some of this ground was
very broken, and there were many fences. Thefe
afforded frequent opportunities for the troops to
break off and form; for the pioneers to open ave-
nues, &c. and for the whole to become acquainted
with every part of the ground, and the best choice
of it, if fuddenly called to action. bil odi no
1oth. One of the fhips which was ran a-ground,
was got off by the Americans. Col. Sargent re-
turned, having left 180 men to watch the motions
of the British up the river.
11th.

70
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [OCT. 1776.
orth. There was a confiderable movement among
the British boats below. This afternoon, Gen,
Washington's pleafure-boat, coming down the river
with a fresh breeze, and a topfail hoifted, was fup-
pofed, by the artillerifts at Mount Washington, to be
one of the British tenders running down.
A 12
pounder was diſcharged at her, which was fo exactly
pointed, as unfortunately to kill three Americans,
who were much lamented. The fame day, feveral of
Gen. Lincoln's regiments arrived, two of which were
pofted on the North River.
90
12th. Early in the morning, 80 or
roo British
boats, full of men, ftood up the found, from Montre-
fors Ifland, Long-Ifland, &c. The troops landed
at Frog's Neck, and their advance pushed towards
the cauſeway and bridge, at Weft-Chefter mill.
Col. Hand's riflemen took up the planks of the
bridge, as had been directed, and commenced a fir-
ing with their rifles. The British moved towards
the head of the creek, but found here alfo the Amer
icans in poffeffion of the pafs. Our General imme-
diately (as he had affured Col. Hand he would do)
ordered Col. Prefcott, the hero of Bunker Hill, with
his regiment, and Capt. Lieut. Bryant of the artil-
lery, with a 3 pounder, to reinforce the riflemen at
Weft-Chefter caufeway; and Col. Graham of the
New-York line, with his regiment, and Lieut. Jack-
fon of the artillery, with a 6 pounder, to reinforce
at the head of the creek; all of which was promptly
done, to the check and difappointment of the en-
emy. The British encamped on the neck. The
riflemen and Yagers kept up a fcattering popping
at each other across the marfh; and the Americans
on their fide, and the Britifh on the other, threw up
ab work at the end of the caufeway. Capt. Bryant,
now and then, when there was an object, faluted the
Britiſh with a field-piece, or for grived boring
ovi edi qu ditind sin lo

OCT. 1776.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
71
In the afternoon, 40 or 50 fail of veffels paffed up,
and came to anchor off Frog's Point. The fame
evening, Gen. M'Dougal's brigade joined our Gen-
eral's divifion.
13th.--The brigade, formerly under the command
of our General, when he was Brigadier, joined his di-
vifion. The divifion now became very ftrong. The
General Officers of the army were this day in coun-
cil, at our General's Quarters.
14th. Our General, with the Generals under his
command, reconnoitred the enemy at Frog's Neck;
afterwards, the General Officers of the army recon-
noitred the various grounds. The fame day, Maj.
Gen. Lee was ordered to the command of the troops
above Kingfbridge, now become the largeft part of
the American army. But Gen. Washington had de-
fired him not to exercife the command for a day or
two, until he could make himfelf acquainted with the
poft, its circumftances, and arrangements of duty.
A great number of floops, boats, &c. were paffing
the found eastward, juft at dufk-probably convey-
ing ammunition, provifions, &c. to the troops at
Frog's Point.
ISD
15th.-Five failors came off from the La Brune.
They informed, that there was a large body of the
Britiſh on Frog's Point, and that an attack might be
foon expected. The fcattering fire acroſs the marth
continued, and now and then a man was killed.
16th. Two works were difcovered on Frog's Neck,
nearly finiſhed. The General Officers of the army
rode to reconnoitre the ground at Pell's Neck, &c.
and it was determined that the pofition of the Amer-
ican army fhould be immediately changed; the left
flank to be extended more northerly, to prevent its
being turned by the Britiſh.
17th.-Wadfworth's and Fellows's brigades, came
to Kingsbridge. The Britifh fhipping, &c. contin-
ued moving eastward.
18th.

72
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [OCT. 1776.
18th.---The regiment at Weft-Chefter caufeway
had been relieved by another. The officer on com-
mand there, this morning, fent up an exprefs to our
General, informing him that the British were open-
ing an embrafure in their work at the end of the
caufeway, and that he apprehended they intended,
under a cannonade from this, to attempt to pafs.
Our General ordered one of his Aids to gallop his
horfe to the officer commanding the brigade, near
Volentine's, the neareft to Weft-Chefter, and order
him to form his brigade inftantly. Arriving, himſelf,
by the time the brigade was formed, he ordered
the officer to march, with the utmoſt expedition,
to the head of the caufeway, to reinforce the troops
there; himſelf moving on with them. When the
troops had advanced to about half the way between
the head of the creek, and the poft at the head of
the caufeway, another exprefs met him, informing
him that the whole British army were in motion,
and feemed to be moving towards the país at the
head of the creek. Upon this, the brigade was or-
dered to halt, the whole to prime and load, and the
rear regiment to file off by the left, and march brifk-
ly to reinforce the Americans at the país, at the head
of the creek. At this inftant, Gen. Wafhington
came up, and having inquired of our General, the
ftate of things, ordered him to return immediately,
and have his divifion formed ready for action, and
to take fuch a pofition as might appear beft calcu
lated to oppofe the enemy, fhould they attempt to
land another body of troops on Morriffania, which
he thought not improbable. Our General immedi
ately obeyed the order.
bab
The wind was now fresh at fouth-weft. The Brit-
ifh croffed to the other fide of Frog's Neck, embark-
ed on board their boats, croffed over the cove, land-
ed on Pell's Neck, and moved brifkly upwards.
Three

OCT. 1776.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
73
Three or four of the American regiments advanced
towards them, and took a good pofition behind a
ftone fence. When the British had advanced fuffi-
ciently near, they gave them a pretty clofe fire,
which checked them, and even obliged them to fall
back; but being immediately fupported, they return-
ed vigorously to the charge. The action was fharr,
for a fhort time; but the Americans were foon
obliged to give way to fuperior force. Shepard's,
Read's, Baldwin's, and Glover's regiments, had the
principal fhare in this action. The Americans had
between 30 and 40 men killed and wounded; among
the latter, Col. Shepard, in the throat, not mortally,
although the ball came well nigh effecting inftant
death. The lofs of the Britiſh was not known, but
muft have been confiderable. They advanced al-
moft to New Rochelle, and halted. The American
army extended its left.
A number of boats went down towards New-York.
It now became neceffary, immediately to quit the
pofition in the neighbourhood of Kingsbridge, the
British being in the rear of the left of our army;
and it is not a little unaccountable, that they did not
attempt to ſtretch themfelves acrofs to the Hudfon,
which might have been done with great eafe. They
only moved higher up, on the other fide of the little
rivulet Brunx, which was generally fordable. The
White Plains were fixed upon for the next pofition
of the American army. A ftrong garrifon was to
be left at Fort Washington, and our General was to
leave one of his regiments, to garrifon Fort Inde-
pendence.
21ft.-At about 4 o'clock, P. M. our General's
divifion moved from above Kingfbridge, having, be-
fides their light field-pieces, two heavy iron twelve-
pounders. About 8 o'clock in the evening, they
paffed Gen. Lincoln's quarters, on Volentine's Hill,
K
where

74
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [OCT. 1776.
100
where the Commander in Chief was to fpend the
night. Our General waited upon him, to know if he
had any particular commands for him. The Com-
mander in Chief only adviſed to fend forward one of
his regiments, to occupy the road coming from
Ward's Bridge, nearly to whofe farm the Britiſh had
now advanced; left, apprifed of his moving, they
fhould annoy his right flank, which, if it had been
day-light, would have been open to their view: But
before the column reached this crofs road, it was
learnt, that Col. Jonathan Brewer's regiment of ar-
tificers, who were pretty strong, and well armed,
were to pafs the night at the entrance of the road,
leading to the bridge before mentioned. The divif
ion reached Chaderton's Hill, to the fouth of White
Plains, at 4 o'clock in the morning of the 22d, hav-
ing marched all night. The inftant our General af-
cended the hill, he noticed, to appearance, many
flaſhes, refembling the flafh of the pan of a mufket,
on the other fide of the lot; on which he immediately
ordered a Captain, with a party, to difcover what it
was; who returned, that he could not make difcov-
ery
of any thing. Thefe were indeed the flashes of
diſcharged mufkets at fome diftance; the height of
ground having decoyed the appearance of the dif
tance. Lord Sterling, who was before in this vicin-
ity with his brigade, had formed an enterpriſe againſt
Maj. Rogers's corps. The old Indian hunter in the
laft French war, who had now engaged in the Brit-
ifh fervice, with his corps, now lay on the out-poft
of the British army, near Marroneck. The enter-
prife was conducted with good addrefs; and if the
Americans had known exactly how Rogers's corps
lay, they would probably have killed or taken the
whole. As it was, 36 prifoners, 60 mufkets, and
fome other articles, were taken. The Major, con-
formably to his former general conduct, efcaped
with

OCT. 1776.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
75
with the reft of his corps. This was a pretty affair;
and if the writer could recollect the name of the
commanding-officer, with pride and pleaſure he would
infert it. He belonged to one of the fouthern lines
of the army; and the whole of the party were fouth-
ern troops.
On
The fame day, our General moved his divifion,
and took poft on the high ftrong ground, to the
north of the court-houfe. Gen. Sullivan's divif-
ion reached the Plains in the courfe of the fucceed.
ing night. In the pofition of White Plains, our Gen-
eral's divifion was on the left of the line. On his left
was a deep hollow, through which ran a fmall brook,
which came from a mill-pond, a little above.
the caft fide of this hollow was a very commanding
ground, which would enfilade the divifion. The
top of this high ground was covered with wood.
To this hill he ordered Col. Malcolm, with his
regiment of New-York troops, and Lieut. Fenno of
the artillery, with a field-piece, directing them to
take poft in the ſkirt of the wood, at the fouth brow
of the hill. The ground, from our General's left
to the right, defcended gradually a very confiderable
diftance, and then gradually afcended up to the
plain, and ſtill on to the right, to more commanding
ground. On this was the American army formed,
the line running nearly from north-eaft to fouth-weft.
There were fome ftrong works thrown up on the
plain, across the road, and ftill to the right of it.
Chaderton's Hill was a little advanced of the line,
and feparated from it by the little rivulet Brunx. A
body of the Americans were pofted on this hill.
Head-Quarters were on the plain, near the crofs
roads. Our General's divifion had only flight works
for musketry.
23d.A cannonade was heard towards the Hud-
fon. The fame evening, Col. Tyler's, Hunting-
ton's

76
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [OCT. 1776.
ton's and Throop's regiments, of General Parfons's
brigade, and of our General's divifion, moved, and
took poft at the head of King-ftreet, near Rye
Pond. Gen. Lee's divifion had not yet got up to
the army.
24th. At 5 o'clock, A. M. a firing of fmall-
arms was heard to the fouthward. It was a fkirmish
between 200 men of Gen. Lee's divifion, and 250
Heffians-10 of the latter were killed, and two
taken prifoners. The Britiſh continued moving up,
but with great caution, their rear fcarcely advancing,
when they came to encamp again, much further
than where the advance had moved from-they ad-
vanced in two columns.
25th.-Eight American regiments were ordered
to be ready to march in the approaching night.
Gen. Putnam was to command them; and they were
intended to make an attack on the enemy's advance,
if it fhould appear to be practicable. The fame
morning, one 12 pounder at Dobb's Ferry drove the
British man-of-war off that place from her ftation.
26th. Gen. Lee's divifion joined the army. In
afcending fome of the hills on the road, this divifion,
encumbered with many waggons, was obliged to
halt, and double the teams, in open view of the
Britiſh, and at no confiderable diftance, who did
not attempt to disturb them; which, had they done,
the lofs of the cannon, waggons, &c. could not
have been avoided. The troops would have bent
their march unencumbered towards the Hudson;
but the waggons, &c. must have been left. Two or
three Britiſh foldiers and a Heffian were taken prif-
oners, and fent in.
27th. In the forenoon, a heavy cannonade was
heard towards Fort Washington. Thirteen Heffians
and two or three Britiſh foldiers were fent in on this
day. From the American camp to the weft-fouth-
weft,
2 BOY

OCT. 1776] HEATH's MEMOIRS,
77
weft, there appeared to be a very commanding height,
worthy of attention. The Commander in Chief or-
dered the General Officers who were off duty, to at-
tend him to reconnoitre this ground, on this morn-
ing. When arrived at the ground, although very
commanding, it did not appear fo much fo, as other
grounds to the north, and almoft parallel with the
left of the army, as it was then formed. "Yonder,"
fays Major-Gen. Lee, pointing to the grounds juft
mentioned," is the ground we ought to occupy."
"Let us then go and view it," replied the Com-
mander in Chief. When on the way, a light-horfeman
came up in full gallop, his horfe almoft out of breath,
and addreffed Gen. Washington-"The British are
on the camp, Sir." The General obferved-" Gen-
tlemen, we have now other buſineſs than reconnoi-
tring,"
putting his horfe in full gallop for the
camp, and followed by the other officers. When
arrived at Head-Quarters, the Adjutant-General
[Read,] who had remained at camp, informed the
Commander in Chief, that the guards had been all
beat in, and the whole American army were now at
their refpective pofts, in order of battle. The Com-
mander in Chief turned round to the officers, and
only faid, "Gentlemen, you will repair to your re
fpective pofts, and do the beft you can." Our Gen-
eral, on arriving at his own divifion, found them all
in the lines; and, from the height of his poft, found
that the first attack was directed against the Ameri-
cans on Chaderton's Hill. The little river Brunx,
which ran between the American right and this hill,
after running round its north fide, turned and ran
down on the eaft and fouth-eaft. The Britiſh ad-
vanced in two columns. At this inftant, the can-
nonade was brifk on both fides; directed by the
British acrofs the hollow and Brunx, against the
Americans on the hill, and by them returned.
dina
moft
Al-

78
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [OCT. 1776.
moft at the fame inftant, the right column, compofed
of British troops, preceded by about 20 light-horfe
in full gallop, and brandifhing their fwords, appeared
on the road leading to the court-houfe, and now di-
rectly in the front of our General's divifion. The
light-horfe leaped the fence of a wheat-field, at the
foot of the hill, on which Col. Malcolm's regiment
was pofted; of which the light-horfe were not aware,
until a fhot from Lieut. Fenno's field-piece gave them
notice, by ftriking in the midft of them, and a horfe-
man pitching from his horfe. They then wheeled
fhort about, galloped out of the field as faft as they
came in, rode behind a little hill in the road, and
faced about; the tops of their caps only being vifi-
ble to our General, where he ftood. The column
came no further up the road, but wheeled to the left
by platoons, as they came up; and, paffing through
a bar, or gateway, directed their head towards the
troops on Chaderton's Hill, now engaged. When
the head of the column had got nearly acroſs the lot,
their front got out of fight; nor could the extent of
their rear be now difcovered. The fun fhone bright,
their arms glittered, and perhaps troops never were
fhewn to more advantage, than thefe now appeared.
The whole now halted; and for a few minutes, the
men all fat down in the fame order in which they
ftood, no one appearing to move out of his place.
The cannonade continued brifk across the Brunx.
A part of the left column, compofed of Britiſh and
Heffians, forded the river, and marched along under
the cover of the hill, until they had gained fufficient
ground to the left of the Americans; when, by fa-
cing to the left, their column became a line, parallel
with the Americans. When they brifkly afcended
the hill, the first column refumed a quick march.
As the troops, which were advancing to the attack,
afcended the hill, the cannonade on the fide of the
British

OCT. 1776.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
79
Britiſh ceaſed; as their own men became expofed
to their fire, if continued. The fire of fmall-arms
was now very heavy, and without any diftinction of
founds. This led fome American officers, who were
looking on, to obferve that the British were worfted,
as their cannon had ceafed firing; but a few minutes
evinced that the Americans were giving way. They
moved off the hill in a great body, neither running,
nor obferving the beft order. The British afcended
the hill very flowly; and when arrived at its fum-
mit, formed and dreffed their line,, without the leaft
attempt to purſue the Americans. The lofs on the
fide of the Americans was inconfiderable; that of
the Britiſh was not then known. The British hav-
ing got poffeffion of this hill, it gave them a vaft ad-
vantage of the American lines, almoft down to the
centre.
29th.-The Britiſh began to throw up fome fmall
works on the hill, of which they had got poffeffion.
The Americans were drawing back; and a pofition
was to be taken on the high ftrong grounds, before
in the rear of a part of the army. The left of our
General's divifion was not to move; but the re-
mainder of his divifion, and all the other divifions
of the army, were to fall back and form, nearly eaft
and weft. About this time, Col. Lafher, who be-
longed to our General's divifion, (and who had been
left with his regiment to garrifon Fort Independence,
near Kingsbridge) fent an exprefs, who paffed the
enemy in the night, to know what he fhould do, the
regiment growing weak and fickly. Our General
applied to the Commander in Chief, to know his
pleaſure, who directed, that the Colonel fhould give
notice to Col. Magaw, who commanded at Fort
Waſhington, that he might take away the cannon,
ftores, &c. and that Col. Lafher, after deftroying the
barracks, huts, &c. fhould join the army, which he
foon

80
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [Nov. 1776.
foon effected. This day, 3 prifoners were fent in
and the Americans were now throwing up fome ftrong
works on the high grounds.
30th. The Britiſh remained upon the ground
they had taken.
31ft.-The British continued as before, throwing
up a work, &c. At night, the Americans evacuated
their works on the plain, near late Head-Quarters,
fetting fire to feveral barns, and one houfe, which
contained forage, and fome ftores that could not be
removed.
November 1ft.-In the morning, the British ad-
vanced with a number of field-pieces, to the north
of the road, near late Head-Quarters, (a heavy col-
umn appearing behind on the hill, ready to move
forward) and commenced a furious cannonade on
our General's divifion, which was nobly returned by
Capt. Lieut. Bryant and Lieut. Jackfon, of the artil-
lery. Our General's firft anxiety, was for Col.
Malcolm's regiment on the hill, to the eaft of the
hollow on the left, left the enemy fhould pufh a col-
umn into the hollow, and cut the regiment off from
the divifion. He therefore ordered Maj. Keith, one
of his Aids, to gallop over, and order Col. Malcolm
to come off immediately, with Lieut. Fenno's artil-
lery: But, upon a more critical view of the ground
in the hollow, (at the head of which there was a
heavy ſtone wall, well fituated to cover a body of
troops to throw a heavy fire directly down it, while
an oblique fire could be thrown in on both fides) he
ordered Maj. Pollard, his other aid, to gallop after
Keith, and countermand the first order, and direct
the Colonel to remain at his poft, and he fhould be
fupported. A ftrong regiment was ordered to the
head of the hollow, to occupy the wall. The can-
nonade was brifk on both fides, through which the
two Aids-de-camp paffed, in going and returning.
At

Nov. 1776.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
81
At this inftant, Gen. Washington rode up to the
hill. His firſt queſtion to our General, was, "How
is your divifion?" He was anfwered, "They are
all in order." "Have you," faid the Commander
in Chief," any troops on the hill over the hollow ?"
He was anfwered, "Malcolm's regiment is there."
"If you do not call them off immediately," fays the
General," you may lofe them, if the enemy puſh a
column up the hollow." He was anfwered, that even
in that cafe, their retreat fhould be made fafe; that
a ftrong regiment was pofted at the head of the hol-
low, behind the wall; that this regiment, with the
oblique fire of the divifion, would fo check the ene-
my, as to allow Malcolm to make a fafe retreat.
The Commander in Chief concluded by faying,
"Take care that you do not lofe them." The artil-
lery of the divifion was fo well directed, as to throw
the British artillery-men feveral times into confufion;
and finding that they could not here make any im-
preffion, drew back their pieces, the column not ad-
vancing. The British artillery now made a circuitous
movement, and came down toward the American
right. Here, unknown to them, were fome 12 pound-
ers; upon the difcharge of which, they made off
with their field-pieces as faft as their horfes could
draw them. A fhot from the American cannon, at
this place, took off the head of a Heffian artillery-man.
They alfo left one of the artillery horfes dead on the
field. What other lofs they fuftained was not known.
Of our General's divifion, one man only, belonging
to Col. Paulding's regiment of New-York troops,
was killed. The British made no other attempt on
the Americans, while they remained at White Plains.
The two armies lay looking at each other, and with-
in long cannon-fhot. In the night time, the British
lighted up a vaft number of fires, the weather
ing pretty cold. Thefe fires, fome on the level
ground,
L
grow-

82
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [Nov. 1776.
ground, fome at the foot of the hills, and at all dif-
tances to their brows, fome of which were lofty,
feemed to the eye to mix with the ftars, and to be
of different magnitudes. The American fide, doubt-
lefs, exhibited to them a fimilar appearance. On
this day, our General ordered three redoubts, with a
line in front, to be thrown up on the fummit of his
poft, fo conftructed, that the whole of them could
make a defence, and fupport each other at the fame
time, if attacked. Thefe, to the enemy, in whofe
view they fully were, muft have appeared very for-
midable, although they were defigned principally for
defence againſt fmall-arms; and perhaps works were
never raifed quicker. There were the ftalks of a
large corn-field at the fpot: the pulling thefe up in
hills, took up a large lump of earth with each. The
roots of the ftalks and earth on them, placed in the
face of the works, anfwered the purpofe of fods, or
facines. The tops being placed inwards, as the loofe
earth was thrown upon them, became as fo many
ties to the work, which was carried up with a dif
patch fcarcely conceivable.
07
om
The British, as they fay, had meditated an attack on
the Americans, which was only prevented by the
wetnefs of the night. Be this as it may, our Gene-
ral had ordered his divifion, at evening roll-call, to be
at their alarm-pofts, (which they every morning man-
ned, whilft at this place) half an hour fooner than
ufual. He had then no other reafon for doing this,
than the near pofition of the enemy, and the proba-
bility that they would foon make an attack: But the,
Commander in Chief muft have made fome other dif-
covery; for, after our General was in bed, Col.
Carey, who was one of the Aids-de-camp of Gen.
Waſhington, came to the door of his marque, and
calling to him, informed him that the whole ar-
my were to be at their alarm-pofts, the next morn-
ing,

Nov. 1776.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
83
ing, half an hour fooner than ufual, and that he was
to govern himself accordingly. Our General repli-
ed, that he had fortunately given fuch orders to his
divifion, at evening roll-call. He therefore neither
got up himfelf, nor difturbed any other of his
divifion.*
3d. The centinels reported, that, during the pre-
ceding night, they heard the rumbling of carriages
to the fouth-eaftward; and it was apprehended that
the Britiſh were changing their pofition.
5th. The Britiſh centinels were withdrawn from
their advanced pofts. It was apprehended that they
meant a movement. The American army was im-
mediately ordered under arms. At 2 o'clock, P. M.'
the enemy appeared, formed on Chaderton's Hill,
and on feveral hills to the weftward of it. Several
reconnoitring parties, who were fent out, reported
that the enemy were withdrawing,
About 12
o'clock, this night, a party of the Americans wan-
tonly fet fire to the court-houfe, Dr. Graham's houfe,
and feveral other private houſes, which flood between
the two armies. This gave great difguft to the whole
American army, and drew from the Commander in
Chief the following paragraph, in his orders of the
6th: "It is with the utmoſt aftonifhment and abhor-
rence, the General is informed, that fome bafe and
cowardly wretches have, laft night, fet fire to the
court-houfe, and other buildings which the enemy
left. The army may rely upon it, that they fhall be
brought to juftice, and meet with the punishment
they deferve." low voda od bag
The
*Stedman miftakes greatly in his hiftory, where, in vol. I.
page 216, he afferts, that the American's "evacuated their lines
on the morning of the firft, and retired across the Croten Riv
er to North-Caftle, fetting fire, in their retreat, to all the hotfes
on White Plains." The Americans did not quit their ftrong
pofition at the back of White Plains, until the British had re-
treated towards Kingsbridge, as far as Dobb's Ferry, and had
there encamped, as is fully fhewn in thefe Memoirs.

84
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [Nov. 1776.
The Britiſh were moving down towards Dobb's
Ferry. A detachment from the American army was
fent out in the morning to harafs their rear, but
could not come up with them.
nollivih
7th.-Several deferters came in from the enemy:
they reported that they were removing towards New-
York. The reconnoitring parties difcovered them
encamped near Dobb's Ferry. They were foraging
grain and hay, and driving in the cattle. Two
ftore-fhips had run up paft Fort Washington.
8th. The enemy continued encamped at and be-
low Dobb's Ferry. A new difpofition of the Amer-
ican army was now to take place. The fouthern
troops were to crofs over into the Jerfies. Gen.
Lee, with his own, Spencer's, and Sullivan's divif-
ions, were to remain, to fecure and bring off the
ftores; and were then to follow into the Jerfies.
Our General was ordered to march with his divifion
to Peek's Kill.
-
9th. The divifion moved from near White
Plains, and the fame night halted at North-Caſtle.
1oth. In the afternoon, the divifion reached
Peek's Kill. Gen. Wafhington arrived at the fame
place about funfet. It was this day learnt, that Gen.
Carleton's army in Canada, after pufhing the Amer-
icans, in that quarter, from poft to poft, until they
arrived at Ticonderoga, juft made their appearance
before that place, and then retired towards Quebec.
11th. The Commander in Chief directed our
General to attend him in taking a view of Fort
Montgomery, and the other works up the river.
Lord Sterling, Generals James and George Clinton,
Gen. Mifflin and others were of the company. They
went as far up the river as Conftitution Ifland, which
is oppofite to Weft-Point, the latter of which was
not then taken poffeffion of; but the glance of the
eye at it, without going on fhore, evinced that this
poft

Nov. 1776.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
85
poft was not to be neglected. There was a finall
work and a block-houfe on Conftitution Ifland.
Fort Montgomery was in confiderable forwardnefs.
12th. The Commander in Chief directed our
General to ride early in the morning with him, to
reconnoitre the grounds at the Gorge of the High-
lands; and, on his return, gave him the command
of the troops and pofts in the Highlands, on both
fides of the river, with written inftructions to fecure
and fortify them with all poffible expedition, making
a diftribution of his troops to the different pofts;
and, at about 10 o'clock, A. M. Gen. Washington
croffed over the river into the Jerfies.
13th. Our General made a difpofition of the
troops under his command, to their feveral deftina-
tions. Col. Huntington's and Tyler's regiments, to
the weft fide of the Hudfon, to Sidnum's Bridge on
Ramapaugh River, to cover the paffes into the High-
lands, on that fide: Prefcott's, Ward's and Wyllis's
regiments, of Parfons's brigade, (as were the other
two regiments) to the fouth entrance of the High-
lands, beyond Robinfon's Bridge: Gen. George
Clinton's brigade, to the heights above Peek's Kill
Landing: Gen. Scott's brigade, with the three regi-
ments of Gen. Parfons's brigade: Gen. James Clin-
ton, with the troops under his command, were at
the forts up the river. The British moved down,
near to Kingsbridge.
On the 16th, the British made their attack on
Fort Washington. Gen. Knyphaufen, with a heavy
column of Heffians, advanced by Kingsbridge. They
were difcovered by the Americans, from the high
grounds north of Fort Washington, as the day
broke; and cannonaded from the field-pieces, placed
at this advanced poft. The Heffian column divided
into two; the right afcending the ftrong broken
ground towards Spitten-Devil Creek; the left nearer
to

86
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [Nov. 1776.
to the road, towards the Gorge. The firft obtained
the ground without much difficulty; but the Ameri-
cans made a moft noble oppofition against the latter,
and, for a confiderable time, kept them from afcend-
ing the hill, making a terrible flaughter among them;
but the great fuperiority of the affailants, with an
unabating firmnefs, finally prevailed: their lofs was
greater here than at any other place. Meanwhile,
the British croffed Haarlem Creek, in two different
places, charged, and finally routed the Americans
on that fide, and poffeffed themſelves of the ftrong
poft of Laurel Hill, on the other fide of the road,
from Fort Washington, and not very diftant from
it; Lord Percy at the fame time advancing, with
the troops under his command on the island, to,
wards the fort on that fide. The Americans, now gen.
erally driven from their out-works, retired to the fort,
which was crowded full. A fingle fhell, now dropping
among them, muft have made dreadful havock.l
Gen. Waſhington was now a fpectator of this dif-
treffing fcene, from the high bank at Fort Lee, on
the oppofite fide of the Hudfon; and having a wifh
to communicate fomething to Col. Magaw, the com-
manding officer at Fort Washington, Capt. Gooch of
Bofton, a brave and daring man, offered to be the
bearer of it. He ran down to the river, jumped in-
to a ſmall boat, pufhed over the river, landed under
the bank, ran up to the fort, and delivered the mef-
fage-came out, ran and jumped over the broken
ground, dodging the Heffians, fome of whom ftruck
at him with their pieces, and others attempted to
thruft him with their bayonets- efcaping through
them, he got to his boat, and returned to Fort Lee.
The British had fummoned Col. Magaw to furrender,
and were preparing their batteries to play on the fort,
when Col. Magaw thought it beft to furrender the
poft, which he did accordingly, between two and
three

Nov. 1776.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
87
three thoufand men becoming prifoners. The lofs
in killed and wounded, on the American fide was
inconfiderable; but the lofs in prifoners was a feri-
ous blow indeed. The prifoners were marched to
New-York; where, being crowded in prifons and
fugar-houfes, (many of them being militia from the
Jerfey flying-camp, who had been fent over to rein-
force the garrifon, and were unufed to a foldier's life,
much lefs to the poiſonous ftagnant air of a crow-
ed prifon,) they fell fick, and daily died, in a moft
fhocking manner. It was common, on a morning,
for the car-men to come and take away the bodies
for burial, by loads!O ye officers of the provoft!
to whatever nation or people you belong, when the
unfortunate of your fellow-men are thus committed
to your charge, clothe yourfelves with humanity,
and foothe diftrefs as far as in your power; for by
this, you will fecure a better reward than your pref-
ent wages. And you who have the honour to com-
mand armies, when your victories have filled provofts
and prifons, think it not beneath you to vifit the
prifons, that with your own eyes you may fee the
ftate of your prifoners: for fuch vifits, the great
CAPTAIN OF YOUR SALVATION hath faid, fhall be
confidered as made to Himfelf; while it alfo gives
you a name among men clofely allied to that of the
conqueror. The truly brave are always humane.
Elated with the eafy reduction of Fort Washing-
ton, the Britiſh determined to crofs into the Jerfies,
and attack Gen. Washington on that fide. If I
On the 18th, Lord Cornwallis, with a strong body
of the British forces, landed at Clofter Landing, on
the Jerfey fide, above Fort Lee, the garrifon of
which were obliged to leave that poft; and fome
cannon, ftores and provifions, which could not be
removed, fell into the hands of the enemy.
blow 20th.
bfuos

88
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [Nov. 1776.
20th. Juft at evening, an exprefs, which our
General had fent down to Gen. Wafhington before
he had any knowledge of what had happened, re-
turned with a moft alarming account of what he had
feen with his own eyes, viz. that the Americans were
rapidly retreating, and the Britiſh as rapidly purſuing.
The Adjutant-General [Read] wifhed to write to
Gen. Lee; but he had neither pen, ink, or paper
with him. The light-horfeman had a rough piece
of wrapping-paper in his pocket, and the Adjutant-
General had an old pencil. Bringing theſe two to-
gether, he wrote to Gen. Lee-" Dear General, we
are flying before the Britiſh. I pray" and the
pencil broke. He then told the light-horfeman to
carry the paper to Gen. Lee, and tell him that he
was verbally ordered to add, after I pray, "you to
pufh and join us." The light-horfeman, when he ar-
rived at our General's, was both fatigued and wet.
He requeſted that one of his brother horfemen might
proceed to Gen. Lee; but he was told that no other
could difcharge the duty enjoined on him by the
Adjutant-General, and that Gen. Lee might wish to
make many inquiries of him. He was therefore re-
freſhed and puſhed on. Gen. Lee, inftead of moving
his divifion, or any part of it, wrote our General,
by the returning exprefs, the following letter.
"DEAR GENERAL,
CAMP, Nov. 21ft, 1776.
misiti do not
"I HAVE juft received a recommendation, not a
pofitive order, from the General, to move the corps
under my command to the other fide of the river.
This recommendation was, I imagine, on the pre-
fumption that I had already moved nearer to Peek's
Kill. There is no poffibility of croffing over Dobb's
Ferry, or at any place lower than King's Ferry, which
to us would be fuch an immenfe round, that we
could

Nov. 1776.]
89
HEATH's MEMOIRS.
could never anfwer any purpofe. I must therefore
defire and requeft, that you will order
will order 2,000 of your
corps, under a Brigadier-General, to crofs the river
oppofite the General, and wait his further orders.
As foon as we have finifhed a neceffary job, I will
replace this number from hence, which job will, I
believe, be finished to-morrow. to indi
blunt
I am, dear General, your's,
(Signed) CHARLES LEE.
Gen. HEATH."
Upon receiving this letter from Gen. Lee, (for
our General did not receive the leaft hint from Gen.
Waſhington, to move any part of the troops under
his command, by the exprefs who brought the order
to Lee) he took up his inftructions from Gen. Wafh-
ington, to fee if he might dare to make any detach-
ment; upon which he wrote Gèn. Lee the following
anfwer to his letter.
bottolls **
lliw woyanillary ban aviPEEK'S KILL, Nov. 21st, 1776,
9m
getmi visved
DEAR GENERAL,
rowo o'clock at night.
O di lo vas tohto of
"I AM now to acknowledge the receipt of your
favours, of this date, the former of which I had an-
fwered early in the evening. With respect to the
latter, upon having recourfe to my inftructions, I
find they are fuch as not to admit of moving any
part of the troops from the pofts affigned to me, un-
lefs it be by exprefs orders from his Excellency, or
to fupport you, in cafe you are attacked. My in-
ftructions, among other things, are as follow:
CC
"Your divifion, with fuch troops as are now at
"Forts Montgomery, Independence and Conftitu-
tion, are to be under your command, and remain
"in this quarter, for the fecurity of the above pofts,
"and the paffes through the Highlands, from this
"place, and the one on the weft fide of Hudfon's
M
River.

90
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [Nov. 1776.
66
66
66
66
"River. Unneceffary it is for me to fay any thing
to evince the importance of fecuring the land and
"water communication through thefe paffes, or to
prove the indifpenfable neceflity of ufing every ex-
"ertion in your power, to have fuch works erected
for the defence of them, as your own judgment,
"affifted by that of your Brigadiers and Engineer,
may fhew the expediency of. You will not only
keep in view the importance of fecuring thefe
paffes, but the neceffity of doing it without delay:
"not only from the probability of the enemy's at-
"tempting to feize them, but from the advanced
"feafon, which will not admit of any fpade-work, af-
"ter the froft (which may daily be expected) fets in.
"Lofe not a moment, therefore, in choofing the
grounds on the eaft and weft fide of the river,
"on which your intended works are to be erected.
"Let your men defigned for each poft be ſpeedily
"allotted," &c.-
211
"After inftructions fo pofitive and preffing, you will
readily agree that it would be very improper, in me,
to order any of the troops from pofts, to which they
are fo exprefsly affigned, and from bufinefs which in
his Excellency's view is fo very important. Add to
this, their prefent difpofition is fuch, that to collect
any thing near the number you mention, would oc-
cafion as great delay, and caufe many of them to
march nearly as far, as if fent immediately from
your quarter. aid mot arabro alexqxs yd ed i si
baI am, dear General, with efteem, of
Your's refpectfully,
(Signed) W. HEATH.
Gen. LEE."
This did not feem to fatisfy Gen. Lee, who wrote
our General the following:
M
66 SIR,

Nov. 1776.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
91
66
em baßunflni odw mid of CAMP, Nov. 23d, 1776.
"SIR,
blow art of bus
BY your mode of reafoning, the General's in-
ftructions are fo binding, that. not a tittle muſt be
broke through, for the falvation of the General and
the army.I have ordered Glover's brigade to
march up towards Peek's Kill, to put the paffage of
the Highlands out of danger; but I intend to take
2,000 from your divifion with me into the Jerfies;
fo I must defire that you will have that number in
readiness by the day after to-morrow, when I fhall
be with you early in the forenoon;s Wo
PEEK'S
iw vidiloq And am, Sir,sst sud mid diw qis
nwob is 9Tolsted Your moft obedient fervant,ol ol
asm Tedw ni yni (Signed) CHARLES LEE.
bas Maj. Gen. HEATH." lo boloqlib bed od
The vas odiody sintesia eid word of gaidiw bas
To which, our General returned the foll
following
anfwer, Ins mort bevisst Bed of arons!
- ed azism
9: 9am of boborib perk's KILL, Nov. 24th, 1776.
bas SIR,
doidy gaininst bas 100 dotsib om
quBE my mode of reafoning as it may, I conceive
it to be my duty to obey my inftructions, efpecially
thofe which are pofitive and poignant, and that to
deviate from them even in extreme cafes, would be
an error; though perhaps an error on the right
fide.
o vorrallook I aid vd hobarih, MA, I
I can affure you, Sir, that I have the falvation
of the General and army fo much at heart, that the
leaft recommendation from him, to march my di-
vifion, or any part of them, over the river, fhould
have been inftantly obeyed, without waiting for a
pofitive order.
2sdH motivi wor
My conduct must be approved or cenfured, as
I adhere to, or depart from, my orders; and, as it
is my duty, I fhall ftrictly abide by them, until they
are countermanded in fuch manner, as will justify
a deviation
mocan
sd

92
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [Nov. 1776.
a deviation from them, to him who inftructed me,
and to the world.
"I fhall be happy in being honoured with
company to-morrow;
your
bas And am, with refpect and esteem, ord
Your obedient humble fervant,
Gen. LEE."
(Signed) W. HEATH.
25/115 en oil on diw nodivib
After the foregoing was fent off, our General re-
flected for a moment, that as circumftances alter
cafes, Gen. Waſhington being now preffed, and the
army with him but feeble, he might poffibly wiſh
for fome aid from his divifion. He therefore fat down
and wrote him a fhort letter, ftating in what manner
he had difpofed of the troops under his command,
and wiſhing to know his pleafure whether any part
of them fhould join him; enclofing copies of the
letters he had received from Gen. Lee, and of his
anfwers. The exprefs was directed to make the ut-
moft difpatch out and returning, which he effected
on the 26th, (feveral days before Gen. Lee got up
to Peek's Kill) bringing with him the following lets
ter from Secretary Harrifon. iogas doidw storit
ed blow ablas 909129 NEWARK, Nov. 25th, 1776.
doir « DEAR GENERAL,
OTTO ILG
"I AM directed by his Excellency to acknowledge
his receipt of your letter of yesterday, and to inform
you, the difpofition of the troops, mentioned in your
former letter, has his approbation.
"In refpect to the troops intended to come to this
quarter, his Excellency never meant that they fhould
be from your divifion. He has wrote Gen. Lee,
fince, fo fully and explicitly upon the fubject, that
any mifapprehenfions he may have been under at
firit, must be now done away. He will moft prob.
nosivab s
เอมส
Sably

Nov. 1776.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
93
ably have reached Peek's Kill before now, with his
divifion, and be pushing to join us. No new event
has taken place. Dortalb toled fuldtog
20
n
I am, Sir, very refpectfully,) 100 15
oot Your moft obedient fervant,
adges or mid he (Signed) R. H. HARRISON.
Maj. Gen. HEATH." bluoo ed ti hots ou
below!
121ft. Ad heavy cannonade was heard towards
Amboy. 19 din gated donlwoving at Aseq
122d. Col. Tupper, who was down near Tappan,
got up to King's Ferry. He brought off the two 12
pounders which were at Dobb's Ferry, and a quan-
tity of provifions. The fame evening, our General
ordered the Waſhington Galley to take ftation at
King's Ferry. bro or woy deupot bas svar won I
24th. Our General gave orders for Clinton's
and Scott's brigades to hold themſelves in readineſs
to march to the Jerfey fide.o
of baxts
25th. Scott's brigade was ordered over to Haver.
ftraw, and Col. Tyler's regiment, then at Ramapaugh
River, to march down to Tappan, to fecure and bring
off the provifions which were at that place.ob
90 27th. Capt Treadwell, of the artillery, with a
three-pounder, was ordered to move over the river,
and join Gen. Scott's brigade. It was learnt that
many of the inhabitants of New-Jerfey, efpecially in
the neighbourhood of Hackenfack, were fwearing
allegiance to King George, taking letters of protec-
tion, &c. sdi bas i no es of bumi ad
er 28th. Mr. Livingfton came from Congrefs, to
advife with our General on meafures to obftruct the
river. The fame day, Capt. Harrod brought off
from Tappan, a confiderable quantity of pearl-afh,
bees-wax, oil, &c. bovisido art
19to
of wat
29th. Two of the regiments of Gen. Clinton's
brigade were ordered to move to Fort Conftitution,
in

94
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [Nov. 1776.
in order to attempt the forming of obftructions in
the river near Polipins Ifland.niduq od bas,nonivib
30th.-Juft before dinner, Gen. Sullivan arrived
at our General's quarters; and in the afternoon
Gen. Lee arrived. He called at the door; when our
General waiting upon him, requeſted him to alight,
he afked if he could have a cup of tea, and was an-
fwered that he fhould have a good one. Upon com-
ing into the houfe, before he fat down, he wished to
fpeak in private, which being inftantly granted, he
told our General that, in a military view, or, to ufe
his own words exactly, In point of law, you are
right; but in point of policy, I think you are wrong.
I am going into the Jerfies for the falvation of
America; I wish to take with me a larger force than
I now have, and request you to order 2,000 of your
men to march with me. Our General anfwered,
that he could not fpare that number. He was then
afked to order 1,000; to which he replied, that the
bufinefs might be as well brought to a point at once-
that not a fingle man fhould march from the poft by
his order. Gen. Lee replied, that he would then or-
der them himself. He was anfwered, that there was
a wide difference between the two; that Gen. Lee
was acknowledged by our General to be his fenior];
but, as he had received pofitive written inftructions
from him who was fuperior to both, he would not
himfelf break thofe orders: If Gen. Lee was difpofed
to counteract them, its being done by him could not
be imputed to any other perfon; and that he knew
the Commander in Chief did not intend any of the
troops fhould be removed from that poft having
expreffed it not only in his inftructions, but alſo in
a letter just received from him. On the letter being
fhewn to Gen. Lee, he obferved, "The Commander
in Chief is now at a diftance, and does not know what
is neceffary here fo well as I do" asked if he might
ni
be

DEC. 1776.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
95
66
be favoured with the return-book of the divifion.
Major Huntington, the Deputy Adjutant-General,
was directed to hand it. Gen. Lee ran his eye over
it, and faid, I will take Prefcott's and Wyllis's
regiments" and turning to Major Huntington, faid,
"You will order thofe two regiments to march early
to-morrow morning to join me." Our General, turn-
ing to the Major, faid, Iffue fuch orders at your
peril!" and then turning to Gen. Lee, addreffed him:
دو
Sir, if you come to this poft, and mean to iffue or-
ders here, which will break thofe pofitive ones which
I have received, I pray you to do it completely your-
felf, and through your own Deputy Adjutant-General,
who is prefent, and not draw me, or any of my fam-
ily, in as partners in the guilt. Gen. Lee replied,
"It is right. Col. Scammel, do you iffue the order;
which he did, and Huntington communicated it to
the regiments, who were now pofted at the Gorge
of the mountains, near Robinfon's Bridge, after-
wards called the Continental Village. Matters car-
ried thus far, our General turned to Gen. Lee again:
"Sir, I have one more requeft to make, and that is,
that you will be pleaſed to give me a certificate, that
you exercife command at this poft, and do order from
it Prefcott's and Wyllis's regiments." Lee replied,
"I do not know that I will comply with your re-
queft." Gen. Clinton, who was prefent, obferved,
"Gen. Lee, you cannot refufe a requeft fo reafona-
ble." Upon which Gen. Lee wrote as follows:
om won 915w ahami PEEK'S KILL, Dec. 1ft, 1776.
"FOR the fatisfaction of Gen. Heath, and at his
request, I do certify, that I am commanding officer,
at this prefent writing, in this poft, and that I have,
in that capacity, ordered Prefcott's and Wyllis's
regiments to march.
nolod 1 (Signed) CHARLES LEE, Maj. Gen.
DELOL
5oY
roY-woИ lo noisvno
цогуль
Gen.
93

96
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [DEC. 1776.
Gen. Lee, ftepping out on the piazza, obferved
to an officer, "Gen. Heath is right." Early the
next morning, the regiments moved from their
cantonment towards Peek's Kill; but before they
had reached it, Gen. Lee, now ready to pass into the
Jerfies, rode up to our General's door, and calling
him, obferved, "Upon further confideration, I have
concluded not to take the two regiments with me-
you may order them to return to their former poft."
This conduct of Gen. Lee's appeared not a little
extraordinary, and one is almoft at a lofs to ac-
count for it. He had been a foldier from his youth,
had a perfect knowledge of fervice in all its branch-
es, but was rather obftinate in his temper, and could
fcarcely brook being croffed in any thing in the
line of his profeffion. Gen. Lee took with him in-
to the Jerfies fome as good troops as any in the
fervice; but many of them were fo deftitute of fhoes,
that the blood left on the rugged frozen ground,
in many places, marked the route they had taken;
and a confiderable number, unable to march, were
left at Peek's Kill. The time of fervice for which
Gen. Scott's brigade was engaged to ferve, expired,
when the whole, except about 50, went home, not-
withstanding the generous encouragement offered
them by their State, (New-York) if they would con-
tinue one month longer.up
2d and 3d:-Gen. Lee's troops were paffing the
ferry. Gen. Carleton having returned into Canada,
a number of Gen. Gates's regiments were now mov-
ing to reinforce Gen. Wafhington-their van as far
as Morriſtown-the enemy as far as Brunfwick.
6th.-Intelligence was received, that on the 4th,
about funfet, 70 fail of fhips of war and tranfports,
paffed in the found towards New-England.
Our
General immediately fent off expreffes to Gen. Wafh-
ington, Gov. Trumbull, Mr. Bowdoin, at Bofton,
the Convention of New-York, &c.
7th.

DEC. 1776.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
97
7th. Three regiments, viz. Greaton's, Bond's,
and Porter's, arrived off the landing from Albany,
on their way to Gen. Washington. Matters now
looked ferious in Jerfey. The Britiſh were extending
themſelves in all directions, and the inhabitants
obliged to become paffive, if not worfe. Gen. Gates
had ordered the troops, moving from the northward,
to rendezvous at Gofhen.
H
8th. Our General wrote Gen. Lee, that the
troops were moving on from the northward, and as
Gen. Gates had not yet overtaken them, fome of the
commanding-officers appeared to wifh for orders
how to proceed. Gen. Washington, it was faid,
was as far as Trenton-Lee, the preceding night,
as far as Pompton. A flag fchooner came up from
New-York, to obtain leave for fome families to go
in. A Parfon Inglish was on board. Orders were
given to treat the flag with politenefs, and at the
fame time with proper precaution; and the bufinefs
was laid before the Convention of the State.
The fame day, Gen. Clinton, with two Britiſh
and two Heffian brigades, with a fquadron of fhips
under the command of Sir Peter Parker, took pof-
feffion of Rhode-Ifland, without the lofs of a man ;
the Americans quitting the island without making
any oppofition. Rhode-Ifland was a great acquifi-
tion to the British, for quarters, forage, and a fafe
harbour; but leffened their ability for other more
important operations in the field.
On the evening of the 9th, our General received
orders from the Commander in Chief, to move over
the Hudfon, with Parfons's brigade, and to move on
fo as to give protection to the country, and vigour
to the caufe in Jerfey, or on ni
10th. A little after noon, Parfons's brigade march-
ed down to King's Ferry; the greateſt alertnefs hav-
N
ing

98
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [DEC. 1776.
ing been difcovered by both officers and men on the
occafion.
to bovi
bus
11th.-About eleven o'clock, A. M. our General
left Peek's Kill, and proceeded for the Jerfies; on
croffing King's Ferry, gave orders for the flag to be
detained from returning until further orders. The
troops croffed the ferry, and marched as far as Col.
Hays' at Haverstraw. Huntington's and Tyler's
regiments were ordered to advance from Ramapaugh
Bridge to Paramus. Our General received a letter
from Gen. Lee, in anfwer to the one he wrote on
the 8th from Peek's Kill, as follows:-guibe
"DEAR GENERAL,
bassone o
CHATHAM, Dec. 9th, 1776. w
for
"I AM much obliged to you
very
your wel-
come tidings; and have only to beg, that you will
direct the regiments you fpeak of, to march without
lofs of time to Morristown. I fent an exprefs to you
laft night, from the General, ordering your divifion
over the river, which I confefs, for my own part, I
am heartily forry for; as I think we fhall be ftrong
enough without you, and New-England, with your
district, will be too bare of troops. I am in hopes
here to re-conquer (if I may fo exprefs myfelf) the
Jerfies. It was really in the hands of the enemy be-
fore my arrival.
Adieu, dear Sir, shal
о) поп
(Signed) CHARLES LEE.
Maj. Gen. HEATH." To
The foregoing letter appears very different from
the former ones.
12th.-Early in the morning, the troops took up
their line of march from Haverstraw, and before
fun-fet reached Tappan.
twob Lo
13th.

DEC. 1776.
99
HEATH'S MEMOIRS!
13th. Sents out a reconnoitring party towards
Hackenfack, to get intelligence, &c. This day, Gen.
Lee was taken prifoner, near Chatham, by a party of
light-horfe, commanded by Col. Harcourt. Lee took
quarters at a fmall diftance from his troops: an in-
habitant gave notice of it to Col. Harcourt, who was
out reconnoitring near that neighbourhood, and who
had the addrefs to take and carry him off.
14th. Our General held up every appearance
of moving to Paramus, and fent off his baggage un-
der efcort to that place; and between 11 and 12
o'clock, marched brifkly for Hackenfack, having fent
orders for Huntington's and Tyler's regiments to
move from Paramus at the fame time. Bufkirk's
regiment was at Hackenfack Bridge the preceding
day, where they did duty, and it was expected they
were ſtill at the fame place. To furprife and take
them was the object; but it was found that Bufkirk's
men had moved the preceding day to Bergen, in or
der to draw new arms. The town was completely
furpriſed, not having an idea that any but British
troops were near them. One British foldier and 20
or 30 of their adherents, were taken, a number of
arms, &c. and at the wharf, feveral veffels loaded
with hay, &c. on the point of failing for New-York.
A brig had come to fail in the morning, and run
fome diftance down the river, and came to anchor.
An officer with a party was fent down to take her,
and bring her up; but the wind was fo ftrong a-head
that it could not be effected. The officer was then
directed to deftroy the veffel, as he had a large
quantity of forage on board, deftined for New-York;
but it was faid, there were fomie valuable articles on
board, which might be taken out and brought up in
the boats. The orders were varied accordingly,
with directions, that in cafe the enemy advanced be
fore the bufinefs was completed, to fet the brig on
fire.

100
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [DEC. 1776.
fire. The boats brought up one load; but on re-
turning to the brig, they difcovered a body of the
enemy advancing, when the brig was abandoned
without being fet on fire. The enemy immediately
took poffeffion of her. Among the articles taken
out, was a large cheft of plate. This was conveyed
to Peek's Kill, and delivered to the Deputy Quarter-
Mafter-General; and when the British afterwards
deſtroyed the public ftores at that place, the cheft of
plate was removed by the Quarter-Mafter into Con-
necticut; where afterwards Gen. Parfons, in behalf
of the officers and foldiers of the divifion, filed a libel
in the Maritime Court, and the officer who boarded
the veffel, filed one in his own behalf. On trial, the
Court adjudged the plate to the latter, although he
boarded the veffel in obedience to exprefs orders.
About 100 barrels of flour, which had been aban-
doned by the Americans, when they retreated before
Lord Cornwallis, were recovered and fent off; and
about 100 arms were alfo fecured, with a quantity
of rum, gin, &c. In the evening, as two or three
American officers were walking along the ftreet, a
gentleman, who was an inhabitant, came up to them,
and expreffed his joy on the arrival of the troops,
(fuppofing they were British.) The officers imme-
diately conducted him to our General, and on en,
tering the room informed him, that they came to
introduce a friend who had joined them in the ftreet,
and who was able to give fome important informa-
tion. Our General expreffed a high fatisfaction, and
wifhed to know what information he could give.
He replied, that he heard there was a large body of
rebels collecting up above them. He was afked if,
in cafe thefe rebels fhould advance, any affiftance
could be afforded by the people of the town, and
whether they could be depended on? He anfwered,
there were a confiderable number, and that they
might

DEC. 1776.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
ΙΟΙ
diw
might be depended on. He was afked, whether there
was not a number in the town who were in favour
of the rebels? He anfwered, that there was; but
that they had feized and fent off the principal ones
among them, and that now the others dared not
fhew themfelves. The joke was thus going on, when
Col. Prefcott, who flood near him, holding his hat in
his hand, in which there was a red cockade, (at that
time a mark of the diftinction of rank) the gentle-
man fixed his eye upon it, and his countenance im-
mediately fell. He was then told, that thofe whom
he termed rebels were now in poffeffion of the place,
and had now received his information. He was or-
dered into cuftody.no
o 15th. All the waggons in the vicinity were col-
lected, and the flour and other ftores moved off to
Paramus. Reconnoitring parties were fent out to
a diſtance, to obferve the motions of the enemy.
5d16th. The effects were generally removed, and
about noon the reconnoitring parties reported, that
the enemy were advancing on both fides of the
place. They were foon after difcovered by the
guard at Acquackanuck Bridge. A little before
fun-fet, the troops left the town. A ftrong rear-guard
was ordered to remain on the high ground back of
the town, until after dark, to light up a number of
fires, and then to move on after the troops. Juft be-
fore the divifion left the town, Gen. George Clin-
ton, attended by fome light-horfe, joined the di-
vifion. nsm ano to alol odi benihulaniy
17th. Reconnoitring parties were fent out on all
the roads. ondt tot novi 15W
18th. Intelligence was received, that fome of
the Jerfey militia had had a fkirmish with a body of
British troops under Gen. Leflie, near Springfield.
Both parties retired. Of the militia, feveral were
killed and wounded.
givad no
The

102
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [DEC. 1776.
The Convention of New-York, greatly alarmed at
the removal of our General with the continental
troops, from the important paffes of the High-
lands, fent a requeft to Gen. Washington, defiring
that they might be ordered back again. To infure
diſpatch, they offered the exprefs extra pay. The
Commander in Chief was pleafed to grant their re
queft, and ordered our General to return to Peek's
Kill, and re-occupy his former pofitions.it
Our General, having received certain information
that Bufkirk's regiment was at or near Bergen
Woods, it was determined to ftrike them. For this
purpoſe, on the evening of the 19th, about 8 o'clock,
Gen. Parfons, with 250 continental troops, and
Gen. Clinton, with a like number of the militia of
New-York, marched from Paramus church, and a
covering party of 300 men was ordered to Tappan.
About 1 o'clock, the next morning, the detache
ment reached Bergen, and completely furprifed the
enemy's guard, making 22 men prifoners.The
regiment was alarmed, and a pretty brifk fkirmish
enfued. The enemy were collecting, and it was
judged beft for the detachment to come off, having
been fo far victorious.er bdt fisl'aqoot of at-nm
20th. About 1 o'clock, P. M. the detachment
returned to Paramus, having, in the fhort interval
of time, marched (out and returning) upwards of
40 miles. They brought back with them, befides
their prifoners, 16 new fire-locks, 6 horfes, and one
waggon; having fuftained the lofs of one man. The
enemy were fuppofed to have had feveral killed.
21ft.-Orders were given for the troops to be
ready to march early the next morning. The
gentleman who was taken into cuftody at Hacken-
fack, chagrined almoft to death, had been ſpending
his time, like April, in weeping and lowering; and
much interceffion having been made for his releaſe,
our

DEC. 1776.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
103
our General told him, that in cafe he would faith-
fully perform a piece of fecret fervice allotted to
him, he fhould be releafed. This he performed with
punctuality, and confequently was fet at liberty.
22d. The troops marched from Paramus round
by the fide of Kakaat, to Clark's-Town, which they
reached about fun-fet.
123d. The troops took up their line of march,
croffed the Hudfon, and arrived at Peek's Kill.
w24th.-Gave permiffion for the flag to return to
New-York, having on board the families of Mr.
Inglish, Moore, &c. uomini
25th. It was learnt that a body of Heffian troops
had not long before moved to the upper end of
York Ifland. The militia of the State of New-
York were this day beginning to come in. of borilor
26th. A fevere fnow-ftorm. Some of the militia
from Maffachuſetts had reached Danbury.
29th. Intelligence was received from Providence,
that a moft valuable prize, taken by the fhip Alfred,
had arrived fafe at Bedford, in Maffachuſetts.stud
30th. Col. Chefter, of Connecticut, arrived at
Peek's Kill, from Gen. Washington's camp, with
the agreeable news, that on the preceding Thurfday
morning, being the 26th, Gen. Washington, at the
head of about 3,000 men, croffed the Delaware, and
attacked the enemy at Trenton, being about 1,600
Heffians; and in about 35 minutes entirely defeated
them. One Colonel, 2 Lieutenant-Colonels, 3 Ma-
jors, 4 Captains, 8 Lieutenants, 12 Enfigns, 1 Judge
Advocate, 2 Surgeon's Mates, 92 Serjeants, 20
Drummers, 9 Muficians, 25 Officers' fervants, and
740 rank and file were taken prifoners, befides the
killed and wounded. Six pieces of brafs cannon,
12 drums, 4 ftandards, 1200 fmall-arms, 6 waggons,
a number of fwords, caps, &c. were the trophies of
ad ol 19ves
1979 victory.

104
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [JAN. 1777.
victory. The fame day, Colonel Sparhawk's regi
ment of militia arrived from Maffachuſetts.o yllot
31ft.-Information was given, that a company of
60 difaffected inhabitants were on their way to join
the
enemy. Parties were fent out to intercept them.
1777. January ift.-By a letter from General
Waſhington, it appeared that the enemy were re
treating towards Amboy. Generals Mifflin and Er-
ving, and Col. Cadwallader had croffed the Dela
ware, and Gen. Wafhington was about to follow
them, and purfue the enemy.
2d.-Several infamous difaffected perfons were
taken and fent in. The fame day, Gen. Wafhing-
ton being at Trenton, Gen. Howe advanced to at
tack him; a cannonade enfued: Gen.. Washington
retired to the other fide of the Mill Creek; and, as
foon as it was dark, ordering a great number of fires
to be lighted up, to deceive the enemy, ftole a march,
and at 9 o'clock next morning attacked three regi-
ments of the enemy, who were pofted at Princetown,
routed them, driving them from two fmall redoubts.
The enemy loft, in killed, wounded and taken prif-
oners about 500. The American lofs was inconfid-.
erable, except in the brave Gen. Mercer, of Vir-
ginia, who fell in this action, greatly regretted. In
this manœuvre and action Gen. Washington exhib-
ited the most confummate generalfhip, and the Brit-
iſh were ſtruck with confternation. Ambufcade, fur
prife and Stratagem are faid to conftitute the fublime
part of the art of war, and that he who poffeffes the
greateſt refource in thefe, will eventually pluck the
laurel from the brow of his opponent. The ftrata-
gems of war are almoft infinite, but all have the fame
object, namely, to deceive-to hold up an appear-
ance of fomething which is not intended, while un-
der this maſk fome important object is fecured; and
be a General never fo brave, if he be unfkilled in
the

JAN. 1777] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
TOS
the arts and ftratagems of war, he is really to be
pitied; for his bravery will but ferve to lead him in-
to thofe wily fnares which are laid for him.
3d-Thirty-feven recruits going to Rogers, taken
the preceding night, were brought in; and our Gen-
eral ordered out Capt. Graham at 12 o'clock at
night, to intercept another gang.
4th-Gen. Lincoln arrived from Maſſachuſetts;
he had come on with a body of militia.
5th-It
5th. It was learnt that on the 1ft inft. Gen. Put-
nam took a large quantity of baggage, provifions,
&c. at Bordentown; and on the 3d, Gen. Wafhing-
ton's army came up with the rear of the
enemy, at
or near Rocky Hill, when a brifk action enfued, and
the enemy were defeated, with the lofs of between
50 and 60 killed, and upwards of 100 taken prifon-
ers, together with 6 pieces of cannon, and all their
baggage: the Americans had 6 men killed. The
fame day, Col. Sparhawk's regiment of militia, from
Maffachuſetts, with two field-pieces, marched for
King's Ferry, on their way to the Jerfies.
110
7th.-Our General received the following letter
from Gen. Washington :
10.Ye'ddo
16
53 PLUCKEMIN, Jan. 5th, 1777-
« SIR,MIHCAW.00 (bangi)
"WE have made a fuccefsful attack upon Prince-
ton. General Howe advanced upon Trenton; we
evacuated the town, and lay at the other fide of the
Mill Creek until dark; then ftole a march, and at-
tacked Princeton about 9 o'clock in the morning.
There were three regiments quartered there. The
killed, wounded, and prifoners taken, amounted to
about 5oo. The enemy are in great confternation;
500.
and as the prefent affords us a favourable opportu-
nity to drive them out of the Jerfies, it has been de-
termined in Council, that you should move down to-
0
wards

186
JAN. 1777.
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
ad
SW
wards New-York with a confiderable force, as if you
had a defign upon the city; that being an object of
great importance, the enemy will be reduced to the
neceflity of withdrawing a confiderable part of their
force from the Jerfies, if not the whole, to fecure the
city. I fhall draw the force on this fide the North
River together at Morristown, where I fhall watch
the motions of the enemy, and avail myfelf of every
circumftance. You will retain 4,000 of the mi-
litia, coming on from the New-England Govern-
ments for the expedition. You will act with great
precaution, but avail yourfelf of every favourable
opportunity of attacking the enemy, when you
do it to advantage.
O
you can
Gen. Lincoln muft crofs the North River,
and come on with the remainder of the militia to
Morristown. Leave a fufficient guard at the High-
lands.
"You will alſo have as many boats collected to-
gether, or in fuch a manner as you may always avail
yourſelf of them, if it fhould be found expedient for
part of
your troops or any part of them to crofs the North
River, at Dobb's Ferry, or any other of the landings.
I am, &c.
(Signed) GEO. WASHINGTON.
oni Gen. HEATH'llout sobom ved W
9w notast noqu boonsybr SwOH IS1990
9W
ΠΟΙ
Preparations for the before mentioned movement
were immediately put in train. The militia and
volunteers were coming in. uods not be fost
od 18th. Gen. Parfons went down to King-ſtreet.
of 19th. The remainder of Col. Sparhawk's and Col.
Whitney's regiments paffed over the river, to join
Gen. Washington. 20
slong di agbag
10th. Col. Froft's regiment marched to North-
Caftle, and Gen. Scott's militia to White Plains.
11th.

JAN. 1777]
107
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
801
11th. A number of British officers, taken at
Princeton, paffed Peek's Kill, on their way to Con-
necticut. The fame day it was learnt, that on the
8th, Gen. Maxwell, with the Jerfey militia, and
fome continental troops, routed the enemy at Eliz
abeth-Town, where he took
10050 Highlanders, a
Ichooner loaded with baggage, and fell in with a
party of 39
Waldeckers, whom he alfo took prif-
oners.
bovom onw
12th. Gen. Moulton from Maffachuſetts, and
Col. Gilman from New-Hampshire, came to camp.
A number of Britiſh prifoners, taken in the Jerfies,
paffed Peek's Kill, on their way to Connecticut.
13th. Our General moved to the fouthward, and
reached North-Caftle juft before fun-fet, where he
found part of four regiments had arrived, and Gen.
Scott's militia of New-York had moved down to
Wright's Mills.
14th. Our General moved to King-ftreet to Mr.
Clap's-about 3,000 militia had arrived, and Gen.
Lincoln's divifion marched to Tarrytown on this
day. The Commander in Chief in another letter
had intimated that Gen. Lincoln, instead of moving
on to join him, fhould ſtay on the eaft fide of the
Hudfon, and join in the expedition.
15th. The Connecticut volunteers marched from
King-ftreet to New Rochelle, and Gen. Scott's
brigade to Stephen Ward's. Plenty of provifions
were arriving. A deferter came in from the enemy,
and gave an account of their fituation and num-
bers.
Smot
17th. At night the three divifions began to move
towards Kingsbridge; Gen Lincoln's, from Tarry-
town, on the Albany road; Generals Woofter and
Parfons's, from New Rochelle and Eaft-Chefter, and
Gen. Scott's in the centre from below White Plains.
overw
The

108
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [JAN. 1777-
The feveral diftances and rate of marching were fo
we calculate d, that, on the 18th, juft before fun-
rife, the three divifions, although fo far apart, ar-
rived at the out-pofts of the enemy almoft at the fame
inftant. Gen. Lincoln's on the heights above Col.
Van Cortland's; Woofter's at Williams's; and
Scott's on the back of Volentine's. Our General,
who moved with the centre divifion, knew that Vol
entine's houfe was the quarters of one of the guards;
he did not know but it might be defended: as he
approached it, he ordered Capt. Lieut. Bryant to ad-
vance a field-piece to the advance-guard, and if there
was any oppofition from the houfe, to cannonade it
immediately. He then ordered 250 men from the
head of the column (as it was moving on) to incline
to the right, and by a double ftep to push into the
hollow, between the houſe and the fort, to cut off
the guard who were at the houfe, in cafe they fhould
run towards the latter. At this inftant, two light-
horfemen who had been fent out by the enemy as
the day broke to reconnoitre the vicinity, came
unexpectedly at the defcent of a hill, plump upon
the head of Woofter's column. They attempted to
turn about, but before it could be fully effected, a
field-piece was difcharged at them; one of them was
pitched from his horfe and taken prifoner, the other
galloped back to the fort, holloing as he paffed,
The rebels! The rebels!" This fet all the out-
guards and pickets running to the fort, leaving in
fome places their arms, blankets, tools, provifions,
&c. behind them. Thofe who fled from Volentine's,
and the Negro Fort, were fired at as they ran, but
none were killed: one, who could not run fo faft as
the reft, was taken prifoner. Ten mufquets were
taken at Volentine's houfe. The guard above Van
Cortland's was as completely furpriſed as the others,
where

JAN. 1777.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
109
where Gen. Lincoln took about 40 arms, fome blan-
kets, &c. &c. The left and centre divifions moved
into the hollow, between Volentine's houfe and the
fort, from whence our General immediately fent a
fummons to the commanding-officer of the fort to
furrender. The Commandant of the fort, and a con-
fiderable part of the garrifon, being Heffians, the
fummons held out to thefe generous terms. The
anfwer, which was verbal, was a refufal to furrender.
A detachment with two field-pieces was ordered to
move to the fouth of the fort, to a hill above Haar-
lem Creek, not far from the New Bridge. When
the detachment arrived at this place, a battalion of
Heffians appeared drawn up on the fide of the hill
juft within Kingsbridge, and back of Hyatt's tavern.
Our General ordered the artillery to cannonade them
immediately. The firft fhot juft cleared the right of
the battalion, nearly a platoon fettling down as the
fhot paffed them, which entered the bank clofe be-
hind them. The fecond fhot paffed about the centre
of the battalion, when to the amount of a grand di-
vifion fettled down, which was an evidence that
they would not ftand much longer. One of the
pieces was ordered to be drawn lower down the
hill; on which the battalion quitted their ground,
and marched off as faft as they could without run-
ning, to get behind the redoubt and hill at the
bridge, receiving one fhot more as they were turn-
ing round the point. It was not fufpected that the
enemy had any cannon in the redoubt within the
bridge, but they now began to cannonade the artil-
lery-men who had defcended the hill, who had to
draw up their piece as faft as poffible, which they ef-
fected without any lofs, but received three or four
fhot quite among them, before they could reach the
top of the hill.flood of zovicmods dooled smot
This

110
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [JAN. 1777
This fuccefs at the out-posts flew through the
country, and was foon magnified to a reduction of
the fort, and capture of the garrifon. It reached
Gen. Washington long before the official account,
and he had communicated the report to Congrefs;
hence a double difappointment, when the true ftate
of facts was received. olite adi 30 msg oldsrobit
5 19th. The enemy cannonaded from the fort, and
killed one American, as the guards were relieving at
the Negro Fort. It was determined to make an at-
tempt to cut off the battalion within Kingsbridge,
early the next morning, by paffing a strong detach-
ment over Spitten-Devil Creek on the ice, which,
however, was not now very ftrong, but the weather
was cold. One thoufand were detached for the pur-
pofe; but the weather having grown warm in the
night, the ice was judged, by the unanimous opinion
of all the General Officers on the ground, to be too
hazardous on the morning of the 20th to venture
the attempt. On this day there was a cannonade on
both fides, and the enemy on the ifland fide were
thrown into much confufion. Our General obfery-
ing that when the enemy within the island were can-
nonaded acroſs Haarlem Creek, they fheltered them-
felves behind the little hill near the bridge, next to
Spitten-Devil Creek, on this afternoon he rode round
on to Tippit's Hill, which was in its rear, and found
that a field-piece drawn up on that fide would leave
the enemy no hiding place.iog oft bauor pi
Sd21ft. A cannonade on both fides. In the after-
noon a field-piece was hauled up to Tippit's Hill,
and the enemy were cannonaded both in front and
rear: they were thrown into the utmoft confufion:
fome fecured themfelves in their redoubt, others un-
der the banks: fome lay flat on the ground, and
fome betook themfelves to the cellars; fo that in a
aidTy
fhort

JAN. 1777] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
iit
fhort time there was no object for the gunners. The
weather had now grown very moderate o sbit don
5022d. There was a pretty fmart fkirmish with the
enemy near the fort. This day our General ordered
a number of chandeliers, fafcines, &c. to be made;
and having nothing but light field-pieces with him,
in order to keep up an appearance of a ferious defign
the fort, he fent to North-Caftle, where was a
field brafs 24-pounder and fome howitzers, to bring
forward the former and one of the latter.qso nodW
on
23d. A fmart kirmish took place juft before
dufk, in the broken ground near the fouth fide of
the fort; an Enfign and one man belonging to the
New-York militia were killed, and five wounded;
the lofs of the enemy unknown, as it was clofe under
the fort. eid onsmom od onions of no used or
24th. Exceffive ftormy. Gen. Lincoln's divifion,
who were in huts in the woods, back of Col. Van
Cortland's, were obliged to quit their ground, and
move back into houfes where they could find them;
ſome of them as far as Dobb's Ferry; with the lofs
of a great many cartridges, from the badnefs of the
boxes. The fall of rain was fo great as to caufe a
great fresh in the Brunx, the water running over
the bridge by Williams's, 919 STOW Tonsgeir
25th. Early in the morning, the enemy made a
fally towards Delaney's Mills, where they furprifed and
routed the guard, wounding feveral, but not killing
or taking any of them; and a regiment near that place
quitted their quarters. Emboldened by this fuccefs,
about to o'clock, A. M. they made a powerful fally
towards Volentine's inftantly driving the guards
and pickets from the Negro Fort and Volentine's
houfe; pufhing on with great impetuofity, keeping
up a brifk fire, the balls paffing at Williams's houfe
fufficiently ftrong to do execution. The retreating
bung
guards

112
[JAN. 1777-
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
guards threw themfelves into the old redoubt on the
north fide of the road, to the weft of the bridge; on
which, the enemy immediately lined a ſtrong ſtone
wall, a few rods diftant to the fouthweft. Two
regiments of the militia being at this inftant formed
in the road near Williams's, and the horfes in the
limbers of the field-pieces, our General ordered
Capt. Bryant to ford over the bridge with his piece,
and the militia to follow and cover the artillery.
When Capt. Bryant had afcended almoft to the top
of the hill, to prevent his horfes being fhot, he un-
limbered, and the men took the drag-ropes; but the
afcent of the hill was fuch, that they were obliged to
drag the piece almoft within piftol-fhot, before the
ground would admit the piece to be fo depreffed as
to bear on the enemy. The moment this was effect-
ed, avroundofhot opened a breach in the wall, four
or five feet wide; a fecond fhot in lefs than a minute
opened another, when the enemy fled back to the
fort with the greateft precipitation. Of the Ameri-
cans, two were killed and a number wounded. smok
9d127th. The brafs 24-pounder and howitzer were
brought up, and ordered to open upon the fort; on
the third difcharge of the former, fhe fprang her car-
riage; nor were there any live fhells for the howit-
zer, there being none at North-Caſtle; nor was a
regular cannonade or bombardment of the fort ever
contemplated. Every attempt was now made, by
feint and otherwife, to draw the enemy out of the
fort. A detachment was fent down to Morrifania,
to light up a great number of fires in the night, to
induce the enemy to fuppofe that a body of Ameri-
cans were collecting at that place, with a defign to
crofs on to New-York Island, at or near Haarlem;
sand to heighten this, feveral large boats were fent
for, and brought forward on carriages. The British
abisug
guard

JAN. 1777.]
113
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
guard on Montrefor's Ifland were for much alarmed
at this, as to fet the buildings on fire, and flee to
New-York. A brigade of the British were faid to
have moved towards Fort Washington; and orders
had been fent to Rhode-Ifland, for a detachment to
be fent from thence. coli fes guiad
29th. There was the appearance of a fevere
fnow-ftorm coming on, when all the General Officers
on the ground, viz. befides our General, Lincoln,
Woofter, Scott and Ten Broeck, were unanimously of
opinion that the troops ought to move back before
the ftorm came on, to places where they could be
covered from the inclemency of the weather, gas
there was no artillery to batter the fort, and from
firft to laft they were unanimoufly oppofed to any
idea of an affault or ftorm of the fort with the mi-
litia, and the principal object being now to fecure and
bring off or deftroy the forage, which could be as well
done where the troops could have covering, as to ha-
rafs them in the open fields by multiplying guards, or
their being constantly expofed in the fcattered houfes
to be furprifed and cut off. For thefe feveral rea-
fons, the troops were ordered as foon as it grew
dark to move back, Gen. Lincoln's divifion to
Dobb's Ferry and Tarry-Town, Gen. Woofter's to
New Rochelle, and Gen. Scott's to. White Plains;
the guards to remain at their pofts and alert, until
the troops were all moved off, and then to form rear
guards on the feveral roads, following the troops to
whom they refpectively belonged; all of which was
performed in good order, in a very heavy fall of
fnow.
30th. The ftorm cleared up, when 15 fhips, 1
brig, 2 fchooners, and 2 floops came too, between
Heart and City Iflands; they were from the eaft-
ward, and were fuppofed to have troops on board.
2005 vas most intim to The
aloow xit 9
or suit

114
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [FEB. 11777.
The troops on this expedition, as it was called, were
in a very hazardous fituation, and had continued in
it from the morning of the 18th to the evening of
the 29th; they were entirely a body of militia, ex-
cept a few artillery-men. So apprehenfive of this
being a critical fituation was the Commander in
Chief, in the year 1780, when Gen. Sir Henry
Clinton menaced the French army at Rhode-Ifland,
and had embarked his troops on board tranfports
for the purpofe of proceeding to that place, and
Gen. Waſhington had determined to move down
towards Kingsbridge, to induce Sir Henry to give
up his defign by menacing New-York, our General
being then at Rhode-lfland with the French army,
Gen. Waſhington wrote him on the 31ft of July
from Robinfon's Houfe in the Highlands-among
other things, "You know the critical fituation in which
this army will be in a pofition below." This was
undoubtedly a very juft obfervation; but if the
Commander in Chief, with the whole American
army in 1780, well armed and highly difciplined,
fhould fo juftly judge at the diftance of 30 miles
from the ſpot, what fhall we fay of thofe brave mi-
litia men, who continued in the pofition itſelf, for
more than ten days in the midft of winter. Mo
Whenever an enterprife is to be attempted in the
teeth of an enemy, it fhould be a dash and away.
31ft.-A cordon of troops was ordered to be form-
ced, to extend from Dobb's Ferry to Maroneck.
February 1ft.-Foraging being now the object,
a large number of teams were fent out towards
Maroneck, and upwards of 80 loads of forage were
brought off. Twelve more fhips, 4 of which were
of 40 guns, came down the Sound the preceding
day.
2d.-Col. Humphries, of New-York, arrived with
a regiment of militia from Albany county, to con-
tinue in fervice fix weeks.
3d.

MARCH, 1777.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS. 115
3d. There was another grand forage.
6th.-A ftrong detachment under the command
of Col. Enos was fent toward Fort Independence,
to attempt to furpriſe fome of the enemy's out-pofts,
but nothing could be effected. The fmall-pox was
now making its appearance in the neighbourhood.
8th. There was a grand forage to the lower parts
of Weft-Chefter county. A row-galley and a floop
were coming up the North River. The covering
party to the foragers on this day was nearly 1,000
ftrong, and large quantities of forage were brought
off.
DUR
10th. Our General rode to Peek's Kill, where
he arrived a little after dark. Gen. Lincoln's troops
were on their march to join Gen. Waſhington. Our
General had obtained leave of the Commander in
Chief, to make a fhort vifit to New-England, un-
der an injunction to return very early.
To
12th. About 10 o'clock, he left Peek's Kill, and
arrived at his houfe in Roxbury on the 19th, about
fun-fet. boy
March 14th.-Our General fet out from Roxbu
ry, on his way back to the army; but before he
had got to Watertown, an exprefs overtook him,
with orders from Gen. Wafhington, for him to take
the command of the Eaftern Department; Gen.
Ward having applied for leave to refign the com-
mand, meaning to retire from the fervice: he there-
fore turned back, and rode into Boſton.
This year, 1777, formed an important era in the
annals of America. Congrefs had determined to
make great exertions to drive the British troops from
America; for this purpoſe, they had ordered 88
battalions to be raifed in the United States, 15 of
which fell to the fhare of Maffachufetts. Befides
the foregoing 88 battalions, they alfo ordered the
raifing

116
2 HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [APR. 1777.
raifing of 16 others, called the additional battalions;
and of thefe, three were raifing in Maffachuſetts,
viz. Jackfon's, Lee's and Henley's; befides Ar-
mand's Legion, Artificers, &c. The arming, equip-
ping and fending on the recruits-furnishing the Re-
cruiting Officers with bounty monies-and the for-
warding on immenfe quantities of all kinds of mili-
tary ftores, (for Maffachuſetts might now be called
the great magazine of military ftores of the Union,
partly on account of her own refources, managed by
the indefatigable induftry of her Board of War)-
and the arrivals of public ftores here and at Portf
mouth, called for the utmoft diligence and exertion
of the commanding General. The Commander in
Chief had given directions for the troops to be for-
warded on, with all poffible difpatch, to Ticonderoga.
20th. Maj. Gen. Ward refigned the command
of the Eaftern Department to our General, who took
the command accordingly.xoorod A
23d.-A detachment of British troops, confifting
as was faid of about 500 men, deftroyed the Ameri-
can ftores at Peek's Kill; they met with but very
little oppofition: here our General loft a part of
his baggage, which was left, when he came away for
Bofton, in February. Monfieur De Bore, a French
General, came to Bofton: he had been engaged by
our Minifters in France, to enter the American fer-
vice, &c. oral oth
27th.-Our General received orders from the
Commander in Chief, to make an alteration in the
deftination of the Maffachuſetts regiments, fending
eight of the regiments to Peek's Kill, and feven to
Ticonderoga.
sloging aid to hom
31ft. Our General took a view of the ſtate of
the works at Dorchefter, &c. sdt sds of doidw
April 3d.-Capt. Sumner, of Greaton's regiment,
marched a detachment of the regiment for Peek's Kill.
4th.

APR. 1777.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
117
4th.-A part of Col. Shepard's regiment marched
for Peek's Kill.
7th.-Our General took a view of the barracks
at Profpect Hill, preparatory to the putting of the
recruits under inoculation with the fmall-pox.
9th. About 120 men of Patterſon's regiment
marched for Peek's Kill.
11th. A part of Nixon's regiment marched for
Peek's Kill; on the 12th, 160 men of Bayley's for
Ticonderoga; and on the 13th, 200 of Weffon's for
the latter place. The fame day, began to inoculate
the recruits at Profpect Hill.
15th.-Colonel Jackfon's Independent Company
marched to do duty at Providence; and a company
of Col. Crane's artillery for the main army.
16th. Two hundred men of Col. Wigglefworth's
regiment marched for Peek's Kill. The fame even-
ing, our General received orders from Gen. Wafh-
ington to fend the troops to Peek's Kill, by the route
of Kenderhook. The fame day, 10 tons of powder
arrived at Bofton, from Portfmouth, (N. H.)
A fecond divifion of recruits for Bayley's regi-
ment marched for Ticonderoga, as did a divifion
from Col. Bradford's for the fame place.
20th.-A large letter-of-marque fhip arrived at
Bofton from Nantz in France, with a valuable cargo
on private account.
23d. An exprefs from Portfmouth brought an
account of the arrival at that place of the French
fhip Amphitrite, having on board 52 brafs field-
pieces, completely mounted, with apparatus; 6,132
mufquets; 120 barrels of powder, and many other
articles. in bad ved do
24th. A fecond divifion of Col. Crane's artillery
marched for the army.
Idruley
28th. A divifion for Weffon's regiment march-
ed for Ticonderoga.
29th.

118
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [MAY, 1777.
29th.-An exprefs arrived from Gov. Trumbull,
giving an account that the enemy had landed a body
of men near Fairfield, and that a number of fhips
were ftanding up Hudfon's River. This body of
the enemy confifted of about 2,000; they landed on
the 25th at Fairfield, and pufhed for Danbury, where
the Americans had magazines of ftores, which the
Britiſh burnt and deftroyed. Generals Woofter and
Arnold were in that part of Connecticut; they af
fembled the militia of the vicinity, and attacked the
Britiſh on their return; and there were feveral very
fharp fkirmishes, at and near Ridgfield, in one of
which the brave Gen. Woofter fell; and Gen. Ar-
nold having his horfe fhot down under him, by a
foldier who was very near him, and who was fol
lowing up his fhot with his bayonet charged, Arnold
catched one of his piftols from the holfters on the
flain horfe, and inftantly fhot the foldier dead on the
fpot. The lofs was confiderable on both fides, in
killed and wounded: the British fay theirs did not
exceed 172, killed, wounded and miffing. The lofs
to the Americans, in ftores, &c. was confiderable,
and could but illy be fpared at that time.or
May 5th.-Col. Jackfon's Independent Company
returned from doing duty at Providence.
14th.-Gen. Du Condray, an experienced French
artillery officer, engaged by our Commiffioners in
France, to act at the head of the American artillery,
arrived at Bofton: on viewing, from Beacon Hill,
the fituation of Bofton, and the American works
around the town, he made a laugh at the Britiſh
leaving the town when under no greater danger;
adding, that the force which they had, might have
defended the place againft an army of 50,000 men.
A valuable prize, loaded with dry goods, was fent
into Newbury-Port.
boot 21ft.9

JULY, 1777.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
119
21ft. The continental frigates, and a fleet of pri-
vate fhips of war, failed on a cruize, with a fair wind.
28th. Intelligence was received, that a detach-
ment of Americans, under the command of Colonel
Meigs, of Connecticut, had paffed the Sound on the
23d to Long-Ifland, and croffed to Sagg Harbour,
where they deftroyed and burnt a number of veffels
at the wharf, and every thing on fhore, and brought
off 80 or 90 prifoners. This enterprife was con-
ducted with much addrefs and great expedition.
29th. A prize brig was fent in, laden with falt,
cordage, &c. She was from Topfham in England.
No reinforcement for the army in America had fail-
ed the laft of March.
M
June 8th. Two prizes were fent in; one laden
with coals, the other with dry goods.
9th.-A 50 gun fhip of the enemy, and two frig-
ates were cruizing in our bay.
14th. A prize taken by Commodore Manly, la-
den with duck, cordage, &c. and two brigs from Bil-
boa, arrived fafe.
July 1ft.-Intelligence was received, that General
Howe evacuated Brunfwick on the 18th of the pre-
ceding month; he had before advanced as far as
Somerfet court-houfe, and had thrown up a number
of works, which he abandoned: the American light
troops haraffed his rear. This day, four of the ene-
my's cruizers came fo near in, as to be difcovered
from Nantafket.
4th. The anniverfary of the Independence of the
United States was celebrated with proper demon-
ſtrations of joy,
let
6th. An exprefs arrived from Peek's Kill, with
intelligence from Gen. Washington, intimating that
on the morning of the 1ft inft. the enemy's fleet
which lay at Amboy failed down round that town;
and

120
[JULY, 1777.
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
and that the troops who lay encamped oppofite to
the town, ftruck their tents and marched off. The
enemy were alſo advancing on the Lake with their
fleet towards Ticonderoga. A detachment of fol-
diers for Col. M. Jackfon's regiment marched for the
northern army.
7th.-Capt. Clufton arrived from France, with
powder, arms, &c. for the State; he had alfo made
a fuccefsful cruize. eid
11th.-Intelligence was received, that the Amer-
icans evacuated Ticonderoga on the 6th, at night;
a great many ftores, &c. were loft. The British no
fooner arrived before Ticonderoga, than they were
difcovered on Mount Hope: this fteep and rugged
hill was thought to be inacceffible by the Americans,
at leaft with artillery; and therefore, notwithſtand-
ing its nearness to the works, and overlooking of
them in part, it was not taken poffeffion of; but
they ſhould have recollected what had been faid by
the late King of Pruffia, as to fuch pofitions-that
"where a goat can go, a man may go; and where a
man can go, artillery may be drawn up." The Brit-
ifh were no fooner feen on this hill, where the wily
Phillips of the artillery is faid to have afcended, than
they faw an additional reafon for quitting the poft.
This was a fore and heavy lofs to the Americans;
but in the iffue proved a more certain and earlier
overthrow of all Burgoyne's army: yet fo exafpe-
rated were the people at that time, that had the
commanding General, St. Clair, been immediately
brought to trial, he would have ftood but a poor
chance: he was afterwards tried and acquitted with
honour. The British took poffeffion of the works,
and puſhed on rapidly after the Americans, taking
and deftroying every thing that fell in their way.
Brig. Gen. Frazer, with the light troops, purfued
with

JULY, 1777.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
121
with great ardour, and on the 7th came up with a
body of the Americans, commanded by the brave
Col. Francis, of Maffachufetts. A warm action en-
fued; the Americans were worsted; the Colonel
was flain, and many other officers and foldiers kill-
ed, wounded and taken prifoners. This flew through
the country like a fhock of electricity, and roufed
the people to noble exertions. Gen. St. Clair join-
ed Gen. Schuyler, at Fort Edward, after a fatiguing
retreat. On the 10th, a moft confpicuous piece of
gallantry was exhibited at Rhode-Ifland. Maj. Gen.
Prefcott having the command of the British troops
at that place, Col. Barton of Providence formed a
refolution to furprife and take him: he accordingly
proceeded to the island with a party of chofen men
in two boats with muffled oars, taking with him a
negro man whofe hard head was nearly as efficacious
as a beetle, to burit a door; and on this night with
great addrefs evading the British water-guards, paff-
ed down the weft fide of the island, and landed
near a hollow ground, and inftantly pushed for the
houfe of a Mr. Ouering, where the General quarter-
ed. The centinel at the door was feized, the houfe
entered, and demand made whether the General was
there; and finding that he was, and the apartment,
the door was burft open, and the General and his
Aid-de-camp feized, and fold that they must go off
inftantly. The General afked if he might put on
his clothes? The Colonel anfwered, very few, and
very quick, Sir." The Colonel returned to his boats,
and repaffed the water-guards, which the General
had much confidence would have releafed him; for
on paffing the laft, he obferved to the Colonel, Sir,
I did not think it poffible you could efcape the vigi-
lance of the water-guards." This was a brilliant
affair; and Congrefs duly rewarded Col. Barton for
his diftinguished addrefs and gallantry.
"
*3th.

122 HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [AUG. 1777-
13th.-An exprefs arrived from Gen. Washing-
ton, with information that the British were preparing
their tranfports for the embarkation of their troops
from Staten-Ifland, were fixing births for the light-
horfe, &c. but their deftination could not be devel-
oped. They had pushed into the Jerfies, as if de-
figning to march to Philadelphia, and then turned
back, as has been mentioned, from Amboy, and
now were preparing to embark; and we fhall anon
fee more of their manoeuvres and deceptions.
16th. A number of Americans, who had left the
northern army when it retreated, as is generally the
cafe on fimilar occafions, came to Bofton; they were
immediately taken up and confined, to be fent back
again the best method in like cafes. bobashota
19th. At evening an exprefs paffed through Bof-
ton, on his way to Philadelphia, with difpatches
which had been brought to Portfmouth, (N. H.) by
a veffel in 42 days paffage from France. It was faid
that there was great probability of an immediate war
between France and England.org wolled & 19
21ft. By intelligence from Peek's Kill it was
learnt, that on the preceding Wednefday 10 pieces
of cannon were fhipped for Albany; that a divifion
of the American army was oppofite to Fishkill;
and that General Washington was moving towards
King's Ferry with the main army, faid to be 20,000
ftrong, with near 800 waggons, and having a num
ber of flat-bottomed boats on carriages, &c.olo aid
26th. Count Polafki, a Polifh nobleman, came
to Bofton, and dined at head-quarters.
10 Auguft ift.-Information was fent from Cape Ann,
that a fleet of veffels, faid to be near 100, had been
feen from the high lands, ftanding to the northward.
This caufed fome alarm: the guards at the maga-
zines, &c. were doubled.
yunsling bas életbbs boringuin 4th.

AUG. 1777.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
123
4th.-Intelligence was received that Gen. Waſh-
ington was moving with the main army towards
Philadelphia, and had detached Gen. Glover with
his brigade to join the northern army.
An account
was received that there had been a fkirmish on Wood
Creek, between a party of the Americans and the
enemy, to the advantage of the former.
6th. Intelligence was received that the American
northern army had fallen back to Saratoga. About
this time, a party of the enemy landed on Bofton
Neck (fo called) in Rhode-Ifland: they were driven
off without doing much damage. The fame day in-
telligence was received, that on the 23d of the pre-
ceding month the British fleet failed from Sandy
Hook, and had arrived off the Capes of Delaware.
8th.-Intelligence was received, that the British
fleet failed out of the Capes of Delaware on the 31st
ult. ftanding to the eastward. This induced Gen.
Washington to retrograde the main American army
towards the North River.
11th.-There was a report that the northern ar-
my had fallen back to Stillwater. One fixth part of
the militia in a number of the counties of Mallachu-
fetts were ordered to be detached and marched im
mediately to reinforce the northern army.
14th. Intelligence was received, that the British
fleet had returned again to the Capes of Dela-
ware. Col. Johnfon and St. Leger were advancing
with a body of the enemy towards Fort Schuyler, on
the Mohawk River.
ud
About this time, a Mifs M Crea, faid to be a beau-
tiful young lady, and in all the innocence of youth,
her father warmly engaged on the fide of the Brit-
ifh, and the on the very point of marriage with a
British officer, on fome.difpute between two Indians,
as to which of them the of right belonged as a cap-
tive,
155m

124
[AUG. 1777.
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
tive, fhe was moft inhumanly maffacred! The act
was probably as abhorrent to the Britiſh as to the
Americans; but they ought not to have engaged the
favages in their caufe, as they might well have known
their ungovernable temper, and difpofition for blood;
for this was not the only inftance. A British officer
fending his waiter to a fpring for fome cool water,
in a few minutes an Indian came in, with the fcalp
of the waiter fmoaking in his hand.
&c.om
St. Leger having gone up the Mohawk to reduce
Fort Schuyler, Gen. Burgoyne determined to fend
out another ſtrong detachment on his left, towards
Bennington. The command of this detachment
was given to Lieut. Col. Baum, a Heffian; and Col.
Breyman, with another detachment, was ordered to
cover and fupport Baum. Thefe were met by the
brave Gen. Stark, who gave them a complete over-
throw. On the morning of the 16th, 32 officers and
near 700 men were taken prifoners, with 4 light
field-pieces, nearly 1,000 arms, a quantity of bag-
gage, &c. The Americans were faid to have had
about 25 men killed: the lofs of the enemy in killed
was judged to be nearly 200. Fort Schuyler was
clofely befieged by St. Leger; and the brave Col.
Harkimer, with the Tryon county militia, was march.
ing to its relief. St. Leger learning his advance,
drew off a large part of his befieging troops, to meet
and give him battle, before he got near the fort;
the battle was obftinate, and the militia behaved
with great bravery, but were at length defeated
their brave Colonel and many of the militia were
flain: it was faid that the action lafted 5 or 6 hours.
Matters now appearing more ferious in this quarter,
Gen. Arnold marched with a fufficient detachment
to raiſe the fiege. As foon as St. Leger learnt his
approach, he fent off fome Indians, as if friends, to
meet

SEPT. 1777] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
125
meet Arnold, and inform him that St. Leger had
received a ſtrong reinforcement, and advifed Arnold
to halt and wait for a reinforcement himfelf--then
abandoned the fiege with precipitation, leaving his
tents ftanding, his baggage, artillery, &c. behind
him. Thus were both Burgoyne's wings effectually
clipped. bed
September 1ft.-Intelligence was received, that af-
ter much manoeuvring, Howe's fleet came to anchor
in Chefapeak Bay, on the 21ft ult. confifting of near
200 fail, and it was expected he would foon land his
troops. The 24th, Gen. Washington's army was on
full march to meet Howe, and then within 5 miles
of Philadelphia. A valuable cargo arrived fafe from
Spain; among other articles, a large number of
fhoes, hofe, blankets, fhirts, cordage, duck, &c.
2d.-Intelligence was received, that Gen. Howe's
army
had landed at the Head of Elk. A detach-
ment from Gen. Sullivan's divifion a little before this
time made an excurfion on to Staten-Ifland, and
brought off feveral hundred prifoners, and a large
quantity of baggage. The American lofs was faid
to be about 60, including officers.
5th. Four hundred and one prifoners, taken near
Bennington by Gen. Stark, were eſcorted to Bof-
ton; they confifted of British, Brunfwick and Cana-
dian troops.it li
9th.-Capt. Harden arrived at Bofton in a Con-
necticut State fhip of 20 guns: he brought in with
him a Jamaica packet, which he took during his
cruize. It was faid the packet had a large fum in
fpecie on board; and a Mr. Shirley and family, on
their paffage to England. The laft accounts ſtated
both Gen. Washington's and the northern army to
be near the enemy; and important news might be
momently expected. Jong doidw nottog a door ins
19th.

126
[SEPT. 1777.
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
bsd.
19th. Col. Lee's regiment moved into Bofton.
20th. The difagreeable news was received, that
on the 11th inft. a fevere action took place between
Gen. Washington's and Howe's armies, near the
Brandywine, which ended rather in favour of the
latter, who remained mafters of the field. The Brit-
ifh here, as in feveral other inftances, had recourfe
to ftratagem: they held out the appearance of an
intention of forcing their way at Chad's Ford, which
Gen. Kniphaufen menaced with a heavy column of
Heffians, while the British column, by a long cir-
cuitous march, reached the forks of the river, and
there fecured a fafe paffage. Gen. Waſhington was
pretty early apprized of this movement, and imme-
diately took meafures for ftrengthening his right, by
ordering fome troops from his left. After the ac-
tion had become pretty warm on the right, and the
British had got the advantage, Kniphaufen paffed
Chad's Ford; and although the troops who were
ftill on the left behaved well, they were by no means
fufficient to refift the heavy column of Heffians. It
is faid, that after the Heffian Grenadiers had croffed
the Ford, they halted at the foot of the hill, below
the Americans, under a warm fire, and with great
deliberation changed their hats for their heavy braſs
caps, which were carried by a loop on a button at
the hip, and then afcended the hill, from which the
Americans were obliged to retire. Here the brave
Capt. Bryant, of the artillery, who had before feve-
ral times diftinguifhed himfelf under the eye of our
General, received a mufquet-ball in the bottom of
his belly; a brother officer carried him off the field,
but he died of the wound. Gen. Wafhington, fec-
onded by his officers, did every thing in their power
to check the Britifh; and a part of the American
army took a pofition which probably faved the army
from

SEPT. 1777] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
127
from a total defeat. Perhaps the American army
were, more or lefs, more generally engaged in this
action, than in any other during the war. The A-
merican lofs was confiderable in killed and wounded,
and a number of pieces of brafs field artillery were
loft. The British alfo fuffered pretty feverely in
killed and wounded.
erroflot to go berpusat
The next night, Gen. Gray made, with much fe-
crecy, an attack on a body of Americans, under the
command of Gen. Wayne: the bayonet was chiefly
made ufe of, and it proved but too efficacious against
the Americans, who fuffered confiderable lofs, in
killed and wounded. Gen. Washington retreated
firft to Philadelphia, and then left the city. The
British army a few days afterwards advanced to Ger-
mantown, and on the 27th a detachment of their
army took poffeffion of Philadelphia.o
15vi
o 23d.-Gen. Waſhington's orders for fending for-
ward Colonels Lee's, Henley's and Jackſon's regi-
ments, were received by our General. stains
24th. Several prizes were fent in by a privateer
brig belonging to Col. Sears. as slodw has en
25th. Intelligence was received, that on Friday,
the 19th inftant, there was a warm and bloody action
between Gen. Gates's and Burgoyne's advanced
troops, which lafted until dark. The troops behaved
with the greateſt bravery on both fides. Col. Mor-
gan's light corps, and eleven other American regi-
ments were more or lefs engaged. Of the Ameri-
cans, 2 Lieutenant-Colonels, Coburn and Adams, 3
Captains, 3 Subalterns, and 56 non-commiffioned
officers and privates were killed, and 248 wounded.
Thelofs of the enemy was very confiderable, and much
greater than that of the Americans. On the 18th,
the day preceding the foregoing battle, Col. Brown
made an excurfion in the enemy's rear to Lake
George;
moi gavom 91 000.

128
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [OCT. 1777.
George; made 293 of the enemy prifoners; retook
100 Americans: he alfo took near 100 batteaux, fev-
eral large gun-boats, an armed floop, &c. took pof-
feffion of the French Lines (fo called) at Ticonde
toga, and fummoned Fort Independence to furrender.
27th.-Col. Craft's regiment of State artillery
marched out of Bofton, with 4 light field-pieces and
an eight-inch howitzer, towards Providence, on a
fecret expedition, as it was called. oss ns0975
29th.-Intelligence was received, that feveral val
uable prizes had been fent into Dartmouth.hent
October 2d. Intelligence was received, that on
the 16th, Gen. Du Condray was drowned in the
Schuylkill; he rode into the ferry-boat at one end,
but was not able to command his horfe, who went
out at the other end of the boat, plunging into the
river. This officer, as before mentioned, was en-
gaged to come to America, to take the command of
the artillery; but whatever may have been his tal-
ents, the artillery was fo well commanded, that the
placing a foreign officer over them, in fuch a man-
ner, and whofe rank would alfo have foared above
many other officers in the line, would moft certain-
ly have produced a convulfion in the army, had it
been perfifted in. This circumftance prevented the
danger. The fame day, Col. Lee's regiment march
ed for the main army. no IvsTd listy sds, w
186th. Col. H. Jackfon's regiment encamped on
Bofton common, and the next day, about noon,
marched out of town for the army; the regiment,
although fmall, made a good appearance. About
the fame time that the regiment marched out of
town, upwards of roo British and Canadian prifon-
ers, taken near Lake George, by Col. Brown, march-
ed in. lo sled gringstof ant gaibpoor yeb sdr
928th. It was learnt that a body of the enemy, faid
to be about 3,000, were moving from New-York
towards

OCT. 1777.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
129
towards Peek's Kill. Gen. Waſhington, after he
left Philadelphia, encamped near a place called
Skippack Creek, about 16 miles from German-
town.
13th. At 3 o'clock, A. M. an exprefs arrived
from Gen. Gates's army, with an account that on
Tueſday, the 7th inft. a fmart action took place be-
tween the right of Gen. Burgoyne's army, and the
American left, when the enemy were repulfed, drove
back to their works, and then forced from them.
Three Field-Officers, 6 Captains, 10 Subalterns, i
Quarter-Mafter-General, and 190 privates were taken
prifoners, befides 300 taken in the hofpital-8 pieces
of brafs cannon, 2 twelve and 6 fix pounders, 3 am-
munition-waggons, 300 tents, 200 barrels of flour,
and a large quantity of baggage were trophies of
victory. One hundred of the enemy lay dead on
the ground. The American lofs, although not ex-
actly known, was faid not to be more than 30 killed
and 100 wounded; among the latter, Generals Ar-
nold and Lincoln, both in the leg, the former but
flightly; it was problematical whether the latter was
wounded by a British or American foldier. Gen.
Frazer, an enterprifing officer of the British, was
mortally wounded, and died of his wounds.
15th.-Intelligence was received, that a body of
the Britiſh from New-York, in about 30 tranfports,
had proceeded up the Hudfon; they had made fev-
eral landings below and at Peek's Kill: on Monday
the 6th inft. they croffed over, and landed on the
weft fide of the river, and marched along the hills
towards Fort Montgomery and its dependencies
this fort was tolerably fituated on the bank of the
Hudfon, to annoy fhipping going up the river; and
the works were pretty good on that fide, but were
not fo, nor fully completed on the back fide; and
the right flank was commanded by higher ground
R
on

130
HEATH's MEMOIRS. [OCT. 1777.
on the fouth, and near the fort, on the other fide of
Pooplop's Creek, the mouth of which was near to
the fouth fide of the fort; on this higher ground,
and near to the fmall deep pond, a ftrong redoubt,
called Clinton, was erected; it was equally effential
that this redoubt fhould be taken, as a reduction of
the fort: the British therefore moved against this
redoubt, while another column, by a more circuit-
ous movement, fell in the rear of Fort Montgom-
ery; they were met in the defiles, where the fkir-
mishes were fharp; but they continued to advance
to the redoubt, which was nobly defended, and be-
fore which they fuftained very confiderable lofs, (a
number of their flain were afterwards drawn out of
the pond, where they had been thrown for conceal-
ment) but foon carried it, and afterwards Fort Mont-
gomery. The garrifon principally made their efcape
in the dusk of the evening; among them were Gov.
Clinton, and his brother, who was a Brigadier-Gen-
eral alſo they made their efcape in a very hazard-
ous manner, and the latter was wounded. After
the reduction of Fort Montgomery, the Americans
evacuated Fort Conftitution, and the block-houfe on
Conftitution Ifland, oppofite to Weft Point (the lat-
ter was not yet fortified ;) and the two new frigates,
Congrefs and Montgomery, which lay in the river,
were fet on fire by the Americans and burnt. The
enemy afterwards proceeded up the river, and burnt
Efopus; their object was if poffible to form a junc-
tion with Burgoyne, or open a water communication
to Albany; and fpies paffed between them.
-
16th. Two or three of the enemy's cruizers ap-
peared in the bay, but a few leagues from the Light.
While the British army lay encamped at German-
town, Gen. Wafhington refolved to attack them.
This was a brave defign; and the fuccefs of the firſt
onfet, at about 3 o'clock, A. M. of the 4th inft. af
SX
ter

OCT. 1777.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
131
ter the Americans had marched all the night, was
equal to the defign; for the Britifh, where the at-
tack was first made, were almoft inftantly pushed
from their ground, and were falling back panic
ftruck on their other troops. When Lieut. Col.
Mufgrove had the prefence of mind to throw feveral
companies into a ftrong ftone houfe. Houfes at all
times, and eſpecially thofe of ftone and brick, under
a judicious conduct, admit of a good defence; and
at this time probably proved the means of the
Americans' lofing an advantage, which no one can
tell how far it might have been pufhed. When an
enemy is routed, and panic ftruck are flying before
the affailants, the beft, if not the only way, is to
follow them, if the ground will admit of it, clofe at
their heels, taking care not to fall into ambufcades.
Thus the panic of fear continues to multiply; but
if the purfuers ftop, and efpecially if thofe who were
flying hear a firing behind them, but not upon them,
they conclude that their own troops in turn have
gotten an advantage, or at leaft are holding their
purfuers at bay. This immediately recovers them
from their panic; they will next return to the
charge, and will be more likely to make an obftinate
refiftance than before they were at firft routed;
while their return to the charge will greatly damp
thofe who before confidered themfelves almoſt in
the grafp of victory. Hence what took place at
Germantown was no wonder. The fogginefs of
the morning was unfortunate for the Americans;
but the Britiſh taking poffeffion of the ftone houfe,
and defending it, was the moft unfortunate circum-
ftance. The lofs on both fides was confiderable;
on the fide of the Americans, Brig. Gen. Nafh,
and on the fide of the British, Brig. Gen. Agnew,
were among the flain: but although this attempt
was

*32
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [OCT. 1777.
was not crowned with victory, it caufed the Britiſh
to have a more reverential opinion of Gen. Wafh-
ington, whom they now found dare to attack their
whole army, even in a chofen pofition of their own,
Perhaps it was beft that the action clofed as it did;
had the Americans made their way far into the long
ftreet of that town, probably many other houfes
would have been occupied in the fame way. The
burying-yard, with a ftrong wall, was lined with
troops by the enemy; and the pofition in which
their army lay, was calculated for their wings clofing
in to much advantage; at any rate, the battle muft
have been very bloody, and fituation and circum-
ftances were in favour of the British. After the
Britiſh were in poffeffion of Philadelphia, they had
much to do in order to get poffeffion of the Dela-
ware, and remove the obftructions which had been
formed in it. There were alfo feveral works to be
reduced; among others, a fort on Mud-Ifland, and
a pretty ftrong work at Red Bank.
22d.-Highly important and moft interefting in-
telligence was received, that on the 17th inft. Gen.
Burgoyne and his whole army furrendered, under
Convention. They were to be marched to then eigh-
bourhood of Bofton, and from thence fent to En-
gland. Upon the receipt of this news, the cannon
on Fort Hill were difcharged, and joy was feated on
every brow.
23d. At 1 o'clock, P. M. the cannon on Fort
Hill, and on the heights of Dorchefter were dif
charged, and alfo on board the fhips in the harbour.
In the evening, our General's quarters (the houfe
of the late Hon. Mr. Ruffel) was beautifully illumi-
nated. The following is the number of troops
which furrendered to Maj. Gen. Gates, and the ſtate
of Gen. Burgoyne's army after he left Canada:
(Under

OCT. 1777] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
133
shan (Under
(Under the Convention.)
nie
Britiſh, da imena to Intiswo bon-al 2,442
Foreign, 2005b5 Jailor 12, 198
Canadians, &c. fent back to Canada, 1,100
Staff, orward brs
low aft brs savoyens lo q 12
hanego nofiod of vow is no won $10.0.5.752
Prifoners taken at different times, n
dgide bed on
400
528
300
1,220
br 600
Sick and wounded, tow or only nines
Deferters, as benbet to smol bns.noitibus VTE
Loft at Bennington,
Killed fince the 17th of September,
Killed and taken at Ticonderoga, old
Bellemoss any slot as bells an
vasd
one413
od wivel or sul erow noista, br9,213
abon as sd, as Boot A sbluorid to let
The brafs ordnance taken were as follows; 2
24-pounders; 4 12-pounders; 18 6-pounders; 4
3-pounders 2 8-inch mortars; 5 howitzers; total,
35, exclufive of thofe taken at Bennington.
ib
Thus were the Britiſh totally difappointed in this
quarter. The troops intended to form a junction
on the Hudfon were as high up as Poughkeepfie;
and Gen. Burgoyne informed our General after he
arrived at Bofton, that on the evening after he had
propofed to Gen. Gates to furrender, in cafe he could
obtain honourable terms, which were to be fettled
the next day, a fpy came in to him from the troops
down the river, ftating how far they had got up,
and what ſteps were next to be taken; on which he
(Gen. Burgoyne) affembled his officers more gen-
erally than ufual in councils, and ftated to them the
circumftances and fituation of both armies, and
whether, confiftently with fair principles of honour,
they could break off the negociation for an honour-
able Convention, or not; when it was the unanimous
opinion of every officer prefent that they could not.
hns
But

134
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [OCT. 1777.
But in a fituation like his, at that moment, danger
at hand is more powerful on the mind, than the
hope of relief at a diftance. The troops who were
up the river returned down.
The capture of Gen. Burgoyne and his whole ar-
my, who were now on their way to Bofton, opened
a new, important, and delicate field for our General.
This army, in which there were many officers of
military erudition, and fome of refined and courtly
manners, who had a high opinion of national hon-
our and prowefs, and who, in confequence of the
Convention which they had formed, had their fpirits
by no means, depreffed, as thofe who are compelled
to furrender at difcretion,-were fure to lay a heavy
tafk on his fhoulders. As foon as he was notified
that thefe troops were coming under his direction,
he fet himſelf in earneft to prepare for their recep-
tion. The barracks at Profpect and Winter Hills
were directed to be put inftantly in order. The
Council was applied to, to aid in the procurement
of quarters from the citizens for the officers; nor
was this an eafy talk. The families of the citizens
generally wanting the room in their refpective
room!
houfes, rendered it difficult to obtain fo many quar-
ters as were neceffary for fo great a number, and
extended the limits of the parole very confiderably.
The Council were difpofed to do every thing in
their power, and gave orders accordingly whenever
they were neceffary. A heavy duty was alfo falling
on the Quarter-Mafter's department, as it refpected
quarters, and alfo fuel, the latter of which, had been
rendered fcarce in the vicinity, by the American ar-
my having been here in 1775; and the enemy's
cruizers prevented its being brought from the eaftern
country. But the exertions of Col. Chafe, who was
Deputy-Quarter-Mafter-General, and the affiftants
90
ide
and

Nov. 1777.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
135
and conductors in his department, and of Col. Davis,
who was Deputy-Barrack-Mafter, and who, in the
procurement of fuel, was indefatigable, a comforta-
ble fupply was obtained. Before the arrival of the
troops at Cambridge, our General had digefted and
drafted a parole, and feveral articles for the
govern-
ment of the troops in quarters; thefe he had drawn
in as an article in the parole; and the honour of the
officers in this way, was pledged for their obfervance
of the articles, which rendered the government of
them much easier; being thus bound to govern
themfelves with propriety, or infringe their paroles;
knowing that many things in minutiæ, would be to
fettle, which would be tedious in an epiftolary way.
As foon as General Burgoyne had arrived at Cam-
bridge, our General fent over one of his Aid-de-camps
to invite Gen. Burgoyne to dine with him the next
day, bringing with him his two Major-Generals,
Phillips and Reidefel. An elegant dinner was pre-
pared, and many other gentlemen invited, among
whom were Generals Glover of Maffachuſetts, and
Whipple of New-Hampfhire, who were at the cap-
ture, and had commanded the efcort, &c. from Sar-
atoga to Cambridge.
November 8th.-Our General fent one of his Aids
to accompany Gen. Burgoyne and the other officers
into Bofton, by the way of Roxbury; they arrived
fome time before dinner, as was intended, that bufi-
nefs might be confidered. The parole was fhewn to
them, and the articles for their government in quar-
ters, with which they were well pleafed. But here
a difcovery was firft made of fomething which they
wifhed to retain, while in our country, and which
our General would never for a moment allow. Gen.
Phillips turning to our General, obferved, "Sir, you
well know the difpofition of foldiers, and that they
will

136
[Nov. 1777:
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
will more or lefs in all armies commit fome difor-
ders; fuppofe you fhould delegate to Gen. Burgoyne
the power of feeing your orders executed." Our
General replied, that he knew the difpofition of
foldiers, and alfo the neceflity of order and difci-
pline; that he was not only willing, but expected
that Gen. Burgoyne, and every other officer, would
exert themſelves to keep order; that for this purpofe
among themfelves, and for internal order and obe-
dience, he might command and punish as might ap-
pear to be neceffary; but in no cafe to attempt cap-
ital puniſhment. But as to the exercife of his own
command, and enforcement of his own orders when
neceffary, was a jurifdiction which Gen. Burgoyne
muft not expect to exercife while here. Gen. Bur-
goyne fmiled, and Gen. Phillips turned it off by fay-
ing, "I only meant it for your eafement, Sir."
Before dinner was done, fo great was the curiofity
of the citizens of both fexes, and of all ages and de-
fcriptions, to get a peep at Gen. Burgoyne, that the
ftreets were filled, the doors, windows, the tops of
the houfes and fences crowded. Gen. Burgoyne
had afked our General if he would indulge him to
go out of town by the way of Charleſtown, which
was inftantly granted. When he was ready to de-
part, our General told him that he fhould accompa-
ny him to the ferry; and a proceffion was formed,
the American gentlemen mixing with the Britiſh.
The streets were fo crowded, that it was difficult
getting along; but not a word or a gefture that was
difrefpectful. When arrived oppofite to the Prov-
ince-Houfe, Gen. Burgoyne turned round to the
other Generals, and obferved, "There is the former
refidence of the Governor;" when fome perfon on
the fide of the ftreet, and in a tone fully to be heard,
added, "and on the other fide is the riding-fchool;"
alluding

Nov. 1777.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
1371
alluding to the Old South Meeting-Houfe, having
been put to that ufe in 1775: but the General, who
muft have heard it, made no reply, but foon after
obferved," Sir, I am aftonished at the civility of
your people; for were you walking the ftreets of
London in my fituation, you would not efcape in-
fult." When arrived at the ferry-ways, the crowd
were down to the water's edge; but when the boat
put off, there was not the leaft indecency, or wry
countenance difcovered. O my dear country-
men! how did this your dignified conduct at that
moment charm my very foul! Such conduct flows
from a greatness of mind, that goes to conquer a
world. 20 boilid for stow about bus bribery ni
ni Col. Keith was appointed Deputy-Adjutant-Gen-
eral, and Maj. Swafey Town-Major.ow bus bellid
no14th.The Council were ftill deliberating on the
fubject of quarters, and determined to do every thing
in their power; but fome individuals were refractory.
-19th. Gen. Hancock arrived in town, and was
faluted by the diſcharge of the cannon of the Fort,
Park, &c. dgnort of jet qnivisido bersbasil
22d. Intelligence was received of the repulfes of
the enemy, before the redoubt at Red Bank, on the
22d ult. This redoubt or fort had a garrifon by no
means fufficient properly to man the whole work,
The commanding officer had therefore wifely leffen-
ed it, by running a parapet with a ditch acroſs the
area of the fort, but had left the work entire in its
largeft extent.TA body of chofen troops were fent
to reduce this work, under the command of the
Heffian Col. Donop, a brave and good officer. In
onder if poffible to get fome idea of the work, he fent
his Tummons for the fort to furrender by a very ca
pable Adjutant; but the Commandant of the fort
took care to have him ftopped without the work, and
where
Jumbo
S

138
[Nov. 1777.
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
where he had no opportunity to fee more than the
ditch and parapet on that fide. The commanding
officer refufing to furrender, an affault was made;
the affailants at the head of the 'column bringing in
their hands a fufficient number of fhort fafcines to
fill the ditch where they meant to pafs, which was
well done, and the parapet was mounted; but to
their diſappointment and furprife, they now found
there was another ditch and parapet to pafs, and in
the face of a dreadful fire too, which made great.
flaughter; a number of them, however, advanced
into the fecond ditch, and began to remove the
frizes on the berme; but thefe were generally killed.
in the ditch, and fuch as were not killed or wound-
ed obliged to quit the outer work. Their lofs in
killed and wounded was great; among the latter,
Col. Donop mortally; he was taken after the action
near the fort, and brought in. An Enfign had
made his way over the fecond ditch, had got on to
the frizes, and lay clofe againſt the bafe of the para-
pet until the action was over, and then got up and
furrendered, obferving that he thought his pofition
the only fafe one; for had he attempted to put his
head above the parapet, he knew his brains would
have been inftantly blown out; or if he had attempted
to re-crofs the ditch, he fhould have been fhot in the
back. Befides this fevere check, the British met
with confiderable oppofition and lofs at other places,
before they got full and peaceable poffeffion of the
river; particularly at Mud Ifland. They loft the Au-
gufta man-of-war, and fuffered other naval damage.
nl Gen. Waſhington being now confiderably rein-
forced with a part of the northern conquering army,
advanced to White Marfh, about 14 miles from Phil-
adelphia, where he encamped, in a ftrong and well
chofen pofition. Gen. Howe, apprehenfive that this
movement

Nov. 1777.]
139
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
1
movement indicated a defign upon Philadelphia, de-
termined to move out, and either invite Gen. Wafh-
ington to a general action, or, if he found him vulner-
able, to attack him in his own pofition. Accordingly,
on the evening of the 4th of December, he marched
with the British army, and on the next morning
took poft on Chefnut Hill, in front of the American
right. Gen. Waſhington, knowing the goodneſs of
his pofition, wifely continued in it; nor dare Gen.
Howe attack him. The latter then changed his
ground to a new pofition, oppofite to the American
left and centre; but neither dare he attack either of
thefe. Several fkirmishes took place, as is ufual in
fuch cafes; in one of which Brig. Gen. Irwin on
the American fide was wounded. After feveral days
fpent in this way, Howe was obliged to return, with-
out effecting any thing, to the no fmall injury of his
army, who had fuffered much from the inclemency
of the feafon. Indeed nothing is more deftructive to
an army than winter campaigns. After this, Gen.
Waſhington moved the American army to Valley
Forge, on the Schuylkill, about 16 miles from Phil-
adelphia, where he took a pofition as wifely chofen
as the other, and where the army erected huts for
the winter.
изобли&
We now return to take up our chain of events.
23d.-A French fhip, with dry goods from France,
by the way of St. Peters, arrived at Boſton.
Gen. Burgoyne had not yet figned the parole;
he pretended to delay until their quarters were fully
furniſhed, although he had every affurance that it
fhould be done as faft as circumftances would pof-
fibly admit. On this day, therefore, our Gen. wrote
him the following letter.
bus ssio
bas sbods
bas touto banonimmoo-nons
HEAD-
916VITY

140
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [Nov. 1777.
19
ab cinglobali HEAD-QUARTERS, BOSTON, Nov. 23, 1777.
"SIR, stivai di bus tuo svom of bonims3.
-TWO weeks have now elapfed fince I had fully
expected that the officers would have figned their
paroles. They have, during this time, been enjoying
in a great meafure the liberty of the limits intended
to be affigned to them, without pledging their hon-
our by parole; which is not only contrary to the ef
tablifhed cuftom of nations, but contrary to the
eleventh article of the Convention. Whatever ob-
jections might at first be made to giving the parole,
muft now be done away, by the fulleft evidence that
proper quarters fhall be provided, and which in a
very confiderable degree is already done. I muft,
therefore, in the most explicit terms, infift that the
officers who wifh and expect to be permitted on pa-
role, agreeably to the Convention, do fign it to-
morrow. This is fo reafonable, that I expect there
will be no further hefitancy; and I ftill affure your
Excellency, that no endeavours of mine fhall be
wanting to fulfil the Convention, and to treat the
officers with politenefs and generofity.no-to
ustodo vistry as noit Pam, &c. of stedwcidqlebs
(Signed)
WILLIAM HEATH.
To Lieut. Gen. BURGOYNE." 191iw sdr
Laineys to niso two quslar of quiet won W
son25th.-Gen. Burgoyne and the other officers of
the Convention figned their paroles to vey or d
slo Congrefs before this, viz. on the 8th inftant, paff-
ved the following refolve:u
lob or hobns151 of
Jed SOBTUS VTOVS bar In Congress, Nov. 8, 1777.
o Refolved, That Maj. Gen. Heath be directed
forthwith to caufe to be taken down the name and
rank of every commiffioned officer, and the name,
former place of abode and occupation, fize, age, and
defcription of every non-commiffioned officer and
private
Tot atur
51
q

Nov. 1777.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
141
private foldier, and all other perfons comprehended
in the Convention made between Lieut. Gen. Bur-
goyne and Maj. Gen. Gates, on the 16th day of Oc-
tober, 1777, and tranfmit an authentic copy thereof
to the Board of War, in order that if any officer or
foldier, or other perfon as above mentioned, of the
faid army, fhall hereafter be found in arms againft
thefe States in North-America, during the preſent
conteft, he may be convicted of the offence, and
fuffer the punishment in fuch cafe inflicted by the
law of nations.
"That Maj. Gen. Heath be directed to take the
parole in writing of the officers, according to the
Convention, and tranfmit authenticated copies of
fuch paroles to the Board of War. to 21stem ni
bonio Extract from the Minutes, dut
odwalge(Signed) 20V CHARLES THOMSON, Secy.
Upon the foregoing being communicated to Gen.
Burgoyne, and he called upon to have the faid de-
fcriptive lifts made out accordingly, he wrote our
General the following letter:
anotabro doul evig of
do nololgirod CAMBR
CAMBRIDGE, Nov. 20, 1777
od 20
pla
CC
"SIR,
to boog find votel adt
odt rol bus notinov
I RECEIVED a paper, dated Head-Quarters,
Bofton, Nov. 20th, purporting to be founded upon
exprefs, orders from the Honorable Continental
Congrefs, which paper I return as inadmiflible, be-
caufe extending to matters in which the Congrefs
have no right of interference.
"A lift of the names and rank of every commiffion-
ed officer, and the numbers of the non-commiffioned
officers and foldiers, may be neceffary to you, Sir, for
the purpoſe of fulfilling the Convention, in quarter-
ing officers, and the regular delivery of provifions,
fuel, &c. Such lifts fhall be prepared at your re-
queft; but before any other lifts can be granted,
edT
I muft

142
HEATH's MEMOIRS. [Nov. 1777.
I must be affured of the purpofes for which they
are intended, and the word order muft neither be
mentioned nor implied.
no
I have the honour to be, &c.
(Signed)
Todot
J. BURGOYNE, Lieut. Gen.
To Maj. Gen. HEATH."
ad
To the foregoing, our General wrote an anfwer
as follows:bil to
"SIR,
HEAD-QUARTERS, BOSTON, Nov. 21, 1777.
ed YOUR's of yesterday is before me; and al-
though you might at firft imagine that the Hon.
Continental Congrefs have no right of interference
in matters of the Convention, yet I conclude upon
further reflection you must be convinced, that as
that body are the Reprefentatives of that people who
are to reap the advantages or difadvantages of the
Convention, and as all continental officers are acting
by virtue of their authority, and under their direc-
tion, they affuredly have a right of interference, and
to give fuch orders to their officers as they may
think proper, for the full completion of the Con-
vention, and for the fafety and good of the people.
"The paragraph of my orders of the 20th inft.
refpecting the troops of the Convention is founded
in reafon and juftice, being defigned only to afcer-
tain the officers and foldiers who were comprehend-
ed in the Convention, that in cafe any of them
(contrary to their faith and honour) fhould hereafter
be found in arms against thefe States, in North-
America, during the prefent conteft, they may be
convicted of the offence, and fuffer the punishment
in fuch cafe inflicted by the law of nations. I muft
therefore infift that you furnish me with proper
lifts of names, and defcriptions, for the purpoſe be-
fore mentioned as foon as may
be.
loup
"The

Nov. 1777] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
143
"The other lifts of the names and rank of the
commiffioned officers, and number of non-commif-
fioned officers and foldiers, fo effentially neceffary for
the feveral purpoſes of regularity with Quarter-Maf-
ters and Commiffaries (and which fhould be fre-
quently renewed, as circumftances may vary) fhould
long ere this have been exhibited. Some days fince,
I directed my Deputy-Adjutant-General to call for
them; and I expect they will be fent in without de-
lay, for the purpofes above mentioned.
"I fhall at all times endeavour to found my or-
ders on the principles of honour, reaſon and juftice,
and not to infringe thofe delicate principles in oth-
ers; but my orders for the purpofes of order and
regularity, must be obeyed by every man and all
bodies of men placed under my direction; and fully
determined I am, that offenders fhall not pafs with
impunity.ilid
nagnitud di am,
I
dove (Signed)
&c.
bbs.
W. HEATH, Maj. Gen.
Lieut. Gen. BURGOYNE."
23d.-Gen. Burgoyne wrote an anſwer to the
foregoing. But he now acknowledged a further ex-
tent of the fupreme power, than in his former letter;
but ftill at leaſt obliquely denied the right of their
interference with the Convention troops, who were
under exprefs ftipulations until they quitted the
country, and that no new conditions could be im-
pofed upon them; and afferting that no fuch requi-
fitions were laid upon the American prifoners in
Canada; and concluding, that if it could be found
that fuch had been required by the British in any
cafe, he would fubmit to it. About this time, an
officer, who had been a prifoner in Canada, return-
ed to Boſton on parole, and gave information that
he and others had complied with fimilar injunctions
before

144
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [DEC. 1777.
bev
before they came away; upon this being communi-
cated to Gen. Burgoyne, he found that he had got
to the end of his tether of evafion; he did not at
tempt to difpute more, but obferved, that he f
fup-
pofed if it was done any time before the troops de-
parted, it would anfwer the purpoſe. Our General
found that nothing could be done by force, for were
he to attempt of himself to have the lifts taken, ev-
ery thing might be evaded except the fize and com-
plexion. He therefore laid the matter before Con-
Il
grefs, with the copies of what had paffed. Congrefs
took the matter into confideration, and Prefident
Laurens wrote our General an approbation of his
conduct, and not to push the matter, as Congrefs
would take a more extenfive view of the bufinefs
concluding his letter, "I have in conclufion to af
fure you, Sir, that Congrefs repofe the utmoft
"confidence in your addrefs and abilities for con-
ducting with propriety this important bufinefs, in
which, on one fide, the faith and honour of
"thefe infant States are to be preferved, and on the
other, the magnanimity and refolution of Congrefs
"to be exemplified."ons wou of naquiogorot
૯૬
૮.
December. Congrefs had received fome intima-
tions, that an application would be made to them
for leave for the troops of the Convention to em-
bark at fome other place than Bofton; they there
fore on the ift of December paffed a refolution,
that no other place than that ftipulated in the Con-
vention, viz. Bofton fhould be admitted. A few days
after, Gen. Burgoyne applied, as was fufpected, but
to no purpofe. of yd betiuper sed bed out adt
Congrefs alfo paffed refolutions that all the af-
fiftance of provifions and other neceffaries furniſhed
to the troops of the Convention fhould be paid for
in fpecie, or replaced in quantity and quality.bas of
atotod
1778.

JAN. 1778.
HEATH's MEMOIRS.
145
1778.
January. Gen. Burgoyne had now got
himfelf into a very ferious entanglement; he had
not only refufed, and then delayed to give defcrip-
tive lifts of the troops of the Convention, but fome
time before, viz. in the month of November, had
written a letter to Gen. Gates, complaining that the
troops had not been furniſhed with quarters as they
had a right to expect, and among other things a
paragraph as follows:
alaid
any
"While I ftate to you, Sir, this very unexpected
treatment, I entirely acquit Maj. Gen. Heath and
every gentleman of the military department of
inattention to the public faith engaged in the Con-
vention. They do what they can; but while the
Supreme Powers of the State are unable or unwil-
ling to enforce their authority, and the inhabitants.
want the hofpitality, or indeed the common civiliza-
tion to affift us without it, the public faith is broke,
and we are the immediate fufferers.
flor
This was unreafonable, as it refpected both the
civil power, and the people; for the former did
every thing in their power, unleſs they had turned
the citizens out of their houfes to have let the Con-
vention officers in, which was not to be expected;
nor could it be fuppofed that the citizens would
turn their families themſelves into the ftreets. But
Congrefs confidered the conduct of Gen. Burgoyne,
and thefe and other of his expreffions on the occa-
fion, as calling for ferious confideration. They
therefore inveftigated the whole in all its latitudes;
and the Prefident of Congrefs wrote our General
that as it was a matter of high importance, and
required deep deliberation, it would probably occu-
py fome days, before the refolutions would be com-
pleted. But that, in cafe the fleet arrived before
the papers were fent to him, to forbid the embarka-
Non. I
T
Gen.

146
[JAN. 1778.
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
Gen. Burgoyne had received intimations that a
fleet of tranfports were about to come round for the
troops, and that the Juno frigate was to wear a flag
for his particular accommodation. This he men-
tioned to our General, and wifhed to know if the
frigate might come up into the harbour. Our
General had no apprehenfions of any danger from
a frigate entering the harbour, but apprehended
that fome people might think that he was not fuffi-
ciently vigilant, in cafe he allowed it. He therefore
told Gen. Burgoyne that the frigate could not come
up into the harbour, and hinted to him the taking
one of the moft convenient tranfports in the fleet for
the purpofe; and he might do as he pleafed when he
got off. This touched Gen. Burgoyne exceedingly,
who wrote a letter to our General, in which was
the following paragraph.
As to your allotment of a "convenient tranfport"
for my paffage, if it was from yourfelf, I am to
thank you Sir, for a fort of infult which the moſt
haughty man of office would be afhamed of, in
any
other country. However, as I am determined every
tranfaction concerning this Convention fhall be no-
torious, and beyond the powers of fubterfuge to ex-
plain away, I have directed the frigate together
with the tranfports to come round, and it will then
be for you, Sir, to prohibit the entry of Bofton har-
bour, to any fhips bearing a flag of truce, and de-
claring they are fent for the exprefs purpofe of con-
veying to Great-Britain any part of the troops of the
Convention.
(Signed) J. BURGOYNE.
Maj. Gen. HEATH."
lub sob berpo
aysb'omol
To which our General wrote the following an-
fwer: Sdi bidret or
et or mid of tal
T
HEAD-

JAN. 1778.] HEATH's MEMOIRS,
147
10
18 ob HEADQUARTERS, BOSTON, Jan. 5, 1778.
"SIR, ybees
seats ter sgor! I and dil ΥΠΟΥ
"YOUR Excellency's favour of yesterday came
duly to hand, and I must confefs I was not a little
furpriſed at fome expreffions in it. og 1
"As by the Convention, tranfports only are ftip.
ulated to receive the troops, I fubmit to you, Sir,
whether a hint (if you were even fure that it came
from myfelf) that you fhould take a convenient one,
rather than introduce a frigate, which is neither ex-
preffed or implied in the Convention, merits thofe
epithets which you are pleafed to beſtow on me. no
"I have ever aimed to treat you with politenefs;
and the plighted faith and honour of my country re-
quire me to pay ftrict attention to the Convention on
their part of courſe, when tranſports arrive to re-
ceive the troops, they will enter the harbour; and if
you can find by the Convention that a frigate is to
enter for the particular reception of yourfelf, fhe
will not be prohibited. But if it is rather uncom-
mon for fhips of war, to bear flags of truce, and if
confenting to it in the prefent cafe, fhould appear to
be rather an act of politenefs and generofity than
otherwife, I leave you to your
own reflections
whether you have made choice of the most happy
expreffions to obtain it.
(Signed)
وو
W. HEATH.
Lieut. Gen. BURGOYNE 38
Gen. Burgoyne fome how communicated to Vif-
count Howe the fubject of the frigate, who wrote
Gen. Burgoyne the following letter fome time after,
but before the tranfports came round.sqle shyog
il stor ile EAGLE, RHODE ISLAND, Feb. 3, 1778.
"SIR, boisalq ad or
Bi
woy
"I AM much concerned to find by your letter, I
had the honour to receive from you, on the return
of

$48
[JAN. 1778,
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
of Capt. Piper, that you have fuffered fo greatly in
your health. But I hope that a fpeedy removal to
a milder climate will contribute to your effectual
continand of
recovery.
"The tranfports have only been delayed to take
the precautions neceffary for their fafe paffage at
this feafon of the year. As it is not to be expected
that the frigate ordered for your reception, though
carrying a flag of truce, and reftricted from every
act of hoftility in confequence, whilft attending this
fervice, fhould be admitted within the port of Bof-
ton, the commander, Capt. Jacobs, will be to land
a letter under the fame fanction, for giving you no-
tice of his arrival off the entrance of the port. He
will wait to be favoured in your anfwer with notice
of the time you may expect to embark, on which
occafion, I truſt you will find every facility that your
impaired ftate of health may require. bait nas
(Signed)
qHOWE."
Thus did the Admiral's opinion perfectly coincide
with that of our General's.
But Congrefs had paffed a refolution, on the 8th
day of January, upon principles clearly expreffed in
a report of a committee, upon which the refolution
was founded.
Bra del noy Tisd
"That the embarkation of Lieut. Gen. Burgoyne,
and the troops under his command, be fufpended,
till a diftinct and explicit ratification of the Conven-
tion of Saratoga fhall be properly notified by the
Court of Great-Britain, to Congrefs." woH 10
Our General's correfpondence with Gen. Bur-
goyne, refpecting the frigate, &c. was tranfmitted to
Congress, and the Prefident foon after wrote him---
"The Houfe appeared to be pleafed with your
conduct in every refpect relative to that officer,"
Gen. Burgoyne applied to Congrefs for leave to
go to Europe himſelf; but Congrefs did not then
.
think

JAN. 1778.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
149
think proper to grant his requeft. Although this
denial must have been very painful to the General,
he did not exprefs himſelf, or write any thing in the
leaft improper. He obferved to our General, that
he was forry; for that not only his health urged his
departure, but that every day he was detained here,
his enemies at home an opportunity for pierc
ing the wound of his reputation the deeper.
gave
25
But Col. Kingfton was not fo prudent as the
General: a packet of letters which Gen. Burgoyne
wifhed to fend to Gen. Howe, was fent to our Gen-
eral for infpection; among thefe was one from Col.
Kingſton to Lord Harcourt, in which, after obferv-
ing that fortune had not fhewn them the fmooth
fide of her face, yet they thought their misfortunes
honourable, proceeded, that he, (Gen. Burgoyne)
was not well, but you know his firmnefs. But I
think, "the infincerity of France, bigotry of Spain,
or the vindictive Portuguefe, fituated as he is, would
not have fought for means unneceffarily, to detain
him." This infult to the authority of the country
induced our General to detain this letter, and he
notified Gen. Burgoyne of it, adding, that while it
was his wish to gratify the officers as much as poffible
in writing to their friends, he expected they would
be cautious and prudent in their manner of expref-
fion. When the American Deputy-Adjutant-Gen-
eral gave the letter from our General to Gen. Bur-
goyne, and he had read it, he obferved, "I told Col.
Kingston that Gen. Heath would not let that letter
pafs;" he fhould have done more forbid his mak-
ing the attempt. toy rd. hay
Another ferious matter took place about this
time: Col. Henley, who had the immediate com-
mand at Cambridge, a brave and good officer, but
warm and quick in his natural temper, having or-
loging vhoold flom ant stizo of beslutsdered t

150
[JAN. 1778.
HEATH's MEMOIRS.
dered fome prifoners who were under guard turned
out, that he might examine them, one of them
treated him, as he judged, with much infolence;
upon which he pricked him with a fword, or bayo-
net. Gen. Burgoyne immediately prefented a com-
plaint againſt Col. Henley, charging him with bar-
barous and wanton conduct, and intentional murder,
as appears in the following letter. buvo si pa
ol en nodigra
CAMBRIDGE, Jan. 9th, 1778.
"SIR,
1778.
woHo of bast of borriw
lo" A REPORT has been made to me of a diftur-
bance that happened at the barracks on Wedneſday
afternoon, for which I am much concerned; and
though the provocations from your people, which
originally occafioned it, were of the moft atrocious
nature, I was willing the offender on our part
fhould be properly punished. But Col. Henley, not
content with that, made prifoners of eighteen inno-
cent men, and fent them on board a guard-fhip, as
alleged by your order. It is not only a duty to my
fituation to demand the immediate difcharge of
thefe men, together with a fatisfactory apology; but
I alfo mean it as an attention to you, Sir, that I
give you an immediate opportunity to difavow fo
unjuftifiable a proceeding, as committing men to.
the worst of prifons upon vague report, caprice and
paffion. Do hans tuo moi, ona od ove IST
o Infults and provocations, at which the moſt
placid difpofitions would revolt, are daily given to
the officers and foldiers of this army. Regular, decent
complaints are received by your officers, fometimes
with haughtinefs, fometimes with derifion, but al-
ways without redrefs. Thefe evils flow, Sir, from
the general tenor of language and conduct held by
Col. Henley, which encourages his inferiors, and
feems calculated to excite the moft bloody purpoſes.
"For

JAN. 1778.]
151
HEATH's MEMOIRS.
For want of fufficient information, and not
bringing myfelf to believe it poffible that facts as re
lated by common report could be true, I have hith-
erto declined taking public notice of this man ; but
upon pofitive grounds, I now and hereby formerly
accufe Col. Henley of behaviour heinously criminal
as an officer, and unbecoming a man; of the moft
indecent, violent, vindictive feverity against unarm-
ed men; and of intentional murder. I demand
prompt and fatisfactory juftice, and will not doubt
your readinefs to give it. Whenever you will in-
form me that a proper tribunal is appointed, I will
take care that undeniable evidence fhall be produced
to fupport thefe charges.indool to none ot
shil's riw 1911 51I am, &c. w
Vilim to (Signed)
To which our General
anfwer:
wou
J. BURGOYNE.
returned the following
AUD VISHim to sebi yisys of hergest grise
Sybelvond vinilim Toy
RAL SIR,
1 batid 19
bsxit you at di
noinigo ym moil bas
HEAD-QUARTERS, BOSTON
10 Jan. 10th, 1778.
mo nivo o
"YOUR's, of yesterday's date, I received the laft
evening. What provocations you allude to, as hay-
ing been offered by my troops, I am at lofs to deter-
mine. The infults and abufes which they have re-
ceived, I will venture to fay, unlefs I have been moft
grofsly mifinformed, are unparalleled; and whether
you are willing or unwilling, Sir, offenders fhall no
longer pafs with impunity. mos i bangbird
If it can be made to appear, that any of thofe
foldiers fent to the guard-fhip by my orders, are in-
nocent, they fhall be releafed from their confine-
ment: but with refpect to fuch as have been guilty
of violating my ftanding orders of the garrifon, in-
ftead of difavowing or making any apology for the
confinement of fuch, be affured that I do moft ex-
plicitly

452
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [JAN. 1778:
plicitly avow it. And as I have before obferved to
your Excellency in a former letter, of which you
may be affured, I fhall at all times endeavour to
found my orders on the principles of honour, reafon
and juftice, and not to infringe thofe delicate prin-
ciples in others: fo alfo be affured, Sir, that fuch
my orders fhall be obeyed by every officer and
foldier placed under my direction; and fuch as have
the hardinefs to tranfgrefs them, fhall abide the con-
fequences. iw bus
Betsits) bas gorg
"I have been informed of late, that fome have
hinted, that fuch of your troops as break my orders,
ought to be tried and punished by your orders. Even
the mention of fuch a thing, I conceive to be (to
ufe your own words in a late letter, with a little
variation) a fort of infult, that a man of military
erudition in any country would be ashamed of, as
being repugnant to every idea of military difcipline;
and from my opinion of your military knowledge, I
cannot admit that you ever hinted it.
"To convince you that it is my fixed determina
tion, to inquire into all abufes, whether committed
by my own troops, or thofe of the Convention, whilft
they remain within my department, I have ordered
Col. Henley under arreft, and appointed a Court of
Inquiry, whereof Brig. Gen. Glover is Prefident, to
examine into the grounds of your complaint, on
Wedneſday next, at to o'clock, A. M. at Cam-
bridge; and if any complaints have heretofore paffed
unredreffed it is becauſe they have not been laid be-
fore me.
You hinted to me when I had the pleaf-
ure of feeing you laft at Cambridge, that one of my
officers had been enticing fome of the troops of the
Convention to enter our fervice. I then informed
you, that if you would fend the complaint, I would
immediately bring the officer to trial. You promifed
Thisily
to

JAN. 1778.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
153
to do it, but I have not yet received it. I now call
upon you to exhibit that charge, or any other, that
you have to make against any officer under my com
mand, for practices of that kind, or any other
being with yourfelf fully determined that all my
conduct refpecting the Convention fhall be notorious,
and beyond the powers of fubterfuge to explain
away. Complaints of moft enormous abufes, have
lately been made to me; one, of the conduct of a
number of officers on the evening or night of the
25th of December, at Bradifh's tavern; others, of
prifoners being refcued from the guards-centinels
abufed and infulted on their pofts-paffes counter-
feited, and others filled up in the moft affrontive
manner; and of late, feveral highway robberies com-
mitted in the environs of the garrifon-one the laft
evening, in which a gentleman was robbed of be-
tween 7 and 800 dollars, and a watch. The rob-
beries I do not charge to your people, as it is un-
known who were the perpetrators; but there are
feveral reafons to fufpect it. All thefe, Sir, tend not
only to exafperate the troops, but to enrage the
inhabitants of the country, who view fuch abufes as
unfufferable. I therefore call upon you to exert
your endeavours to fupprefs all abufes, as far as is in
your power. Jo miss anyogin Jusid yd
ms is aqoon mortonI am, &c.
TO
noinigo to 91(Signed) nos sum W. HEATH.d
Lieut. Gen. BURGOYNE."sonsbive ad mort is
Col. Henley was ordered under arreft, and Col.
Lee to take the command at Cambridge; and the
general order of the roth of January announced-
on
"Lieut. Gen. Burgoyne having entered a com-
plaint against Col. Henley, charging him with grofs
mifconduct while in command at Cambridge; the
honour of the United States, and the juftice due to
Swed
U
an

154
[JAN. 1778
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
an officer of Col. Henley's character, demand a pub-
lic inquiry: for which purpofe a Court of Inquiry
is to fit at Cambridge on Wedneſday next, at 10
o'clock in the morning, at fuch place as the Prefi-
dent fhall appoint." sb vllut twoy thiw gaisd
nial
anoi Brigadier-General GLOVER, Prefident. ubos
of Cot. M. Jackfon,
evedestudCol. Nixon, flom
slo Dubros Col. Lee,
9m
ed to idgin Col. H. Jackfon,
to
sdt
broyed bas
Members. 19od vlatel
Toto to 19dmon
All perfons concerned, to attend the Court. olita
Gen. Burgoyne found fault, that a Court of In-
quiry only was appointed, and not a Court-Martial.
He was anfwered, that this was frequently the cafe ;
that it did not preclude the latter; and where an
officer of rank, and in particular one who had the
immediate command was the object, this previous
ftep was both juftifiable and proper. The Court of
Inquiry met, and gave in their opinion; and in the
general orders of January 18th, the following was
announced: danou odstrzegłezo of ylio
"The Court, whereof Brig. Gen. Glover was
Prefident, appointed by the orders of the 10th inft.
to inquire into the grounds of a complaint exhibited
by Lieut. Gen. Burgoyne againſt Col. Henley, late
commanding officer of the American troops at Cam-
bridge after mature confideration, are of opinion,
that from the evidence offered on the fide of Gen.
Burgoyne againft Col. Henley, it will be moft for
the honour of Col. Henley, as well as for the fatis-
faction of all concerned, that the judgment of a
Court-Martial fhould be taken on his conduct, during
his command at Cambridge."
"The General, approving the opinion of the
Court, orders that a fpecial general Court-Martial fit
on Tueſday next, at io o'clock A. M. at the court-
houſe

JAN. 1778.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
155
houfe in Cambridge, for the trial of Col. David
Henley, late commanding officer at that poft, ac-
cufed by Lieut. Gen. Burgoyne, of a general tenor
of language and conduct, heinously criminal as an
officer, and unbecoming a man; of the most inde-
cent, violent, vindictive feverity againft unarmed
men, and of intentional murder.
volna
batin
B
Brigadier-General GLOVER, Prefident.
Col. Weffon,
Col. M. Jackfon,
Col. Lee,
Col. H. Jackfon,
Lieut, Col. Colman,
Lieut. Col, Badlam,
Lieut. Col. Popkin,
Maj. Curtis,
Capt. Randall,
Members.
Capt. Langdon,
Capt. Sewall,
Capt. Haftings,pos
Lieut. Col. Tudor is defired to act as Judge-
Advocate. All evidences and perfons concerned, to
attend the Court." golni nweb paisd aslui eidt
The Court met, and adjourned feveral times,
through a long, particular, and tedious trial. Gen.
Burgoyne attended, and in a very engaged and el-
oquent manner faid every thing which he judged
proper; which, although novel in Courts-Martial,
was yet permitted.O
quibnsit
an The general orders of the 27th of February an-
nounced as follows: wood 94 bed 1 bovisldo
"Col. David Henley, late commanding officer of
the poft at Cambridge, tried at the ſpecial general
Court-Martial, whereof Brig. Gen. Glover was
Prefident, accufed by Lieut. Gen. Burgoyne, of a
general tenor of language and conduct, heinoufly
criminal as an officer, and unbecoming a man; of
the moſt indecent, violent, vindictive feverity againſt
unarmed men, and of intentional murder. mai-szu
"The Court, after mature confideration, are of
opinion, that the charge against Col. Henley is not
fupported, and that he be difcharged from his arreft.
"The

$56
[JAN. 1778.
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
bis The General approves the opinion of the Court;
thanks them for their unwearied endeavours to in-
veftigate the truth; and orders Col. Henley to re-
affume his command at Cambridge immediately. to
66
The General thinks it to be his duty on this oc-
cafion to obferve, that although the conduct of
Lieut. Gen. Burgoyne, (as profecutor againft Col.
Henley) in the courſe of the foregoing trial, in his
feveral fpeeches and pleas, may be warranted by
fome like precedents in Britiſh Courts-Martial, yet
as it is altogether novel in the proceedings of any
general Court-Martial in the army of the United
States of America, whofe rules and articles of war
direct, that the Judge-Advocate-General fhall prof-
ecute in the name of the United States; and as a
different practice tends to render Courts-Martial
ab.
both tedious and expenfive he does proteft againſt
this inftance being drawn into precedent in future."
25th. A British foldier at Cambridge ftabbed one
of the American guard. lsquol & duous
1918th.Intelligence was received from Gov. Cook,
that three frigates and twenty-three fail of tranfports
failed from Newport, on Sunday the igth inftant,
ftanding to the north-eaft. Our General received
a letter from the Prefident of Congrefs, in which he
obferved, "I had the honour of receiving, by Mr.
Clofki, the 5th inftant, your favour of the loth ult.
including a late cerrefpondence with Lieut. Gen.
Burgoyne; thefe were immediately reported to Con-
grefs, and tranfmitted to the Board of War, from
whence a report has not yet afcended gatherefore I
have no particular commands relative to your faid
diſpatch. I may, however, with propriety and pleaf-
ure intimate, that your conduct towards the British
General and his dependents, receives the continued
approbation of Congrefs, if I may be permitted to
make this conclufion from the general fentiments of
Members."
23d,

MARCH, 1778.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
157
23d. Juft before noon, Gen. Lincoln arrived
in Boſton from Albany; his leg was recovering faft,
but he was still very lame, and was conveyed from
place to place on a moveable bed, with handles,
which was fixed on the runners of his fleigh, with a
hwas
canopy and curtains, and was convenient alfo to re-
move into the houfe, &c. In this was blended in-
genuity and convenience. illida y fot
28th.-Intelligence was received that the British
tranfports, deftined to take away the troops of the
Convention, had arrived at Holmes's Hole; and the
next day, March 1ft, that they had arrived at Cape
Harbour, Province-Town, Cape Cod. But Gen.
sayoga as
Burgoyne was not now to depart.
Alady Is I
March 8th. A cartel arrived from Cape Cod,
with the following letter to Gen. Burgoyne:
1970 wollof snobu bib sil
Sell JUNO, CAPE COD HARBOUR, 4th March, 1778.
8 SIR, AM KOтand eaзTRAUO-GAH
"I TAKE the earlieft opportunity, by Lieut. Car-
ter, in the Haarlem cartel, to inform you of the ar-
rival of the tranfports under my charge, and that
I am appointed by the Viſcount Howe, to receive you
and your fuit on board the Juno, under my com-
mand, for your conveyance to England, when you
fhall be at liberty to embark feparately, or together
with the troops, as you will let me know in return
to be your intention. And I am to acquaint you
that I will move the Juno to Nantafket Road, for
facilitating your embarkation, if you will pleaſe to
inform me of your having negociated an agreement
to fuch effect, upon faith duly pledged, that no in-
fult fhall be offered in the mean time to any of the
fhips of war, or other hips and veffels, appointed for
fulfilling the purpofe of the Convention, and dif-
tinguished by flags of truce, in teftimony of the re-
ftriction they are under from committing any acts of
hoftility. You are otherwife to take your paffage in
об
the

158
HEATH's MEMOIRS. [MARCH, 1778.
the Haarlem, in order to your being received on
board the Juno, in Cape Cod harbour.
modlod ni
Inclofed is a lift of the tranfports, with their
tonnage, that you may be able to fettle the proper
arrangement of the troops deftined for Europe; for
every thing elfe I refer you to our meeting on board
the Juno, where I have a number of private letters
for you, Gen. Phillips, and Col. Kingston, and a.
large box of letters for the army.gill 18
10
I am, &c.
(Signed) HUGH DALRYMPLE.
Lieut. Gen. BURGOYNE."
99
Hos vsb txon
Gen. Burgoyne having written an anfwer to Capt.
Dalrymple, and fubmitted it for infpection, requeſt.
ed our General to fend it down by the cartel; which
he did under the following cover:
"SIR,
HEAD-QUARTERS, BOSTON, March 10, 1778.
go fisilins ediAT I
"INCLOSED are fundry letters from Lieut.
Gen. Burgoyne, by which you will learn his prefent
fituation, 1 of wolf nooliv odvd bainiogas. I
"Although I wish on every occafion to extend the
utmoft generofity to the gentlemen of the army, yet
to allow letters to pafs unopened, would be betraying
the truft repofed in me. Therefore any idea of
granting fuch an indulgence cannot be admitted. of
"If any advantage in the economy of expenfe to
the government of Great-Britain, may be derived
from landing any overplus of provifions from the
fleet, for the ufe of the troops of the Convention, I
have not the leaft objection to it; but with you
would afcertain the matter as foon as poffible. aqit
"I reft affured, that whilft your veffels enjoy per
fect fecurity under the fanction of their flags, not
the leaft moleftation or inconvenience will happen
to any of our veffels or inhabitants.
vailihod
" I do
SO

MARCH, 1778.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS,
159
Jasm
"I do myfelf the pleafure to fend down to the flag
à turkey, fent here by Gen. Burgoyne.
bailgas nis
Σαΐνι,
Bust(Signed)
Capt. DALRYMPLE.
99
I am, &c.
W. HEATH.
edit ni by won
Many people having grown jealous that the troops
of the Convention had collected and fecreted arms
in the barracks, they could not be quieted until the
matter was afcertained; and on the 18th, our Gen-
eral ordered a ftrict fearch to be made, when noth-
ing was found but the officer's fuzees, to which by
the Convention they had a right. A weg, coming
from the barracks, was afked if any thing was found;
he anſwered, "Yes-in one of the rooms a large brafs
mortar." This fpread, and was alarming to be fure.
The fact was, that in one of the rooms there was
a large bell-metal peftle and mortar, for family ufe.
Jealoufy, like the other paffions, although a virtue in
itſelf, may exceed its bounds; and when it does,
"trifles, light as air, to jealous minds are ftrong as
proofs of holy writ." based on aid no
Capt. Dalrymple wrote to Gen. Burgoyne again,
on the 15th, and propofed to put the fpare provi-
fions on board one of the flags, and fend them up
to Bofton harbour.
imper coitulols
But on the 23d, Capt. Brathwait of the Centurion,
wrote the General that he had arrived at Cape Cod,
with orders from Viſcount Howe for the men-of-war
and tranfports with the provifions on board them to
return to Rhode-Ifland, which they did accordingly.
7th.-General Lincoln left Bofton for Hing-
ham
our General accompanied him as far as
Milton. aid to 8
aid to arabo add to dw shimistsb
12th.-Intelligence was received that a 40 gun fhip
had arrived at New-London, laden with cloathing
for the United States. silqqul oli jo You 03
ibasvinsup bas vilaup ni mod
bsmsst
18th. 1

160
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [MARCH, 1778
3518th. A detachment of Col. Henley's regiment
marched out of Bofton for the army.
army!
19th.-General Burgoyne having again applied
to Congrefs for leave to go
for leave to go to England himfelf, they
now gave him liberty. This was joyous to the
General, and he wrote our General that he had
affured himſelf that there would be nothing thrown
in the way on his part, and wifhed for his paffports.
The Prefident of Congrefs, in his letter to our Gen-
eral, by the fame exprefs, informed him that it was
late in the evening when the refolve, granting Gen.
Burgoyne leave to depart, paffed, and nothing was
faid refpecting the fettlement of the accounts before
his departure; but that it was fully his opinion that
the former refolve fhould be ftrictly obferved; for
Congrels had before refolved, that neither he nor
the troops of the Convention fhould depart, before
the accounts were fettled and paid. Our General,
therefore, told General Burgoyne, that this muſt
firft be done, and that then he fhould meet with no
delay on this he hefitated, and then afked how
the accounts were to be fettled? He was anfwered-
Strictly conformable to the refolves of Congrefs.
He then aſked if Congrefs could be ferious in their
refolution, requiring in fpecie the fame fum which
they had expended in paper money? Our General
replied that he fuppofed that honourable body were
ferious in all their refolutions. He then replied
that this was unjuft, for the odds was double; and
appealed to our General to fay whether he thought
it juft himfelf? Our General anfwered, that as an
executive officer, it was not for him to judge or
determine whether the orders of his fuperiors were
juft or not. General Burgoyne replied, that was
true. He was then told, that if he did not choofe
to pay for the fupplies, the act allowed him to
replace them, in quality and quantity; and this
feemed

APRIL, 1778.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
161
feemed to remove his objections. After further
difcuffion the two Generals pledged their faith and
facred honour to each other, in which they both had
the fulleft confidence, that General Burgoyne fhould
proceed to Rhode-Ifland, accompanied by fuch offi-
cers as our General might think proper to fend, to
whom General Burgoyne fhould pay in fpecie the
amount of the fupplies furnifhed in the Quarter-
Mafter's department; and that he fhould forward in
veffels bearing flags, provifions of the different fpe-
cies they had received, within a certain number of
days ftipulated; that no advantage fhould be taken
by delay occafioned by ftrefs of weather; that a
box of gold, as a pledge for any deficiencies in the
provifions, fhould be depofited with our General, the
balance of which, after the full fettlement of the
accounts, to be paid to the fenior officer of the troop
troops
of the Convention.
April 2d.-General Burgoyne came into Bofton,
and dined at head-quarters; and before he took leave
of our General, obferved, "I know your fituation,
Sir, and the difficulty of obtaining many foreign
neceffaries, you may want or with. If you will give
me a memorandum, on my arrival in England, I
will with great pleafure forward them to you." Our
General thanked him for his politenefs, but was
careful not to mention any, choofing rather to fuffer
with his fellow-countrymen the neceffities of the
times, than to avail himfelf of fo exclufive a favour!
5th. Between 11 and 12 o'clock General Bur
goyne left Cambridge for Rhode-Ifland, accompanied
by Colonel Pollard and Samuel Barrett, Efq.
189
8th. The Raleigh frigate, it was learnt, hád
arrived at Portfmouth, (N. H.) mont bon
A part of the Convention troops were ordered to
be removed to Rutland, in the county of Worcester,
and temporary barracks were erected for the purpofe.
W
15th.

162
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. EAPRIL, 1778.
15th. A divifion of the Convention troops march-
ed for Rutland under efcort of a detachment of
militia, commanded by Major Read. Our General
received a letter from the Prefident of Congrefs,
dated the 4th inftant, in which he obferved, "Yel-
terday I had the honour of prefenting to Congrefs
your favours of the 21ft and 24th of March;
and, although I have received no particular com-
mands relative to their feveral contents, I am war-
ranted by the general voice of Members to inti-
mate, that you have received the applaufe of the
Houfe, for your determination refpecting the adjuft-
ment of accounts with General Burgoyne."
907
18th.-Mr. Barrett returned from Rhode-Island,
accompanied by a Britiſh Commiffary, Major Mor-
rifon, who was fent on by Gen. Pigot, to negociate
a plan for the future fupply of the troops of the
Convention.
19th. About 2 o'clock, P. M. a waggon arrived
from Rhode-Ifland with a large fum of money, re-
ceived in diſcharge of the accounts, and for the
troops of the Convention.
The fame day, Mr. Dean arrived from France,
with the highly important intelligence, that the Court-
of France had acknowledged the Independency of
the United States of America, and a treaty of
alliance was concluded.
22d.-Five fail of victuallers arrived in the lower
harbour from Rhode-Ifland, with provifions, for a
replace of thofe fupplied the troops of the Conven-
tion.
28th. The British hand-bill for quieting America,
as it was called, was received at Bofton. It was
forwarded from Connecticut, where it had been fent
by Governor Tryon.--Governor Trumbull had
made a moft magnanimous reply.
30th.
208

MAY, 1778.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
163
Sitib older
30th. A valuable prize was fent into Bofton,
laden with dry goods, teas, flour, &c.
May 4th.-Several French fhips had arrived with
goods and ftores from France for the United States.
5th.-The French frigate Nymphe, Capt. Senne-
ville, arrived in Bofton harbour, and failed out again
on the 16th.
23d.-Certain intelligence was received, that the
French Ambaffador left England about the 20th of
the preceding March, and that the English Ambaffa-
dor had returned to England. ort aroitivore and bo
bigoth. The British made an excurfion to Tiver-
ton and Little-Compton, and did fome damage.
Our General concluded with Gen. Pigot a fyftem
for the future fupply of the troops of the Convention,
by fending provifions from Rhode-Ifland. This mode
tended to the increafe of provifions in the States,
and to the eaſier fupply of our own troops. The
plans was fubmitted to Congrefs, who were pleafed
to honour it with their approbation, which they exe
preffed in the following refolution.
anilivo In CONGRESS, May 22d, 1778.
"Refolved, That Congrefs approve of Maj. Gen.
Heath's conduct relative to the propofals made by
Maj. Gen. Pigot, for fupplying with provifions the
troops who furrendered prifoners under the Conven-
tion of Saratoga.
"That the Prefident be directed to inform Maj.
Gen. Heath, that Congrefs expect that all affiftance
afforded to the enemy, in unloading, ftoring, or
tranfporting provifions for the fupport of the Con-
vention prifoners, be paid for in folid coin, agreea-
bly to the fpirit of their refolution of the 19th of
December laft."
The Convention troops complained exceedingly
of this difcrimination in payment, becauſe it was
notorious

164
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [MAY, 1778.
notorious that there was a confiderable difference
between paper money and fpecie; indeed, at firft
view, it feems fcarcely reconcileable on the princi
ples of juftice and equity; but when the grounds on
which the refolve of the 19th of Dec. 1777 is pred
icated, are confidered, it feems to place the matter
in a different light.-It is expreffed as follows:
In CONGRESS, Dec. 9th, 1777-
"Whereas Sir William Howe, Commander in
Chief of his Britannic Majefty's forces, has requir
ed that provifions fhould be fent in, for the fubfift-
ence of the American prifoners in his poffeffion, and
for the purchaſe of fuch neceffaries as they may ftand
in need of, and has prohibited the circulation of the
money ftruck by the authority of thefe States, with-
in fuch parts of the country as are at prefent fubject-
ed to his power, whereby great difficulties have oc-
curred in relieving the diftreffes of the American
prifoners; and whereas large fums of continental
bills of credit have been counterfeited and iffued by
the agents, emiffaries and abettors of Sir W. Howe,
66
Refolved, That the accounts of all provifions
and other neceffaries, which already have been, or
which hereafter may be fupplied by the public to
prifoners in the power of thefe States, fhall be dif
charged by either receiving from the Britiſh Com-
miffary of Prifoners, or any of his agents, provifions
or other neceffaries equal in quantity and kind to
what have been fupplied, or the amount thereof in
gold or filver, at the rate of four fhillings and fix-
pence fterling for every dollar of the currency of
thefe States; and that all thefe accounts be liquidat-
ed and difcharged, previous to the releaſe of any
prifoners to whom provifions or other neceffaries
hall have been fo fupplied.
Extract from the Minutes.
(Signed)
edT
C. THOMSON."
By

JUNE, 1778.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
165
By the foregoing it appears, that the Britiſh were
allowed to replace any and all the fupplies which
were furniſhed to them, and in that way might make
all the favings in their power; and certainly they
ought to be checked, if they attempted to deftroy
that currency on which the States had folely to rely
for the profecution of the war, which had been
forced upon them by this fame power.
June 17th. A British officer was fhot by an
American centinel on Profpect-Hill, the officer at-
tempting to pafs, contrary to the ftanding orders.
The centinel was immediately relieved and put un-
der guard, and as foon as the official account of the
event was received by our General, he wrote the
following letter to Gen. Phillips:
lol od otot let
SIR,
HEAD-QUARTERS, BOSTON, June
17, 1778, 8 o'clock, P. M.
TALNO-CATH
"I AM this moment informed that an officer of
the Convention has been fhot by one of our fentries.
I have ordered the man into clofe confinement, and
have directed the Town-Major to defire the Coroner
of the county of Middlefex to fummon a Jury of In
queft to fit on the body; and I defire that it may not
be removed until that ftep be taken. I can only fay,
Sir, that you may be affured that I will take every
ftep in my power, which honour and juftice require.
"Your letters of this date were handed to me by
the perfon who brought the difagreeable news of the
officer's being fhot. I will anfwer them to-morrow.
I am, Sir, your obedient fervant, mis 1 and
(Signed) oor sy W. HEATH. YO
Isb fom od 10
A few minutes after our General had fent his let-
ter, he received the following from Gen. Phillips:
Bs 20
wow Maj. Gen. PHILLIPS."
CAMBRIDGE,
guodt

166
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [JUNE, 1778,
CAMBRIDGE, June 17, 1778.
bidw
Polls
"MURDER and death has at length taken
place. An officer, riding out from the barracks on
Profpect Hill, has been fhot by an American centinel.
I leave the horrors incident to that bloody difpofi-
tion, which has joined itfelf to rebellion in thefe
Colonies, to the feelings of all Europe. I do not
afk for juftice, for I believe every principle of it is
fled from this Province. or no li
"I demand liberty to fend an officer to Gen. Sir
Henry Clinton, by way of the head-quarters of
Gen. Waſhington, with my report of this murder,
W. PHILLIPS, Maj. Gen.
So (Signed)
Maj. Gen. HEATH."
of atal grivolio?
The next morning our General wrote the follow
ing to Gen. Phillips:
HEAD-QUARTERS, BOSTON, June 18, 1778.
to SIR, ti bonoldi imom an MA I
"IMMEDIATELY upon my receiving the dif-
agreeable report, the laft evening, that an officer of
the Convention had been fhot by an American cen-
tinel, and that the centinel was confined, I ordered
him to be cloſely kept fo, and the Coroner of the
county of Middlefex to be certified that a Jury of In-
queft might be fummoned to fit on the body of the
officer. Decency and the utmoſt attention, in any
country, could not have done more. A few minutes
after I had diſpatched the officer with the foregoing
orders, I received your letter, couched in fuch terms
that I am at a lofs what epithets to give it. Were it
even certain that the fhooting of the officer was an act
of the most deliberate wilful murder, why fhould you
charge thefe free independent States with a bloody
difpofition and with rebellion, and this State in par
ticular as void of every principle of juftice? Al-
though

JUNE, 1778.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
107
though I ever had and ftill have a
and ftill have a perfonal regard
for you, and with in every refpect to treat you
with the utmoft generofity; yet that duty which
I owe to the honour and dignity of the United
States, will not allow me to pafs unnoticed fuch, ex-
preffions as are contained in your letter; and I can-
not put any other interpretation upon them, than that
they are a violent infraction of your parole, moft
facredly given. I do conceive it to be my duty, and
I do hereby restrict you to the limits of your houfe,
gardens and yard, and to the direct road from your
quarters to the quarters of the troops of the Conven-
tion, on Profpect and Winter Hills; expecting from
you a parole, for propriety of conduct within thofe
limits; which if you refufe, I fhall be under the ne-
ceffity of ordering you to narrower limits, until I
can obtain the pleafure of the Honorable the Con-
grefs, touching this matter, to whom I fhall tranfmit
your letter, and crave their directions.
TO
TO
"As to your demand of liberty for an officer to
proceed to Sir Henry Clinton, with a "report of this
murder," as you are pleafed to exprefs yourſelf, I
have only to reply, that as foon as the Coroner has
taken an inquifition, in which all the evidence ref
pecting this unhappy affair will be contained, I fhall
tranfmit a copy thereof to Congrefs; and I fhall
VILE
have no objection to your fending a copy alfo to Sir
Henry Clinton, by way of the head-quarters of his
Excellency General Washington, (if his Excellency
fhould approve of it) together with any juft and de-
cent reprefentations which you may think neceffary
to make on this occafion or any other, after I have
examined fuch letters; but as to an officer's going
to Sir Henry Clinton, it is altogether unneceffary-
you will pleaſe to excufe my refufal of it. 15139!
I am, Sir, your obedient fervant,lag 193
W. HEATH, Major-General.
fo
(Signed)
P
"P. S.

168
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [JUNE, 1778.
«P. S. I fhall not at this time comment on the
indelicate manner in which your letter is addreffed.
Maj. Gen. PHILLIPS.'
bas mioned art o of wo
Блоз
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS, Major-General and
fenior officer of the troops under the reftrictions of
the Convention of Saratoga, do promife and engage,
on my word and honour, and on the faith of a gen-
tleman, to remain in the quarters now affigned to
me in Cambridge, in the State of Maffachusetts-Bay,
and at no time to exceed or pafs the limits of the
gardens and yards adjoining and belonging to faid
quarters, except in the road by the neareft and moft
direct route from my fard quarters to Profpect and
Winter Hills, and the limits of faid hills within the
chain of fentries-until it fhall be permitted or or-
dered otherwife by the Continental General com-
manding in this State, his Excellency General Wafh-
ington, or the Honorable Congrefs of the United
States of America; and that I will not, directly or
indirectly, give any intelligence to the enemies of the
faid United States, or either of them, or do or fay any
thing in oppofition to or in prejudice of the meafures
and proceedings of any Congrefs for the faid States,
during my continuance here as aforefaid, or until I
am duly exchanged or difcharged.
SVE
Given under my hand, at Cambridge, this eighteenth
day of June, 1778."
10
S
eiff no sam et
sh bus fuj vas diw 19dts HEAD-QUARTERS, BOSTON,
294 plaids ya
YAM BOY
June 18, 1778.
"SIR, odio as to goilsoop aidf
"YOU will immediately repair to Cambridge,
and wait upon Maj. Gen. Phillips: prefent him the
letter addreffed to him. After he has read the let-
ter, prefent the parole; if he figns it, well; if he re-
fufes, you will pleafe to inform him, that in confe-
2.9
quence

JUNE, 1778.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
169
quence of the indecent, difhonourable, and highly
infulting expreffions in his letter of yesterday, againſt
the honour and dignity of the Free, Sovereign, and
Independent States of America, and in prejudice of
the meaſures and proceedings of the Honorable the
Congrefs as it is my duty, fo it is my exprefs orders,
that he, the faid Maj. Gen. Phillips, be reftricted to
the limits of his houfe, yards and gardens, beyond
which he is not to pafs, until it be otherwife order-
ed; and that you immediately plant and continue
by relief fo many fentries, as may be neceffary to
prevent his exceeding thofe limits. You will give
orders that the fentries, fo planted, obferve a ftrict
decorum and foldier-like behaviour, avoiding infult,
and behaving with becoming dignity. After which,
you will wait on the next fenior officer, and acquaint
him of Gen. Phillips being confined.
I am, Sir, your moft obedient fervant,
(Signed) W. HEATH, Maj. Gen.
Lieut. Col. POLLARD, Dep. Adj. General."
The fame day Gen. Phillips wrote our General
as follows:
SIR,
CAMBRIDGE, June 18, 1778, 3 o'clock, P. M.
"LIEUTENANT Brown, of the 21ft regiment,
who was fhot yeſterday by an American centinel,
died about midnight in the laft night.
"I am informed fome perfon, whom you have
fent to examine the body, is now doing it; and, as
I fuppofe every infpection of that fort will be over
by to-morrow, I would propofe to bury the corpfe
to-morrow evening. I am to defire to know if you
have any objection, and whether you have any par-
ticular intentions relating to the body of the mur-
dered officer. If it is to be allowed Chriftian buri-
X
al,

170
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [JUNE, 1778.
al, I would with to depofit it in the vault appropri-
ated for ftrangers, in the Proteftant church at Cam
bridge. In this cafe, I am to defire you will give
the neceffary permiffion for this purpoſe, and allow
a fufficient number of men from the barracks to af-
fift in carrying down the corpfe from the barracks
M bist od
to the church.
q
bne As I am totally ignorant to whom it may be
neceffary to apply for leave to open the church, it
obliges me to give you this trouble; and I hope, if
permiffion is granted, that it may be done fo fully,
as will prevent the fanguinary people of this country
from infulting and treating with indignity the dead
body of the unfortunate officer, who, in their rage,
revengeful tempers, and barbarity, they have put to
death. I am, Sir, mom no fisw lliw Doy
bre
Your moft obedient humble fervant, mid
ibado (Signed)
Maj. Gen. HEATH."
W. PHILLIPS.
AJOTO susid
To this letter the following was returned:
10 store agillid no yeb smel erT
HEAD-QUARTERS, BOSTON, June 19, 1778.
Intens
SIR,
"YOUR's of yefterday afternoon was handed to
me the laſt evening; I moft fincerely regret the un-
fortunate death of Lieut. Brown.
"As I apprehend the Coroner has taken his in-
quifition, or will do it this morning, which is in con-
formity to the laws of the land in that cafe made and
provided, for the fole purpoſe of inveſtigating the truth
of facts-you not only have my permiffion, but re-
queft, that every mark of refpect may be paid to the
corpfe of the deceafed; and you have my permiffion
alfo for fuch a number of non-commiffioned officers
and privates to attend, as may be neceffary to bear the
corpfe

JUNE, 1778.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
171
corpfe from the funeral houfe to the place of in-
terment.
od op, stow spillo ent
to noise
"I do not know under whofe direction the church
at Cambridge now is; but I have given orders to Maj.
Hopkins and the Town-Major to afford every kind
of affiftance in their power, and to inquire who has
the direction, and to obtain permiffion. I have alfo
given orders that decency be.exhibited by our troops
during the time of proceffion of interment, which
the folemnity of fo mournful an occafion points out
as the duty of rational, beings; and from the univer-
fal refpectful behaviour of the people of this country
on fuch occafions, you may be fure that not the leaft
infult will be offered.
no be
I am, Sir, your moft obedient fervant,
(Signed) W. HEATH.
Maj. Gen. PHILLIPS."
19th.-Gen. Phillips wrote another letter, as fol-
lows:
od SIR,
div CAMBRIDGE, June 19th, 1778.
Yor
"I SHALL not animadvert upon, or anfwer any
part of your letter of yefterday, except what relates
to your meaning to reftrict me to my houfe, garden
and yards, and to the direct road from my quarters
to the quarters of the troops of the Convention on
Profpect and Winter Hills, and requiring my figning
a new parole for my propriety of conduct within
thofe limits.
"When by the treaty of Convention of Saratoga
the officers were to be admitted on parole, it was
clearly intended that a liberal interpretation was to
be given of that agreement; and, to ufe your own
words, generous limits were to be granted. I will
not deny that the limits have been fufficient.
"I apprehend,

172
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [JUNE, 1778.
"I apprehend, Sir, that under no fenfe or expla-
nation of the treaty, the officers were to be denied
intercourfe with the foldiers-indeed, there is an ar-
ticle particularly on that point; and by reftricting
me to my quarters, allowing me only the paffage to
the barracks by the direct road, you would certainly
have reſtricted me as you have done feveral other of-
ficers, from whom you have taken the benefit of
their parole, allowing for the diftinction of my rank,
having obtained a quarter inftead of a barrack: it
feemed therefore a very extraordinary propofal made
to me that I fhould fign a parole under a reftriction
which deprived me of any advantage arifing from
my giving one, according to the article on that fub-
ject in the treaty of Convention of Saratoga; and on
this confideration I refufed it.
"You have, Sir, made me a prifoner in my quar-
ters, under a guard, and I am perfectly at eafe about
it-fhall bear it, Sir, and any other violence of
power which may happen to me, with more patience
than you may fuppofe. I am very regardlefs about
infults or injuries done me perfonally-I feel only,
and then ſeverely, when any are offered to the troops
I command.
"But, Sir, you attempt at much more than re-
ftricting my perfon; for in a paper fent me this day,
being your inftructions to Lieut. Col. Pollard, dated
June 18, 1778, you direct him, after he has planted
centinels around my quarters, that he is to "wait on
the next fenior officer, and acquaint him of General
Phillips being confined." I am to inform you, Sir,
that, bearing the King's commiffion, I fhall confider
myfelf fenior officer of the troops of the Conven-
tion; and every officer of them will obey my orders
as far as their prefent fituation will allow. You may
confine my perfon, but cannot have power to take
from

JUNE, 1778.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
173
from me my military place, nor my connexion with
the Convention troops-it is too extravagant an
idea to fuppofe you capable of: fo little can it be in
the power of an individual to deprive me of the
commiffion I hold, that were thefe Colonies really ac-
knowledged Independent and Sovereign States, it
would not be in the power of their government to
deprive an officer of another nation of his military
commiffion, how far foever they might ftretch and
extend their power over his perfon. But, Sir, I muſt
be allowed to declare, that until the Colonies are ac-
knowledged by Great-Britain to be Independent
Sovereign States, I cannot view them in any other
light than that in which they are confidered by Great-
Britain.ws 3 of biyo ni ov
"As you will not allow me to fend an officer to
Sir Henry Clinton, I must requeft to take advan-
tage of
your exprefs for fending my report and rep-
refentations to him; and I will beg to know when I
muft fend you my letters. slym nowed aloned
being asd
Higns I am, Sir,
100 200 Your moft obedient, humble fervant,
(Signed)
Maj. Gen. HEATH."
W. PHILLIPS.
sd fini on old
gildo STEV
91 or waiv o bogildo STP
To which the following anfwer was returned the
next day: d bogbolwondo sus yedi ma
"SIR,
HEAD-QUARTERS, BOSTON, June 20, 1778.
"ANOTHER of your favours of yesterday was
handed to me this morning. You may be affured
that the reafon of my reftricting you to your quar-
ters, the day before yefterday, was perfonally no
agreeable fervice. Duty to the honour and dignity
of my country, made it indifpenfably neceffary.
Apprehending that fo great a reftriction from your
former

174
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [JUNE, 1778.
former limits as I pointed out, might be conftrued
by you a diffolution of your parole, I thought it
neceffary and alfo reafonable that you ſhould give a
new one. I wifhed that you might retain your quar-
ters, and at the fame time have a free intercourfe
with the troops who are quartered at a diftance from
you; this diſtance is fo confiderable that a parole is
neceffary. I acknowledge that by the Convention,
you are to be admitted on parole, and this parole is
for propriety of conduct under fuch admittance; but
that parole being forfeited, by mifconduct, ceafes to
be, and confinement in proportion to the offence,
no breach of the Convention, but fully juftifiable,
upon every principle of reafon and juftice.dil
"It was never in my idea to take away your com-
miffion, or diffolve your connexion with the troops
of the Convention; but, while under confinement,
your power of acting might with propriety be fuf-
pended, fo far as refpected the tranfacting of public
bufinefs between myfelf and you; but perfonal
regard has prevented my going that length, any
further than to notify the next officer of your con-
finement.H. (hongid)
"I do not infift that you, as an officer in the
British army, are obliged to view the Free, Inde-
pendent and Sovereign States of America, in any
other light than they are acknowledged by the gov-,
ernment whofe fervice you are in. But, under your
prefent fituation and circumftances, I do infift that
you fhall not openly infult the honour and dignity
of theſe Sovereign States with impunity.
I am, Sir,
tod
Your obedient fervant,
(Signed) W. HEATH, Major-General.
Maj. Gen. PHILLIPS."
وو
ad gaibuede
"Middlefex,

JUNE, 1778.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
175
in
"Middlefex,
M
"AN inqueft taken at Cambridge, within the faid
county of Middlefex, on the 18th of June, A.D. 1778,
before Joel Smith, one of the Coroners for the coun-
ty aforefaid, upon view of the body of Lieut. Rich-
ard Brown, one of the British officers (Charleſtown,
n the c county aforefaid) then and there being dead,
by oaths of William Howe, Benjamin Lock, John
Brown, Ebenezer Steadman, Samuel Manning,
Nathaniel Auftin, Jofeph Read, jun. James Hill,
Thomas Barret, Benjamin Barker, Aaron Hill,
Ifaac Bradifh, James Munro, Jofeph Johnfon, good
and lawful men of Cambridge aforefaid, who being
charged and fworn to inquire for the fake of the
government and people of the Maffachufetts-Bay,
when, and by what means, and how the faid Rich-
ard Brown came to his death-upon their oath do
fay, that the faid Richard Brown was fhot with a
fire-arm by the centinel in Charleſtown, near Prof-
pect-Hill, between the hours of five and fix, P. M.
on the 17th day of June, A. D. 1778, in attempting
to país the centinel with two women, after being
properly challenged by faid centinel-and fo came to
death.
mid imoit aqaqs
bas JOEL SMITH, Coroner.
o Nathaniel Auftin, oh James Munro, lo
Jofeph Read, jun.
James Hill,
Jofeph Johnſon,
pro ym of sons
William Howe,
mid
Thomas Barret,od on
Benjamin Lock,
Aaron Hill,
Ifaac Bradifh,
Benjamin Barker, or wJohn Brown, didw
домо
CAMBRIDGE, June 18, 1778.500 dol
1 Bubnos
Ebenezer Steadman,
Samuel Manning.
Extract

176
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [JUNE, 1778.
Extract of a Letter from Major-General HEATH to
bithe Prefident of Congrefs, dated Head-Quarters, Bof-
8 ton, June 19, 1778.1 9 no
"SINCE my laft, of the 9th inftant, I have re-
ceived the honour of your's of the 23d, by Capt.
Nevers.
DOS
TOW
"The day before yesterday, one of our centinels,
poſted at the foot of Profpect-Hill, fhot a Lieut.
Richard Brown, of the troops of the Convention,
for not ftopping when repeatedly challenged, as he
was riding out of the lines with two women. The
orders given to the centinels being not to allow any
officer without fide-arms, or non-commiffioned officer,
private foldier, woman or child, without a written
paffport, to pafs the chain of fentries. Immediately
upon my receiving the report of the officer's being
fhot, and that the centinel was confined, I gave or-
ders for his being kept fo, and notice to be given to
the Coroner of the county of Middlefex, that a Jury
of Inqueft might fit on the body for the inveſtigation
of the truth of facts; at the fame time I wrote to
Maj. Gen. Phillips-I do myfelf the honour to inclofe
copy thereof, No. 1; a few minutes after, I received
a paper from him, No. 2; the next morning I again
wrote him, No. 3; and a parole, No.
4; and
gave
Col. Pollard written orders for the delivery thereof,
No. 5. Gen. Phillips refufing to fign the parole,
Col. Pollard, in obedience to my orders, reftricted
him to the limits therein mentioned, and planted
three centinels around the houſe and gardens; in
which ftate matters now remain."za nimsino
UH ROTS A
In CONGRESS, July 7, 1778.
"Refolved, That Congrefs approve of Maj. Gen.
Heath's conduct refpecting Maj. Gen. Phillips, con-
Boik
fequent

JUNE, 1778.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
177
fequent upon the death of Lieut. Richard Brown, of
the troops of the Convention.
orsExtract from the Minutes.
Tas isM
goo CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary."no
103
The whole of the foregoing correfpondence was
publiſhed by order of Congrefs; and our General
was informed that it was left for him to conduct to-
wards the British General, as to the continuance of
his arreft, as he might judge the honour of the
United States required. Gen. Phillips continuing
to exhibit the fame temper, or it rather growing
upon him, he was continued in his arreft, until the
troops of the Convention were ordered to be remov-
ed to Charlotteville in Virginia. It has before been
obferved, that the officers had certain articles pre-
fcribed to them, for their government in quarters,
and that thefe were drawn into the parole, and fub-
fcribed by them. If any abufes took place, a Court
of Inquiry was directed to inveftigate the complaints,
and report to our General; thus giving the accufed
officers an opportunity to exculpate their conduct, if
it was in their power; and no officer could with
more than our General to treat them with generofity
and indulgence, as far as was compatible with good
order and difcipline. But notwithstanding the fair-
nefs of this mode of procedure, Gen. Phillips forbid
the officers appearing before any Court fo appointed;
and on the 18th ult. Mr. Bibby, the Deputy-Adju-
tant-General to the troops of the Convention, came
into a Court of Inquiry, and declared the following,
which, in order to have the whole together, we now
retroípect.
CC
Dead smeigul eno od flum se bas
Maj. Gen. Phillips will not permit any officer
under his command to be brought before a Court of
Inquiry of the American troops, for the purpofe of
fcrutinizing their conduct; but if any complaints
YM
Y
are

178
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [JUNE, 1778.
are lodged against any British officers, and Maj. Gen.
Heath fhall defire their conduct to be inquired into,
Maj. Gen. Phillips will give fuch orders as are cuf
tomary in fuch cafes among the British troops.
By order of Maj. Gen. Phillips:
(Signed) THOS. BIBBY, Dep. Adj. Gen.
10 1910 yd bs lladig
MONDAY, May 18, 1778"
of Dubos of mid tot el a ti di bamolai aw
1. The fame day, Gen. Phillips fent a letter to our
General, expreffive of the fame fentiments; to which
the following anfwer, was fent to him. 2012 besinu
gniworg rodin HEAD-QUARTERS, BOSTON, May 19, 1778.
sdiag
sdi
SIR,
"YOUR favour of yesterday, came to hand the
faft evening; and, I muft confefs, contained matter
novel and furprifing to me. What ideas of a co-
partnerfhip in command you have entertained, I
cannot tell. From the beginning, I have found a dif-
pofition in the fenior officer of the Convention, to
affume the right and authority of trying and pun-
ifhing offenders for breaches of my orders. This I
ever have and ever fhall view in no other light than
that of infult. As fuch, I reprefented it to his Ex-
cellency Lieut. Gen. Burgoyne, whofe good fenfe
and thorough knowledge of difcipline, led him, in a
letter to me of the 13th Jan. to yield the matter in the
following words: "I do not mean to deny that you
have a right to take juftice into your own hands.
Indeed it is a fubject, concerning which, having
heretofore faid and wrote very fully, I fhall not at
this time dwell long upon. As to agreement or co-
partnerſhip in command, it is abfurd. In military
command there must be one fupreme head; at pref-
ent, the Honorable Congrefs have honoured me
with the command of this department, and I imagin
ed that no officer within its limits would dare dif-
pute it.95
013
yas li tud Bubnos tis gaisiniuot
"My

JUNE, 1778.
179
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
"My orders, as I have repeatedly heretofore de-
clared, fhall ever be founded on the principles of
honour, reafon and juftice, and not to infringe
thofe delicate principles in others; fo I again declare
that fuch my orders fhall not be broken or difputed,
by any
officer or foldier, placed under my direction,
with impunity. The matter of command is no hid-
den myſtery; the ufage and cuftoms of nations are
known. The celebrated Vattel, Puffendorff and
Grotius, with whofe writings I dare fay you are ac-
quainted, elegantly explain how an army that fub-
mits to another, whether the conditions are more or
lefs honorary to themfelves, are to conduct whilft
they remain within the limits of the victors' camp, or
jurifdiction of their country. But I fhall not ſpend
time to reafon on a fubject which would reflect dif-
honour on myfelf to allow even to be difputed.
Therefore, to fum up all in few words-that, as I
am determined to treat the troops of the Convention
with ftrict juftice and generofity, fo I am determined
that all offenders against my ftanding orders of the
garrifon fhall be brought to proper punishment;
that I will not allow the fenior officer of thofe troops
to try or punish for any offence against my orders;
and, that the truth may at all times be properly in-
veftigated, I fhall, from time to time, when occafion re-
quires, appoint Courts of Inquiry for that purpofe;
and fuch as prefume to difpute or counteract them,
I fhall duly notice.
ats or ti te
boog
300
shi dhinn I am, &c. Dorded over 2190
W. HEATH, Major-General.
(Signed)
Maj. Gen. PHILLIPS.
99
Gen. Phillips finding that he could not get any
thing by affault, he next tried his fkill in attempting
to fap, with the policy of friendship; he therefore
Joy Jud
wrote

180
[JUNE, 1778,
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
Hed
wrote another letter of the fame date, under the
name of sing or no obuol sd
"Private."
squint of Jom bac
aishab nisge Lot
I stroilah stods
beinglib
MONDAY, May 18th, 1778.
Soded on MONDAY, May
no SIR, bu hola
ઃઃ
"I HAVE, this morning, written to you a letter
upon public matters. I will now affure you, that I
am forry that my earneft defire of preferving a com-
munication of intelligence, between you and I, does
not meet your confent; and I will lament that you
will attend to the fudden reports you receive, fo ful-
ly, and act upon them, without that good-humoured
attention to me, which I had hoped and have en-
deavoured fhould fubfift between us. You and I
are nearly of an age-I will not difpute underſtand-
ings with you; but I certainly am an older foldier,
and muft neceffarily know the cuftoms of armies.
Allow me to affure you, the manner with which things
are taken up fometimes deviates from military rule.
It is a fixed cuftom to go from the head, downwards;
and, when an Enfign offends against order, the Gen-
eral does not condefcend to altercate with him, but
fends his orders, his defire, or his opinion, to the
commanding officers; and, in your fending meffages
to young officers, it injures your own confequence,
and certainly hurts mine. Believe me, that I am
ftrict against any breach of orders, and will never
fuffer it to pafs uncenfured. I allow,
I allow, the two offi-
cers have behaved ill, and I will punish them; but
the getting the counterfign was an effect of good
humour and fimplicity in an American foldier.
Let me once more requeft of you, to recollect your
own fituation, and it will put mine in a clear view
to you. Whenever you have reports against any
of
our troops, let me know them, and I will give inftant
attention to them: but you will, I am fure, imme-
diately

JUNE, 1778.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
181
diately feel, that fending a threat to two officers, that
you would fend them on board a prifon-fhip, and
never informing me wherefore, was not ftrictly con-
formable to good humour or good difcipline.
"I am, with a very hearty defire of preferving
harmony and order, and with much perfonal regard,
Your's, &c.
10 ed of (Signed)
Maj. Gen. HEATH."
W. PHILLIPS.b
To which the following anfwer was returned:
by HEAD-QUARTERS, BOSTON, May 19, 1778.
-100 "SIR, mit now on Jo.goo
"HAVING, in my other letter of this date, an-
fwered your's of yesterday, I now reply to your fa
your of the fame date, which you are pleafed to ftile
private." I can affure you, Sir, that no perfon
living wishes to act with good humour more than I
do; or would take more pains to cultivate harmony
and a good understanding. But in the prefent cafe,
you must not expect that I fhall allow myfelf, either
by frowns or flatteries, to give up the dignity of
command repofed in me.rodjus to sh
yus
I wifh, I am determined, to extend every act of
generofity towards the officers of the Convention,
which is compatible with the fafety and honour of
my country. I fhall not take up matters fuddenly,
or proceed rafhly, unlefs circumftances fhall render
it unavoidably neceffary; and although you may be
poffeffed of a greater fhare of underſtanding than I
am, and an older foldier, yet I have endeavoured
to acquire a knowledge of my duty, and the cuftoms
of armies and nations. I am not confcious of any
deviations from thofe rules or cuftoms in general
adopted by them. erit votedtos y of boretto vin
The General who commands is undoubtedly
the fountain of power, and all orders fhould defcend
from
66

182
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [JUNE, 1778.
from him through the proper officers, until they are
communicated to the loweft order of the army; and
that commander who difputes with, or threatens
young officers, undoubtedly leffens his confequence,
and will foon become contemptible in the eyes of an
army. Nothing of this was in the late tranfactions,
that I know of: having received a report of the con-
duct of the two officers, I ordered them to be con-
fined to their quarters, and appointed a Court of In-
quiry to examine into the grounds of the complaint,
that I might have a clear underſtanding of the affair,
and order accordingly. In all cafes where you or
the troops of the Convention are immediately con-
cerned in the orders, I have always directed that you
fhould be ferved with a copy. As to any threatnings
being fent to the two officers, of confining them on
board a guard-fhip, I know nothing of it.
110
"The main difficulty feems to arife from your ap-
prehenfion, that you are to try and punish all offend-
ers against my orders. Here, Sir, notwithſtanding
your knowledge and age in foldiery, you much mil-
take, and cannot fupport thofe your pretenfions by
any rule or authority, civil or military. The mo
ment you piled your arms, and marched off the
ground, you became fubject to the ftanding orders
of the victor; and in every jurifdiction through
which you marched, or where you remain, are fub-
ject to all the orders and laws of the place; and
fuch as violate them are obnoxious to punifhment.
The law and cuftom of nations explicitly tell us,
who are to try and punish: and, although I do not
in the leaft doubt your ready difpofition to inquire
into, and even to punifh offenders againft my or-
ders yet when you attempt it, it is fuch an indig-
nity offered to my authority, that you may be affur-
ed it ever will raife my refentment; and if it did not, I
am confident that yourfelf (at leaft hereafter) and
all

JUNE, 1778.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
183
all military men would defpife me for my infenfibili-
ty. In a word, Sir, cultivate thofe principles of
obedience to orders among the officers in your fit-
uation, recommended and inculcated by the cuftom
and ufage of nations, and dictated by reafon-and
you may depend, that I fhall exert myfelf to make
your fituation as agreeable as poffible; and you may
be alfo affured, that I never fhall require that of the
troops of the Convention, which, in the opinion of
the juft and wife in any country, fhall reflect difhon-
our on them. al With the ftrongest defire to cultivate
and maintain harmony, and to treat you with ref
pect, and with much perfonal regard,
baud's I am, &c.w
emixsin bas
am ni'base(Signed) q
(Signed)ng is STC W. HEATH.
Maj. Gen. PHILLIPS."sillog w 11 8950sftai
sb ansistlib to soal privollot
grivollot own s
The fame feelings which had great weight in the
beginning of the war, continued for fome time,
namely, that Great-Britain was one of the greateft
and moft powerful nations in the world, in arts, and
in arms; while the Americans were yet their Col-
onies, young, weak, and but barely civilized, igno-
rant of the world, and efpecially fo of arts and of
arms. Hence we fee it fo frequently breaking out,
(until experience had taught them a different opin-
ion.) There was frequently, as in the atmoſphere,
placid intervals; but whenever any crofs wind hap-
pened to blow, (and there is no feafon or circum-
itances without them) then inftantly appeared thoſe
ideas of felf-fuperiority, and contempt for the Amer-
icans, which was the true caufe of many uncom-
fortable hours. Mankind have the fame paffions;
the difference lies, in fome riding with a double
curb, while others give the reins.
This Convention bufinefs was a heavy taſk for our
General, and the whole fubject would form an enter-
taining

184
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [JUNE, 1778.
taining volume of itfelf: we are now circumfcribed by
our limits, and have only given a fmall fpecimen for
mankind to form an opinion for themſelves. In all
the letters or converfation which was had on the occa-
fion, we find fcarcely a reflection caft by our General
on the British nation, the caufe in which they were
engaged, or against any who were fortunate, or un-
fortunate; but a uniform defire to make thofe placed
under his orders as comfortable as circumítances
would admit; at the fame time, an unfhaken deter.
mination, a perfeverant watchfulnefs, with decent
language, to defend the caufe and honour of his own
country, by arguments fupported by the cuſtoms
and maxims of the civilized world. The hundreds
of letters on file, are all proofs of this; and in many
inftances it was politely acknowledged.
M
The two following letters, of different dates, are
fome of the fpecimens. Major Harnage had his
lady with him. baino ed to grinniged
edelid w
bases ni bfrow ori: CAMBRIDGE, October 30th, 1778.
100 SIR, ST
oned WITH great pleafure I acknowledge the favour
of your obliging letter; and Mrs. Harnage joins me,
with Capt. Hawker, in returning you our fincere
thanks for your kind reprefentation of us, and folici-
tation in our favour, to the Honorable Congrefs.rok
-96 "With your leave, we fhall with patience wait the
refult; and, let the Congreſs determine in what man-
ner they pleafe, our obligations to you, Sir, will be
ever acknowledged.noons
honqul-llo
Believe me, Sir, with refpect,
doidw
enoilley brist
siduob a driw Your obliged humble fervant,
TWO-
anisy HENRY HARNAGE.
Maj. Gen. HEATH."
on is not blow desidut slow CAMBRIDGE,

JULY, 1778.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
185
doidw CAMBRIDGE, June 10, 1779.
2
"SIR,
"BEING this moment informed that you are
about to quit Bofton, I muft beg leave, previous to
your departure, to trouble you with thefe our ac-
knowledgments, for the civility and attention you
have been pleafed to fhew us; and to affure you that
Mrs. Harnage, Capt. Hawker and myſelf fhall ever
retain a due fenfe of all favours, by which you have
kindly endeavoured to alleviate, and make eafy, the
reftraints and difagreeable circumftances that una-
voidably attend our prefent fituation.
"We hope you will mention us to the gentleman
who is to fucceed to the command in the Eaftern
Department.
"Wishing you all perfonal happineſs, I remain with
refpect, Sir, your moſt obedient and
MP to goin
Obliged humble fervant, lepo
HENRY HARNAGE.
bin
The Hon. Maj. Gen. HEATH."
Land no
29th. A Spanish xebeck and a French cutter
arrived at Bofton, with diſpatches from their refpec-
tive Courts, which were forwarded to Congrefs.
30th.-Certain intelligence was received, that
the Britiſh had left Philadelphia. seniden birt
July 9th.Intelligence was received, that a warm
action happened on the 28th ult. between Gen.
Waſhington's and Gen. Clinton's armies, near Mon-
mouth court-houfe, in the Jerfies. Gen. Clinton,
having taken the refolution to move from Philadel-
phia to New-York, through the Jerfies, commenced
his movements accordingly, encumbered with an im-
menfe train of ftores and baggage, which occupied
fome miles in length; and thefe are the greatest in-
cumbrance to a General, on a march of danger from
ob od donor low Z
98 an

186
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [JULY, 1778.
an attack of his opponent, to which he can be ex-
pofed.
Gen. Waſhington was no fooner apprifed of this
intention and movement of the British General,
than he made his arrangements accordingly, croffed
the Delaware, and pushed detached corps forward to
obftruct the advance, gall the flanks, and fall on
the rear of the enemy, while he moved on with the
body of his army. By the 27th, Gen. Clinton had
got on as far as Monmouth, and Gen. Wafhington's
detached troops were on his flanks, and clofe on his
rear. Here the British General took a wife refolu-
tion, to make a ftand with a part of his beft troops,
while he pushed on his baggage through the difficult
defiles, under the careful and experienced hand of
Gen. Kniphaufen.
Gen. Waſhington, acting with equal fkill, and
equal bravery, made every arrangement which the
moment called for. On the morning of the 28th,
he ordered Maj. Gen. Lee to attack the enemy's
rear, himſelf moving on brifkly to fupport him; but
to his furprife, as he advanced on, he met Lee's
troops retreating and the enemy impetuously purfu-
ing. Here was Gen. Wafhington feen in all his
fplendor; for this critical fituation is the orb in
which he fhines the brighteft. He rallied the re-
treating troops: he infpired them by precept and by
example; and the misfortune of the morning was
confiderably retrieved.
The Americans fought bravely, and fo did the
Britiſh. After hard fighting, in a moft intenfe hot
day, when fcores died of the heat, and drinking too
freely of cold water when they could find it, both ar-
mies remained on the ground. The Americans de-
termined to re-commence the action early on the
next morning; but Gen. Clinton, finding that his
baggage had ftruggled pretty well through the de-
files,

JULY, 1778.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
187
files, and had got tolerably well advanced, took the
advantage of the cool of the night to flip off, unper-
ceived by the Americans, and got to ground where
he was fafe. Some fharp words took place between
Gen. Waſhington and Maj. Gen. Lee, as the one
advanced and the other, retreated, which iffued in
the arreft, trial and fufpenfion of the latter.
I
I
Gen.
Washington reported to Congrefs, that the Amer-
icans buried of the British 4 officers and 245 pri-
vates; among the former, the Hon. Col. Monckton,
(who was a brave and experienced officer) and that
there were a few prifoners. The American lofs;
killed, 1 Lieutenant-Colonel, 1 Major, 3 Captains,
2 Lieutenants, 1 Serjeant, 52 rank and file-wound-
ed, 2 Colonels, 8 Captains, 4 Firft-Lieutenants, 2
Second-Lieutenants, I Enfign, 1 Adjutant, 8 Ser-
jeants, 1 Drummer, 120 rank and file-miffing, 5
Serjeants, 126 rank and file; of the artillery, one
Firit-Lieutenant, 7 Matroffes, and 1 Bombadier were
killed-one Captain, 1 Serjeant, 1 Corporal, 1 Gun-
ner, and 10 Matroffes wounded-one Matrofs mif-
fing-fix horfes killed, and two wounded. Both
Generals undoubtedly have much credit for their
conduct in this action, Gen. Clinton's object being
to reach New-York with his baggage, &c. obtained
this victory, with the lofs which he fuftained. Gen.
Washington's conduct was well calculated for vic-
tory on his fide; and how far he would have fuc-
ceeded, had it not been for the misfortune of the
morning, none can tell. This misfortune began by
expofing the American advanced troops, in line, on
the fide of the field where they were cannonaded by
the Britiſh, who at the fame time wifely expofed on-
ly their artillery to that of the Americans. It is to
be remembered, that men may be led on to action
in the face of a cannonade, before which they will
not ftand; the point of decifion is in the mind;
while

188
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [JULY, 1778.
while advancing, although galled by the fire of
their opponents, the dead and wounded are left be-
hind them as they fall, and the troops feel an ardour
for arriving in a few minutes at a point, where they
can uſe their own arms, to retaliate for the injury
they fuftain.
But when men are placed open to
the fire of the artillery of their enemy, at fuch a dif
tance as to prevent the uſe of their own arms in their
defence, the dead and wounded fall and lie among
them, or are drawn away, and every groan they
make is heard. The troops foon conceive that they
are placed as marks to be fhot at; while the greater
policy of the enemy keeps their column or line out
of the rake of their cannon; the mind gives way,
and retreat will be inevitable, This was experienc-
ed in this inftance, and the faireft hopes of a noble
onfet in a few minutes blafted; and thefe were fome
of the beſt troops in the army too. It was here that
the firm Col. Weffon had his back peeled of its
muſcles, almoft from ſhoulder to fhoulder, by a can-
non-ball. The confidence of the troops could not
be fully recovered, until they faw the prefence of
their beloved General,
18th.-Intelligence was received, that the Count
D'Eftaing had arrived, with the fleet under his com
mand, off the Capes of Delaware. The fleet con-
fifted of 12 fail of the line, and 4 frigates. Off the
coaft of Virginia, they took a privateer, fitted out of
New-York, of 26 guns-a fhip, bound from New-
Providence to London-re-captured a French fnow,
laden with dry goods, and drove a Britiſh ſhip of war
on fhore.
подхо
19th. Intelligence was received, that about 2,000
men, faid to be invalids, had arrived at Rhode-Iſland
from New-York.
21ft.-Intelligence was received, that a body of
refugees and Indians had deftroyed the town of Wy
oming,

JULY, 1778.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
189
oming, on the Sufquehannah, and butchered many
of the inhabitants. The fame day, it was learnt,
that Gen. Waſhington had croffed Hudfon's River
with the main army, except Gen. Wayne's brigade-
that Count D'Estaing had appeared off Sandy Hook-
that the inhabitants of New-York were in great con-
fternation, and that the Marquis de la Fayette, with
Glover's and Varnum's brigades, were on their
march for Providence.
The Britiſh were very bufy in fortifying Rhode-
Inland.
yo shen
25th and 26th.-Sent for Providence 43,000
flints, five tons hard bread, a quantity of dry fifh, &c.
and fent a large number of the large flat-bottomed
boats to Weymouth; they were to be conveyed,
taking the advantage of the river, to the vicinity of
Rhode-Ifland. Half of Col. Craft's regiment of
State artillery were ordered to Tiverton; the other
half of the regiment of artillery, and a draft from
the militia, to the number of 3000 men, including
1000 before ordered, were to march and reinforce
Maj. Gen. Sullivan in the State of Rhode-Ifland. On
the 29th, at noon, the Count D'Eftaing's fquadron
came to anchor off Point Judith, and at evening
ſtretched a line from that Point to Secunnet.nil st
31ft.The regiment of State artillery, with 6
brafs 4-pounders, and 2 brafs howitzers, marched
for Tiverton; and the next day the marine mortar
was fent on, flung under two pair of ftout cart-wheels.
The Britiſh floop of war, Kingfisher, a row-galley
and a floop, ftationed near Secunnet, upon the ap-
proach of a French frigate, were run on fhore by
their own crews, fet on fire, and left to burn and
blow up. Maj. Bumftead's company of Bofton arr
tillery, with two brafs field-pieces, and Lieut.
Dunnel, with a detachment of the Continental ar-
tillery, with two field-pieces, marched for Rhode-
Ifland,
จอ

190
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [AUG. 1778.
Ifland, and the militia and volunteers were on
their march that way; and large quantities of
military ftores and provifions were going from
hence.
Auguft 10th.-Major-General Hancock, with his
fuit, went for Rhode Island, to take the command
of the militia. The fame morning,, Gen. Sullivan
made a landing on the ifland, without oppofition.
About the fame time, the Count D'Eftaing, with his
fquadron, paffed the Britiſh batteries at Newport,
when there was a brisk cannonade on both fides.
Many of the fhot ftruck in the town, and the inhab-
itants were in much confternation, not knowing in
what place they were fafe. A fhot entered the door
of the houfe of Mrs. Mafon, a widow lady, a little
above the floor: as the family were paffing from
room to room, not knowing where the next fhot
might ſtrike, young Mr. Mafon, paffing through the
entry, found the black man of the family fitting
with his back against the fhot-hole in the door; on
being asked why he fat there, he anfwered, "Mafter,
you never know two fhot to go in the fame place."
Under this idea he was tranquil. Lord Howe's
fleet appeared in the Offing, confifting of 8 fail of
the line, and 12 frigates.
39
11th. The Count came to fail, and ftood out,
and the Britiſh fleet ftood off-the wind very freſh.
13th.A moft fevere ftorm of wind and rain,
which ftripped many trees of their fruit, and tore
others up by the roots, &c.
The troops on Rhode-Ifland, under the command
of Gen. Sullivan, were on the 11th, 10, 122, includ-
ing officers, exclufive of fome volunteers from New-
Hampshire, and other corps, arranged as follows:
Varnum's brigade, including officers, 1,037
Glover's,
Cornell's,
ovt diw 1,131
1,719
Greene's,

AUG. 1778.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
191
Greene's,
Lovell's,
lo girl mug da dilend as no 20
109 bus
1,626
Titcomb's
Livingston's advance,
Weft's referve,
obougnal od bib sdi or 957
659
1,158
no
sired of Imon vvasil
1,025
Artillery,
810
Total, 10,122
Thefe were encamped at and near Quaker-Hill.
The ftorm deſtroyed a great number of cartridges,
owing to the badnefs of the boxes. A fresh fupply
was fent on from Bofton.
15th. The army advanced, and in the afternoon-
arrived within two miles of the enemy, without the
leaft oppofition. Gen. Waſhington with the main
army, was at the White Plains, in the State of New-
York, faid to be about 20,000 ftrong. Seventeen
tranfports with troops from Gen. Howe's army at
New-York, failed for Rhode-Ifland; but finding the
French fquadron in the way, could not come to the
place. Suit
On the evening of the 16th, Gen. Sullivan took
poffeffion of fome high grounds which commanded
the enemy's works on their right, and was not dif-
covered until morning, when they began to cannon-
ade the Americans, but did them no damage, which
was continued the next day without injury.
On the night of the 17th, the covered way was
nearly completed, and alfo two batteries of cannon.
The enemy fired 300 or 400 fhot, but did no other
damage than flightly wounding two men.
In
19th. The American works were advanced near-
er to the enemy, and on the 20th, they had one man
killed and two wounded by the enemy's cannon.
the afternoon the Count D'Eftaing returned to New-
port-his own fhip, the Languedoc, was totally dif
mafted in the ftorm, and loft her rudder. In this
Vobod SI
fituation,

192
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [Auc. 1778.
fituation, an English 50 gun fhip of Lord Howe's
fquadron, came acrofs her, and got under her ftern,
where fhe did the Languedoc fome fmall damage;
but on wearing the Languedoc, fo as to bring fome
of her heavy metal to bear, the Englishman bore
away. The Marfeilles, a 74, loft her foremalt in
the ftorm, and the Cefar, a 74, parted from the
fquadron.
22d. In the afternoon, the Cefar came to anchor
in the light-houfe channel, (Bofton lower harbour.)
After parting from the fquadron in the ftorm, fhe
fell in with a British 50 gun fhip, with whom fhe
was engaged for near three glaffes, and would have
taken her, had not fome other English fhips hove in
fight. The Cefar had 160 men killed and wounded,
about 60 of which were of the former; and the
Captain among the latter, who loft an arm. On
his being brought up to Bofton, our General imme-
diately paid him a vifit, and expreffed to him his re-
gret for the arm he had loft; to which the Captain
replied, although very weak through the great lofs
of blood he had fuftained that he was ready to
lofe his other arm in the caufe of the Americans.
Remember this, ye Americans, in future times!
The fame day, the enemy threw 2 or 300 fhells at
our troops on Rhode-Ifland; two men only were
wounded, and the fire brifkly returned. The Count
D'Eftaing determined to come round with his fquad-
ron to Bofton, and Gen. Sullivan muft retreat to the
north end of the island.
26th. Maj. Gen. Hancock returned to Bofton.
The volunteers were coming home.
djpr
On the morning of the 28th, the Count D'Eftaing,
with his fquadron, arrived in Nantaſket Road, and
the next day the Count came up to town.
On the 29th, there was a fmart action between the
Britiſh and Americans, towards the north end of
Consult
Rhode-

SEPT. 1778.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
193
Rhode-Ifland, which terminated in favour of the
latter. The moft fevere part of this action was at
the hollow between Butt's-Hill and Quaker-Hill, a
ground fituated for flaughter on both fides, rather
than for decifive victory on either. Col. Jackſon's
regiment of continental troops, and Gen. Lovell's
brigade of militia, are faid to have diftinguifhed
themſelves; and the artillery drove off two frigates
that attempted to cover the enemy's flank. The
Americans had about 60 men killed, and 180
wounded. The lofs of the enemy unknown.
On the evening of the 30th, Gen. Sullivan left
the iſland; and on the morning of the 31st, an ex-
prefs from Plymouth brought intelligence that 20
fail of topfail veffels were feen off that place the
evening before fome of them very large fhips.
In confequence of this intelligence, our General,
the Prefident of the Council, Gen. Hancock, and
others, went down the harbour, to confer with the
Count D'Eftaing.Super bus nug in die gainon
The next day, September 1ft, the Count came
up to town, with a number of his officers, and was to
dine with our General. Juft as the company were
going to fit down, the fignal guns announced the
appearance of the fleet, and which were vifible from
the town, (Mr. John Cutler having difcovered them
from the fteeple of the Old South meeting-houfe)
appearing to be about 20 fail, eight of which at leaſt
were two deckers. The Count immediately put off
for the fquadron. Several of the islands next to the
road had been fortified, and the fquadron moored,
in order to give a warm reception to the British,
fhould they attempt to enter the road. A number
of regiments of the militia of the vicinity, were or-
dered to march immediately to the Castle, Dorchef-
ter Heights, Bofton, Noddle's Ifland, &c. Several
fignal guns were heard in the bay the latter part of
A A
the

194
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [SEPT. 1778.
the night, and the next morning the fleet was out of
fight. The militia which were coming in were coun-
termanded. Admiral Byron's fquadron arrived a
few days before, at Sandy Hook. The enemy made
a defcent on New-Bedford, and did confiderable
damage: they alfo made a demand on the inhabit-
ants of Martha's Vineyard, for a large number of
cattle, fheep, &c.vohli
9th. An affray happened in Bofton between ſome
American and French failors; two French officers
in attempting to part them, were much, wounded-
one of them, a Major of the fleet, died of the
wounds on the 15thantom sdt no basbasil afs
Brigadier-General Speckt, the eldeft Brigadier of
the Heffian troops under the Convention, wrote a
letter to our General, in which he informed him,
that, being advanced in age, he had but little tafte
for thofe pleaſures and amufements which pleaſe the
young and gay; but he had not loft his tafte for
fporting with his gun, and requefted that he might
do it within the limits of his parole. Nothing
could be more pleafing to our General, than to
gratify this brave veteran foldier; he therefore wrote
him the following anfwer. da woh si 51 gniog
moil oiditiv snow doidy bos, Jalt adt
madi baravos HEAD-QUARTERS, BOSTON, Sept. 10th, 1778..
"SIR, m duce blO sdt lo
भी
mot
"YOUR letter of the 9th inft. came fafe to hand.
The frequent informations which. I have received of
your civil and polite behaviour, fince you have been
at Cambridge, and your tafte for little diverfion
except fhooting, leads me to grant you every indul-
gence which is compatible with my duty, and the
honour and fafety of my country. You therefore
have my permiffion to go a fhooting within the lim-
30 sq olisi od ved ads at hand tow eng lany
AA
edi

SEPT. 1778.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
195
its affigned you, attended by one fervant; and hope
the amufement will equal your expectation. sysl bre
slo to my s belt I am, &c. vari modeli
telber pads modw (Signed) od W. HEATH. oig
Brig. Gen. SPECKT. dit od
دو
17th. The General Affembly ordered 1,200
men to be detached from the militia, and marched
to Boſton immediately; and on the 19th, ordered
one-third part of their train-band to be immediately!
detached for the purpofe of completing the works in
and about the town of Bofton-garrifoning the
works, &c. Our General went on board the Count's
fhip, and with him to view the works on George's
Iland.
of awob lol,borisgor visqoo
22d.-The Count D'Eftaing, with the officers of
his fquadron, made a public appearance in town-
were received by a Committee of both Houfes of
the General Affembly, at their landing breakfafted
at Gen. Hancock's took punch and wine at Head-
Quarters, at twelve o'clock; and then returned to
the fleet, under a falute on leaving the town, and on
paffing the Caftle. quo ni Je Oos
The grand army under Gen. Washington took
a new pofition;vone divifion under the immediate
command of Gen. Putnam, at Fishkill one under
Gen. de Calb, at Fredericksburg; and one under
Gen. Gates, at Danbury.ol isdi lo nosite
b24th. The General Affembly countermanded
their orders for calling out one third part of their
train-band, and ordered that they be held in readi-
nefs to march on the fhorteft notice, wherever occa-
fion fhall require.
sber
1o
25th. The General Affembly made a public
dinner for the Count D'Eftaing, &c. &c. The next
day, the Count D'Eftaing, Marquis de la Fayette,
and a number of other officers and gentlemen, dined
with our General,
lizi
October

196
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [OCT. 1778.
October 5th. The British deftroyed the falt-works
and feveral ftores, and did other damage, at Egg-
Harbour; they alfo furpriſed a part of Polafki's le-
gion in that neighbourhood, whom they handled
very feverely. The British pretended that they had
heard that Polafki had inftructed his men not to give
them quarter; they therefore anticipated retaliation.
About the fame time, Baylor's dragoons were fur-
priſed at Tappan, and treated much in the fame man-
ner. Nocturnal enterprifes, in which the bayonet
is principally made ufe of, are generally uncommon-
ly bloody. by
The Languedoc, the Count's fhip, having been
completely repaired, fell down to Nantafket Road,
and joined the fquadron. Co bifbsc
6th. Gen. du Portail, the Chief Engineer of the
American army, came to Bofton to furvey the fev-
eral works, in order to their being repaired or aug-
mented, as might appear neceffary; and fatigue par-
ties were employed on the different works, and eve-
ry thing put in the beft pofture of defence.
20th. Our General, in company with the Count
D'Eftaing and others, went to Nantafket, to take a
view of the works there, and to review a battalion of
marines, who manoeuvred well, and in every partic-
ular were well difciplined, owing to the unwearied
attention of their Major, M'Donald, a Scotchman,
whofe father was in the rebellion in England, and
with this fon fled to France for fafety. Gen. Bou-
ganville had the command at Nantafket; he was al-
fo commander of one of the firft fhips in the fleet
under the Count D'Eftaing. The enemy left the
Jerfies, and prepared to embark a large body of
troops. About 100 fail of fhipping, including men-
of-war, fell down to the Hook on the 17th of Octo-
ber. On the 19th and 20th, the fleet failed from
Sandy Hook; the first divifion confifted of upwards
of

Nov. 1778.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
197
30
of 120 fail, of which 15 were of the line, and 10 or
12 frigates. This fleet went to the Weft-Indies, with
about 4,000 troops. The fecond divifion, about
fail, of which 2 were of 50 guns, and 2 frigates.
They ftood to the eastward; there was but few
troops on board the latter. Six brigades of the
Continental army were on their march for Hartford,
in Connecticut, to be ready to move this way, fhould
the enemy appear in this quarter; and Maj. Gen.
Gates was ordered to take the command in the Eaft-
ern Department,/01 id) to stridedat stings ad)
November 4th. In the morning the Count D'Ef
taing's fquadron failed from Nantafket Road.
6th. Maj. Gen. Gates, with his lady, fuite, &c.
arrived at Boſton. The Somerfet, Britiſh man-of-
war, of 64 guns, run a-fhore on Cape Cod, and was
taken poffeffion of by the militia, who fent the crew
prifoners to Bofton.
7th.-Maj. Gen. Gates took the command at Bof-
ton. In the next Continental Journal, printed by
John Gill, the following made its appearance:
ploterg dom
o oils bagi
BOSTON, Nov. 12.
"ON Thurſday laft, arrived in town, from Hart-
ford, the Hon. Horatio Gates, Efq. Major-General
in the army of the United States, being appointed
by Congrefs to the chief command in the Eaftern
District, in the room of the Hon. Major-General
Heath.
"While we receive, with the higheſt pleaſure, a
General justly celebrated for his perfonal virtues and
martial achievements, we cannot but pay a due
tribute of refpect to one, whofe accompliſhments as
a citizen, a gentleman, and an officer, have fhone
fo confpicuoufly in the delicacy, propriety, and dig-
nity of his private and public conduct, through
the whole of his command in this department.
"Tenacious

198
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [Nov. 1778.
"Tenacious of the civil rights of the community,
and of the honour and fafety of theſe Free, Sovereign
and Independent States, fo far as they were entruſted
to his protection, in the moſt intereſting and critical
circumſtances in which a General could poffibly be
placed, he has uniformly exhibited a prudence, an-
imation, decifion and firmnefs, which have done
him honour, and fully juftified the confidence re-
pofed in him.
"The cordial and moft explicit approbation of
the army, the inhabitants of this town, the army and
navy of our illuftrious ally, the Government of this
State, his Excellency the Commander in Chief, and
of Congrefs, added to the conſciouſneſs of his having
difcharged his truft with fidelity-muft, in a great
meaſure, have alleviated the fatigues incident to his
arduous ftation, and compenfated the lofs of his
health, fo much impaired by an inceffant attention
to bufinefs.as soon as
66
The very polite and affectionate terms in which
he has taken leave of the department, in his laft
general orders, demand alfo our moft grateful ac-
knowledgments."
10th and 11th.--The Convention troops marched
for Virginia. They were marched to Connecticut,
and delivered to the orders of Gov. Trumbull; and
were in like manner to be conveyed from State to
State, each furniſhing an efcort, waggons, &c. un-
til they reached Virginia. Gen. Sir Henry Clinton,
having refuſed to give paffports to American veffels
to bring to Bofton provifions for the uſe of the
Convention troops, or otherwife fupplying of them,
Congrefs on the 15th of October, paffed a refolve
that the troops of the Convention fhould be removed
to Charlotteville in Virginia, and they were now
moving accordingly.ilding bas
ni bas me to al 24th.

DEC. 1778.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
199
24th. It was learnt, that the brigades which
marched from the American grand army to Hart-
ford, marched back to Danbury. In this month,
Col. Alden, of one of the Maffachufetts regiments,
with his clerk, were furpriſed and killed by the tories
and Indians, at Cherry Valley, in the State of New-
York. The regiment defended the place, and repul-
fed the enemy. The American army went into winter
quarters in the Jerfies, at Danbury, Peek's Kill, &c.
Capt. Hallet, on the 23d, on George's Bank, latitude
41 40 north, in 18 fathoms water, difcovered a maſt
10 or 12 feet above water; upon a clofe examina-
tion, fuppofed it to be the top-maft of a 74 gun fhip
of Admiral Byron's fquadron, which foundered in
the ftorm, when the Somerſet ran on fhore.
December 19th.It was learnt that the fmall armed
veffels of the enemy did confiderable damage to the
inhabitants along the eaftern coaft of Maffachuſetts,.
by plundering, taking their coafting veffels, &c. A
little before this time, Colonel Jofeph Ward, Mufter-
Mafter-General, and Lieut. Col. Bradford, were
taken by a gang of refugees, in the Jerfies, and car-
ried to New-York.tol Tudund to not
nois
27th. Our General received letters from Admi-
ral Gambice, refpecting the prifoners taken from the
Somerfet man-of-war, and propofing an immediate
exchange; the letters couched in very polite terms.
28th. A waggoner, his horfe and four oxen were
found frozen to death near the dyke, on Bofton neck;
they perifhed in the fevere cold ftorm on the preced-
ing Saturday eveninghi ed ai ritira do bus
A more particular account from Cherry Valley
ſtated, that there were 32 perfons killed, befide Col.
Alden, and 10 rank and file belonging to the Con-
tinental army, and about 30 other perfons taken
prifoners; 32 houfes, 31 barns, one grift-mill, full-
ing-mill, and blackſmith's fhop, burnt. The enemy
confifted

200
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [FEB. 1779.
confifted of 200 refugees, and 443 Indians, com-
manded by Jofeph Brandt, Walter Butler, and the
Seneca Chief.
dns of died.bads
In the late ftorm, the General Arnold privateer
drove on fhore near Plymouth, and bilged; 80 of
the crew perifhed; the furvivors were much froft
bitten.
1779. January 6th. The Marquis de la Fayette,
and Captain Raimondis, of the Cefar, French man-
of war, who was wounded and left at Bofton, failed
for France in the Alliance frigate.nprom CE TA
8th.-Capt. Mowatt, with his fleet of picaroons,
were ftill infefting the eaſtern harbours; they had
already captured about 60 fail of veffels, inward and
outward bound, and burnt feveral houfes, &c. ar
bs Congreſs had paffed a refolution for calling in the
whole emiffion of Continental bills of May 20th,
1777, and April 11th, 1778, for which the poffeffors
were to receive loan certificates, or new emiffion
bills. Mrs Wdqlol lor mol smit aint stoled stil
1921ft.-It was learnt, that the enemy had made an
irruption into the State of Georgia, and were in pof-
feffion of Sunbury. Their force, at firſt about 500,
was faid to have increafed to upwards of 1000.
The Britifh fhip which foundered on George's
Bank, and whofe mafts were diſcovered by Capt.
Hallett, was fuppofed to be the Cornwall, of 74 guns.
It is faid her whole crew were loft.
w
February 3d.-It was learnt, that the Count D'Ef
taing, on his arrival in the Weft-Indies, made an
attack on the Britiſh in the iſland of St. Lucia, but
was defeated with confiderable lofs, after which he
returned to Martinico.q
STOW
9th. It was learnt, that a number of Americans,
confined in Gofport prifon, in England, among whom
was Doctor Downer of Roxbury, made their efcape
in the preceding Sept. by fapping with great addrefs
bailiimoo
from

FEB. 1779.] WHEATH'S 201
ME
H
.
HEATH'S MEMOIRSfrom the prifon under the yard and fence, to the
diftance of 20 feet, daily concealing the earth which
they dug, in the chimney of the prifon. This Doctor
Downer is the perfon mentioned to have killed a
Britiſh foldier in fingle combat, on the 19th of April,
in the battle of Lexington.
11th.-Intelligence was received, that the Britiſh
troops had made themſelves mafters of Savannah in
Georgia. Their light-infantry having ftole a march
upon the Americans, by a pafs through a fwamp,
which was fuppofed impaffable, and thereby defeated
our army, under the command of General Robert
Howe. The American lofs was faid to be about 30
officers, and near 400 men, killed, wounded and
taken prifoners. This event threw the whole State
The
of Georgia into the hands of the British.
American General was accufed of mifconduct, and
a long time after brought to trial, and honourably
acquitted. The British here practifed art, and force
was obliged to yield to it. Their light-infantry find-
ing their way through the path in the fwamp, bring-
ing of them on the flank and in the rear of the
Americans, where they were not expected, or not
guarded againft, proved their overthrow. A few
Thots on the flank or rear of an enemy, ferves to
difconcert them more than a heavy fire in the front.
The point of decifion here lies not in the force, but
in the mind. A company of 50 men cannot fire
more fhots in the fame given time on the flank, or
in the rear, than they could in the front; but thefe
few fhots will have more effect on the minds of the
enemy, than the fire of a whole regiment in their
front. The Americans were vaftly inferior in num-
bers to the British, and muft at any rate have been
forced from the ground; but the Britiſh light-infantry
paffing through the fwamp, was the first misfor-
tune.
BB
The

202
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [MARCH, 1779
The Continental currency was now greatly depre-
ciated. Provifions very fcarce and dear, flour efpe-
cially fo, and many families in Bofton almoſt deſtitute
of this neceffary article.
26th.-The following refolution of Congress was
published in the Bofton newfpapers to sh
CC
In CONGRESS, October 8th, 1778.
Jelorsdi eba bed
Refolved, That all limitations of prices of gold
or filver, be taken off."
27th. It was learnt, that the Supreme Executive
Council of the State of Pennfylvania had exhibited
a number of charges against Maj. Gen. Arnold,
while in command at Philadelphia.
March 7th.-Intelligence was received that Gen.
Tryon had lately made an excurfion to Horfeneck,
in Connecticut, where he burnt three ſmall veffels,
deftroyed all the falt-works, and one ftore; plun-
dered the inhabitants of their cloathing, &c. and
carried off about 200 cattle and horfes, and fome
fmall ſtock. The party confifted of about 600 light-
horfe, light-infantry, rangers, &c. The enemy got
off with the lofs of 2 men killed and 20 made prif-
2011 919
oners; giving out that their party was the advance
of a body of 3 or 4000, they deceived the militia,
and fo efcaped a fevere drubbing.
-
11th. It was learnt, that on the 25th ult. the Brit-
ifh made an excurfion from Staten Ifland, with intent
to furprife General Maxwell, who was ftationed with
his brigade at Elizabeth-Town, in the Jerfies. They
landed at the point a little before day-break, and in
fuch fuperior force as obliged the General to aban-
don the town, which he effected without lofs. The
enemy burnt the General's quarters, the barns, and
a ftore or two, and then returned.
29th.--Intelligence was received, that General
Washington had iffued a proclamation, offering a
& I
pardon

APRIL, 1779.
203
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
pardon to all deferters from the army of the United
States, who fhould return to their duty by the firft
day of May following; and alfo called upon all ab
fent officers to join their refpective corps by that
time.
o just asw
Maj. Gen. Sullivan was ordered from Providence
to the main army, and Maj. Gen. Gates to the com
mand at Providence.ms
syd
Π
Capt, Mowatt again made his appearance on the
eaftern coaft, he
Mr. Shaw's houfe.wded, fome men, and burnt
Intelligence was
ence was received, that the British had
gained an advantage on the borders of Georgia, near
Briar Creek.Col. Elbert, with a number of oth-
ers, were taken prifoners. Matters did not wear a
favourable afpect in that quarter; but it was hoped
that Gen. Lincoln, who had now got the command,
would give a new complexion to things at the fouth
ward, Most balist bon qoot to no
April 2d.-Maj. Gen. Gates left Bofton for Prov-
idence; in confequence of which, the command
again devolved on our General.
11th. It was learnt, that a fleet of refugee crui-
flaw
zers made an attempt to land a number of men near
Falmouth, (Cape-Cod) but were repulfed by the
militia. They next proceeded to Nantucket, where
they plundered the inhabitants of goods and effects.
Edward Winflow, formerly of Marfhfield, was faid
to be commander, with George Leonard, and others.
16th.The Continental frigates, Warren, Ranger,
and Queen of France, had been very fuccefsful in a
cruize, having taken feven or eight prizes going
from New-York to Georgia: they were now com-
ing in; among them the Jafon, of 20 guns and 150
men; and Maria, of 16 guns--four field and about
going
twenty commiffioned officers, were on board. A
large number of accoutrements for dragoons, dry
АЛЕК
goods

204
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [MAY, 1779,
goods to the amount of £100,000, and it was faid a
fum in fpecie a large quantity of flour, &c.
A great uneafinefs prevailed in the army at Prov
idence, on account of the fcarcity of flour. Relief
was fent on.
smit
May 3d.-Capt. Farnald, of New-Hampshire, was
unfortunately fhot in the breaft, as he was ſtanding
on Hancock's wharf, by a musket-ball diſcharged
from the Warren frigate.
1swoM
7th. Intelligence was received that Col. Van-
fcaak, of the New-York line, with about 500 men,
had lately made an excurfion to Onondago, furpri-
fed the caftle, killed 12 Indians, and took 34 prifon-
ers; deftroyed their caftle, cattle, provifions, &c.
without the lofs of a man. 219og gert $157
11th. Several veffels laden with rice, on account
of the United States, arrived at Bofton, from the
fouthward, which was a great relief to the troops.w
An embarkation of troops had failed from New-
York, under the command of Gen. Matthews, con-
voyed by the fhips under the command of Sir George
Collier. They entered the Capes of Virginia, on
the 8th. The 9th or 10th they took poffeffion of
a fort at the entrance of Elizabeth River, on the weſt
fide. They deftroyed a number of veffels, ftores,
provifions, &c. and returned.
30th.-Sir
-Sir Henry Clinton moved up the Hudſon,
with a large body of troops, covered by Sir George
Collier's naval force, which had juft returned from
Virginia. The intention of Sir Henry Clinton was
to feize the pofts at King's Ferry.
31ft. Gen. Vaughan, with the troops under his
command, landed on the eaſt fide of the river, a few
miles below Verplanks; and Gen. Sir Henry Clin
ton on the weft fide, a little below Stoney-Point.
They foon got poffeffion of both the points, and im
mediately rendered them more defenfible.
boog
Fune

JUNE, 1779.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
205
June 4th. Our General received orders from
Gen. Waſhington to join the main army. He had
before ordered all the heavy cannon at Bofton and
Providence, belonging to the United States, to be
fent on to Hudfon's River; they were fent on, flung
under two pair of ftout cart-wheels each, and were
a ponderous load.
Our General received polite and affectionate ad-
dreffes, on his leaving the department, from the
officers of the line-ftaff department the officers
of the Bofton regiment of militia, &c.ods bus
tod
On the 11th, he left Bofton, accompanied by a
large and refpectable number of officers and citi-
zens, in carriages and on horfe-back, as far as Water-
town, where the gentlemen had ordered an elegant
dinner to be provided. After having dined, he took
his leave, amidſt a fhout of hearty wishes for his
health and profperity. vel of swanstigen zit
14th. He reached Springfield-was met fome
diftance out of town, by Col. Armand's dragoons,
and the officers of the Springfield department; and,
on entering the town, was received by the infantry
of the legion, and a falute of cannon from the park.
Here he quitted the extent of his late eaftern com-
mand. He was eſcorted out of town, by, the officers
of the feveral military departments, and Armand's
dragoons.
908 sid diw
C
21ft. He arrived at New-Windfor; and on the
22d, attended Gen. Washington to Weft-Point. bod
23d.-Our General took the command of the
troops on the eaft fide of the Hudfon, having in
front all the out-pofts towards New-York, on that
fide of the river. The British were now in poffef-
fion of both the points at King's Ferry; and a num-
ber of tranfports had lain in the river for fome time.
The advanced pofts of the Americans at this time,
on this fide, did not extend lower than Peek's Kill;
and

206
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [JUNE, 1779.
and a picket mounted every night at the fouth foot
of Sugar-Loaf Hill.
W
On the morning of the 24th, about 200 of the
enemy's light-horfe came up as far as Crom-Pond-
furpriſed two militia pickets-killed and took prif-
oners about 2 30 men. About 130 light-infantry
of the enemy, at the fame time, came out from Ver-
plank's Point, made an excurfion round, and then
returned.
dt gives! ain no shath
On the morning of the 25th, the enemy's light-
horfe, and about 1000 infantry, were at Pine's Bridge.
Our General ordered 200 light-infantry, under the
command of Lieut. Col. Grofvenor, to march to
Robinfon's ftores, near Marpoach-Pond, to cover
that quarter.bio ben
30
27th. A deferter came in from Verplank's Point,
who reported that the British army, except five or
fix regiments, were to leave the Points, and were
then embarking. Soon after, upwards of fail of
tranfports were feen, ftanding down the river. The
British had a floop at anchor off Peek's Kill landing,
and a fhip off the Dunderberg. Left the enemy
meant a deception, the Americans were ordered to
lie on their arms, and a regiment extra was ordered
to advance on the heights.ls, as w
bas
28th. Three deferters, one a Heffian mufician
with his horn, came in from the enemy; they con-
firmed the teſtimony of the former deferter, that the
body of the British army had left the Points.bsc
9 29th. Moylan's horfe croffed the river, to rein-
force the left; they were to be followed by Armand's
legion. At evening a deferter came in from the en-
emy. A detachment from the British at Rhode-Ifl-
and arrived at New-York. 36 sinio
d
Congrefs, by ballot, chofe our General a Commif-
fioner of the Board of War; which was communi-
cated 40

JULY, 1779.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
207
cated to him by a letter from his Excellency the
Prefident, which he received on the 30th, as follows:
Toro SIR,
PHILADELPHIA, June 24th, 1779-
odman
ode
"I HAVE the pleafure of tranfmitting to you,
enclofed, an extract from the minutes of Congrefs,
of the 22d ult. by which you will perceive that you
are elected to the place of a Commiffioner to the
Board of War.
I have the honour to be, &c.
(Signed)
Maj. Gen. HEATH."
JOHN JAY, Prefident.
bats of In CONGRESS, May 22d, 1779.
.
ono bas
Congrefs proceed to the election of a Commif-
fioner for the Board of War, and the ballots being
taken, Maj. Gen. W. Heath was elected."
ba
wed
Extract from the Minutes.
(Signed) C. THOMSON, Secretary.
Although this appointment was, in its nature, ve-
ry honourable, with a falary proportionate, (4,000
dollars per annum) and our General was informed
that he would alfo retain his rank in the army, he
abfolutely declined an acceptance of it; expreffing,
in a letter to his Excellency the Prefident, the high
fenfe he entertained of the honour done him by the
appointment; yet, that he chofe rather to partici-
pate in the more active operations of the field. diw
July 1ft. Gen. Huntington's brigade moved
down, and took poft at the gorge of the mountains,
near the Continental Village. A deferter came in
from the enemy.
2d.-Col. Rufus Putnam reconnoitred the ene-
my's pofitions at Verplank's and Stoney Points. At
evening a deferter came in from the enemy.
Jisqorola About

208
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [JULY, 1779:
About 360 of the enemy's light-horfe, and light-
infantry, came out from Mile-Square, and attacked
Col. Sheldon's light-horfe, who were pofted at
Poundridge, about 90 in number. The fuperior
force of the enemy obliged our horfe, at firft, to re-
treat; but, being reinforced by the militia, they, in
turn, purfued the enemy. Our lofs was one Corpo-
ral, one Trumpeter, and eight privates, wounded
three Serjeants, one Corporal, and four privates mif-
fing; and 12 horfes mifling. The ftandard of the
regiment being left in the houfe when the dragoons
fuddenly turned out, was loft. Of the
Of the enemy, one
was killed, four taken prifoners, four horfes taken,
and one horſe killed. The enemy fet fire to and
burnt the meeting-houfe and Maj. Lockwood's houfe;
they alfo burnt Mr. Hay's houfe, at Bedford.
ம
The 5th was an exceffive hot day, with a thunder
fhower; the lightning ftruck in the encampment of
Col. Putnam's regiment, on Conftitution Ifland, by
which one man was killed; feveral received much
hurt, and a large number were ſtunned. A
The enemy entered the Sound-landed, and took
poffeffion of New-Haven-plundered and infulted
the inhabitants, and left the place. s blow od tert
7th. The
The enemy
landed at Fairfield, and burnt
many houfes, &c. I sit var ox rid of tettol s ni
Goth. About 6 o'clock, P. M. our General re-
ceived orders from Gen. Wafhington, to march,
with the two Connecticut brigades, by the way of
Crom Pond, towards Bedford. The next morning,
although rainy, the firft brigade marched to the
Village.
eubra edi
12th. The ftorm ceafing, the tents (although as
wet as water could make them) were ftruck, and
the troops took up their line of march, reaching
Amiwalk about fun-fetting. A report having been
fpread in the fore part of the day, that the enemy
A
were

JULY, 1779.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
209
were at or near Pine's Bridge, our General ordered
the baggage-waggons, under proper efcort, to file off
to the left, and purfue a road running parallel with
the one on which the column was moving, thereby
keeping the column between the enemy and the
waggons. Both arrived on the ground of encamp-
ment within a few minutes of each other. The
troops lay on their arms, without pitching their
tents. The enemy continued their depredations at
the Sound, and burnt fome houfes at Norwalk.
13th. At 5 o'clock, A. M. the troops took up
their line of march, and reached Ridgefield, where
they halted for the night. The next morning, our
General fent off all the tents and other baggage to
Danbury, and took up his line of march towards
Stamford. When he afcended the high grounds in
fight of the Sound, the enemy's fleet was obferved
under fail, ftanding off and on between Stamford
and Long-Ifland. About 12 o'clock, two deferters
from Gen. Clinton's army came to our troops; they
had left the British army two or three hours before,
at which time the enemy were on the point of mak-
ing a movement; the corps of guides and pioneers
being then affembled at Gen. Clinton's quarters.
This called for the exercife of difcretion.
troops on board the tranfports, with Gen. Tryon, if
the whole fhould land, were far inferior to the force
with our General; but the main British army, with
Gen. Clinton, was by far more fuperior to his. If
the whole of the Americans had marched down to
Stamford, Clinton, by five or fix hours forced
marching, might have croffed his rear, and have cut
him off from a communication with the Highlands;
he therefore refolved to march forward to the Crofs
Roads, one of which went directly to the British ar-
my, another to Stamford, and in his rear to the
Highlands. Here he took a pofition in order of
battle,
bed
Cc
The

210
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [JULY, 1779.
battle, and detached Col. Starr's and Meigs's regi
ments, with one field-piece, to Stamford, whofe ap-
proach towards the town, in open view, would pre-
vent Tryon from landing; or, in cafe he did with
fuperior force, the detachment might be furrounded.
In this fituation the troops remained until dusk, and
then took a more advantageous pofition for the night,
the whole lying on their arms, in order of battle.
Early on the morning of the 15th, our General re-
ceived information that the fhipping had gone down
towards New-York; he therefore moved and took
a ftrong pofition, between Ridgefield and Bedford,
fending out patroles of horie and foot, on all the
roads. This movement towards the Sound, quieted
the minds of the people, and faved Stamford and
other towns from deftruction.
While the attention of both the grand armies, and
of the adjacent country, was turned towards the
Sound, the Great WASHINGTON ordered General
Wayne to ftrike at Stoney Point, with the light-in-
fantry, which lay not far diftant from that poft.
This was done with great promptitude, the works
being carried by affault, and the whole garrifon
made prifoners of war, with all the artillery, ammuni-
tion, ftores, &c. This was a moft brilliant affair.
In advancing to the affault, the front of the Amer-
ican column led, with unloaded arms, relying folely
on the ufe of the bayonet. As they approached the
works, a foldier infifted on loading his piece-all
was now a profound filence-the officer, command-
ing the platoon, ordered him to keep on; the foldier
obferved that he did not underftand attacking with
his piece unloaded; he was ordered not to ftop, at
his peril; he ftill perfifted, and the officer inftantly
diſpatched him. A circumftance like this, fhocks
the feelings; but it muſt be confidered how fatal
the confequence would have been, if one fingle gun
had

JULY, 1779.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
211
had been fired; fcores would have loft their lives,
and moſt probably defeat have been confequent;
and therefore this was the leffer evil.
On the morning of the 16th, fignal guns were
heard in the Sound, towards New-York, at intervals,
from two o'clock until day-light. Gen. Clinton's
army moved to Mile-Square.o
Stoney Point having been taken, with fo much
eclat to the American arms, Gen. Waſhington de-
termined an attempt on Verplank's Point, on the
eaft fide of the Hudfon and oppofite to Stoney Point:
for this purpoſe Maj. Gen. Howe, with two brigades
and fome 12-pounders on travelling carriages, was
ordered to proceed by the way of Peek's Kill, throw
a bridge over the creek, move on to the point, and
open batteries againft the enemy's works, while a
cannonade and bombardment was kept up acroſs the
river from Stoney Point.
17th.-At about 10 o'clock, A. M. our General,
while out reconnoitring, received, by an exprefs
from Gen. Waſhington, orders to move as expedi-
tioufly as poffible to Peek's Kill, where he would find
Gen. Howe with two brigades. Our General was
to take the command of the whole, and carry into
effect the orders which had been given to Gen.
Howe. Our General returned immediately to the
troops, and at 12 o'clock began his march towards
Peek's Kill-marched until dufk 15 miles, when the
troops halted and laid down to reft on the fide of
the road; the dragoons not unfaddling their horf-
es. At 3 o'clock the next morning, the troops re-
fumed their march, and in the afternoon our Gen-
eral received information from Gen. Howe, by ex-
prefs, that Gen. Clinton was on full march with his
whole army towards Verplank's Point: an anfwer
was returned, at what point the troops then were,
and that they were marching as faft as the men could
endure,

212
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [JULY, 1779.
endure, and would continue fo until they reached
him. When the troops had advanced a little to the
weftward of Drake's farm, Col. Moylan came up
from Gen. Howe, with information that a part of
Clinton's army were then above the New Bridge on
Croten river, pufhing for the point; and that he was
retreating from the point as faft as poffible. On
this, our General ordered Gen. Huntington, with
his brigade and two field-pieces, to push forward as
faft as the troops could march and keep in breath,
and take a pofition on the high ground, to the fouth
of Peek's Kill, which commands the road to the
point, and alfo that to the New Bridge, on Croten
river; and ordered a regiment to file off to the right,
and fecure the pafs over the hills between Drake's
and Peek's Kill, and alfo ordered the flank-guard on
the left to be reinforced, and to fend out fmall flank-
guards ftill further from its flank. The troops mov-
ing on with the utmoft expedition to the ground
which Gen. Huntington had been ordered forward
to fecure. Every moment that paffed, was expect-
ed to announce the commencement of an action be-
tween the advanced or flanking parties of the two
armies, but it did not take place. At this moment,
Gen. Waſhington, having learnt how matters ftood,
and that poffibly Gen. Clinton might attempt to
pufh into the Highlands, fent an exprefs to our Gen-
eral, to move into the Highlands immediately,
which was done juft after dark, the troops paffing
the night on Bald Hill. It was generally the opin-
ion, that if our General had not been at hand to ad-
vance in the manner he did, that Gen. Clinton, by
a forced march of his light troops, backed by his ar-
my, would have got in the rear of Gen. Howe, be-
fore he could have poffibly gained the road at Peek's
Kill, and between his army and a fally from the
garrifon of Verplank's Point inevitably cut off the
whole.

JULY, 1779.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
213
whole. Our troops at Stoney Point cannonaded and
bombarded the enemy's works at Verplank's during
the whole day, and until near midnight. The poft
was then evacuated, and the Wafhington galley was
blown up.
19th. The troops moved from Bald Hill, Par-
fons's brigade to Robinfon's, Huntington's and Pat-
terfon's to Nelfon's, Nixon's to the gorge of the
mountains. mods tosincu strolled odsto
Пья
On the morning of the 20th, the British army
moved from their encampment, near the New Bridge,
to Dobb's Ferry. The fhipping in Tappan Bay came
to fail, and ſtood down the river. By a new difpo-
fition of the American army, on this day, our Gen-
eral was to command the left wing; it then confift-
ed of two regiments of horfe, and two divifions of
infantry.
oroger, madt bonado
22d. Two deferters came in from Verplank's
Point; they reported that the garrifon confifted of
about 1000 men. This day about 40 fail of tranf-
ports failed up the Sound. The British army en-
camped near Dobb's Ferry, their advanced picket
at Jonathan Odle's, three miles below Tarrytown;
from this encampment the enemy moved to Mile
Square, Volentine's Hill, &c. A deferter from Ver.
plank's Point reported that the British had again
taken poffeffion of Stoney Point, and were repairing
the works, their force on both fides of the river
being about 1500; and that they had got up the
guns of our galley, which had been blown up.
25th. The British having fent Col. M'Lean, in
the month of the preceding June, with fix or feven
hundred men, to eftablish a poft at the mouth of
Penobſcot river, the Legiflature of Maffachuſetts
determined to diflodge them, and made arrange-
ments for the purpofe. The armament, with the
unsurit of be
t og trods boshllim troops,
sbegid

214
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [AUG. 1779.
troops, made their appearance on this day before
the pofts; the iffue is detailed in a fubfequent page.
26th.-Four deferters came in from the enemy;
they reported that Stoney Point was repairing with
great expedition, and that Lord Cornwallis arrived
at New-York on the 24th.
28th. Four deferters came in from the enemy.
Capt. Hopkins, of the dragoons, took the Captain
of the Bellona tranfport, a Serjeant and Corporal of
the 64th British regiment, and two feamen, who had
ventured too far on the fhore near Sing-Sing.
29th. Two deferters came in from the enemy.
30th. Three deferters came in from Verplank's
Point. This morning, Capt. Hopkins, of Moylan's
light dragoons, fell in with a party of the enemy,
under Col. Emmerick, near Young's tavern, and
charged them vigorously; but the Colonel being
fupported by the Heffian Yaugers, Capt. Hopkins
was obliged to retreat: he brought off with him
three prifoners and four horfes, and killed fix of the
enemy on the fpot, and wounded a number. Sev-
eral prifoners which he had taken, were retaken by
the enemy. Capt. Hopkins had one dragoon and
two horfes wounded. The British army were under
marching orders for feveral days.Sitolo
stopa
31ft. Three deferters came in from the enemy.
A body of the enemy landed in the Jerfies. Hoo lat
August 1ft.Capt. Hopkins gave notice that the
British army had moved below Kingfbridge. Three
deferters came in from the enemy.
to ach
2d.-Six deferters came in from the enemy.
The British army encamped on York Ifland: Em-
merick's and Bearmore's corps above Kingsbridge.
The American army remained at their refpective
pofts in the Highlands. bolib bonim
Sr5th. About 100 horfe, of Shelden's, Moylan's,
and of the militia, and about 40 infantry of Glover's
brigade,
---

AUG. 1779.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
215
brigade, paffed by Delaney's mills to the neighbour-
hood of Morrifania, where they took 12 or 14 prif
oners, fome ftock, &c. The enemy collected-a
fkirmish enfued, in which the enemy had a number
of men killed and wounded; our lofs, two killed,
and two wounded. The British army, below the 7
mile ftone on York Ifland, were alarmed by a re-
port, that a French fleet were on the coaft. Three
deferters from Verplank's Point; they reported,
that the garrifon, except 400 men, were to remove
to New-York. alone moto
togth. Four deferters from the point.
TUO
21 od A
1oth. Two deferters from the enemy. There
were fome defertions from our army to the enemy.
14th.-Four prifoners, taken the 12th, near Sing-
Sing, were fent up, and two deferters from the Brit-
ith 33d regiment came in. o 19115
817th. Three deferters from the enemy.
sm
18th.-Seven deferters came in; the enemy were
very strongly fortifying Laurel-Hill, on New-York
Ifland, nearly oppofite to Fort Washington.
did
19th. 23 waggon loads of forage were brought
off from the vicinity of Peek's Kill, covered by 250
men, under the command of Lt. Col. Putnam. The
galley and one of the enemy's gun-boats fired a
number of cannon-fhot at the party, but did them
no harm. The night before, Maj. Lee, with about
400 men, furpriſed and took the garrifon at Paulus
Hook.nil
holiloq
1620th.
Two deferters came in from the enemy.
21ft. Two deferters came in. At night, the en-
emy's guard-boats came as far up the river as An-
tony's Nofe, and fired feveral fhot at the camp of
our light-infantry.oimi fino as
23d.-Three deferters came in from the enemy.
The enemy burnt two houfes, belonging to the Lents,
near Verplank's Point. Accounts were received,
that

216
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [SEPT. 1779.
that Gen. Sullivan had advanced into the Indian
country, and taken two of their principal villages.
25th. Admiral Arbuthnot arrived at New-York,
with about 200 fail of tranfports: between 2 and
3,000 troops arrived in the fleets, and a large fum of
money was brought for the army. The continental
frigates were very fuccefsful at fea, and fent into
Bofton feveral rich fugar fhips. d
30th. Three deferters came in from Verplank's
Point; and a prifoner belonging to the 33d regiment,
taken by one of our patrolling parties, was fent up.
About 15 fail of fquare-rigged veffels, lay at anchor
near King's Ferry. 1231 recruits, of the 2,000,
ordered by Maffachuſetts, to ferve 9 months, had
already joined the army. og tol
September 4th. Three deferters from the enemy.
5th. Two deferters came in. Preparations were
making in New-York, for an embarkation of troops.
The British army fickly, efpecially the newly arriv-
ed reinforcement. Its gaitot vienot vis
6th. The enemy made an excurfion from Kingf
bridge, towards Horfeneck; on their return, they
carried off fome cattle, fheep, poultry, &c. Ac-
counts were received, that General Sullivan had ob-
tained further advantages in the Indian country.g
me 9th. Two deferters came in from the enemy.
Putrid fever and fcurvy raged at New-York, among
the British troops. The American army remained
in their former pofition: the Virginia line, near
Ramapaugh, on the right; the light-infantry, near
Fort Montgomery; the Maryland line, on the left
of the light-infantry; Pennfylvania line, and two
brigades of Maffachuſetts, at Weft-Point; North-
Carolina brigade, at Conftitution Island; the Con-
necticut line, on the eaft fide of the Hudfon, between
Nelfon's and Robinfon's; Nixon's brigade, at the
gorge of the mountains, above the Continental Vil-
3601
lage;

SEPT. 1779.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
217
lage; Glover's brigade, Moylan's, Sheldon's, and
Armand's horfe, at Lower Salem. On the weft fide
of the Hudfon, befides Fort Clinton, at Weft-Point,
and Fort Putnam, on the height back of it, there
were feven or eight redoubts, built and building.
On the eaſt fide of the river, the north and middle
redoubts, and a redoubt at the gorge of the moun-
tains. Great expectations of the arrival of a French
fleet on the American coaft.
13th. Four deferters came in from the enemy.
14th.-Juft after revelle, our General received
orders to put Nixon's brigade under marching or-
ders, which was done immediately. Gen. Howe
was ordered to move with Glover's to Pine's Bridge,
Croten River, and Nixon's to join him.
15th. A deferter came in from Verplank's Point.
The day before, a party of the enemy's horfe came
out from Kingsbridge, with intent to furpriſe Lieut.
Col. White; but, by the defertion of one of the
ty, they were difappointed. The Count de la Lu-
zerne, the new French Minifter, arrived, and dined
at Gen. Waſhington's.bog rodio be galo eith
par-
16th.-Nixon's brigade marched to form a junc-
tion with Glover's, and a picket of 150 men mount-
ed at the Village. Four deferters came in from the
enemy. The Count Luzerne was highly pleafed
with the treatment he received in paffing through
the New-England States. The 17th, he left head-
quarters, on his way to Philadelphia. do odt to sod
18th.-Gen. Howe was ordered to march back to
Lower Salem, with Glover's and Nixon's brigades.
19th. Two deferters came in from the enemy.
Some appearances indicated an evacuation of Ver-
plank's Point.
22d.A deferter came in from Kingsbridge.
Preparations for the embarkation of a large body of
troops continued at New-York. toled 37th &w T
guillot
DD
29th.

218
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [OCT. 1779.
br29th. Two deferters from the enemy, and one
the day before. malsa wod is
'bitsmetA
30th. The engineers, covered by a detachment
of 300 men, reconnoitred the enemy's works at Ver-
plank's; the enemy appeared to be much alarmed,
and fired a number of cannon and fmall-arms at our
party, and a reinforcement came over from Soney
Point. At evening another deferter came in.
October 1ft.-The American light-infantry moved
down near to Kakeat, and the North-Carolina brig-
ade from Conftitution Ifland to New-Windfor. One
deferter from the enemy. d'oxi tug of arobro
2d.-Two deferters came in from the enemy.
Certain intelligence was received, that the Count
D'Eftaing had arrived at Georgia. The enemy, at
Verplank's Point, opened a number of pits, about
five feet deep, and four feet over, with a fharp ftake
in the middle, around the outfide of the abbatis.
By the laft accounts from Gen. Sullivan, he was at
Tioga, on his return this way; he had deftroyed a
great number of Indian towns, and immenfe quan-
tities of corn and other produce, and cut down many
fruit-trees. It is a great pity the latter were not
fpared; they would have been very pleafing to the
American fettlers, who will one day, not far diftant,
fill that fertile country. I to vil
A number of armed veffels, from the Connecti-
cut ports on the Sound, cut and brought off a num-
ber of the enemy's veffels from Huntington harbour,
Long-Ifland, and the Halifax brig was taken by an
armed galley.in bus 10 N
4th. Five deferters came in from the enemy.
Gen. Howe was ordered to take poft again at Pine's
Bridge.
5th. The Sieur Gerard, the late French Minif-
ter, came to camp, and dined at head-quarters.
Two days before, Lieut. Gill, of the dragoons, pa-
C
trolling

OCT. 1779.]
219
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
trolling in Eaft-Chefter, found a fuperior force in
his rear, and no alternative but to furrender or cut
his way through them; he chofe the latter, and
forced his way, when he found a body of infantry
ftill behind the horfe; thefe he alfo charged, and
on his paffing them, his horfe was wounded and
threw him, when he fell into the enemy's hands.
Two of the Lieutenant's party, which confifted of
24, were killed, and one taken prifoner; the reft
efcaped fafe to their regiments. is bbbit ymons ods
Congrefs about this time appointed the Hon. John
Adams, a Plenipotentiary, extra, to repair to France,
to negociate for a peace with Great-Britain, when an
opportunity occurred. The British fortified Gov-
ernor's Ifland, in the harbour of New-York, and
appeared under great apprehenfions of a vifit from
the French fleet under the Count D'Eftaing. The
troops and fhipping at Rhode-Ifland were ordered to
New-York.
7this One deferter from Verplank's Point. There
was al cannonade between Your infantry at Graffy
Point and one of the enemy's guard-fhips, when
the latter was driven from her moorings.o bas qu
8th. The light-infantry of Glover's brigade
croffed the Hudfon to join & Gen. Wayne. The
British had a number of fhips ready to fink in the
channel, in cafe a French fleet arrived, and attempt:
ed to enter the harbout of New York. Thesmer-
chants in the city packing up their goods.bas atrod
9th. A fleet of tranfports paffed the Sound to-
wards Rhode-Ifland. V moil assloh eno-dior
The General Officers of the American army re-
folved to addrefs Congrefs, refpecting themfelves
and the army.omo arrow isdt gritsuosvo
srithi There was a cannonade in the river be
tween the American and British gun-boats; but no
damage was done. jMv it awob gaibasft
bobnemmoo
Sir

220
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [OCT. 1779.
Sir Jofeph Yorke, the Britifh Minifter at the
Hague, addreffed their High Mightineffes on the
22d of the preceding July, in fuch language as
evinced the feelings of the British nation. One de-
ferter from Verplank's Point. hod od buided th
b12th. Gen. Sir Henry Clinton and Col. Robin,
fon came up to Verplank's Point, in the fhip Fanny,
and returned the next day; after which, the work-
men at the points ceafed working. The troops of
the enemy fickly at the points. isds of stat boqol
13th. Two deferters came in, oods lonco
14th. Two prifoners of war were fent up, and
four deferters came in. The British tranfports were
collected near Turtle Bay, and their fhips of war
near the Narrows. modisdead ni bush tone
15th. Seven deferters came in from Verplank's
Point; they reported that the enemy were putting
their baggage, fick, the women, &c. on board the
tranfports.
hoY-woИ
16th.14 prifoners, feamen, taken by Capt. Hal-
let's company of New-York militia, two days before,
on the North River, near Teller's Point, were fent
up, and one deferter came in. Juft before fun-fet,
a galley and feveral of the enemy's gun-boats came
up the river as high as Fort Montgomery, and fired
a number of fhot at fome of our boats, and at the
troops on the weft fide of the river; the Americans
diſcharged fome mufkets from the banks at the
boats, and the latter returned down the river.co
Fo17th. One deferter came in from the enemy.
19th. One deferter from Verplank's Pointe brow
21ft. Three deferters came in from Verplank's,
and reported, that the enemy were on the point of
evacuating their works. The officer commanding
the advance picket, foon after fent information that
the works appeared to be on fire, and the fhipping
ftanding down the river. Maj. Waldbridge, who
commanded

OCT. 1779.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
221
commanded the advanced picket, immediately fent
a detachment to take poffeffion of the works. Sev-
eral loaded fhells left by the enemy, in places where
the fire would come at them, burit, but did no harm.
The enemy left one horfe, a few old intrenching
tools, and fome other trifles at the point. The
tranfports came to anchor off the mouth of Croten
River; and information was received that the Brit-
ifh grenadiers were on board tranfports, in the
river near Fort Washington, and the 7th and 33d
regiments in readinefs to embark at a moment's no-
tice. Our General, left there might be an attempt
made on Gen. Howe's divifion, ordered a detach-
ment of 500 men, and half the Village picket, under
the command of Col. Bradley, to march, and take
poft, during the night, towards the New Bridge, on
Croten River, to cover the right flank of Howe's
divifionu bi odw siiliar ad to gyd om e
vd
22d. About noon, the enemy's tranfports came
to fail with the ebb, and beat down against the wind,
and were foon out of fight.gov 19nqirig
24th. Col. Bradley's detachment returned to
camp. The Colonel reported that he obferved large
quantities of forage and fruit, in the fields between
Verplank's Point and Croten River. To fecure
the forage, and cover the communication by King's
Ferry, Gen. Washington ordered our General to
move down and encamp at Peek's Kill.
kuprys adnow
eng
27th. The Connecticut line moved down and
encamped on the high ground to the fouthward of
Peek's Kill, and Maj. Gen. Howe's divifion was or-
dered up to form a junction. The day before, the
enemy landed a body of troops, faid to be fome thou-
fands ftrong, at Amboy, and advanced towards
Brunfwick. The light-infantry, and the Virginia
line, were ordered to move down that way.
yew air no
logo
midollo A man,
4

222
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [Nov. 1779.
341A man, who faid he was a Lieutenant in the Brit
Α
ifh fervice, and who produced a commiffion, came
out, pretending that he had been ill-treated, &c. 19
The State of Maffachuſetts appeared to be deter-
mined to fill up their regiments, and offered 300 dol-
lars bounty to thofe who would enlift, in addition
to the Continental bounty, which was 200 dollars,
making the whole bounty 500 dollars. This morn-
ing about 70 fail of veffels, many of them large fhips,
paffed down the Sound, having the garrifon of
Rhode-Iland on board. is obtatusmigst.
When the enemy landed yeſterday at South-Am-
boy, 96 horfe about the fame time landed at Perth-
Amboy, and proceeded rapidly to Middlebrook
burnt Rariton meeting-houfe, Somerfet court-
houfe, and fix boats, and returned through Spotf
wood to South-Amboy. This party, on its retreat,
was met by 13 of the militia, who fired upon them,
killed one man and four horſes, and took the com-
manding officer, Lieut. Simcoe, and one trooper,
prifoners. By the capture of Simcoe, the inhabit
ants were freed of a very enterprifing and trouble-
fome officer. The deftruction of the boats was the
object of this enterprife. 9gs1ollo insup
do
29th.-Gen. Howe's divifion formed a junction
with the Connecticut line, and encamped with them
Strong fatigue parties were daily employed on the
works evacuated by the enemy at Verplank's and
Stoney Points. Gen. Lincoln and the Count D'Ef
taing, by the laft accounts from Georgia, had form-
ed a junction, and were determined to attack the
noibauj s mot of qu berab
31ft. Maj. Bunfchoten arrived at camp, with a
detachment of Lieut. Col. Paulding's New-York
levies; they were ordered to garrifon Stoney Point.
enemy.
pisd VED
November 1ft. Maj. Armstrong, Aid-de-camp to
Maj. Gen. Gates, called at camp, on his way to
Congrefs,

Nov. 1779.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
223
Congrefs, with official difpatches of the evacuation
of Rhode-Ifland, which took place on the night of
the 26th ult. The Britiſh left large quantities of
forage, fuel, &c. Brigadier-General Stark had gone
on to Rhode-Ifland. A Heffiah Lieutenant belong-
ing to the Landgrave regiment, came out from the
neighbourhood of Fort Washington; he pretended
a defire to enter the American fervice as a volunteer.
A prifoner of war was alfo fent up from the ad-
vanced guard. Diel arw I
ba
2d.-Intelligence was received, that a body of In-
dians were advancing towards Fort Schuyler,
lo
7th. Two German Yaugers, with their rifles,
came to our camp. At night, Col. Armand pro-
ceeded with his corps from near Tarrytown to the
vicinity of Morrifania, to the houfe of Alderman
Leggit, where he furpriſed and took Maj. Bearmore
and five others prifoners. The fecrecy, precaution,
gallantry and difcipline exhibited by the Colonel
and his corps on this occafion did them much hon-
our. In the capture of Maj. Bearmore, the inhab-
itants of the adjacent country were relieved from
the frequent excurfions of a troublefome officer.
The Britiſh augmented their troops on Staten-Ifland.
11th. Two deferters came in from Col. Wurmb's
Yaugers.
13th. Five prifoners taken by Lieut. Oakley,
near Morrifania, were fent to camp. The enemy
had a redoubt, called No. 8, on the eaft fide of
Haarlem Creek, nearly oppofite to the fort on Lau-
rel Hill, and under the fire of its cannon, for the fe-
curity of their advanced troops on the Morrifania
fide.
sido in tob
16th.-Intelligence was received, that on the 23d
of September, Gen. Lincoln and the Count D'Ef-
taing broke ground before the enemy's works, at
Savannah in Georgia; and on the 5th of October,
batteries

114
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [Nov. 1779.
batteries of 33 cannon and nine mortars, were open-
ed and continued firing with intervals, until the 8th,
without the wifhed for effect. sild doesn
9th. In the morning an affault was made, which
proved unfuccefsful the Americans were repulfed
and obliged to retreat; of the Americans, 170 were
killed and wounded; among the former, Count Po-
LASKI, a remarkably brave and enterprifing officer,
of Polish defcent. The Count D'Eftaing was wound-
ed in the arm and leg. It was faid, that of the French
troops, 330 were killed and wounded. Gen. Lin-
coln retreated to Charleſton. It being rendered
certain that the Count D'Eftaing would not come to
the northward, the American main army was dif-
tributed to winter-quarters.-Moylan's, Sheldon's,
Baylor's, and Bedkins's dragoons to Connecticut-
Poor's brigade to Danbury The Maffachuſetts line
to Weft-Point, and the pofts in the Highlands-The
Virginia, Maryland, Pennfylvania, New-Jersey, New
York, and Connecticut lines, Hand's and Stark's mix-
ed corps, back of the Scotch Plains, New-Jerfey-
Lee's corps, and a detachment of infantry, towards
Monmouth-Marechaufee, with the main army.
19th.-Four prifoners were fent up. ure s
23d.-Maj. Gen. Gates and his family came to
camp from Rhode-Ifland.
-
25th. The troops were moving to their different
places of cantonment; many of the foldiers, (as fine
men as ever ftood in fhoes) were marched barefooted
over the hard frozen ground, and with an aftonifh-
ing patience. Remember theſe things, ye Ameri
cans, in future times 1001 bonabs on to us
28th.-The Commander in Chief gave our Gen-
eral the command of all the pofts and troops on
Hudfon's River, which Gen. Washington very
fre-
quently called the key that locked the communica-
tion between the eastern and fouthern States; and
astrolled
of

DEC. 1779.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
225
of all the pofts in the United States, was the moft
important. This was the fecond time that our Gen-
eral was defignated to command them.
29th. Three deferters came in from the galley
in the river.
30th.-Early in the morning, Gen. Waſhington
croffed the Hudfon at King's-Ferry, into the Jerfies.
Maj. Gen. Gates was to proceed to Virginia-a fer-
jeant, corporal, and three privates, were carried off
by one Jofeph M'Keel, a fly, artful fellow, in the
fervice of the enemy, and who conducted many
cruits from the country to them.
re-
December 2d.-Col. Armand, with fome of his
corps, went down to Morriffania, and took a Capt.
Cruzer, of Bearmore's corps, and two men, prifoners.
At this time the troops were greatly diftreffed for
bread, and the horfes for forage; the former occa-
fioned by the want of water at the mills. All the
horfes, except fuch as were abfolutely neceffary for
incumbent duties, were ordered out into the coun-
try. A man, who pretended to be a prophet, came
out from the enemy-he more probably was a fpy.
16th.-Col. Paulding's corps was ordered from
Stoney Point to Poughkeepfie, a great defertion hav-
ing taken place in the corps. The Virginia line had
marched to the fouthward-the enemy at New-York,
preparing for the embarkation of a large body of
troops, faid to be upwards of 10,000, under the im-
mediate command of Gen. Sir Henry Clinton.
29th. Three Heffian deferters came into our
army; they reported that Gen. Matthews had
the command of all the pofts and troops on the north
end of York Ifland, above the bridge, &c. The
long talked of embarkation of troops at New-York,
failed on the 26th. The fleet was faid to confift of
near 200 fail. The enemy boaſted that it was con-
voyed by nearly 20 fhips of war; however, it was
well
EE

226
[JAN. 1780.
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
well known that they had very few fhips of the line,
and that they were under great apprehenfions of
falling in with a fuperior French force. They went
to the fouthward.
30th.-Lieut. Col. Newhall, with 250 men prop
erly officered, marched to do duty on the lines.
31ft. There was a great body of fnow on the
ground.
1780. January 1ft.-Early in the morning about
100 foldiers belonging to the Maffachuſetts regi-
ments, who had enlifted, at different periods fubfe
quent to January, 1777, for three years, pretending
that their time of fervice now expired, (although
many of them had months to ferve, before their
three years fervice was completed) marched off with
intent to go home: they were purfued and brought
back: fome of them were punished; the greater
part of them pardoned. Some others, at other pofts,
conducted in the fame manner, and were treated as
the first mentioned. Thoſe whofe time of fervice
was expired, were all difcharged with honour.
3d. The fnow had got to be about four feet deep
on a level, and the troops were driven to great dif-
ficulties in keeping open the communications to the
pofts-obtaining provifions, fuel, forage, &c. and fo
intenfe and fteady was the weather, that for more
than twenty days there could not be difcovered the
leaft fign of the remiffion of the fnow in any places
the moſt open to the influences of the fun. The
Hudfon foon becoming paffable on the ice, the troops
were comfortably fupplied with provifions; but ma-
ny were in extreme want of cloathing.
8th. The light-infantry belonging to the regi-
ments in the Highlands, were joining their refpective
corps; the corps of light-infantry being feparated
for the winter.
9th.-About dufk, the north redoubt was difcov-
ered

JAN. 1780.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
227
ered to be on fire at the fouthweft corner, under the
rampart, which was of timber; the fire was out of
reach, and threatened the deftruction of the whole
redoubt. A detachment from Weit-Point was order-
ed over to the affiftance of the garrifon of the re-
doubt; but fo ftrongly dovetailed and ftrapped were
the timbers of the rampart, that the fire for a time
feemed to baffle every exertion to extinguifh it.
The ammunition, and about 100 barrels of falted pro-
vifions in the magazine, were feaſonably removed
by the garrifon; but the fire was not extinguifhed
until about four o'clock on the morning of the 10th.
All the officers and men diftinguifhed themfelves on
this occafion; but the conduct of Col. Lyman, Col,
Sprout, and Capt. Drew, were confpicuous indeed,
as was that of a Serjeant of the garrifon of the re-
doubt, who, when all were on the point of quitting
the redoubt, left the magazine fhould take fire and
blow up, inftantly rufhed into the magazine, and did
not quit it until he had thrown out every cafk of
powder, and box of ammunition depofited in it.
If his name could be recollected, it fhould be inferted.
12th.-Artificers and fatigue-men were ordered
to repair the redoubt. The weather continued in-
tenfely cold. A man belonging to the garrifon of
Weft Point was frozen to death on his return from
New-Windfor to the point; and many foldiers were
froft-bitten. Maj. Gen. Putnam, who had gone
home on furlough about this time, received a para-
lytic ftroke at Hartford in Connecticut, as he was
on his return to the army.
mont
17th. The Hudfon was fo frozen, that travellers
fafely croffed the river on the ice at King's-Ferry. A
Heffian deferter came in. Two days before, viz. on
the 15th, Maj. Gen. Lord Sterling made a defcent
on Staten Island, with a detachment, confifting of
about 2,500 infantry, and fome artillery; a number
of

228
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [JAN. 1780%
of tents, arms, and fome baggage, belonging to Col.
Bufkirk's regiment, was taken and brought off, with
fome liquors, &c. Some of the American foldiers
deferted to the enemy, and 17 were taken prifoners.
19th. Two deferters came in from the enemy,
and reported the ftrength of the British at Fort
Waſhington. The people croffed from New-York
to Long-Ifland on the ice. About this time, a de-
tachment from Col. Mead's regiment of levies at
Horfeneck, and a number of volunteers from Green
wich, the former under the command of Captain
Keeler, the latter under the command of Captain
Lockwood, the whole about 80, marched to Morrif-
fania; and about one o'clock in the morning, made
an attack on Col. Hatfield. They firft attacked the
picket, killed 3, and drove the reft into the Colonel's.
quarters. The Colonel and his men took to the
chambers, and fired out at the windows, and down
ftairs at thoſe who had entered the houfe; it appear-
ing difficult, if poffible, to diflodge them, the houſe
was inftantly fet on fire, by putting a ftraw bed into
a clofet, which compelled the enemy to jump out at
the chamber windows, to avoid the flames. Colonel
Hatfield, one Captain, one Lieutenant, one Quarter-
Mafter, and 11 privates, were taken prifoners and
brought off. This was a pretty affair, but was a
little tarnifhed on the return by fome of the militia,
who were fatigued, loitering on the road where they
fuppofed there was no danger; but a párty of horfe
purfuing, overtook, killed and captured feveral of
them.
110
26th.--Between 11 and 12 o'clock at night, a
fire broke out in the Quarter-Mafter's barrack at
Weft-Point, which threatened the moft ferious and
extenfive damage. It had got to confiderable height,
before it was difcovered; the barrack was confe-
quently confumed to afhes, notwithſtanding every
exertion

FEB. 1780.]
229
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
exertion of the garrifon, which was numerous,
Brig. Gen. Patterſon, who commanded the garrifon,
not only diftinguiſhed himfelf, but alſo expofed his
perfon to the flames to fave another building, which
was fortunately effected. The lofs by the fire was
confiderable, both to the public and to individuals
The night before, viz. the 25th, a detachment of
the enemy, faid to confift of 500 men, made an ex-
curfion from Staten Island, over the ice, to Eliza
beth-Town, in the Jerfies, and completely furprifed
the picket pofted there, confifting of a Major and
100 men, properly officered; it was faid that not a
gun was fired, nor a man hurt. The
The enemy fur-
rounded the houfes, and took the troops afleep.-
He who fuffers himfelf to be furprifed, through the
want of proper precaution, his character (fays à
great military writer) is irretrievable.
211
February 1ft.-At two o'clock in the morning,
the north redoubt was difcovered to be on fire again.
in the top of the bomb-proof, between the fally-port
and the door. Every exertion was made by the garri-
fon of the redoubt, and detachments fent to their
aid, to put out the fire, but it was fo much out of
reach, and fpread among the joints of the large
timbers, that it was not extinguished until about two
o'clock on the morning of the 3d. The redoubt
received confiderable damage, and would have been
totally deftroyed, had it not been for the unwearied
exertions of the troops, day and night, during the
whole of the time; and much credit was due to
Lieut. Col. Vofe, and the other officers who com-
manded. By a more accurate account of the lofs at
the Quarter-Mafter's barrack at Weft-Point, it appears
ed that 6 marques, 26 horfeman's tents, 80 common.
tents, 900 knapfacks, 250 narrow axes, and a num-
ber of other articles were burnt and deftroyed.
On the morning of the 3d, about 9 o'clock, the
torl
enemy
no

230
[FEB. 1780.
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
enemy made an attack on Lieut. Col. Thomfon,
who commanded the troops on the lines; the Colo-
nel's force confifted of 250 men, in five companies,
properly officered; they were inftructed to move
between Croten River and the White Plains, Hud-
fon's River and Bedford; never to remain long at
any one place, that the enemy might not be able to
learn their manner of doing duty, or form a plan for
ftriking them in any particular fituation. The Col-
onel had for fome days taken poft himfelf at Young's,
not far from the White Plains. Capt. Watfon, with
his company, was with the Lieut. Colonel; Capt. Rob-
erts and Capt. Stoddard, with their companies, were
on the right; Capt. Lieut. Farley and Capt. Cooper
on the left. The force of the enemy confifted of the
four flank companies of the firft and fecond British
regiments of guards-detachments from two Heffian
battalions-fome mounted yaugers, and mounted ref-
ugees. The whole under the command of Col. Norton,
of the guards. The roads were fo filled with fnow,
that the enemy advanced but flowly, and were oblig-
ed to leave their field-pieces behind on the road.
They were diſcovered at a diſtance by Mr. Campbell,
one of our guides, who, from the goodnefs of his
horfe, reconnoitred them pretty near. He gave the
Lieutenant-Colonel notice of their advancing, and
that their force was confiderable, and advifed him
to take a ſtronger pofition a little in his rear. But
the Lieutenant-Colonel was very confident that the
enemy were only a body of horfe, and that he could
eafiky difperfe them, and would not quit his ground.
The enemy first attacked a fmall advance-guard,
confifting of a Serjeant and 8 men, who behaved
well, and meant to reach the main body in feafon;
but were prevented by the horfe, and all taken prif
oners. The enemy's horfe foon appeared in fight
of the Americans, and diſcharged their rifles at long
fhot,

FEB. 1780.]
231
HEATH's MEMOIRS.
fhot, and waited the coming up of the infantry,
when a warm action commenced; the enemy fcat-
tered, taking the advantage of the ground and trees
in the orchard, and clofing up on all fides. The 3
companies of the detachment, which had joined,
fought well. After about 15 minutes' fharp conflict,
our troops broke; fome took into the houfe, and
others made off; the enemy's horfe rufhing on at
the fame inftant, and the whole fhouting. At this
time, the two flank companies came up, but finding
how matters ftood, judged it beft to retreat, Capt.
Stodder's company giving a fire or two at long fhot,
Capt. Cooper's, from their diftance, not firing at all.
Some who were engaged effected their efcape, others
were overtaken by the horfe. The enemy collected
what prifoners they could, fet Mr. Young's houfe
and buildings on fire, and returned. Of the Amer-
icans, 13 were killed dead on the ſpot, and Capt.
Roberts, who was mortally wounded, lived but a
few minutes. Seventeen others, were wounded, fev-
eral of whom died. Lieut. Col. Thomfon of Mar-
fhall's, Capt. Watfon of Greaton's, Capt. Lieut. Far-
ley of Weffon's, Lieut. Burley of Tupper's, Lieut.
Maynard of Greaton's, Enfign Fowler of Nixon's,
Enfign Bradley of Bigelow's, with 89 others, were
taken prifoners. The enemy left 3 men dead on
the field, and a Captain of grenadiers was wounded
in the hip, and a Lieutenant of infantry in the thigh.
The British, in their account of the action, acknowl
edged that they had 5 men killed, and 18 wounded.
Lieut. Col. Badlam, with the relief for the lines,
was at the time of the action far advanced on his
march, but not within reach of thofe engaged.
One Mayhew, a pedler, well known in Maffachu-
fetts, was of this detachment; he made off up the
road, but finding the horfe rufhing on, he ftruck off
into the fnow, almoft up to his hips. Two of the
disM
enemy's

232
[FEB. 1780.
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
enemy's 'horfe turned into his track after him; and,
gaining faft upon him, he afked them if they would
give him quarter; they replied, "Yes, you dog, we
will quarter you." "This was twice repeated; when
Mayhew, finding them inflexible, determined to
give them one fhot before he was quartered; and,
turning round, difcharged his piece at the firft horfe
man, who cried out, "The rafcal has broke my
leg;" when both of them turned their horfes round
and went off, leaving Mayhew at liberty to tread
back his path to the road, and come off.
7th. A body of the enemy's horfe, faid to be
about 300, and the 7th British regiment, came over
from Long-Iland to Weft-Chefter on the ice. The
troops in New-York, about this time, drew four
days provifions, which they were directed to keep
cooked, and the troops to be in readiness to move on
the ſhorteſt notice, with arms and blankets only.
A number of fleighs were collected, and fome heavy
cannon were drawn out; whether an attempt on
Morriſtown or the Highlands was the object, was
not known. Several deferters came in from the
enemy, and in this month there were fome defertions
from the American fouthern regiments to the en-
einy. The enemy alfo made an excurfion in the
Jerfies, as far as Elizabeth-Town, and carried off a
great quantity of plunder.
nor
Bus
19th. Some fmall parties of the enemy were out
towards the White Plains. od rena
Our General having obtained leave, from the
Commander in Chief, to make sa vifit to his friends
in New-England, commenced his journey eaftward,
on the 21ft of February, and reached his houfe in
Roxbury on the 29th. It appeared that the winter
had been as fevere, and the fnow as deep, in the
New-England States, as in the Highlands of New-
York.
March

APRIL, 1780.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
233
March 8th.-Our General addreffed the Hon.
Council of Maffachuſetts, on the importance of the
then moment for recruiting their battalions. bads
By the mafter of a flag from Bermuda, informa-
tion was received, that the fleet, in paffing from
New-York to the fouthward, the preceding Decem-
ber, fuffered confiderably; and that an ordnance
fhip was loft.
ad
9th. A privateer fhip, of 18 guns, prize to the
Tartar privateer, was fent into Boſton.
13th. The Committee of the General Court of
Maffachuſetts were iffuing notes for the deprecia-
tion of the pay of the troops of their line: theſe
were fold at a very great diſcount.
to 20th. A rich Jamaica fhip, prize to the conti-
nental frigate Dean, arrived fafe in Bofton harbour.
The fame day, there was a report that Sir Henry
Clinton had arrived at South-Carolina, with the
Britiſh troops, which failed from New-York in De-
cember.
The Legiflature of Maffachuſetts paffed a refolu-
tion, granting a premium of £30 per man for each
recruit that fhould be enlifted and pafs mufter for
their line.
27th. A Marblehead privateer, the Aurora,
fent in a prize fhip, with 1600 barrels of flour-
1400 do. of beef and pork; and dry goods to the
amount of £700 fterling. 1165
April 1ft.-News was received of a moft obfti-
nate engagement in Europe, between the French
frigate, Sueveillant, Capt. Conedic, of 36 guns, and
the British frigate, Quebec, Capt. Farmer, of the
fame force. The French frigate had 32 men killed,
and 92 wounded. The Quebec blew up, and her
whole crew, 300, except 40, were loft, either in ac-
tion or in the explofion. This engagement did
honour to the bravery of both nations.
F F
**gnigbol

234
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [APRIL, 1780.
It
The depreciation of the continental money rap-
idly increaſed; many people withheld their mer-
chandize and produce from fale, and the times were
truly embarraffing. An embarkation of fome thou-
fands of Heffian troops took place at New-York for
Carolina. In the courfe of this month, the Mary-
land line of the army, and three companies of artille
ry, marched to the fouthward.
of
26thNews was received that the British had got
their fhipping over the bar, at Charleſton; that the
continental frigates, in the harbour, were hauled up,
and their guns taken out and mounted on batteries:
the garrifon of Charleston numerous.
sdt io noit
27th. The privateers Franklin and Jack fent in-
to Salem a large letter-of-marque fhip, having on
board 1,000 barrels of pork and beef, 750 barrels of
flour, 800 firkins of butter, and dry goods to the
amount of £15,000; fhe was from London, bound
to New-York.
vaqoopin
During this month, the enemy made two excur
fions to Paramus, where they killed and took a num-
ber of Americans; Maj. Byles, of the Pennfylvania
line, was mortally wounded, and died the next day.
The enemy burnt Mr. G. Hoper's houfes and
mills; the militia turned out fpiritedly, repulfed and
purfued the enemy. By accounts from Europe, the
American cauſe was viewed in a very favourable light,
by the Courts in that part of the world. to wors
28th. The French frigate Hermeone, Capt. La-
touch, arrived at Bofton; in whom came the Mar-
quis de la Fayette, and fuite, from France. The in-
habitants of Bofton exhibited the greateft demonftra-
tions of joy, on the occafion. The next morning the
Marquis, Capt. Latouch, and other officers, made a
vifit to our General: the Marquis, the day before,
on his landing at Hancock's Wharf, was received by
a number of Continental officers, and escorted to his
lodgings;

MAY, 1780.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
23.5
lodgings; after which, he paid his.
which, he paid his refpects to the
Honorable Legiſlature, who were then in feffion
in the evening there were rejoicings.
May 2d. The Marquis de la Fayette fet out from
Bofton, for the army.
1910 DING
During the feffion of the Legiflature of Maffachu-
fetts, they received an order from Congrefs, in favour
of the State, for 2,000,000 dollars, to reimburſe the
State in part of the expenfe of the Penobſcot expe
dition, which had greatly involved the State. The
enemy having taken poft at Penobfcot, the Legifla-
ture of Maffachuſetts, without applying to Congrefs,
determined to diflodge them; and, for this purpofe,
ordered a body of militia to be detached, under the
command of Brig. Gen. Lovell; and, in addition to
their own State veffels, procured a number of pri-
vateers, belonging to individuals. The expedition
was attempted; the fhipping arrived fafe in Penob-
fcot Bay; the troops, or a part of them, were de-
barked to attack the enemy, but they did not fucceed
in their
heir attempt. The armed veffels, inftead of
cruizing off the harbour, where they could have had
fea room, remained in the bay. The enemy fent a
naval force to the relief of the poft, which arrived,
and found the American fhipping in the river, who
immediately ran up as far as they could, where the
whole were deftroyed, and the militia and feamen
left to find their way home through the woods.
This was an unfortunate affair to Maflachuſetts,
whofe privateers, before, were numerous, able and
active, and greatly annoyed the enemy; and, had
it not been for this blow, would have been of great
public benefit, by depriving the enemy of many of
their provifion veffels, and of increafing provifions in
our own country. Congrefs, at firft, feemed to de-
cline bearing the expenfe, as they had never been
confulted
901 9197
es

236
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [MAY, 1780.
confulted reſpecting the expedition; but they finally
confented to a reimburſement.
Congrefs ordered, that 800 men, in the
pay of the
United States, fhould cover and protect the Eaftern
Country the enfuing fummer.
12th. The gentlemen of Bofton gave a ball to
the French and American officers.
14th.--The Hermeone frigate, Capt. Latouch,
failed from Bofton harbour, on a cruize.
A number of very valuable prizes, taken by the
American cruizers, were fent into different ports.
The 19th exhibited a moft extraordinary phenom-
enon. The wind, in the morning, was foutherly, a
moderate breeze; the fun fhone a little after it was
up, but was foon clouded: there was fome thunder
and moderate fhowers. A little after 10 o'clock, the
clouds exhibited a yellowifh caft, and every object
feemed to prefent a braffy hue; it foon after began
to grow dark, which gradually increaſed; between
eleven and twelve, it became neceffary to light can-
dles, to do houfehold bufinefs. The darkneſs in-
creafed until near one o'clock, P. M. the inhabitants
dining by candle-light. About one, the darkneſs be-
gan to decreafe, and went off gradually, as it came
on; between three and four, P. M. the ufual light
was reftored. The evening, although the moon
was at the full, was remarkably dark, and there was
a fprinkling of rain-the people were in great con-
fternation. This phenomenon, in the opinion of
our General, although he has no pretenfions to af-
tronomy, was produced by oppofite winds forcing to-
gether a vast body of fmoak and vapours, (the air
had been fmoaky for fome days before) which, from
the light ftate of the atmoſphere, as they accumulat-
ed, afcended, forming, from top to bottom, fuch a
body, as to caufe the darknefs; and yet, fo open
were the particles, as to admit the fun's rays fo far,
as

MAY, 1780.]
HEATH's MEMOIRS.
237
as to cauſe the brafly appearance: had the atmof-
phere been heavy, the vapours would probably have
condenfed, and rain, in torrents, would have enfued.
Some obfervations made by our General, fome years
fince the foregoing, on the darknefs in Canada, and
which, on the afternoon of the preceding day, he no-
ticed at Roxbury, and remarked thereon, afford
ftrong collateral evidence that the foregoing opinion
was not wholly unfounded. iiw Toy has slcom
As the learned and curious wish to afcertain, as far
as poffible, the true caufe of the phenomenon, we
throw in thofe rough materials, which our obferva-
tion, at the time, collected, that they may be fhaped
by thoſe of greater fkill, for the information and fat-
isfaction of an enlightened public. Thofe called the
dark days, in Canada, were the 9th, 15th and 16th
of October, 1785; but the greateft degree of dark-
nefs was on Sunday, the 16th, when the darkneſs
was fo great as to render the ufe of candles neceffary
in the churches and families: it is faid to have been
as dark as a dark night. do jud
o Jud vM to dips
On the 9th, at Roxbury, in Maffachuſetts, the
wind was at fouth-eaft, and then at fouth-weft; the
day fair, cool and pleafant. Tulsalg oil over
The 15th, the prevailing wind was eafterly; the
day was cloudy and foggy; about 2 o'clock, P. M.
it was uncommonly dark, and there was an oppofite
wind from the fouth-weft. There were feveral hard
claps of thunder at a diſtance, and a few drops of
rain. Towards evening, the fun was vifible, but ap-
peared very red, and the clouds exhibited a braffy
complexion, fo fimilar to the dark day in May, 1780,
as to be noticed and compared; in the evening the
wind was foutherly. Is bas
YOUP
The 16th, which was the dark day in Canada, the
wind, there at oppofite points, N. E. and S. W. was
at Roxbury S. W. The day was fair, warm and
pleafant;

238
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [MAY, 1780.
pleafant; from which it feems to be obvious, that
the body of fmoak and vapour, with which the at-
mofphere was fraught on the 15th, which pervaded
a region which comprehended Canada and a part
of New-England at leaft, was, by the ftrength of the
fouth-west wind in the night, forced northward, and
being ftill oppofed by the north-eaft wind, preffing
on the other fide, produced the accumulation of
fmoak and vapour which occafioned the darkneſs;
and if the north-eaft wind had prevailed against the
fouth-weft, the darknefs would probably have been
in New-England. welshiste fiquor stod ni word
be21ft. Capt. Latouch returned from his cruize;
he ran into Penobfcot Bay, and caft anchor, firing
feveral fignal guns. Two British loops of war,
which were at anchor, upon the approach of the
Hermeone, came to fail, and ran up the river. Capt.
Latouch lay at anchor until he took a plan of the
enemy's poft. Our General intended to have com-
menced his journey for the army on Monday, the
29th of May; but on the afternoon of the preced-
ing day, he received a letter from Gen. Washington,
dated the 15th, in which his Excellency obferved,
"I have the pleafure to inform you, in ftrict confi-
dence, that we have authentic advices of his moft
Chriftian Majefty's determination to fend a refpect-
able armament of fea and land forces to operate on
the continent, and that the period is not remote
when we may expect their arrival. The Com-
mander in Chief added, that the feizing of Halifax
was an object with the French; and our General
was inftructed to obtain, as foon as poffible, the ex-
act ftate of the British in that quarter, as to their
works, garrifons and troops; all of which was fhortly
after afcertained. bad as doid.did: T
sw 91T
2w29th. The Hermeone fell down, in order to
proceed on a cruize to the fouthward. The troops
at

JUNE, 1780.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
239
at Weft-Point at this time were very fhort of pro-
vifions, and without rum. basmmo va yorstedt
V
Congrefs and the Commander in Chief called up-
on the feveral States to complete their battalions of
the army with all poffible difpatch. The enemy at
New-York were under great apprehenfions of a vifit
from the French, and were faid to have prepared a
number of hulks of different fizes to fink in the
channel. flows bus voilog doidw bas pos
June 6th.-News was received, that a French
fleet had been feen at fea, in latitude 33, ftanding
E. N. E.
15
About this time, Capt. Latouch fent into Dart-
mouth a prize brig, having 1700 firkins of butter,
150 boxes of candles, and 150 boxes of foap on
board. The Legiflature of Maffachuſetts ordered a
draft to be made from the militia, to complete their
Continental battalions. The drafts were to rendez-
vous at Springfield.
9th.Our General received the following letter
from the Commander in Chief.
arw..M.T
bobs DEAR SIR,
ed
pur-
HEAD-QUARTERS, MORRISTOWN, June 2, 1780.
sito o mun's bas
"IT is expected that the fleet of our ally will, in
the firft inftance, touch at Rhode-Ifland for the
pofe of landing their fick and fupernumerary ftores,
and to meet the intelligence neceffary to direct their
operations. I have already fent forward Doctor
Craik, to take up proper houfes for hofpitals, and to
make fome previous arrangements in that department:
but I apprehend the French General and Admiral
will, upon their arrival, want the advice and affift-
ance of a perfon of difcretion and judgment, and ac-
quainted with the country. I must request you to
repair immediately to Providence, and, upon their
yldstabil
arrival,

240
[JUNE, 1780.
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
arrival, prefent yourfelf to them, letting them know
that they may command your fervices. basoni
"I would with you to endeavour, in conjunction
with the Governor, to eſtabliſh a market between the
fleet and army and country, and be careful that our
allies are not impofed upon in the prices of articles
which they may find neceffary. This is a point rec-
ommended in the plan drawn up by the Miniftry of
France, and which policy and generofity directs
fhould be ftrictly attended to.
ghibits (Signed)
Gen. HEATH."
G. WASHINGTON.
About this time, an engagement happened between
the Hermeone and a British man-of-war, which laft-
ed near two glaffes; it was a drawn battle. Capt.
Latouch, and one of his Lieutenants, were wounded;
and it was faid 13 men were killed and 39 wounded.
Several of the wounded died foon after; among
them, an officer.
bisigning is suOV
70115th.-At 11 o'clock, A. M. our General fet out
from his houfe, in Roxbury, for Providence, where
he arrived the next day, at 2 o'clock, P. M. was
met at Patucket Bridge by Deputy-Governor Bowen,
and a number of other gentlemen, who attended
him into town. to fool ont dari bebe
On Friday, the 2d of June, the Continental frig-
ate, the Trumbull, James Nicholfon commander,
had an engagement with a Britiſh frigate of 36 guns,
which lafted five hours. b The Trumbull had all her
mafts wounded, 8 men killed, and 31 wounded.
The Britiſh frigate was fuppofed to have fuffered
To bad I and
much.
In this month, a body of the enemy, under the
command of Gen. Knyphaufen, landed in the Jer-
fies, and moved towards Springfield. Some fkir-
mifhing enfued; Col. Angel's regiment fuffered con-
fiderably.

JUNE, 1780.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
241
fiderably. A number of men were killed on both
fides. It was now fully confirmed that the enemy's
fhipping paffed Fort Moultrie, on Sullivan's Ifland,
in South-Carolina, on the 9th of April, with a freſh
breeze, by which means they received but little dam-
age: they came to anchor between Fort Johnfon
and Charleſton, and juft out of reach of the latter.
Gen. Sir Henry Clinton had now advanced his ap-
proaches fo far, as to be erecting his batteries. The
garrifon made a good defence, but, on the 12th of
May, were obliged to furrender. Of the Ameri-
cans, 1 Colonel, 1 Aid-de-camp, 6 Captains, 3 Lieu-
tenants, 1o Serjeants, and 68 rank and file, were kill
ed; 1 Major, 2 Captains, 5 Lieutenants, 18 Ser-
jeants, and 114 rank and file were wounded. Maj.
Gen. Lincoln, with Brigadiers Moultrie, McIntosh,
Woodford, Scott, Duportail and Hogan, with 9 Col-
onels, 14 Lieut. Colonels, 15 Majors, 84 Captains and
Capt. Lieutenants, 84 Lieutenants, 32 Second Lieuten-
ants and Enfigns, 209 non-commiffioned officers, 140
drums and fifes, and 1977 rank and file, including
fick and wounded, of the Continental troops, mak-
ing in the whole, 2564, were taken prifoners. Be-
fides the foregoing, it was faid that there were about
500 naval officers and feamen, 250 Charlefton mili-
tia, and
500 country militia, alfo taken the ene
my prétended many more. About 20 American
foldiers deferted to the enemy, during the fiege.
Befides the artillery and ftores which fell into the
hands of the enemy, (the former being 220 pieces,
from 3 to 26 pounders) the Continental frigates,
Providence, Bofton, Ranger, and Queen of France,
with 4 State gallies, and one French fhip of war,
were loft. It was fuppofed that about 500 Ameri-
can men, women and children, were killed, during
Im ar fi bir aidt Juodasonsbivor
-ai smot bad to God to insure adh
endings:
to
the

IAS
2SIOMEM.HTATH [81.0
242
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [JUNE, 1788.
died no balli Stow nem to sdman A vidstabi
the fiege. The enemy's lofs, in killed and wound-
ed, was confiderable. The enemy broke ground be
fore the town on the firft of April, at the distance of
Soo yards from the American works. Before the
furrender of the place, it was contemplated in Coun-
cil of War, to embark the garrifon, except about one
regiment, on board the fhipping, in the night, and
run up the river, and land them; thereby to fave
the army, leaving thofe in the town to make the beſt
terms they could. This opinion for fome time pre-
vailed, but it was afterwards given up. 160
17th. The British fleet left Charleston, faid to
confift of 2 fhips of the line, 2 fifties, 2 forty-gun-
fhips, 6 or 7 frigates, and between 80 and 90 tranf-
ports; near 2,000 negroes were put on board the
fleet. Lord Cornwallis, with about 2,000 men,
marched from Charleſton towards North-Carolina.
A few days after the furrender of Charleſton to the
Britiſh troops, the grand arfenal, wherein was de
pofited all the arms, &c. taken from the Americans,
took fire and blew up, by which it was faid a num-
ber of men were killed and wounded. The lofs of
Charleſton roufed the country, and feemed to give a
check to that fpirit of avarice and fpeculation which
had but too much prevailed in all places, and a de-
termination, by every exertion, to drive the enemy
from the country, appeared to be catching from
breaft to breaft. w of bas
astof bas rollins si esbile
At Rhode-Ifland, every preparation was making
for the reception of the French fleet and army. The
handfome college at Providence was given up for a
hofpital. The American privateers had been very
fuccefsful, and many valuable prizes were fent in.w
24th. Monfieur Corney, a French Commiffary,
arrived at Providence. About this time, it was fuf-
pected that the enemy at New-York had fome in-
tentions

JULY, 1780.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
243
tentions of an attempt on our pofts in the Highlands;
and fome of their fhipping were up the Hudfon.
On the morning of the 30th, Capt. Latouch, in
the Hermeone, failed from Newport harbour. The
fame day, the British frigate, the Flora, which was
funk in Newport harbour nearly two years before,
was weighed; he had a quantity of provifions on
board.
bodu od siv suil sdr to list novel to
July 1ft.-News was received that the enemy were
again in motion in the Jerfies.
of ellived
A
2d.-News was received of the failing of the
French fleet, which left France the 2d of May. It
was faid in France, that if the fleet fell to the north-
ward, it would vifit Halifax; if to the fouthward, it
would proceed to Rhode-Ifland. yon gaidamot
great uneafinefs, at this time, prevailed in Ire-
land. es doid
dire awor edi bat
4th. The anniverfary of American Independence
was celebrated at Providence, by a difcharge of 13
cannon from the park. Governor Greene, Mon-
fieur de Corney, and a number of other gentlemen,
dined with our General.
By the laft accounts, the main army was at Rama-
paugh, in the Jerfies. In the fkirmish, which hap-
pened fome time before, near Springfield, the Ameri-
cans had about 40 killed and wounded.
11th. At one o'clock, A. M. our General re-
ceived advice, by exprefs, that the fleet of our illuf-
trious ally was feen off Newport, the evening before.
Before fun-rife an exprefs was fent forward to Gen.
Wafhington with the agreeable tidings, and our Gen-
eral immediately prepared to proceed to Newport, but
the day being calm, the packet did not reach the
town until 12 o'clock at night. General Rocham-
beau had gone on fhore in the evening. Early the
next morning our General went on fhore, and waited
on the Count; from which moment the warmeft
ano friendship

ЗЯЮМАМ МНТАЛН
HTAT
For Your
244
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [JULY, 1780.
andgi ada niallo quo no iqmete no aroitge
friendſhip commenced between our General, the
Count, and all the French officers. After breakfaſt,
our General went on board the Duke de Burgoyne
man-of-war, to pay his refpects to the Chevalier de
Ternay, who commanded the fquadron, where the
fame friendſhip was commenced. The fleet confifted
of feven fail of the line, viz. the Duke de Burgoyne,
of 80 guns; la Neptune, la Conquerant of 74; la
Jazen, la Seville, la Ardent, and la Provence of 64;
and the Fautafque of 64, armed enflute with 40 guns
as a hoſpital ſhip; two frigates, and two bombs, with
a number of tranfports, having on board about 5,000
troops, befides the marines, the foldiers, and failors,
fomething fickly. The joy in the town of Newport
was great. At 11 o'clock, A. M. the Admiral falu-
ted the town with 13 cannon, which was returned
by the diſcharge of the fame number. In the eve-
ning the town was beautifully illuminated, and fire.
works exhibited, to the great pleafure and fatisfac-
tion of our allies. The fleet, on its paffage to Amer-
ica, fell in with five Britifh fhips of the line, who,
after firing a few broad-fides, bore away.
12th. Our General dined with the Count de
Rochambeau.
13th. The Chevalier de Ternay, and the princi-
pal officers of the fquadron, came on fhore.
14th.-Count de Rochambeau, and the General
Officers of the French army, dined with our Gen-
eral. of biol
15th. A number of the Field-Officers of the
French regiments, dined with our General in the
moft happy fraternity.
18th.--Four fail of fhips of war, two of them
fuppofed to be of 40 or 50 guns, appeared in the
offing; they were fuppofed to be British. The
fame day, the Chevalier de Ternay, and the princi-
pal officers of the fleet, dined with our General.
In

JULY, 1780.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
245
Juo minileg bidrol.
In the afternoon the remains of the officer, who was
fome time before wounded on board the Hermeone,
and died of thofe wounds, was interred with military
honours.
The mifling tranfport of the fleet, with troops on
board, arrived fafe in Bofton harbour, and the troops
marched to Rhode-Ifland.
b19th,-Our General dined with the Count.
bisod
20th. The frigates of the fquadron came to fail
in the morning; but the wind being a-head, they
were obliged to come to anchor. Intelligence was
received that Admiral Greaves, with five or fix fail
of the line, arrived at Sandy-Hook on the 13th.
On the 21ft, in the afternoon, 15 or 16 fail of
Britifh fhips of war appeared in the offing; more
than one half of them were fuppofed to be fhips of
the line. At fun-fet, they appeared to be coming too
under Block-Ifland. The frigates, which attempted
to get out in the morning, returned at evening,
w
Apprehending that the British fleet might be
cruizing off, with a view to intercept the fecond
divifion of the French fleet, which was expected
foon to arrive, our General fent off expreffes to head-
quarters, Bofton and Hartford, advifing of the Brit-
ifh fleet being off Newport-that diſpatch-boats
might be fent out to apprize the French, and point
them to another port. Several works and batteries,
next to the harbour, were mantled with cannon.
22d.-The British fleet were cruizing off all the
day, and rather nearer than they were the preceding
day. Eighteen or nineteen fail were counted, eight
or nine of which appeared to be of the line. The
French fquadron kept their former ftation, in the
harbour, and in the moft perfect readiness for ac-
tion. The army was in the fame preparedness, and
batteries fo conftructed as to afford a heavy crofs-
fire with the fhipping, in the entrance of the har-
bour.

246 HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [JULY, 1780.
bour. All veffels and boats were forbid paffing out
of the harbour in the night.
23d.-The British were cruizing off early in the
morning one of their frigates was near in. Col.
Greene's regiment of continental troops took poft
at Butt's Hill, Briftol, and Howland's Ferries. Fif
ty French foldiers, from the army, were fent on
board each of the fhips of the line. By accounts
from Weft-Point, it appeared that many recruits had
joined, and were joining, the American army.
24th.-The Britiſh fleet continued off Newport.
In the afternoon, 12 fail were at anchor to the eaſt
of Block-Ifland, and 4 frigates cruizing between that
Ifland and Point Judith. In the evening, the Mar
quis de la Fayette came to town, from head-quar-
ters.
979
25th. Intelligence was received, that Sir Henry
Clinton intended an attempt upon the French army,
with 10,000 men; upon which 1500 of the militia
of Rhode-Ifland, and Brigadier Godfrey's brigade
of militia, of the county of Bristol, in Maffachuſetts,
were called in to Tiverton; and the three months*
men, who were deftined to the main army, fuch of
them as belonged to the counties of Suffolk, Effex,
Plymouth, Worceſter, Barnftable and Briftol, were
ordered to march to Rhode-Ifland.
26th. A confirmation of the intention of Sir
Henry Clinton, againft Newport, was received from
the neighbourhood of New-York. In confequence
of which, the whole militia of the State of Rhode-
Iſland was called in. Col. Tyler's, Col. Perry's, and
Maj. Bullard's militia regiments, in addition to Brig-
adier Godfrey's, from Maffachuſetts. Signals were
fixed as far as Watch-Hill, and every thing put in
train for the giving inftant notice, both by day and
night, in cafe the enemy fhould approach towards
the place.
irod
27th.

JULY, 1780.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
247
smol need bed
890071
27th. The wind being fresh at fouth-weft, and
the air hazy, the privateer fhip Waſhington, Capt.
Munroe, ran by the British fleet, and paffed up the
harbour. The ftock on Conanicut-Ifland was or-
dered to be taken off. Howland's Ferry was to be
well fecured on both fides.
30th.-Intelligence was received, that the enemy's
fhipping, which were in the Sound, and fuppofed to
have taken in troops at Whiteftone, had come to
fail, and ftood to the weftward; on which, the mi-
litia who were coming in, except the three months"
men, were permitted to return home. The militia
had diſcovered great zeal and alertnefs on the occa-
fion. About noon, the Britiſh fhips that had been
at anchor off Block-Ifland, came to fail and ftood
out to fea.
no
The fame day a brig, with difpatches from France,
paffed up the harbour; fhe ran on one of the wrecks,
and funk immediately. fosgeb doum wod
31ft.Our General received letters from Gen.
Washington, Gen. Howe, Gen. Parfons, and Gov.
Trumbull, intimating that the enemy intended an
attack on Newport; that about 150 fail of veffels
were in the Sound; that about 8000 troops were to
be employed on the expedition; and that Gen. Sir
Henry Clinton was to command in perfon; that
26 heavy cannon, fome mortars, &c. were put on
board. In confequence of this intelligence, the mi-
litia were again called in. The next day (Auguft
1ft) our General received the following letter from
objavo ont diw 2.9
Gen. Washington.
nism od no nobilog s no
ROBINSON'S HOUSE, July 31, 1780.
STOW & DEAR SIR,OT iw ni omo suum d
"I ARRIVED here last night; having met your
favours of the 25th and 26th at Paramus, where the
army then lay. Immediately upon hearing that the
tranfports,

248
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [JULY, 1780.
tranfports, with the troops, which had been fome
days on board, had failed eastward, I put the army
in motion again; they will crofs the ferry to day,
and will be joined by the troops from hence. I pro-
pofe moving as rapidly as poffible down towards
Kingfbridge, which will either oblige the enemy to
abandon their project against Rhode-Ifland, or may
afford us an opportunity of ftriking them to advan-
tage in this quarter, if Sir Henry Clinton has carri-
ed with him the number of men reported (eight
thoufand) and with lefs than which, I think, he
would fcarcely risk an attempt upon Count Ro-
chambeau, reinforced by the militia.
"I entirely approve of the meaſures you have tak-
en for calling in aid, and have the ftrongeft hopes
that if Sir Henry fhould venture upon an attack,
that he will meet a reception very different from
what he expects. You know the critical fituation
in which this army will be in a pofition below, and
how much depends upon conftant intelligence of the
motions of the enemy. I fhall direct relays of ex-
preffes the whole way, between this army and you,
to convey intelligence in the moft expeditious man-
ner. The neareſt exprefs to you will be upon Tow-
er-Hill; and Gen. Greene advifes, that you fhould
keep two whale-boats, to communicate with him, by
South-Ferry, fo long as that paffage fhall be fafe;
and if that fhould be interrupted, by Biffell's Har-
bour:
on snT
(Signed) GEO. WASHINGTON.
"P.S. I wifh the Count de Rochambeau had tak
en a pofition on the main.
G. W."
The militia came in with great fpirit; they were
formed into brigades, and every difpofition made
for inftant and vigorous defence, at every point
where it was fuppofed an attempt might be made.
The

JULY, 1780.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
249
The batteries were ftrengthened, a very ftrong one
erected on Rofe-Ifland, and redoubts on Coafter's-
Ifland: the ftrong works on Butt's-Hill pufhed:
avenues across the fields, by the fhortéft routes, were
opened, from the encampment of the French army,
to thofe points where their inftant prefence was judg-
ed neceffary; and fuch marks fixed, at fmall diftan-
ces from each other, as to prevent any miſtake in
the route, either by day or night; indeed, no one
precaution was omitted, or probable advantage of
ground or fituation neglected. Had Sir Henry
made the attempt which he menaced, he would un-
doubtedly have met a warm reception; but for fome
reafon or other he gave up his defign, and the mili-
tia were again fent home. Perhaps on no occafion
did the militia difcover more ardour, in preffing to
the field, or more regularity when there, than at
that time, which was every where teftified by the
inhabitants.d tebitnosov nad les som adtad
o Our General had expreffed a wifh to the Com-
mander in Chief, to join the main army, that he
might enjoy that command, to which he was at that
time entitled, viz. the right wing to which Gen.
Washington, in a letter dated Auguft 3d, replied:
As to your coming on to the army immediately,
I fhall leave it entirely to yourfelf to act in the affair
as you pleafe. Your command is, and will always
be ready for you; however, if you find your pref
ence where you are neceffary, and that it will con-
tribute to the accommodation of our allies, and to
the cultivation of harmony, (matters about which I
am very anxious) it may poffibly be more eligible
for you to remain longer, as we fhall not probably
have any inftant active operations. But, as I have
already faid, do in the matter as you like, and as
circumftances may decide."
be
H Hob baling Hood Bed
Dobrod
And no

250
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [[AUG. 1780.
en And in a fubfequent letter fome days after, he ob-
ferved: "As to your wifhes to join the army, as I ob-
ferved before, your aid may be very material to the
Count; and as we have no profpect of immediate ac-
tive operations, I would rather with you to remain
with him longer. I thought it effential in the firft in-
ftance that there fhould be an officer of rank fent to
him; and a variety of reafons concurred to induce me
to believe that you would anfwer the important objects
I had in view, as well at least as any I could choofe. I
have not been diſappointed in the leaft in my expecta-
tion, and the Count himfelf judges your continuing very
effential, and expreffed himfelf in the following man-
ner upon the fubject feveral days ago. I fhall keep
with me, if you think proper, Gen. Heath, whofe ardour,
Spirit, and activity, are abfolutely neceffary to me." For
thefe feveral confiderations, I wish you to reconcile
yourſelf to remaining with him a while, which will
be the more eafy, when you confider that you will be
fully advertiſed whenever we are in a fituation to
attempt any thing offenfive on a great foale, and will
have your command." bag te voy
The Britifh fhip of war, the Galetea, appeared off
Dartmouth. The British fleet went to Gardner's
Bay, excepting the frigates, which cruized off. The
troops continued fortifying the ifland. i avel sm
215th.The British fleet failed from Gardner's
Bay to the eastward. About this time, Maj. Gen.
Greene refigned the Quarter-Mafter Generalfhip,
and Col. Pickering was appointed to that office. din
119th.--In the afternoon, the British again appeared
off the harbour of Newport. A few days before, the
Continental frigate Alliance arrived at Bofton, in
five weeks and four days from France, and brought
news that there had been a great mob in England,
headed by Lord George Gordon, and that the prif-
ons, &c. had been pulled down.
23d.

AUG. 1780.]
251
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
23d. The privateer fhip Washington, Capt. Tal-
bot, of 20 guns, came down the river, faluted
the Commodore, and came to anchor.
24th. The French army, joined by the Ameri-
cans, fired falutes on account of its being St. Louis'
day. The fleet fired on the next day.sh ori
The enemy were preparing for an embarkation of
troops at New-York; their deftination unknown.
The evening of the 20th, three or four of the
enemy's cruizers were off the harbour.n
26th. The British fleet, to the number of more
than 20 fail, were in the Vineyard Sound.
q lo
29th.-A number of Indians from the northweſt-
ern tribes came to Newport to pay their refpects to
the General of the army of their father the King of
France. They had a hearty welcome, a treat, and
prefents, and were much pleafed. They were alfo
invited by our General to a fumptuous treat. After
dinner, they performed their war dance before the
officers of the armies, to the great fatisfaction of
thofe of the French, who had not feen the like before,
The next day, the French troops were under arms,
manoeuvred, and fired, in prefence of the Indians,
who were much pleaſed.
31ft.--Information was received that Admiral
Arbuthnot was near the Vineyard with nine fail of
the line, eight other fhips of war of different force,
and two tenders; that he had made a demand of
11,000 lb. of beef and mutton, to be delivered every
other day, at five pence per lb. The inhabitants
remonftrating against furniſhing fo large a quantity,
the Admiral affured them that in cafe they volunta-
rily delivered as much as their ability would allow,
he would difpenfe with what might be wanting.o
a The enemy continued their preparations for fome
grand enterprife, which could not be developed.
biomol bn September

252
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [SEPT. 1780.
September 10th.The British fleet were returned
again to Gardner's Bay, and their old ftation be
tween Long-Ifland and Block Ifland. obomo s
11th.-Intelligence was received that on the 16th
ult. Major-General Gates was totally defeated by
the British, at or near Camden, in South-Caroli
na.neThe Maryland line fuffered greatly, and Maj.
Gen. Baron de Calb was wounded, of which
wounds he died.nl
14th.-Intelligence was received, that Brig. Gen.
Poor, of New-Hampshire, died at camp on the 8th,
of a putrid fever; and that Brig. Gen. Nixon had
refigned his commiffion. Gen. Sir Henry Clinton
was holding a body of troops, faid to be about 6,000,
in readineſs to embark at New-York, faid to be def.
tined to the fouthward. The 17th, in the morning,
the Continental regiment, commanded by Colonel
Greene, croffed over from the island to Greenwich,
from whence they were to march to the main army.
o 21ft. Intelligences was received that Admiral
Rodney arrived at Sandy Hook on the 13th, with
ten fail of the line, and two frigates that on the
15th, Commodore Drake, with four fail of the line,
was detached from the Hook to join Admiral Ar-
buthnot near Gardner's Ifland, and that theſe four
fhips joined on the 18th. This junction was intended
to intercept 12 fail of French men-of-war, which
were expected to be coming from the Weft-Indies
Rhode-Island--that the 76th and 80th Britiſh
regiments, one Heffian regiment, the Queen's Ran-
gers, Fanning's corps, a part of the horfe, and all
the British grenadiers and light-infantry, were or-
dered to embark immediately at New-York-it was
conjectured for Virginia. The difpofition of the
British troops at that time was faid to be as follows:
the 22d, 76th British, 3 Heffian regiments, Robin-
fon's corps, and fome artillery in the city-Highland
to
emigrants,

SEPT. 1780.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
253
emigrants, at Brooklyn-a few, invalids at Newton-
one regiment of Heffians at Jamaica-the 37th, 38th
and 43d British, one Heflian regiment, one yauger,
one grenadier, and one light-infantry from Jamaica
to Flushing-about three regiments at Whiteftone-
Queen's Rangers, Oyster Bay-Fanning's regiment,
the 3d regiment of Delaney's, and the Jerfey volun-
teers, Lloyd's Neck-Col. Abercrombie, with about
600 infantry, at Huntington-the 17th dragoons at
Smithtown about 1500 men from Haarlem to
Kingfbridge. At this time, the Count de Rocham-
beau and Admiral de Ternay had an interview with
Gen. Wafhington, at Hartford.
22d. Col. Greene's regiment was ordered to re-
turn from Greenwich to the ifland. The French
army continued very bufy in fortifying Rhode-Ifland:
fome of their works were exceedingly ftrong, and
mounted with heavy metal.
24th. In the evening, Gen. Rochambeau and the
Admiral returned to Rhode-Ifland.
30th.-A French frigate arrived at Newport from
the Weft-Indies, but brought no news of confequence.
The Count de Guichen, inftead of coming this way
with the fleet from the Weft-Indies, was going or
gone for Europe.
While General Washington was in interview with
General Rochambeau at Hartford, Maj. Gen. Ar-
nold, who had the immediate command of Weft-
Point, was playing a moft traiterous game with the
British, for the delivery of that important poft into
their hands-which was communicated to our Gen-
eral by the Commander in Chief, in the following
letter.
wand. sit
baadro sdialup ROBINSON'S HOUSE, Sept. 26, 1780.
"DEAR SIR, air most
of
obby siblim
bo" IN the prefent fituation of things, I think it necef-
fary that you should join the army; and request that
figurons
you

254
[SEPT. 1780.
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
you will do it. You will come to head-quarters
bil
yourſelf. The route through Litchfield will be the
moft eligible for you, on account of fecurity; and you
may direct your baggage to halt at Fifh-Kill, for
your further orders. I write to the Count de Ro-
chambeau by this conveyance; and I trust that your
coming away now, will not be attended with any
material inconvenience to him.
87397
"I cannot conclude, without informing you of an
event which has happened here, which will ftrike.
you with aftonifhment and indignation:-Maj. Gen.
Arnold has gone to the enemy. He had had an
interview with Major Andre, Adjutant-General of
the Britiſh army, and had put into his poffeffion a
ftate of the army of the garrifon at this poft, of the
number of rien confidered as neceflary for the de-
fence of it; a return of the ordnance, and the difpo-
fition of the artillery corps, in cafe of an alarm. By
a moft providential interpofition, Major Andre was
taken in returning to New-York, with all theſe pa-
pers in Gen. Arnold's hand-writing; who, hearing
of the matter, kept it to himfelf, left his quarters
immediately, under pretext of going over to Weft
Point, on Monday forenoon, about an hour before
my arrival; then pushed down the river in the barge,
which was not difcovered till I had returned from
Weft-Point in the afternoon, and when I received
the first information of Mr. Andre's capture. Meaf-
ures were inftantly taken to apprehend him; but,
before the officers fent for the purpofe could reach
Verplank's Point, he had paffed it with a flag, and
got on board the Vulture ſhip of war, which lay a
few miles below. He knew of my approach, and
that I was vifiting, with the Marquis, the north and
middle redoubts; and from this circumftance, was fo
ftraitened in point of time, that I believe he carried
with him but very few, if any, material papers;
though

SEPT. 1780.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
255
though he has a very precife knowledge of the
affairs of the poft. The gentlemen of Gen. Arnold's
family, I have the greateft reafon to believe, were
not privy in the leaft degree to the meaſure he was
carrying on, or to his efcape.
lo yd om (Signed)
G. WASHINGTON."
Gen. Arnold's panic was fo great, when he found
that the plot was difcovered, that he called out for a
horfe, any horfe that firft came to hand, if it were a
waggon-horfes; bupon the horfe's being brought,
the General mounted, and, inftead of paffing to the
landing by the ufual path; he rode down a teep
bank, where it feemed impoffible for a horfe with
a rider to get down, without being unhorfed. smit
When Arnold had paffed Verplank's Point, and
had got under the guns
guns of the Vulture, he told Cor-
poral Larvey, who was Cockfwain of the barge, that
he was going on board the fhip, and that he fhould
not return; that if he (Larvey) would ftay with
him, he fhould have a commiflion in the British fer-
vice. To this, Larvey, who was a fmart fellow, re-
plied, that he would be dd if he fought on
both fides; the General replied, that he would fend
him on fhore. Arnold then told the barge crew,
that if any or all of them would ftay with him, they
fhould be treated well; but if they declined ftaying,
they fhould be fent on fhore. One or two ftaid,
the reft, with the Cockfwain, were fent on fhore in
the fhip's boat; the barge was kept. i Larvey, for
his fidelity, was made a Serjeant. He thought he
had merited more; that he ought to have had as
much as Arnold promifed him. He continued un-
eafy, untill at his repeated requeft he was allowed to
leave the army.
Maj. Andre, on his return towards New-York,
fell in with three young men below the lines, John
Paulding, David Williams, and Ifaac Van Vert; they
ftal
did

256
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [OCT. 1786.
did not at firft know that Andre was a British officer,
and he was at a lofs whether they were Britiſh, ref-
ugees, or ftaunch Americans. There was confe
quently a little fineffe exhibited on both fides; but
at length it was fully difcovered who Andre was.
He then attempted to bribe the young men, by of-
fering them a large fum of money; but their fidel-
ity was too great to be purchafed. They brought
him up, and delivered him to the Americans, where
he was tried, fentenced, and hanged as a fpy. The
British General on the river endeavoured to fave his
life, firft by threats, and then by perfuafions; but all
was in vain. Maj. Andre's behaviour, until the
time of his execution, was becoming an officer and
a gentleman; and fuch, in his laft moments, as
drew tears from many eyes. But it must be remem-
bered, that he who confents to become a fpy, when
he fets out, has by allufion a halter put round his
neck, and that by the ufage of armies, if he be tak-
en, the other end of the halter is fpeedily made faft
to a gallows. sasw odwyovis.sid ol
o Congrefs, pleafed with the conduct of John Paul-
ding, David Williams, and Ifaac Van Vert, paffed a
refolution, on the 4th of October, directing that
200 dollars, in fpecie, fhould be annually paid to
them, during life; and that a filver medal, defcrip-
tive of their fidelity, with the thanks of Congrefs,
fhould be prefented to each of them. derfor d
10 The fituation of the British army, and other cir-
cumſtances, at the moment Andre was detected,
were fuch as render it highly probable, that if he had
not been taken, the moft ferious confequences to
the American caufe would very foon have taken
place.
October 1ft.The next day after our General
received the letter from Gen. Waſhington, he took
a moft affectionate leave of the French officers, and
left

OCT. 1780.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
257
left Newport, to prepare to go on to the army. His
waggon-horfes were out in the country at a diftance;
theſe were to be brought in, fhod, &c. and other
preparations to be made, which prevented his leaving
Providence until the afternoon of the 9th, when he
was attended out of town by a number of officers
and other gentlemen. Before he left Providence,
he bid Count Rochambeau another farewel, by let-
ter, to which an anfwer was forwarded on after him,
as follows: bs
ot bad latens D TO
edi song fillain be NEWPORT, Oct. 12, 1780.
"MY DEAR GENERAL,
"I HAVE received the letter that you honoured
me with from Providence. I am extremely fenfible
of the marks of friendship that you give me, and
likewife very grateful for all that your good heart
has dictated to you upon the occafion of our pref-
ent feparation. I regret vaftly your abfence, my
dear General, as well as all the army; and I fhall
never forget the zeal, the activity, and the intelli-
gence, with which you helped us in all our opera-
tions; and the French army will always be moft
grateful for it. I have the honour to be, with the
moft inviolable attachment, my dear General, your
moft obedient and humble fervant,
(Signed)
TOOVSI
LE COUNT DE ROCHAMBEAU."
16th. Our General reached Weft-Point, where
he met the following letter from Gen. Waſhington.
GO
HEAD-QUARTERS, NEAR PASSAICK FALLS, Oct. 14, 1780.
DEAR SIR, dog yo
"IN my letter of the 26th ult. by which I re-
quefted you to rejoin the army, I defired that you
would come yourſelf to head-quarters: I am now
to request that you will proceed to Weft-Point, and
take upon you the command of that poft and its de-
pendencies. Maj. Gen. Greene, who is at prefent
2002
there,
I I

258
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [OCT. 1780.
[Ост.
there, will either communicate to you himſelf, or
leave with Gen. M'Dougal to be transferred, the
inftructions he received refpecting the poft; to which
you will be pleafed to attend. If this fhould not
find you at Weft-Point, it is my wish that you
fhould arrive there as foon as circumftances will
poffibly admit; and I hope there will be nothing
to delay it. Tortons produ
mid
(Signed) G. WASHINGTON."
Our General had fcarcely entered on the com-
mand, before he received intelligence that the ene-
my were making an incurfion upon the northern
frontier of New-York; upon which he immediately,
without confulting the Commander in Chief, order-
ed Col. Ganfevoort's regiment to their relief, and
communicated what he had done to head-quarters;
to which he received the following anfwer:il
HEAD-QUARTERS, PREKANESS, 16th Oct. 1780.
"DEAR SIR,
iyibs
"I AM favoured with your's of yesterday, ac-
companied by a letter from his Excellency Governor
Clinton, who gives me an account of the incurfion
upon the frontiers. I am happy that you detached
Ganfevoort's regiment immediately; you will be
pleafed to order either Weifenfeld's or Willet's, as
you may judge proper, to follow, and take orders
from the Governor or the commanding officer. This
is all the force I think we ought to detach from the
pofts, until the views of the enemy are more fully
afcertained. They put off the long expected em-
barkation ftrangely. They had not failed the 13th,
and it was then faid the expedition was delayed for
fome purpoſe. The number under orders, by efti-
mate, are about 2,000, or fomething upwards. If
the militia fhould not have been difcharged, when
this reaches you, you will be pleafed to detain about
500,

OCT. 1780.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
259
500, to make up for the detachment you have fent
up the river. I have received your's of the 13th, as
I have done that inclofing the eftimates, for which I
am much obliged. You will be pleaſed to carry in-
to execution what you propofed, refpecting the pofts
at Stoney and Verplank's Points.in
G.
A
biste (Signed) moG, WASHINGTON."
This was followed by another, dated the 18th,
in which the Commander in Chief obferved, "I am
glad to find, by your letter of the 17th, that you
were arrived at Weft-Point, and had taken the com-
mand of that important poft." This was occafioned
by our General's having been on the eaft fide of the
river a day or two, until the quarters on the point
were quitted by Maj. Gen. Greene, who was order-
ed to the fouthward.
wilow stor briesgos Svode
On the 17th, intelligence was received, that the
enemy had advanced to Fort George and Fort Ann,
both of which had fallen into their hands; that af-
ter deftroying the works, and burning about thirty
houfes, and as many barns, they had gone back;
but it was apprehended that they would advance
again. dansbilno s bonisido slots V
19th. Maj. Gen. Greene left Weft-Point. The
fame day intelligence was received, that on the 16th
the long talked of embarkation of troops failed from
New-York, fuppofed to be deftined to the fouth-
ward. The American troops at this time drove up
the fat cattle which were near the lines, in confe-
quence of a warrant from Gov. Clinton.stasche In
21ft. Intelligence was received, that the enemy
were meditating an excurfion as far up as Crom-
pond and its vicinity, to fweep off all the cattle.
Our General immediately ordered Col. Hazen, with
a detachment of 500 men, to move to Pine's Bridge,
and Lieut. Col. Jamefon, with the 2d light dragoons,
to move from Bedford towards Col. Hazen. The
detachment
*

260
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [OCT. 1780.
detachment arrived at Pine's Bridge about 10 o'clock
the fame evening, and Col. Jamefon with the dra-
goons at about 2 o'clock the next morning. The
evening of the 23d, Col. Hazen returned with the
detachment; the enemy did not come out.ox or
About this time, the enemy received a fmall rein.
forcement at New-York, from England, faid to be
1,500 or 2,000. Two or three very valuable prizes,
laden with rum, fugar, &c. were fent into Philadel
phia, and news was received that upwards of 50 fail
of British Eaft and Weft Indiamen, outward bound,
were taken by the combined, fleets of France and
Spain, near Cape Finifter.
24th.--Intelligence was received, that the enemy
had laid wafte, a great part of the fertile country
above Saratoga, and to the weftward of Schenectady,
The fame night, 20 prifoners made their efcape from
the provoft at Fish-Kill, by digging upwards of 20
feet under ground parties were fent out after them
in different directions, and fome of them were re
taken.
10 bar vertented ynsmes bag slod
26th.-News was received, that the militia, under
Gen. Van Renffèlaer, obtained a confiderable ad-
vantage over the enemy at the northward, on the
19th inftant, at the Fox Mills. The action lafted
for fome hours; the enemy left their baggage, prif
oners, &c. Col. Brown was killed in fkirmiſhing
with the enemy on the morning of the fame day, w
28th. Official intelligence was received of a fig-
nal advantage gained by the Americans in North-
Carolina over a corps of fourteen hundred men, Brit-
ifh troops, and new levies, commanded by Col. Fer-
gufon. The militia of the neighbouring country
under Colonels Williams and Shelby, and others
having affembled to the number of
3,000, detached
1,600 men on horfeback, to fall in with Ferguſon's
party on its march to Charlotte-they came up with
them

Nov. 1780.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
261
them at a place called King's Mountain, advantage-
oufly pofted, and gave them a total defeat, in which
Col. Ferguſon, with 150 of his men were killed, 800
made prifoners, and 1,500 ftands of arms taken,
with but inconfiderable lofs, except, and greatly to
be regretted, the brave Col. Williams, who was fup-
pofed to be mortally wounded. A fecond account
stated the enemy's whole lofs in killed, wounded and
prifoners, at 1,105; and that of the Americans in
killed and wounded, 64. TOT
29th.-Brig. Gen. James Clinton was ordered to
Albany, to take the command in that quarter.
30th. Capt. Johnfon, with a detachment confifting
of 100 men, marched to do duty on the lines for the
protection of the inhabitants against the enemy, and
the cow-boys, (fo called) a fet of plundering thieves.
31ft. A ridiculous proclamation of the traitor
Arnold, made its appearance; he ftyled himfelf a
Brigadier-General, and invited the officers and fol-
diers of the American army to join him, promifing
ample encouragement, &c. but it had no effect.
edT
November 1ft.-A fevere ftorm of fnow and rain.
The brave foldiers who were but illy clad, and defti-
tute of blankets, were in a fhivering condition. gni
1
The devaftation committed by the enemy at the
northward, was found to be very great; at leaft 200
dwellings and 150,000 bushels of wheat, with a pro-
portion of other grain and forage, were fuppofed to
have been deftroyed; had not the purfuit after the
enemy been very rapid, the devaftations would have
been much greater. ni boldments or
sili
The American army were at this time experi-
encing a great want of flour, which they bore with
their ufual patience. Isovet boiidug
T
4th. Intelligence was received, that Maj. Carle-
ton, after being reinforced with 500 men, was re-
turning towards Skeenfborough; it was fuppofed
that

262
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [Nov. 1786.
that his force had increaſed to about 1,600, and fur.
ther depredations on the frontiers were expected,
The militia of the upper counties were again ordered
out by Gov. Clinton.
The fame day, the new arrangement of the army
was publiſhed. The encouragement to both officers
and foldiers was generous.som stor eleg
5th. The troops were again without bread. In-
telligence was received that the enemy had landed a
body of troops at Portſmouth, in Virginia, and that
another embarkation was talked of at New-York.
6th.-News was received from Bofton, that his
Excellency John Hancock had been chofen Govern-
or of the State of Maffachufetts the firft Governor
under the new conftitution. The fame day, intel-
ligence was received from the northward, that the
enemy had croffed Lake George the Thurfday before,
and advanced to Fort Edward, the fmall garrifon of
which abandoned the fort on the approach of the
enemy, whofe numbers were faid to be about 800.
The militia were out, and the aft and 5th New-York
regiments were ordered to embark and fail for Al-
bany immediately. They failed early on the morn-
ing of the 9th. On the fame day, intelligence was
received, that the enemy had lately made an excur-
fion to the upper parts of Connecticut river, and de-
ftroyed a number of houfes at Royalton. The mi
litia turned out with fpirit, repulfed and purfued
them; the enemy made off with precipitation, leav
ing their plunder, &c. behind them. Upwards of
2,000 militia were affembled in that quarter.
asd
nions
ஜாமா
The 2d regiment of dragoons moved from Bed-
ford to North-Caftle. Tuoll to new teory s
The enemy publiſhed feveral letters in the New-
York papers, which were taken from the Fish-Kill
poft-rider not long before at Stratford; in particu-
dauorodinssa hiswolar,
isilt

Nov. 1780.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
263
lar, one from the general officers belonging to the
New-England States to their feveral Legiflatures.t
A partial but not general exchange of prifoners
took place about this time. Maj. Gen. Lincoln
was exchanged for Maj. Gen. Phillips; General
Thompfon, and a number of American officers, who
had long been prifoners, were alſo exchanged. ow
lo14th.-The great chain, which was laid acroſs
the Hudfon at Weft-Point, was taken up for the
winter; it was done under the direction of Colonel
Govion, Capt. Buchanan, and Capt. Nevers, with
a ftrong detachment of the garrifon, and with fkill
and dexterity. This chain was as long as the width
of the river between Weft-Point and Conftitution
Ifland, where it was fixed to great blocks on each
fide, and under the fire of batteries on both fides of
the river. The links of this chain were probably
12 inches wide, and 18 inches long; the iron about
2 inches fquare. This heavy chain was buoyed up
by very large logs of perhaps 16 or more feet long,
a little pointed at the ends, to leffen their oppofition
to the force of the water on flood and ebb. The
logs were placed at fhort distances from each other,
the chain carried over them, and made faft to each
by ftaples, to prevent their fhifting; and there were
a number of anchors dropped at diftances, with ca-
bles made faft to the chain, to give it a greater
ftability. The fhort bend of the river at this place
was much in favour of the chain's proving effectual;
for a veffel, coming up the river with the faireft
wind and ftrongeft way, muft lofe them on chang-
ing her courfe to turn the point; and before the
could get under any
confiderable way again, even if
the wind was fair, fhe would be on the chain, and at
the fame time under a heavy fhower of fhot and
fhells.
edord betul
dalib
bas
15th.

264
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [Nov. 1780.
15th. The ift and 5th New-York regiments
returned from Albany, the enemy having returned
to Canada, except about 400 men, chiefly British,
who were encamped about 10 miles below Crown-
Point. Provifions were extremely fcarce at Albany,
ofThe night of the 16th, a number of the boats
were ftove by the violence of the wind and ftorm.d
alOn the morning of the 18th, five large flat-bot-
tomed boats, under the charge of a Subaltern and 25
picked watermen, were fent down the river to the
flote above Dobb's-Ferry, where they were to be
placed on carriages, and tranfported to a certain
place, for an enterpriſe which was meditating againſt
the enemy. bas nio
saved over on to
19th.-Five companies, of 50 men each, marched
from Weft-Point, for the purpofe of impreffing teams
in the upper part of Weſtcheſter, and lower parts of
Dutchefs Counties, preparatory to the grand forage.
The fame day, the invalids of the Maffachuſetts
and Connecticut lines, and a detachment of able
bodied men, the whole about 1000, arrived at Weft-
Point, from the main army.wag lo
20th. Three light field-pieces, with four ammu-
nition tumbrels, with ammunition for the artillery,
and mufquet-cartridges; and alfo a quantity of hard
bread, rum, &c. was fent down to Peek's-Kill, for the
ufe of the grand foragers.
fint sham sold
9021ft. The troops deftined for the grand forage
paraded between Nelfon's Point and the church. Juft
before they marched, Chevalier Chaftellux, Major
General in the French army, at Newport, and fome
other French officers, arrived; the detachment de-
filed before them, and proceeded for the lines. The
French officers were much pleafed with the appear-
ance of the troops.wed about emit arst t
Gen. Chaftellux then accompanied our General
over to the Point, and on landing was faluted by the
diſcharge

Nov. 1780.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
265
difcharge of 13 cannon; after dinner, he took a
view of Forts Clinton, Putnam, Willis, &c. At eve-
ning Count Noailles, Count Damas, and Maj. Du-
pliffis, arrived at the Point. The next morning, a-
bout 9 o'clock, Gen. Chaftellux, and the other
French officers, amidſt a fevere cold ftorm of rain,
embarked on board the barge, and went down the
river, to King's Ferry, on their way to head-quar-
ters; on leaving Welt-Point, they were again falut-
ed by 13 cannon. duobs supl's boy
The evening of the 22d, Brig. Gen. Starks arri-
ved at Wright's Mills, and the waggons were col-
lected at North-Caftle. This grand forage was to
maſk an enterprize, which was to have been at-
tempted by Gen. Washington, from the main army;
although the foraging was in itfelf an important
object. The enterprize, for fome reafons, was not at-
tempted, but the grand forage was very fuccefsful.
Some of the light troops went as low down as Eaft-
Chefter; and on the 27th, Gen. Starks returned
with a large quantity of corn, fome hay, cattle, &c.
The next day, the main army feparated to move
into winter-quarters, and the light-infantry corps
was broken up for the winter, and the men ordered
to join their refpective regiments. The corps of
light-infanty was perhaps as fine a body of men as
was ever formed. Major-General the Marquis de
la Fayette had, with infinite pains and great expenfe,
endeavoured to render them refpectable in their ap-
pearance as well as difcipline, in which he was no-
bly feconded by the officers: it was a pity that the
operations of the campaign did not afford an oppor-
tunity for the Marquis to fignalize himfelf with this
corps.
30th. The New-Jerfey brigade left Weft-Point,
proceeding down on the weft fide of the Hudfon, on
their way to Pompton, where they took winter-quar
K K
ters.

266
[DEC. 1780.
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
ters. In the afternoon, the four Maffachuſetts brig
ades arrived at Weft-Point, and the two Connecti-
cut brigades on the eaft fide of the river, where
the whole took winter-quarters. 1s bovins
A few days before, viz. on the 23d, Maj. Talmadge,
with a detachment from the 2d regiment of dragoons,
conducted with great addrefs an enterprize againft
the enemy's Fort, St. George, on Long-lfland. Fort
St. George was stockaded, and encompaffed a large
fpot of ground, a fquare redoubt, with a ditch and
abbatis. The enterprize fucceeded completely. One
half-pay Lieutenant-Colonel, 1 half-pay Captain, 1
Subaltern, and go rank and file, were made prifoners.
The fort was deſtroyed and burnt. Two armed vef-
fels burnt, and a large magazine of hay, faid to be
about 300 tons, was deftroyed.
December 1ft.-One of the largeft fcows at King's
Ferry, in crofling, with feveral baggage waggons on
board, funk. wol as show aqoon gill
he The fame day, our General began to diſcharge
the fix-months men, beginning with thofe who were
the worst cloathed and unfit for duty.
4th. The three New-York regiments failed for
Albany, where they were to take winter-quarters.
to 5th.-Marquis la Val, Count de Cuftin, and Col.
Fleury, of the French army at Newport, arrived at
Weft-Point, on a vifit..101M
6th. At evening his Excellency Gen. Waſhington,
arrived at New-Windfor, where he took winter-
quarters. The fame evening, accounts were receiv-
ed that there had been a terrible hurricane in the
Weft-Indies.com bib avisam ad to an
On the evening of the 9th, Gen. Varnum and Col.
Pickering, arrived at Weft-Point; at this time the
troops were without bread, and very uneafy. The
next day, 300 barrels of flour arrived. A little before
noon, Gen. Wafhington vifited Weft-Point.
12th.

DEC. 1780.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
267
12th.-Intelligence was received from New-York,
that another embarkation was to take place, and that
Gen. Phillips and Gen. Arnold were to command.
Major Talmadge received the thanks of Congrefs
for his good conduct in taking Fort St. George.
17th. An exprefs from Major Maxwell on the
lines, brought up intelligence that the enemy at Mor-
riffania, under Col. Delancy, were preparing for an
enterprize. The Major was cautioned to be on his
guard.
18th. News was received that Monfieur de Sar-
tine, the primate of France, had been removed-Mr.
D'Caftries appointed.
19th. News was received that the Hon. Henry
Laurens, who was fent on a miffion to Holland, had
been taken by the British, carried into England, and
clofely confined. The British government talked of
fending to America a large reinforcement for the
next campaign.
Jug alsod ad lo an
20th. Further intelligence having been received
that Col. Delancy intended to vifit our troops on
the lines, in order to give him a proper reception,
150 men were ordered from the New-Hampshire
line, to march to Crom-Pond. 1 mart 19
21ft.-Intelligence was received that on the pre-
ceding Friday, the tranfports which had taken the
troops on board at New-York, fell down to the
watering place. They were to be convoyed by one
50 gun fhip and two frigates. pol
On the night of the 9th, Major Hugerford, of
Delancy's corps, furpriſed and took prifoners Lieut.
Col. Wells, of a Connecticut State regiment, who
was ftationed near Horfeneck, with one Captain, two
Lieutenants, two Enfigns, and upwards of twenty
privates.
23d. Intelligence was received that Monfieur, the
Chevalier de Ternay, Admiral of the Erench fquad-
ron at Newport, had died there.
The

268
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [DEC. 1780.
The troops on the lines were reinforced with 50
men, and Lieut. Col. Hull was appointed to the com-
mand on the lines.
27th.-The Free and Accepted Mafons of Wafh-
ington Lodge celebrated the feaft of St. John, at
Starkean Hall, on Weft-Point.
30th.-Gen. Waſhington vifited the Point, and,
with a number of other officers, dined with our
General. of benod
On the 25th inft. Major Humphries, Aid-de-camp
to the Commander in Chief, went towards New-York
on an enterprize; he was attended by Capt. Welles,
of the Connecticut line, Lieut. Hart, Enfign M'Cal-
pin, Mr. Buchanan, Mr. M'Guyer, and twenty-four
non-commiffioned officers and privates, in one barge
and two whale-boats. The wind was very freſh at
north-weft in the night, and the boats were forced paft
the city, and one of them almoft down to Sandy-
Hook-one of the boats put in at Staten Island: at
length the three went round to Brunfwick, from
whence the Major and all the others, returned to
the army on the ift of January.d testil os
31ft. On the evening of the 29th, a party of the
enemy from Delancy's corps, confifting of about
100 infantry and 50 horfe, came up to North-Caftle,
where, after a fhort halt, they proceeded towards
Bedford New Purchaſe. Capt. Pritchard, who was
pofted at Bedford with a company of continental
troops, and fome militia, immediately advanced to-
wards them, attacked their van, who retreated, as
did their main body. Capt. Pritchard purfued them
as far as Young's. It was faid that one of the en-
emy was killed and feveral wounded, who were car-
ried off in a waggon. Four oxen and between 30
and 40 fheep were retaken-eight or ten head of
cattle were driven off: the Captain fuftained no in-
jury.
This

JAN. 1781.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
26.9
This day the enemy were out again : Col. Hull
immediately marched down with his whole force to
meet them; by his vigilance they were prevented
from doing any mifchief, and on his advance, retired
towards the faw-pits,
1781. January 1ft.The Pennfylvania line mu-
tinied almoft to a man, feized the artillery, broke op-
en the magazines of ammunition and provifions, took
out what they judged neceffary, and took up their
line of march. The officers exerted themfelves, both
by threats and perfuafion, to reduce them to order;
but all was in vain. They were told that the enemy
might take the advantage of their conduct, and come
out-they answered, that if the enemy came out, they
would immediately put themfelves under the com-
mand of their officers, and fight them; but that in
any other cafe they would not be commanded. They
took Gen. Wayne's horfes out of his ftable, and put
them to draw the field-pieces. At night they en-
camped, pofting out pickets, guards, and planting
centinels in a very regular manner. An alarm was
given to the country by firing the beacons, &c. and
the militia were affembling. The reafons given for
the revolt, were the intolerable fufferings of the ar-
my-the want of pay, of which 11 months was due-
the want of cloathing, many of the troops being
almoſt naked--the want of provifions, and that ma-
ny of them were held beyond the term of their en-
liftment. They directed their march towards Phi-
ladelphia, determined to demand redrefs of their
grievances of Congrefs.
7th. Maj. Gen. Knox was fent off by the Com-
mander in Chief to the eaftern States, to reprefent
the alarming fituation and fufferings of the army.
8th.-Major Throop, with 100 men, was fent
towards Pompton, in the Jerfies, to cover the pub-
lic

270
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [JAN. 1781.
lic ftores, at Ringwood. In the afternoon, 169 bar-
rels of flour arrived at the Point.
11th. His Excellency the Commander in Chief
came down to Weft-Point, when a Council of War
was held at our General's quarters, in which all the
General Officers on the ground, and all the Colonels
and commanding officers of regiments fat, to confid-
er what meaſures were neceffary to be adopted, with
refpect to the Pennfylvania line. After the Council,
by order of the Commander in Chief, our General
iffued orders for the forming of five battalions, by
detachment from the feveral lines, to be held in the
moft perfect readineſs to march on the fhorteft no-
tice, with four days provifions cooked. The muti-
neers remained on the heights of Princetown, and
two emiffaries were fent out to them from the ene
my, with offers, in writing, promifing to redrefs their
grievances, by difcharging them from their enlift-
ments, paying all their arrearages of pay and depre-
ciation, and exempting them from ferving in the Brit
ifh army, if they fhould choofe it. The mutineers no-
bly difdained thefe offers, and gave up the emiffa-
ries and their papers: they were tried, and hanged
as fpies; the one was an inhabitant of New-Jerfey,
the other was a Britiſh Serjeant. Gen. Sir Henry
Clinton and Gen. Knyphaufen were faid to have
been on Staten Island. The State appointed a Com-
mittee to inquire into the grounds of the complaints
of the mutineers, and to redrefs fuch as appeared to
have foundation: this brought the bufinefs to a clofe.
A number of the foldiers were difcharged, the reft
returned to their duty.
Accounts were received from the fouthward, that
the American army in that quarter were in a moft
miferable condition, on account of cloathing and
provifions, and that their fufferings were greater than
thofe experienced by the main army. Thefe fuffer-
ings

JAN. 1781.]
271
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
ings of the army were rendered the keener, by the
return of the officers and foldiers from furlough,
who had been in the great fea-port towns, where ev-
ery neceffary and luxury of life were enjoyed, in the
greateſt abundance, many tables groaning under the
preffure of the dainties with which they were cover-
ed. Their liquors were not only the beft, but alſo
of great variety. Such reports to men, ftanding cen-
tinel, as it were, in the jaws of death, ill clad, cold
and hungry, with nothing but water oftentimes to
drink, were trials almoft too great for human nature
to bear. The old Continental currency was fixed at
for one, at Philadelphia.
75
13th. The Marquis de la Fayette and Count
Deuxponts vifited Weft-Point.
17th.-Intelligence was received, that the troops
which fome time before failed from New-York, were
in the Cheſapeak, under the command of Gen. Ar-
nold, and fuppofed to be on a plundering expedition.
The enemy at New-York removed the greater
part of their fhipping from the Eaſt River round in-
to the North River.
18th. Two hundred men, properly officered,
18th.-Two
marched down to the lines, under pretence of being
a relief; 100 men of Hazen's regiment moved from
Fishkill, to the village, and a detachment of artille-
ry from Weft-Point. Theſe were intended for an
enterprize againſt the enemy.
19th.-150 men from the Connecticut line, and
200 from the New-Hampfhire line, were to move
towards the lines; thefe, with thoſe who marched
from Hazen's the day before, were to form a cover-
ing party to the detachment under Lieut. Col. Hull,
who was to make an attempt on Delancy's corps.
21ft.-A letter was received from Major Throop,
at Ringwood, ftating, that the evening before, the
Jerfey line, at Pompton, had revolted, and it was fup-
pofed

272
[JAN. 1781.
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
pofed would be joined by the other part of the line,
who were at Chatham. Their intentions had not
been developed.
22d. His Excellency Gen. Wafhington, the
Marquis de la Fayette, and a number of French
gentlemen, vifited the Point. The fame day, 500
rank and file, properly officered from the Maffachu-
fetts, Connecticut, and New-Hampfhire lines, were
detached, and ordered to march the next day, un-
der the command of Maj. Gen. Howe, to eftabliſh
order and difcipline in the Jerfies.
23d. The detachment marched from Weft-Point
for the Jerfies. The battalion from thence was
commanded by Col. Sprout. The troops on the
eaft fide of the river were to crofs, and join thoſe
from the Point, at King's-Ferry: the detachment
marched in high fpirits.
24th.---In the morning, about fun-rife, a noife was
heard in the air, refembling the firing of platoons,
and there were various conjectures refpecting it.
Intelligence was received, that Gen. Arnold had
gone up James River, in Virginia, and had taken
poffeffion of Williamſburg, and was moving towards
Richmond; that he met with but little oppofition,
and would probably plunder large quantities of to-
bacco and other articles.
28th. The detachment, under the command of
Lieut. Col. Hull, returned from the enterprize againft
the enemy at Morriflania. The addrefs and gallant-
ry of the officers, the bravery and patience of the
troops, exhibited on the occafion, did them much
honour. Befides a number of the enemy who were
killed, upwards of fifty were made prifoners; the
Pontoon Bridge was cut away, the huts and forage
were burnt, and a large number of cattle driven up.
Of the detachment, one Enfign, one drummer, and
ten rank and file, were killed; one Captain, one
Serjeant,

FEB. 1781.]
273
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
-
Serjeant, and eleven rank and file wounded; fix
rank and file were miffing. Tio W botaiv
adT
31ft. Maj. Gen. Howe returned with the de-
tachment from the Jerfies; order was eftablished
among the troops in that quarter: two of the ring-
leaders in the revolt were executed. It was learnt,
that confiderable damage was done to the enemy's
fhipping, at New-York, by the high gufts of wind,
on the night of the 23d. It was alfo faid, that a Brit-
ifh 74 gun fhip was difmafted, off New-London;
another ftruck a reef, and a third went out to fea
with one of her mafts loft.
0 36 slot bas
February 12th.-The Duke de Lauzun, Count
Pherfon and Col. Sheldon, of the French army, vif-
ited Weft-Point. o doul bar on
13th. Intelligence was received, that on the 17th
ultimo, an action happened near Pedee, in Carolina,
between a body of the enemy, under Lieut. Col.
Tarleton, and a body of about 800 Americans, under
the command of Gen. Morgan: the enemy were to-
tally routed, and purfued upwards of 20 miles. Of
the enemy, 10 officers and 100 rank and file were
killed, and 200 wounded; 29 officers and 500 rank
and file were taken prifoners, with two field-pieces,
2 ftandards, 800 mufkets, 35 waggons, 70 negroes,
100 dragoon-horfes, one travelling-forge, and all
their mufic. The lofs of the Americans was not
more than 12 killed, and 60 wounded.
100
14th.-Gen. Warner and Col. Afhley, of Maffa-
chufetts, arrived at Weft-Point, to diftribute to the
foldiers of the Maffachuſetts line, engaged to ferve
during the war, 24 dollars, in fpecie, each, as a gen-
erous gratuity from the State. The moft fenfible
foldiers did not applaud this meafure, as it did not
affure to them the full payment of the wages due
to them, while this boon increafed the burden of
debt on the State. mod to lavonoling evi
LL
16th.
dis

274
[FEB. 1781!
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
16th. Count de St. Maim, of the French army,
vifited Weft-Point. The fame day, orders were iffu-
ed for augmenting the light companies of all the
regiments at Weft-Point, and its dependencies, to
50 rank and file, each they were to rendezvous,
the 18th or 19th, at Peek's Kill.lover on ni ashgol
17th. The light companies were formed into
battalions, in the following order: the eight eldeſt
companies of the Maffachufetts line to form a bat-
talion, under the command of C61. Vofe and Maj.
Galvan, the two youngeft companies of that line,
and thofe of Connecticut and Rhode-Ifland, to form
a battalion, under the command of Col. Gamat and
Maj. Throop; thofe of the New-Hampfhire line, and
Col. Hazen's regiment, and fuch others as might be
joined to them, to form a battalion. This appoint-
ment of officers, was declared to be intended not to
affect the general plan of arranging the light-infan-
try for the campaign. The preceding morning, the
enemy made an excurfion from Morriffania, towards
Bedford, took Lieuts. Carpenter, Wright and Pea-
cock, and five other inhabitants, prifoners; burnt
five houſes, plundered and ftript feveral other inhab-
itants, and returned. They were purfued by Capt.
Pritchard, but could not be overtaken.
18th. The light companies were infpected. It
appeared that Admiral Arbuthnot's fquadron were
fo much damaged, in the ftorm, on the 23d ult. as
to be rendered inferior to the French, in thefe feas.
20th. A detachment of artillery was ordered
from the park, to join the light-infantry; the whole
were to be commanded by the Marquis de la Fayette,
and were to march to the fouthward. The fame day,
fix of our guides, on a reconnoitring party, towards
King's Bridge, fell in with a reconnoitring party
of Delancy's corps: the guides attacked them, and
took five prifoners, all of whom were wounded.b
24th.

MARCH, 1781.
275
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
b24th. The detachment doing duty on the lines,
was reduced to 50 rank and file, properly officered.
Capt. Paul Jones, who arrived in the Ariel, at Phil-
adelphia on the 17th, in eight weeks from L'Orient,
brought a large quantity of powder.
28th. Intelligence was received, that a confider-
able embarkation of troops was taking place at New-
York-the inhabitants and army in fome confter-
nation. It was faid that a fleet of French merchant-
men had arrived in the Chefapeak; but from ap-
pearances, there were good grounds to fufpect that
there was fomething more than merchant fhips.
ba March 1ft.-News was received, that a part of
the French fquadron, at Newport, had failed as far
as the Cheſapeak, where they took the Romulus, of
50 guns, and nine privateers and tranfports; four
of the latter they deftroyed, not having fpare men
to navigate them; but the remainder, with the
Romulus, had fafely arrived at Rhode-Ifland.
On the morning of the 2d of March, Gen. Wafh-
ington fet out from New-Windfor, for Rhode-Ifl-
and. By the laft accounts from the fouthward,
Lord Cornwallis was advancing rapidly, and Gen.
Greene retreating moderately. His Lordship had
deftroyed his waggons, and difengaged himfelf of
incumbrance as much as poffible. noin su
3d. A Capt. Simmons, of Delancy's corps, was
fent up to Weft-Point; he afferted to be difaffected
to the enemy on fome pretences, and that he had re-
figned his commiflion, and deferted from them: he
was fent to the Governor of the State.
5th. Three prifoners were fent up; they were
taken by a party of our guides, within a fmall dif-
tance of the enemy's poft, No. 8, near Morriffania.
bo 6th and 7th.-Col. Vanfchaak's regiment of the
New-York line arrived at Weft-Point, from Alba-
ny. The troops were at this time well fupplied with
digt
provifions,

276
HEATH's MEMOIRS. [MARCH, 1781.
provifions, but almoft totally deftitute of forage, and
fubjected to great fatigue in obtaining fuel, which
part of the troops were obliged to bring on their
backs, nearly a mile.
9th.-Intelligence was received, that the last em-
barkation of British troops failed from New-York
the preceding Wedneſday, faid to be fix regiments,
making about 3,000 men in the whole. The fouth-
ern militia had been fuccefsful againft the Cherokee
Indians, and deftroyed a number of their towns.
The laft advices from the fouthward ftated, that
Lord Cornwallis had continued to pufh rapidly af-
ter Gen. Greene, who had croffed Dan River, and
his Lordfhip had come up to it, and then began to
retreat; on which Gen. Greene re-croffed the Dan,
in order to purfue him, and that the militia were
collecting. Gen. Arnold kept clofe at Portſmouth;
Gen. Mecklenburgh was near him, with a fuperior
force, and the Marquis de la Fayette was as far as
Elk on the 3d, with the light-infantry.mi
ΠΟ
11th. A detachment of recruits from Maffachu-
fetts arrived. The fame day, Capt. Pray was order-
ed to take command of the Block-Houfe, at Dobb's
Ferry, the water-guards, &c.orgaitis.90319
0 On the first of this month, the Confederation and
perpetual Union of the Thirteen American States,
from New-Hampfhire to Georgia, inclufive, was fign-
ed and ratified by all the Delegates in Congrefs.
On the evening of the 12th, intelligence was re-
ceived from Capt. Pray, that at about two o'clock
in the morning, he was alarmed by the firing of guns,
blowing of horns, &c.-that the enemy were out on
both fides of the river. In confequence of this, an
exprefs was fent off to Maj. Maxwell, to be on his
guard; and a detachment of 150 men was ordered
to be in readineſs to march early the next morning,
if it fhould be neceffary to cover him.
T
13th.

MARCH, 1781.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
277
13th. The intelligence of the enemy being out
on both fides of the river, was confirmed; as to the
weft fide of the river, the enemy came out from Pau-
lus-Hook about 200 ftrong, with two field-pieces,
and had advanced within about three miles of the
Block-Houfe, at Dobb's Ferry. About noon, a de-
tachment of 150 men, under the command of Maj.
Graham, with one field-piece, embarked on board
a floop, and with the gun-boat, having one fix and
one three pounder, and and a flat boat, fell down
the river to King's Ferry, where they were ordered
to debark, and make a movement to Tappan, for the
relief of the Block-Houfe. The garrifons of the re-
doubts, on the eaft fide, were doubled. to in
14th.-About noon, Maj. Graham returned; he
had, with the detachment, embarked the preceding
day, proceeded to King's Ferry, difembarked, march-
ed to Haverstraw, where he met the militia return-
ing; when he returned to the Ferry, re-embarked,
and arrived at Weft-Point about noon; having ex-
hibited a ſpirit and expedition that did the detach-
ment much honour.
paillatni
The enemy were completely defeated in their de-
fign, by the militia, who early turned out, attacked,
repulfed, and purfued them, until they retook all
their plunder, except two horfes, and juftly merit-
ed high commendation. The militia had one man
wounded; the enemy were fuppofed to have had
feveral killed and wounded. The fame day, Brig.
Gen. Hand was announced, in general orders, Ad-
jutant-General of the army; in the room of Col.
Scammel, who had difcharged the duty of that of-
fice for fome time, to great acceptation. Col.
Scammel joined his regiment, houslosh bed ding
15th.-Intelligence was received that the enemy's
fleet, which failed from New-York the preceding
week, returned on Sunday, having found that the
French

278
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [MARCH, 1781.
French fleet were on the coaft; their return occa-
fioned fome confternation at New-York. The fame
day, news reached the army, that Brig. Gen. Peleg
Wadfworth, who commanded fome militia levies
in the eaſtern parts of Maffachuſetts, had been fur-
prifed and taken prifoner in the night, by two Brit-
ifh officers and fome refugees, at a place called
Cambden.
sosiq-blait or
16th. It was learnt that the French fleet, with
troops, failed from Rhode-Ifland on the 8th, and it
was faid that Admiral Arbuthnot, with the British
fleet, came out of Gardner's Bay on the 10th. The
fmall-pox at this time made its appearance in the
vicinity of the army, and feveral foldiers were taken
down with that diftemper. The enemy who were
out a day or two before, on the eaft fide of the Hud-
fon, did no mifchief. About this time, a difcovery
was made, that a number of perfons at Stratford,
Norwalk, &c. had been fecretly affociating, to fub-
mit to the enemy, if a favourable opportunity pre-
fented; and to fupply them with provifions, furniſh
intelligence, &c.
Auono doum nom
19th.-Letters from Gen. Greene, of the 28th
ult. at Highrockford, on Haw River, advifed that
Lord Cornwallis had retreated from Hillsborough,
and that Gen. Pickens and Col. Lee had fallen in
with Col. Hamilton's corps, (rifing of 200) and had
killed and taken almoft every individual of them;
and that feveral other fkirmishes had happened, but
nothing decifive. Lord Cornwallis had erected the
Royal ſtandard at Hillsborough, and iffued a vain
proclamation, as ufual.gindolib bed od dom
Isma
By accounts from New-York, it appeared that the
Britiſh had declared war against the Dutch, and had
taken poffeffion of St. Euftatia.gillolda
20th. In the afternoon, Gen. Waſhington arrived
at head-quarters, at New-Windfor, from the eaſt-
ward.
21ft.

MARCH, 1780.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
279
21ft. Five prifoners of war were fent to Weft
Point, they were taken by fome of the light parties
below the lines; a fixth who was taken was fo bad-
ly wounded, as to be left behind for the prefent. 9
22d. Several refolutions of the State of Maffa
chufetts, in favour of the line of the army, and for
the diſcharge of governmental fecurities, were re-
ceived at Weft-Point.qdtbim
I berl
23d. Intelligence was received, that the British
fleet, which failed from New-York fome time before,
and had been chafed back by the French fleet, fail-
ed again on the preceding Wedneſday, for the fouth-
ward. It was faid that Sir Henry Clinton was on
board, and that Gen. Knyphaufen was to command
in his abfence that the enemy were collecting a
number of flat boats in Spitten-Devil Creek, near
Kingfbridge, and that 24 were then collected that
Arnold's corps was under orders to be in readinefs
to man the boats. Two fpies were fent out of New-
York, the fame day that the fleet failed; they were
to pafs, by different routes, through the country to
Canada.
2D24th.A number of prifoners of war, who had
been collected at Weft-Point, were fent off, under
a guard of 60 men, commanded by Capt. Pope, to
Lancaster, in Pennfylvania. its no
28th.The New-Hampfhire brigade were ordered
to do duty on the lines; and the Rhode-Ifland re-
giment to return to their quarters near Robinfon's
Mills.1970 95
151 addo 1890
29th.-News was received from Philadelphia, that
the French and English fleets had had an engage-
ment off the Capes of Virginia, but that the infue
was not known. The fame day, intelligence was re-
ceived from New-York, that one of Admiral Ar-
buthnot's fhips had returned to New-York, on Mon-
day, and reported that there had been an engage-
ment

280
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [APRIL, 1781.
ment between the two fleets, and that it was a drawn
battle. dil dile smo vd us ist sow yeri jaio'T
as
31ft.-A New-York paper of the 28th was receiv
ed, in which it was faid that an engagement between
the two fleets took place on the 16th, off the Capes
of Virginia, in which feveral fhips on both fides re-
ceived confiderable damage; and that the British
had 1 Lieutenant, 2 midshipmen, and 40 feamen
killed, and 80 wounded. The French account was
not greatly different from that of the British, but
did not mention the number of killed or wounded.
A number of American foldiers who had not
had the fmall-pox, were collected and inoculated.
bu April 3d.Intelligence was received, that a battle
had been fought between Gen. Greene's army and
that of Lord Cornwallis. The action was bloody;
a
and although his Lordship may be faid to have gain-
ed the victory, as Gen. Greene retreated a mile from
the field of battle, yet it was a dear bought victory.
Gen. Greene having loft his horfes, 4 pieces of can-
non fell into the hands of the enemy. Some of the
British corps, and in particular the guards, fuffered
much. This day, Capt. Pray, of the water-guards,
was reinforced with a whale-boat, a Subaltern, and
14 men. 1980 vd babammonem od to breng
4th.-Gen. Wafhington vifited the Point. In the
afternoon, 2 prifoners of war were fent up-they
were of a party who had croffed Croten River, and
taken 16 head of cattle and 4 horfes. On their re-
turn, near Dobb's Ferry, they were overtaken by a
party of the militia-the cattle, &c. retaken, and
two of the party made prifoners. About this time,
the fouthern mail was carried off, between head-quar-
ters and the Jerfies. The mail contained fome let-
ters of importance. The troops which had failed
from New-York, arrived fafe in the Chefapeak.
segno ns nsed bar orod tad booger bis7th.
nem

APRIL, 1781.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
281
7th.-Private intelligence was received, that four
parties were to be fent out-one to take Gen. Walk-
ington, another the Governor of New-Jerfey, a third
the Governor of New-York, the object of the fourth
not known. The fame day, the gun-boat was order-
ed to take a ſtation oppofite Fort Montgomery; ad-
ditional guards to be mounted in the night time, and
patroles to pafs frequently.
8th. The enemy's flat boats, which had been col-
lected near Kingsbridge, were removed down into
the Eaſt River.
9th.-Intelligence was received from the com-
manding officer on the lines, that the enemy were
out towards White Plains, faid to be about go horfe
and 50 foot.
1oth. The great chain was hauled from off the
beach near the red houfe at Weft-Point, and towed
down to the blocks, in order to its being laid acroſs
the river-about 280 men were ordered on this
duty.
2001
11th. The chain was properly fixed with great
dexterity, and fortunately without any accident.
12th. Our General vifited the patients who were
under inoculation with the fmall-pox, when 500 were
turned out and drawn up, all of whom were then
under the operation, and in a fine way. The fame
day, intelligence was received that the enemy were
preparing for another embarkation at New-York,
fuppofed for the fouthward.
we
14th.-A groom, belonging to Col. Gunning of
the 82d British regiment, came up; he deferted from
his mafter with a very good faddle-horfe, which he
fold for 100 dollars in fpecie. Intelligence was re-
ceived that the enemy had brought a large number
of
waggons across the Sound from Long-Ifland, for
the purpoſe of making a grand forage; the covering
MM
party

282
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [APRIL, 1781.
party to confift of three or four hundred men,
different corps.
of
tre inst ed
22d.-Two hundred and forty thousand dollars in
new emiffion bills were brought to Weft-Point,
from Bolton, for the troops of the Maffachuſetts
line.
24th.-Monfieur Beville, Quarter-Maſter of the
French army at Newport, arrived at head-quarters,
New-Windfor; he came on to view the roads, and
determine on the beft route, fhould the French ar-
my move that way, and to fix on proper places for
magazines, &c.
W
26th.-Gen. Waſhington vifited Weft-Point, with
Monfieur Beville, &c. The next day, the latter fet out
on his return to Rhode-Ifland, taking the lower road
through Connecticut. Many of the foldiers, who
had gone through the fmall-pox, joined their regi-
ments the next day of 500 who had been inoculat-
ed, four only had then died. At this time, provif-
ions were growing very fcarce at Weft-Point, and
the profpects daily growing more alarming. The
magazines in Forts Clinton, Putnam, and fome other
of the most important works, had referves of the beft
provifions, which were not to be touched; that, in
cafe the enemy, by any fudden movement, fhould
inveft them, and cut off the communication with the
country, the garrifons might be enabled to hold out,
until other troops, or the militia of the country, could
march to the relief of the befieged; but unfortu-
nately, the ſcarcity of provifions had become fo great,
that even thefe referves were broken in upon, and
fome of them nearly exhaufted; when, after fome
other reprefentations, our General addreffed the fol-
lowing letter to Gen. Waſhington.
215119
WEST-POINT
101 balono mort bono di lo
gith oo sitogenol busty s gaidem lo proging sit
MM

MAYSU 283
JAME
] HEATH'S MEMOIRS
, 1781.THOY YO
vor
Boy Jedi floupor fum bas Bojdi sdt no atom trots
bas of enoiiginalster WEST-POINT, May 6, 1781.
"DEAR GENERAL, we sit nogu snobio
"I AM honoured with your's of the 5th and 6th,
to which I fhall duly attend,in fishAv
"I hoped I fhould not have been compelled again
to reprefent our fituation on account of proviſions;
but fupplies of meat have not arrived all the Irish
beef in the ftore has been gone for fome days-we
are at last forced in upon the referves; that in Fort
Clinton has all been taken out this day-the pork
which was ordered to be referved is all iffued, except
about 16 barrels the boats are now up from below
for provifions, with reprefentations that they are out;
the referves will be gone in a few days if relief does
not arrive, and hunger muft inevitably difperfe the
troops. If the authority of our country will not or-
der on fupplies, I will ftruggle to the laſt moment to
maintain the poft: but regard to my own character
compels me to be thus explicit that if any ill con-
fequences happen to this poft, or its dependencies,
through want of provifions, I fhall not hold myfelf
accountable for them,
I shoI have the honour to be, &c.)
w to (Signed) bas
W. HEATH.
His Excellency Gen. WASHINGTON."
SidigmLH
20001
To which the Commander in Chief wrote the
following anfwer 15 91 10 ano
Betrag of (basm
ovo stien on to?!
de in HEAD-QUARTERS, NEW-WINDSOR,
May 8th, 1781.
DEAR SIR,00 of a
blas c
''
DISTRESSED beyond expreflion at the prefent
fituation and future profpects of the army, with re-
gard to provifions, and convinced with you, that,
unleſs an immediate and regular fupply can be ob-
tained, the most dangerous confequences are to be
apprehended--I have determined to make one great
effort

284
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [MAY, 1781.
effort more on the fubject, and muft requeft that you
will fecond and enforce my reprefentations to, and
requifitions upon the New-England States, by your
perfonal application to the feveral Executives, and
even Affemblies, if fitting, as I fuppofe they will be
in the courfe of this month, on bios: I bet
"From your intimate knowledge of our embar-
raffed and diftreffed circumftances, and great per-
fonal influence with the eaſtern States, I am induced
to commit the execution of this interefting and im-
portant buſineſs to you, and wifh you to fet out on
this miffion as early as may be convenient.
wolad mo(Signed)
Maj. Gen. HEATH."
GEO. WASHINGTON, ds
On the next day, our General received the follow
ing letter of inftructions, from the Commander in
Chief, viz.
Bando
9d of slegur Hiw I geilgent go
silgqui до тов
o yn o SHEAD-QUARTERS, NEW-WINDSOR,
May 9th, 1781.
"DEAR SIR, floq airi
सीवू
"YOU will be pleaſed to proceed immediately to
the feveral eaftern States, with the difpatches ad-
dreffed to the Governors of Connecticut, Rhode-Ifl
and, Maffachuſetts Bay, and the Prefident of New-
Hampſhire, on the fubject of fupplies for the army.
The prefent critical and alarming fituation of our
troops and garrifons, for the want of provifions, is
(from the nature of your command) fo perfectly
known to you, and your perfonal influence with the
New-England States is fo confiderable, that I could
not heſitate to commit to you a negociation, on the
fuccefs of which, the very exiſtence of the army
depends.
"The great objects of your attention and miffion,
are, ift-An immediate fupply of beef cattle. 2d-
The tranfportation of all the falted provifions in the
110lls
weſtern

MAY, 1781.
285
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
western parts of Connecticut and Maffachuſetts; and
3d-The eſtabliſhment of a regular, fyftematic, effec-
tual plan, for feeding the army through the cam-
paign. Unlefs the two former are effected, the gar-
rifon of Fort Schuyler muft inevitably, that of Weft-
Point may probably, fall, and the whole army be dif-
banded: without the latter, the fame perplexing
wants, irregularities and diftrefs, which we have fo
often experienced, will inceffantly occur, with event-
ual far greater evils, if not final ruin.
"With regard to the particular mode of obtaining
and tranfporting fupplies, I will not prefume to dic-
tate; but fomething muft now be attempted on the
fpur of the occafion. I would fuggeft whether it would
not be expedient for a Committee from the feveral
States, (confifting of a few active, fenfible men) to
meet at fome convenient place, in order to make out,
upon a uniform and great fcale, all the arrangements
refpecting fupplies and tranfportation for the campaign.
In the mean time, to avoid the impending diffolution
of the army, the States must individually comply
precifely with the requifitions of the Quarter-Mafter
and Commiffary upon them.
bare
"As the falted provifions which have been put up
for the public, in the eaſtern States, (except in the
weſtern parts of Connecticut and Maffachuſetts) can-
not at preſent be tranfported to the army, you will
obtain accurate official returns of the quantity that has
been procured in the refpective States, at what places,
and in whofe charge it actually is; and if it should
not all be collected and lodged in the depofits
that have been pointed out, you will urge this im-
ind
mediately to be done; and that the provifions fhould
be repacked, ftored, and taken care of in fuch a man-
ner, as to prevent the hazard of its being tainted or
loft by the approaching hot feafon med ni
eddiw bem od Blom ainesgasts I omits)
291618

286
.
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [MAY, 1781I&M
bce
"I omit entering into the detail of particulars,
which it may be neceffary to ftate to the refpective
Executives, (or Legiflatures, if in fitting) to enforce
the prefent requifition, becaufe you are as well ac-
quainted with the circumftances of our diftrefs, the
profpects before us, and the only refources from
whence we can derive relief, as it is poffible for you
to be. Previous to your departure, you will obtain
from the Quarter-Mafter-General and Commiffary
with the army, the proper eſtimates of fupplies and
tranſportation to be required of the feveral States,
together with all the light and information concern-
ing their department, which may be requifite to,
tranfact the bufinefs committed to you.
ПОСИ
"After having delivered the difpatches with which
you are charged, and made fuch further reprefenta-
tions as you may judge neceffary, you will not ceafe
your applications and importunities, until you are
informed officially, whether effectual meaſures are or
will be taken, to prevent the army from ſtarving and
difbanding. What fupplies in general, and particu-
larly of beef cattle, may certainly be depended upon,
to be delivered at fixed regular periods (monthly
or weekly) at the army, during the whole campaign.
When you fhall have feen this bufinefs put upon the
fureft footing and in the beft train of execution,
(which you will endeavour to have effected as early
as poffible) you will be pleafed to report to me, with-
out delay, the fuccefs of your proceedings.
"I heartily with you fuccefs and a pleaſant jour-
ney, and am, &c.
&c. bus b955
means (Signed) C G. WASHINGTON.
blodt anoitivo
301
di base o visiem
"P. S. I wifh attention may be paid, to learn
what quantity of rum is in ftore, at what places, and
in what manner it may be forwarded. In tranfpor
tation, the arrangements fhould be made with the
States,

MAY, 1781.
287
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
States, fo as to have the articles brought entirely
through to
to the a army, without having them ftopped
on the road. You will alfo be pleafed to urge the
forwarding the fummer cloathing.
G. W.
Maj. Gen. HEATH."
39X9 1900 VIVO DE of bs
11 10 anoiiliups or diw vimos
During the month of April, a large number of re
cruits from the eaftern States, to fill up their re
fpective battalions, arrived at Weft-Point.omognsTIG
orgthe The Commander in Chief vifited Weft-
Point. I o s1532 sdt pi doiwase10 bedoso 181
barithrein the morning,bour General left Wefts
Pointy and proceeded up the river to New-Windfor
where he received from the Commander in Chief
the diſpatches addreffed to the feveral Executives of
theb New-England States; and in the afternoon
croffed the Hudfon, on his journey eastward. On
his reaching Fishkill, he found that Governor Clin
tons of New-York, was making every exertion in
his power for the relief of the army-that he had
iffueds imprefs warrants, to take flour and other pro-
vifions where they could be found, &d. doir dhiw
14th. He arrived at Hartford, where he found
the Legiflature in feffion. The difpatches to Gov-
ernor Trumbull were immediately prefented to him,
with an earnest requeft for fpeedy relief. This
venerable patriot gave affurance of his immediate
attention and exertions, and accordingly laid the
diſpatches from Gen. Washington before the Legif-
lature, who alfo difcovered the fame noble patriotifm.
They inquired into the oftate of their treafury, and
finding it was deftitute of money, except a fum ap-
propriated to another purpofe, they ordered this
money to be taken, and directed Col. Champion,
one of their number, (a gentleman remarkable for
his knowledge in the ftate of provifions in all the
towns, fkill in purchafing, and expedition in for..
odd bashoogen
Juods ed warding)
Ionolo

288
MAY, 1781.
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
warding) immediately to purchafe and forward on
to the army 160 head of beef cattle, and 1,000 bar-
rels of falted provifions from their ftores; and refolv-
ed to make every other exertion in their power, to
comply with the requifitions of the Commander in
Chief, as they refpected both freſh and falted provi-
fions, by appointing a Committee forma general
arrangement of fupplies. bevisenoilehed sviBog)
16th.-Our General left Hartford, and on the
18th reached Greenwich, in the State of Rhode
Ifland, where he waited upon Gov. Greene, and
prefented the difpatches from Gen. Washington.
The Legiflature of the State were not then in feffion;
but Gov. Greene made the moftbfatisfactory affur
ances, that the State of Rhode-Ifland would adopt
every meaſure recommended by the Commander in
Chief.ro Our General left Greenwich the fame day,
and arrived at his houfe in Roxbury on the evening
of the 19th, and the next day waited upon Gov.
Hancock at Bofton, and prefented the difpatches
with which he was charged.The new Legiſlature
of Maffachufetts were to convene on the laft Wednef-
day of the month. Gov. Hancock gave the fulleft
affurances, that in the interim the Executive would
do every thing in its power for the immediate relief
of the army, by directing the feveral contractors of
provifions in the State to forward all in their power
with the utmoſt expedition.
ib
mo
21ft.Intelligence was received at Bofton, that
the State fhip-of-war, the Protector, of 28
guns, com-
manded by Capt. Williams, had been taken and car-
ried into New-York.sloqug podtons of batsiq
The next day, intelligence was received, that on
the 13th, Col. Greene, of the Rhode-Ifland regiment,
who was doing duty on the lines of the American
army, was furpriſed by a body of the enemy's horfe,
fuppofed to be about 150 dragoons, and that the
Colonel,

MAY, 1781.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
289
Colonel, Maj. Flagg, two Subalterns, and 27 men
were killed, and feveral wounded. 2 Col. Greene
was a brave and intrepid officer, and his lofs was
much regretted. The Colonel had taken poft above
and near to Croten River, at a place where the river
was fordable, to prevent the enemy paffing up by
this ford to ravage the country. He had practifed
the greateſt vigilance in guarding this ford in the
night time, taking off the guards after fun-rife, ap-
prehending that the enemy would never prefume to
crofs the river in the day time; but the enemy, hav-
ing learnt his mode of doing duty, on the morning
of the 13th effected his overthrow," by croffing the
ford foon after the guards had come off, and fur-
rounding their quarters before they had an idea of
any enemy being near them. In this fituation, the
utmoſt exertion could not then avail them. 559
23d. Our General left Roxbury on his way to
New-Hampfhire, arrived at Exeter on the evening
of the 24th, and delivered to the Honorable Mr.
Weare the diſpatches addreffed to him. The Le-
giflature of New-Hampfhire was not then in feffion.
The next day, he had an interview with the Hon-
orable Prefident and the Council of Safety, when
fuch reprefentations, (in addition to the requifitions
of the Commander in Chief) were made to them, as
the exigencies of the cafe required; and the fulleft
affurances were received, that every aid in the power
of the State fhould be afforded.wo to tool done!
$226th. Our General left Exeter on his return,
and on the 27th arrived at his houfe in Roxbury.
On the 29th, he again waited on Gov. Hancock, and
requested that the requifitions of the Commander in
Chief of the army might be predominant in all the
public objects. i tym digid si ban snee
The 30th was the General Election day in Maffa-
chuſetts; and it appeared that his Excellency John
Hancock
botiter
NN

290
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [JUNE, 1781.
Hancock was re-elected Governor, who, as foon as
the two Houfes were organized, laid the requifitions
of Gen. Waſhington before them.bas 661
SvJune 2d. Our General was heard before a Com-
mittee of both Houfes on the fubject of his miffion.
The zeal and patriotifm of the feveral Executives and
Legiflatures of the New-England States, to relieve
and amply fupply the army with provifions, were fo
confpicuous on this occafion, that it is not poffible to
fay which, or whether any one of them exceeded the
other; each was for making every exertion in its
power; and, to enfure fuccefs to their refolutions,
they all fell in with the recommendation of the
Commander in Chief, and appointed Committees to
meet in Convention, to digeft and fyftemize the bu-
finefs. The Committees met accordingly at Prov-
idence, in Rhode-Ifland, and were fo fortunate in
their arrangements, that the moft ample fupplies of
meat were afterwards furnished for the main army,
and a furplus of 100 head of beef cattle weekly fent
on after Gen. Washington towards Virginia, until he
ordered a difcontinuance of that fupply, as will ap-
pear in the fequel. While the New-England States
were thus intent in fupplying meat for the army, the
State of New-York was equally affiduous in furnish-
ing flour and forage. (sidoni obsmmo
4th. Intelligence was received by a veffel from
the Weft-Indies, that the Count de Graffe, with a
French fleet of upwards of 20 fail of the line, had
arrived in that quarter. The fame day, there was a
confirmation of this news, and that the fleet, with
troops on board, was feen coming this way.0
The fame day, intelligence was received, that there
had been an action at the fouthward, between Gen.
Greene and the British army in that quarter. Gen.
Greene, having reconnoitred Cambden, did not
think it expedient to ftorm the enemy's works, but
retired
dooonsH
И И

JUNE, 1781.
291
HEATH's MEMOIRS.I
retired a little back, with a view to draw the enemy
out in this he fucceeded, and an action commence
ed. The Maryland troops being attacked under
fome difadvantage, an attempt was made to change
their pofition; this was unfortunately taken by
Gen. Greene's army ford a retreat, and the whole
army retreated accordingly. Gen. Greene had 17
men killed his retreat was about 2ion 3 miles, and
the troops were in high fpirits. It is always a dan
gerous manoeuvre to change a pofition in the face of
an enemy; but neceflity fometimes requires it. solto
Gen. Phillips, of the British army, had died in
Virginia, of a fever.o-non
616th. The Continental frigate, Alliance, arrived
in Bofton harbour from France. The Alliance had
taken 6 prizes; 21 Weft-Indiamen, 2 floops of war,
and 2 privateers. In the engagement with the
floops of war, both of which engaged the Alliance
in a calm, Capt. Barry was wounded in the fhoulder
by a grape-fhot the Captain of Marines, and 8
90men killed, and about 20 wounded. srt to smot
soforto gaifitnos
9th.Orders came on from Gen. Washington, to
forward with all poffible difpatch all the cannon,
mortars, powder,fhot, fhells, and other military
ftores belonging to the United States, which were
then in Maffachuſetts and Rhode-Ifland, and alfo re-
quefting the loan of fome heavy artillery, powder,
&c. of the State. The moft fpirited meafures were
taken for completing the Continental battalions, and
raifing a body of militia to be in readinefs to march
when called for. pomno vred to dun
The General Affembly of Maffachuſetts, in their
feffion at this time, paffed refolutions for fettling
with the troops of their line to the laft of the year
1780, making good the depreciation of their pay, &c.
21ft. Intelligence was received, that the Britiſh
had formed a junction of their principal force at
the

292
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [JUNE, 1781,
the fouthward in Virginia, by which means Gen.
Greenen would deprive them of all their pofts in
South-Carolina, that on the 10th of May, Lord
Rawdon was compelled to evacuate Cambden with
precipitation, leaving behind him 3 of his officers
and 58 privates, who had been dangerously wound-
ed, and were unable to be removed. He burnt part
of the town, and fome of his baggage. On the 11th
of the fame month, the ftrong poft of Orangeburgh
furrendered to Gen. Sumpter; a Colonel, feveral
officers, and upwards of 80 men were made prif
oners. On the 12th, the garrifon of Fort. Mott,
confifting of 7 officers, 12 non-commiffioned officers,
and 165 privates, furrendered by capitulation to
Gen. Marrion. On the 15th, Fort Granby capitu-
lated to Lieut. Col. Lee; Lieut. Colonel, 2 Ma-
jors, 6 Captains, 6 Lieutenants, 3 Enfigns, 1 Sur-
geon, 2 Serjeant-Majors, 17 Serjeants, 9 Corporals,
and 305 privates furrendered; large quantities of
provifions, and fome military stores were taken at
fome of the pofts. At the fame time, the pofts of
Augufta and Ninety-Six were inveſted by Gen.
Pickens, and Gen. Greene on the 16th had deter-
mined to march the army to expedite their reduction.
23d. Intelligence was received, that fome time
before, the barracks in Fort Schuyler had taken fire,
and were burnt down; and that afterwards the fort
was diſmantled and evacuated. The fame day it
was reported, that the Spaniards had taken Penfa-
cola from the British. The marine mortars, and a
number of heavy iron cannon, 18 and 24 pounders,
were removing from Bofton to the North River,
New-York. The British forces in Virginia, after
their junction, were faid to be about 6,000. The
invalids, who had been doing duty in Bofton, receiv-
ed orders to march to Weft-Point, where the whole
по оп
bon corps

JULY, 1781.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS,
293
corps was to be collected, and compofe a part of the
garrifon of that poft. so no need sysh
228th. His Excellency the Cominander in Chief
was pleafed to communicate to our General, that in
the arrangement of the main army, the command
of the right wing had been affigned to him..
29th. A veffel arrived at Bofton from Cadiz,
with a quantity of cloathing for the United States.
This veffel brought an account, that the British had
again fuccoured the garrifon of Gibraltar, but that
the Spaniards continued the fiege.
noling.
30th. His moft Chriftian Majefty's frigate, the
Servilante, arrived in Bofton harbour from the Weft-
Indies; on her paffage had a warm engagement with
a Britiſh fhip-of-war, when fome damage was fuftain-
ed on both fides. This frigate brought news, that
the French had taken the island of Tobago, and
had blocked up Admiral Rodney's fleet at Barbadoes.
yd July 4th was celebrated at Bofton, being the
Anniversary of the Declaration of American Inde-
pendence. Blues vai novonow
6th.-Information was received, that Gen. Wafh-
ington had ordered the American troops from their
feveral cantonments, and that the whole had affem-
bled, and were encamped near Peek's Kill.
Some of the enemy's cruizers from Penobſcot
were cruizing in the Bay, where they took feveral
veffels; one within a league of the light-houſe.
11th. Intelligence was received, that there had
been a fkirmish between the Americans and British,
between White Plains and King's Bridge, but no
particulars were received.
12th. Our General fet out from his houfe in
Roxbury for the army.
binod
19th. The enemy's fhipping, which were up the
North River, ran down; there was a brifk cannon,
ade at Dobb's Ferry.
baBubnos
21ft.

294
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [JULY, 1781.
21ft. The American field artillery, which had
for fome days been on board veffels in the North
River, proceeded downwards to the neareft landing
to the army. of 91601
ba When the enemy's fhipping paffed Dobb's Ferry,
on the 19th, a box of powder on board the Savage
fhip-of-war took fire, fuppofed by the bursting of a
howitzer fhell, on which a number of the crew, ap-
prehending that the fhip would blow up, jumped
overboard into the river. An American, who was
a prifoner on board, jumped overboard at the fame
time,
, and fwam on fhore, relating what had happen-
ed; he alfo reported, that the Savage was feveral
times hulled by our fhot, and must have fuffered
confiderable lofs. The late fkirmish near King's
Bridge was occafioned by the American army's
moving down, in order to give the French officers
a view of the Britiſh out-pofts near the bridge. A
number of Americans were killed and wounded by
long fhot from the yaugers of the enemy, who kept
up a popping fire whenever they could reach our
troops.
Davisos enw nonstooth-o
27th. Our General arrived at the army, which
was encamped at Phillipfburgh, in two lines; the
park of artillery in the centre of the fecond line.
Accounts had been received from the fouthward,
that the enemy had no footing in Georgia, except
Savannah, nor in South-Carolina, except Charleſton.
The pofition which the American army now occupied
was between the lines the preceding campaigns;
confequently the roads and commons, as well as the
fields and paftures, were covered with grafs; while
the many deferted houfes and ruined fences depicted
the horrid devaftations of war. The French army,
under Gen. Rochambeau, was encamped at a fmall
diftance, on the left of the Americans, in one line.
29th. A forage was made towards Phillips's,
conducted

AUG. 1781.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
295
conducted by Col. Scammel. It was faid that fome
of the British troops had returned from the fouth-
ward to New-York; and that thofe in Virginia were
collected at Portſmouth. I
Auguft.-On the night of the 3d, about 11 o'clock,
the British and American guard-boats met in the
river, near Dobb's Ferry, when a confiderable firing
enfued; we had one man badly wounded, who died
foon after. The damage fuftained by the enemy was
not known.
ments.
bos lem
6th. The Commander in Chief, attended by a
number of the General Officers, reconnoitred towards
King's Bridge, covered by strong detachments of
cavalry and infantry. Three fhips and a galley lay
in the river between Fort Washington and Spitten-
Devil Creek. The enemy did not make any move-
The morning of the 7th, about 2 o'clock,
the army was awakened by the firing of cannon at
Dobb's Ferry; it appeared that 2 of the enemy's
gun-boats had come up as high as the ferry, proba-
bly to endeavour to feize fome veffels or boats; on
finding that they were difcovered, they fired four
cannon, but to no effect. Four cannon were dif
charged at the boats from the battery, on which they
went down the river. Two days before, Delancy's
corps ventured as far above King's Bridge, as
Phillips's. loqul I-sbodЯ sami i ods
News was received, that the great French Finan-
cier, Neckar, had refigned, and that Monfieur Fleury
had been appointed in his room. gnied en voy
Capt. Saltonftall, formerly of the frigate Warren,
who was difmiffed the fervice on account of his con-
duct in the Penobſcot expedition, about this time be-
haved moft gallantly in a privateer, on a cruize
against the enemy.
Midw
The American army at this time continued in
the fame pofition at Phillipfburgh. The Connecti-
ΠΟ
cut

296
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [AUG. 1781.
cut and Rhode-Ifland lines, and 6 regiments of the
Maffachuſetts line, compofed the front line; the
New-Hampfhite line, four regiments of Maffachu-
fetts, Crane's and Lamb's regiments of artillery,
with the fappers and miners, the fecond line; the
right wing commanded by Maj. Gen. Heath, the
left wing by Maj. Gen. Lord Sterling; the advance
of the American army on a height a little advanced
of Dobb's Ferry, under the command of Col. Scam-
mel, and Sheldon's dragoons near Dobb's Ferry.
The French army in one line on the left of the
Americans, with their legion under the Duke de
Lauzun, at White Plains. Gen. Waterbury, with
the militia under his command, towards New-
Rochelle. The camps at this time fwarmed with
flies, which were very troublefome.
11th.-Robert Morris, Efq. the American Finan
cier, and Richard Peters, Efq. one of the Members
of the Board of War, vifited the army. The fame
day, the advance of the army took a pofition a little
more to the northward, and the dragoons were add-
ed to Col. Scammel's command. A fleet arrived at
New-York from England; they brought over be
tween 2 and 3,000 Heflian recruits.
31 16
14th.-Col. Hazen's and Col. Vanfcaak's reg-
iments joined the army. A French frigate arrived
about this time at Rhode-Ifland, fuppofed to have
brought news of the approach of the Count de
Graffe. A few nights before, Gen. Schuyler came
very near being taken and carried off from his
houfe in Albany, to
In the general orders of the 15th, the army was
directed to hold itfelf in the moft perfect readinefs
to march on the fhorteft notice, som beved
16th. It was whifpered, that the Count de Graffe,
with 28 fail of the line, befides frigates, with a num-
ber of land forces on board, might foon be expected
305
on

AUG. 1781.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
297
on our coaft, and thefe, with the fquadron under the
command of the Chevalier de Barras, would make a
fleet of 36 fail of the line, a force probably fuperior
to any the Britiſh could affemble in thefe feas. 10
eid Under profpects fo flattering, the Commander in
Chief determined to ftrike the enemy a capital blow
in fome quarter. To ftrike at their very root in
New-York, was a moft defirable object; but the
fituation of New-York with Long-Ifland, and Staten-
Ifland, and the adjacent country, was fuch, as would
require a very large army to effect a complete invef-
titure, and give a proper fecurity againſt the fallies
of the enemy, which, from fituation, might be eafily
and frequently made-that fuch an army must be
compofed, in a very confiderable degree, of militia,
to whom the continuing long in camp had often
been found difagreeable; and the French were not
without apprehenfions that if their fleet entered the
harbour of New-York, and became warmly engaged
with the Britiſh fhips and batteries, in the courfe of
thofe manoeuvres which it might be neceffary to
make, fome of their heavy fhips, through the want of
a competent knowledge of all parts of the bay, might
get aground, or be damaged; while all thefe incon-
veniences would be avoided, in cafe Lord Cornwallis,
with the Britiſh army in Virginia, were made the ob-
ject, and his capture would be almoft certain, while
the American main army might be left in fufficient
ftrength, to act on the defenfive againſt Sir Henry
Clinton, and effectually cover the important pofts in
the Highlands of New-York.
17th.-General Waſhington was pleaſed to com-
municate to our General, (in confidence) his inten-
tions, at the fame time intimating to him, that he
fhould give him the command of the main army
during his abfence. The whole of the French army,
with the two regiments of New-Jerfey, firft regiment
0 0
of

298 HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
[AUG. 1781.
of New-York, Col. Hazen's regiment, Col. Olney's
regiment of Rhode-Ifland, Col. Lamb's regiment of
artillery, and the light troops under the command
of Col. Scammel, were detached for the expedition
againſt Lord Cornwallis, and the army under his
command, at York-Town, in Virginia. b laid
ni 18th.
Some of the corps began to move towards
the ferries. The next day, the Commander in Chief
was pleafed to honour our General with the follow-
ing.we do asunnoo b
es borbe
be od busin
"To Major General HEATH.
"SIR,
"YOU are to take command of all the troops
remaining in this department, confifting of the two
regiments of New-Hampfhire, ten of Maffachuſetts,
and five of Connecticut infantry, the corps of inva-
lids, Sheldon's legion, the 3d regiment of artillery,
together with all fuch State troops and militia as are
retained in fervice of thofe which would have been
would have
under my own command.
"The fecurity of Weft-Point, and the pofts in the
Highlands, is to be confidered as the firft object of
your attention; in order to effect this, you will make
fuch difpofitions, as in your judgment the circum-
ftances fhall from time to time require, taking care
to have as large a fupply of falted provifions as pof-
fible, conftantly on hand; to have the fortifications,
works, and magazines repaired and perfected as far
as may be; to have the garrifon at leaft, in all cafes,
kept up to its prefent ftrength; to have the minutes,
plans, and arrangements, for the defence and fupport of
this important poft, perfectly understood and vigor-
oufly executed in cafe of any attempt against it. Ample
magazines of wood and forage are to be laid in, againſt
the approaching winter; the former fhould be cut
on the margin of the river, and tranfported to the
garrifon

AUG. 1781.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
299
garrifon by water; the latter ought to be collected
from the country below the lines, in the greateft
quantities poffible, and depofited in fuch places as
you fhall judge proper.to tutan di es qmos bus
The force now put under your orders, it is pre-
fumed, will be fufficient for all the purpoſes above
mentioned, as well as to yield a very confiderable
protection and cover to the country, without haz-
arding the fafety of the pofts in the Highlands; this
is to be eſteemed, as it refpects the friendly inhabit-
ants and refources of the country, an extremely
interefting object; but when compared with the for-
mer, of a fecondary nature. The protection of the
northern and western frontier of the State of New-
York, as well as thofe parts of that and other States
moft contiguous and sexpofed to the ravages and
depredations of the enemy, will claim your attention;
but as the contingencies which are to be expected in
the courfe of this campaign, may be fo various, un-
forefeen, and almoſt infinite, that no particular line
of conduct can be prefcribed for them upon all
fuch occafions, you will be governed by your own
prudence and difcretion, on which the fulleft confi-
dence is placed.no od pod of old slibe i bast
દ Although your general rule of conduct will be
to act on the defenfive only, yet it is not meant to
prohibit you from ftriking a blow at the enemy's
pofts or detachments, fhould a fair opportunity pre-
fent itſelf. The moft eligible pofition for your army,
in my opinion, will be above (that is, on the north
fide) of the Croten, as well for the purpofe of fup-
porting the garrifon of Weft Point, annoying the
enemy, and covering the country, as for the fe-
curity and repofe of your own troops. To
โรง
"Waterbury's brigade (which may be poſted to-
wards the Sound) Sheldon's corps, the State troops
of New-York, and other light parties may occafion-
ally

300
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [AUG. 1781.
ally be made ufe of to hold the enemy in check, and
carry on the petit-guerre with them; but I would
recommend keeping your force as much collected
and compact as the nature of the fervice will admit,
doing duty by corps inftead of detachments, when-
ever it is practicable; and above all, exerting your-
felf moft ftrenuoufly and affiduoufly, while the troops
are in a camp of repofe, to make them perfect in
their exercife and manoeuvres, and to eftablish the
moft perfect fyftem of difcipline and duty. The
good of the fervice and emulation of corps, will,
I am perfuaded, prompt the officers and men to de-
vote their whole time and attention to the pleafing
and honourable task of becoming mafters of their
profeffion. The uncertainty which the prefent move-
ment of the army will probably occafion with the
enemy, ought to be increafed by every means in your
power, and the deception kept up as long as poffible.
It will not be expedient to prevent the militia, which
were ordered, from coming in, until the arrival of the
Count de Graffe, or fomething definite and certain
is known from the fouthward; and even theſe cir-
cumftances may, (but of this you will be adviſed)
render it advifeable to keep the enemy at New-York
in check-prevent their detaching to reinforce their
fouthern army, or to harafs the inhabitants on the
fea-coafts, as wold s nadid moil woy didido
The redoubt on the eaft fide of Dobb's Ferry is
to be difmantled and demolished; the platforms to
be taken up, and tranfported up the river, if it can
be conveniently done. The block-houfe on the oth-
er fide to be maintained, or evacuated and deftroyed,
as you fhall judge proper. The water-guards, and
other precautions to prevent furprife, you will be
pleafed to take into your confideration, and regulate
in fuch a manner as you fhall judge moft expedient.
You will be pleafed to keep me regularly advised of
vils
every

AUG. 1781.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
301
every important event which fhall take place in your
departments. tuoienno sdail art ni zito
"Given under my hand, at head-quarters, near
Dobb's Ferry, this 19th day of Auguft, 1781.
(Signed) aid GEO. WASHINGTON.MC
d to
"P. S. By the act of Congrefs of the 3d of Oct.
1780, a return is to be made to them annuallly, on,
or before the first of September, of the troops belong-
ing to the feveral States, that requifitions may be made
for completing the fame. This you will pleafe to
have done by the troops under your command.
The prefervation of the boats is a matter of very
great importance, to which you will attend. Let all
the new boats, and fuch others as are not abfolutely
neceffary, and alotted to the fervice of the garrifon,
be hauled up, and put under the care of a guard, fo
that the perfon to whom they are committed, fhall
be accountable for
every boat.
G. W."
The abufes committed by people belonging to
commiffioned whale-boats, on Long-Ifland, ought to
be inquired into and fuppreffed, efpecially as Con-
greſs have ordered thoſe commiffions to be revoked.
ot soпsvbe as mol of herbto 5.9w
br19th. About noon, his Excellency Gen. Wafh-
ington left the army, fetting his face towards his na-
tive State, in full confidence, to ufe his own words,
"with a common bleffing," of capturing Lord Corn-
wallis and his army; while our General was left
to watch Sir Henry Clinton, and guard against thofe
attempts which it was probable he would make to
fuccour Cornwallis, direct, or by making fuch other
movements as might tend to induce Gen. Wafhing-
ton to give up his object, or to avail himself of fome
important pofts in his abfence. Sir Henry Clinton
was confequently on the rack, to devife fomething
which

302
[AUG. 1781.
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
which fhould effect this purpofe; a ftroke at the
pofts in the Highlands, Connecticut, New-Jerfey, Al-
bany and Philadelphia, was contemplated. Againſt
all this had our General to guard.-Let impartiality
judge, and candour decide on his conduct.
On the morning of the fame day, the French ar-
my marched from their encampment towards King's
Ferry, where they were to cross the river. The
American park of artillery, Col. Olney's regiment,
and the New-York regiment, decamped and moved
the fame way.
20th.-A little after noon, our General ordered
off the baggage to the ftrong grounds near Young's,
which at about 6 o'clock was followed by the army,
marching by the left in one column, which took a
ftrong pofition during the night. The pickets af-
ter dufk were drawn back a little to the northward
of the former encampment. The advanced parties
under Maj. Scott were ordered to join their refpec-
tive regiments, and Sheldon's horfe to patrole in the
front.
del bury
21 ft. Col. Putnam, with 320 infantry, Col.
Sheldon's horfe, and two companies of the New-
York levies, were ordered to form an advance for
the army, and remain at or near their prefent ground.
About 12 o'clock at noon, the army took up its line
of march, and halted at night on the lower parts
of North-Caftle. Two regiments had been detached
on the march to Sing-Sing church, to cover a quan-
tity of baggage belonging to the French army, affift
in removing it, &c. and a detachment was fent to
the New Bridge, to fecure a quantity of flour lodged
near that place.soubri of bust lgimes an
---
22d. The army marched from North-Caſtle, and
encamped at Crom-Pond; all the French ſtores at
Tarrytown and Sing-Sing had been fecured. aw
23d.

AUG. 1781.]
303
HEATH's MEMOIRS.
b23d.-The army marched from Crom-Pond, and
took a ftrong pofition at Peek's Kill; the firft line
encamping before the village, and the fecond behind
it. After the troops were encamped, 80 waggons
were fent off to affift in forwarding the ftores of the
army with Gen. Wafhington. Intelligence was re-
ceived that a frigate and ftore-fhip had arrived at
Bofton, from France, with military ftores, &c. for
the United States.
24th. The French troops had not all paffed the
Ferry-150 Americans were fent to aid them, and
at evening 150 more. Intelligence was. received
that a large French fleet had been feen ftanding for
the continent.
26th. The whole of the French army had croffed
the river. Gen. Washington was as far as Rama-
paugh in the forenoon. Six deferters came in from
the enemy, and three prifoners of war belonging to
Delancy's corps, were fent up; they had taken
and were driving off about 30 fheep, which were re-
covered.
27th.-Difpatches were fent off to Gov. Trum-
bull at Hartford, and Gov. Hancock at Bofton. A
heavy cannonade was heard towards New-York,
from early in the morning till two in the afternoon,
fuppofed to be off at fea.
30th. At evening a detachment confifting of 250
men, marched towards the New Bridge, where wag-
gons were collecting for a grand forage, which was
to be covered by this detachment and the troops on
the lines-the whole under the command of Col.
Greaton. By the laft accounts, Gen. Waſhington
was as far as Chatham, in the Jerfies.
31ft.-Colonel Laurens paffed the army, on his
way from Bofton to Philadelphia: he had brought
from France a large fum in fpecie, for the United
States. Col. Laurens reported the friendly difpofi-
tion

304
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [SEPT. 1781.
tion of the European powers towards the United
States; that Great-Britain continued to ftand with-
out a fingle ally, nor could fhe obtain one in the war
in which the was engaged.
190
2000 A
September 1ft.-The foragers returned with 42
loads of hay. A Heffian rifleman came in with his
rifle.
The fame day, letters were received from Gen.
Waſhington, dated at Trenton, the 29th ult. men-
tioning that a Britifh fleet of 15 fail of the line had
arrived at Sandy-Hook from the Weft-Indies. The
fame evening, about 40 Indians, from the Oneida
and other neighbouring tribes, came to the army,
on their way after Generals Waſhington and Ro-
chambeau.
2d.-Intelligence was received from New-York,
that a fleet, under the command of Admiral Sir Sam-
uel Hood, had arrived at Sandy-Hook from the
Weft-Indies, confifting of 14 fail of the line, three
44 gun fhips, one of 28, a floop and fire-fhip. The
fhips of the line were, Barfleur, of 90 guns, Prin-
ceffa, Invincible, Alcide, Alfred, Ajax, Refolution,
Centaur, Intrepid, Terrible, Montague, Shrewsbury,
Belliqueax, and -74 guns each. It was faid
that the 1ft battalion of Royal, 13th and 69th Brit-
ed of bet
ifh regiments came in the fleet.
3d.-Intelligence was received, that Gen. Wafh-
ington was at Philadelphia the preceding Friday, and
that his army was to march from Trenton, as yef-
aidi
terday.
4th.--Intelligence was received from New-York,
that the British fleet had failed to counteract the
French. The day before, the fouthern poft-rider,
with the mail, was ftopped near Pompton in the
Jerfies, and the mail carried off; the horfe was left
in the road. The fame day, a fleet of 26 fail, fome
of

SEPT. 1781.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
305
of which were large, paffed Stamford to the eaſt-
ward.
36th. Intelligence was received from New-York,
that an embargo was laid on the fhipping there,
and that 6 Britiſh tranſports had been taken by the
French. The enemy's fhipping in the North River
above Fort Washington, had all gone down.
7th. Intelligence was received from New-York,
that the Count de Graffe had arrived in the Chef-
apeak on the 31ft ultimo; that a 64 gun fhip and a
frigate had entered York River; that Lord Corn-
wallis was preparing for a vigorous defence; and
that 6 fail of victuallers had been taken by Admiral
Barras. A heavy cannonade was heard the day be-
fore, towards the Hook. The fame day, there was
much paffing between the city and Fort Washington,
which occafioned a great rifing of duft, vifible at a
great diſtance; and there was a rumbling of car-
riages in the night. Mr. Rivington, in his paper,
obferved the prefent to be the moft interefting and
critical era of the war. The fame evening, a de-
tachment marched from our army for a grand
forage.
8th. Two companies of Col. Weiffenfel's reg-
iment were ordered to Albany, to cover that city
againft the defigns of the enemy. The fame even-
ing, our General received a letter from Gen. Wafh-
ington, dated at the Head of Elk the preceding day,
in which he obferves, "I have it now in my power
to congratulate you on the arrival of Count de Graffe,
with 28 fhips of the line and fome frigates, in the
Chefapeak, with a body of land forces on board,
which he debarked immediately on his arrival.
his paffage, he took Lord Rawdon, who was bound
from Charleſton to England. This arrival, with
Col. Laurens, from France, muft fill the United
States with the most happy profpects and expecta-
PP
tions."
On

306
[SEPT. 1781.
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
tions."--"I am thus far on my way to Vir
ginia, with the troops under my command; we are
now embarking the heavy baggage, ftores, and fome
of the troops."--"I muft beg of you not to forget
fending the quantity of beef I requested, as I muſt at
prefent altogether depend on that fupply."
The fame day, intelligence was received, that the
enemy's fleet, which failed up the Sound on the 4th,
had made a defcent on New-London. At evening,
Maj. Talmadge, with 20 cavalry and 200 infantry,
was ordered to move immediately towards the Sound.
The preceding day, about 30 fail of the enemy's.
veffels paffed the Sound towards New-York.
On the morning of the 9th the foragers returned,
with 28 loads of hay. Mool adr
10th.-Intelligence was received from Governor
Trumbull, that the enemy had made a defcent on
New-London, on the evening of the 6th, with about
2,000 infantry and 300 light-horfe. Their fleet con-
fifted of about 40 fail of fhips-of-war and tranfports;
they plundered the inhabitants of property to a large
amount, and burnt a great part of the town.
The
militia behaved very gallantly, and a number of very
valuable citizens were killed; among others, Col.
Ledyard, Captains Saltonftall and Richards. The
enemy, in three affaults on the fort on Groton fide
of the river, were repulfed, but on the fourth attempt
carried it. The militia collecting in greater num-
bers, with fome pieces of artillery, the enemy retreated
on board their fhipping. Part of the American fhip-
ping in the harbour were fcuttled, and fome were
run up the river. In Governor Trumbull's letter,
the enemy were charged with behaving in a wanton
and barbarous manner; and that of between 70 and
80 men who were killed, 3 only were killed before
the enemy entered the Fort, and the garrifon had
fubmitted; that on Col. Ledyard's delivering his
fword

SEPT. 1781.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
307
fword reverfed, to the commanding officer, who en-
tered the fort, the officer immediately plunged it in
the Colonel's body, on which feveral foldiers bayon-
eted him. It is alfo afferted, that upon the foregoing
taking place, an American officer, who ftood near to
Col. Ledyard, inftantly ftabbed the British officer
who ftabbed the Colonel; on which, the Britiſh in-
difcriminately bayoneted a great number of Ameri-
cans.
This expedition was commanded by Arnold. The
Britiſh lofs was very confiderable in killed and wound-
ed; among the former was Major Montgomery. Ar-
nold himſelf continued on the New-London fide, and
while his troops were plundering and burning, was
faid to have been at a houfe where he was treated
very politely; that while he was fitting with the
gentleman regaling himfelf, the latter obferved, that
he hoped his houfe and property would be fafe; he
was anfwered, that while he (Arnold) was there, it
would not be touched; but the houfe, except the
room in which they were, was foon plundered, and
found to be on fire. During the plunder of the
town, the Britiſh (as is always the cafe in a plunder)
were in great confufion, fetting their arms againſt
trees and fences, while they were collecting and car-
rying off their plunder; in this fituation they might
have been eafily defeated; nor would it have been
the first time that an army in poffeffion of victory,
loft it in this way; hence by the articles of war, "If
any officer or foldier fhall leave his poft or colours,
to go in fearch of plunder, he is liable to fuffer death
for the offence."
It is not meant to exculpate or to aggravate the con-
duct of the enemy on this occafion-but two things
are to be remembered; firft, that in almoft all cafes
the flaughter does but begin when the vanquished
give way; and it has been faid, that if this was fully
confidered,

308
[SEPT. 1781.
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
confidered, troops would never turn their backs, if it
were poffible to face their enemy: Secondly, in all at-
tacks by affault, the affailants, between the feelings
of danger on the one hand, and refolution to over-
come it on the other, have their minds worked up
almoft to a point of fury and madnefs, which thofe
who are affailed, from a confidence in their works,
do not feel; and that confequently when a place is
carried, and the affailed fubmit, the affailants cannot
inftantaneously curb their fury to reafon, and in this
interval, many are flain in a way which a cool by-
ftander would call wanton and barbarous, and even
the perpetrators themſelves, when their rage fubfided,
would condemn; but while the human paffions re-
main as they now are, there is fcarcely a remedy.
11th.-Arnold's fleet was ftill in the Sound, and
further depredations were expected; they were this
morning at Killingfworth, and about noon 50 fail of
veffels came to anchor between Norwalk and Stam-
ford. Major Talmadge, who was returning, upon
fuppofition that the enemy had returned to New-
York, was ordered back immediately. Maj. Knapp
was detached with 100 men to reinforce Col. Put-
nam on the lines; and Brig. Gen. Huntington, with
the first Connecticut brigade, and a detachment of
artillery was ordered to march towards the Sound.
The fame day, the army moved from its encampment
at Peek's-Kill, and took a very ftrong pofition on
Bald Hill, where it encamped in one line, the fecond
line forming in the centre of the firft; and the 8th
Maffachuſetts regiment was ordered to march from
the army,
and reinforce the garrifon of Weft-Point.
13th. Intelligence was received, that on the ene-
my's anchoring off Stamford, Maj. Talmadge advan-
ced towards the town; Gen. Huntington had ad-
vanced as far as Bedford; and that the preceding
morning the enemy's fleet came to fail, and flood
που
principally

SEPT. 1781.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
309
principally to the weftward; fome of the fleet, at the
fame time, ftanding over to Huntington Bay, Long-
Ifland, Maj. Talmadge was to remain at or near Ca-
naan, for the protection of the inhabitants; Gen.
Huntington to return to the army.
The Heffian recruits, which had a little before ar-
rived at New-York, were very fickly, and many died.
The fleet which had arrived at New-York were in
bad condition. The Prudente and Robufte, lay at
the fhip-yard; the Roebuck had been fent to Halifax
to repair, and had not returned. Mr. Rivington,
in his paper, talked of another fleet coming out, un-
der Admiral Digby.
15th.-The
15th. The enemy had ftill a number of troops
on board their tranfports in the harbour. The fame
day, intelligence was received from Canada, that the
enemy were preparing a number of canoes and fmall
batteaux at St. John's, baking hard bread at Mon-
treal, and forwarding it to St. John's, &c.
Cork fleet had arrived at Quebec. The fame day,
about 40 fail of the enemy's veffels paffed in the
Sound to the eastward.
The
17th.-Intelligence was received, that a brigade.
of troops had lately come to St. John's, from whence
an incurfion on our northern frontier might be ex-
pected; on which the whole of Wieffenfel's regiment
was ordered for Albany immediately; notice was
alfo given to the eaftern Governors, and the Briga-
diers commanding the militia in the counties of
Hampshire and Berkfhire, in Maffachuſetts, requeft-
ed to lend their aid, if it fhould be found neceffary.
18th. A deferter came in from New-York; he
reported, that when he left the city, about 20 fail of
veffels were falling down to the Hook, faid to have
troops on board.
19th. The 2d and 5th Maffachuſetts regiments
were ordered to go into garrifon at Weft-Point, and
the

310
[SEPT. 1781.
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
the 7th regiment to join the army; it had before
been in garrison. The fame day, intelligence was
received from New-York, that there had been a na-
val engagement off the Chefapeak, between 19 fail
of Britiſh men-of-war, and 24 French fhips of the
line: the ftory was fo badly told in New-York, that
there was good grounds to conclude that the Britiſh
had received a fevere drubbing. On the 17th, when
a packet arrived at New-York, 3,000 people were
faid to be waiting on the wharves to learn the news,
but not a word tranfpired; nor did the countenance.
of the officer who landed, appear to beam with the
fmiles of fortune. The enemy had taken a number
of heavy cannon from the grand battery, which were
put on board fhip. The troops ftill remained on
board the tranfports, and had fallen down to the
Hook. A mortal ficknefs prevailed in Delancy's
corps, at Morriffania, which was much reduced in
its numbers.
22d.-Intelligence was received, that the Britiſh
fleet had been pretty feverely handled by the French,
and fome of the fhips were confiderably damaged :
that the inhabitants were in great confternation in
New-York; many were packing up their goods
that Arnold's lofs at New London, in both killed
and wounded, was very confiderable: that the 38th,
47th and 50th regiments were on that expedition,
and then confidered as unfit for duty. Gen. Sir
Henry Clinton was faid to be embarked with the
troops, report faid from 7 to 8 thoufand; among
them the Britiſh and Heffian grenadiers, light-infan-
try, 42d regiment, &c.
24th.-A grand forage was made below the lines.
The Britiſh fleet returned to the Hook on the 20th.
The Prudente of 64 guns, had gone down in a mif-
erable condition to join the fleet; and the Robufte
of 74 guns, had hauled down nearly oppofite to the
city.

SEPT. 1781.
311
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
city. The heavy cannon had been taken from Fort
Washington, as well as the grand battery.
25th. Forty-fix loads of forage were brought off
from below the lines. Mr. Rivington publiſhed an-
other account of the naval engagement between the
fleets on the 15th; he acknowledged that feveral
fhips were much damaged, and that two which had
come from the Weft-Indies leaky, were more fo af-
ter the engagement: that in particular, the Terrible
was fo much damaged, as occafioned the taking out
her
guns, &c. and fetting her on fire; after which the
fleet returned to the Hook, finding it impracticable
to fuccour Lord Cornwallis. It was faid that the
troops which had embarked, (about 6,000) had de-
barked on Staten lfland. Other accounts ftated their
number not more than 4,000--they were impreffing
and collecting waggons.
27th. Three deferters came in from Col. Wurmb's
eorps, with their arms, &c. los lad
bloo
28th.-Apprehending that the enemy might have
intentions of croffing over from Staten Island to the
Jerfies, a detachment of 300 infantry, with light ar-
tillery, under the command of Col. Swift, were or-
dered to crofs the ferry the next morning, and move
as far as Ramapaugh, to be at hand to aid the militia,
in cafe the enemy fhould land in the Jerfies.
29th.-Intelligence was received from the north-
ward, that a fmall party had been fent from St. John's
to Saratoga, to take a prifoner or two, for the purpofe
of obtaining information; but that five of the party,
with the inftructions of the British commandant at
St. John's, were taken and brought in by Captain
Dunham.
30th.-Intelligence was received that Admiral
Digby arrived at New-York the 25th inft. with three
fail of the line, and one frigate. Prince William
Henry, the King of England's third fon, came in
this

312
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [OCT. 1781.
this fleet. It was faid in New-York, that Lord Corn-
wallis's force in Virginia confifted of 5,000 regular
troops, and 3,000 levies; but that behind him was a
numerous continental army-before him a powerful
French fleet. The troops on Staten Island were at
this time fufpected to be planning fome fecret ex-
pedition; and Congrefs, from fome intelligence
which they had received, were not without appre-
henfions that Philadelphia might be their object.
The militia of Pennfylvania were held in readineſs
for inftant fervice; and our General was notified to
hold the army in readinefs to move, if neceffary.
The enemy were carefully watched. Sir Henry
Clinton was endeavouring to devife fome means
whereby he might relieve Lord Cornwallis; but
nothing would have diverted Gen. Washington from
capturing him. The New-York papers were fill-
ed with addreffes and adulations to their young
Prince; but thefe could not retard the advances of a
WASHINGTON, or defend Cornwallis. The fleet of
Count de Graffe made feveral captures.
October 2d. A detachment marched for a grand
forage.
3d.-At 3 o'clock, A. M. Major Trefcott, with a
detachment of 100 men from Maj. Talmadge's com-
mand, croffed the Sound to Long-Ifland, and com-
pletely furpriſed the enemy's Fort Slonge, making 2
Captains, Lieutenant, and 18 rank and file, prif-
oners; of the enemy, 2 were killed, and 2 wounded;
of the Americans, none were killed, and but one
wounded. Two double fortified 4 pounders, found
in the fort, were damaged. One brafs three-pound-
er, with a number of fmall-arms, ammunition, cloath-
ing, British goods, &c. were brought off. This enter-
prize was conducted with addrefs and gallantry.
4th.-The foragers returned, with upwards of 40
loads of hay.
eidt
5th.

OCT. 1781.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
313
5th.-A detachment of dragoons were fent to-
wards Bofton, and 100 picked infantry under Maj.
Morrel were to march towards Springfield, to eſcort
a large fum of money (brought by Col. Laurens)
to Philadelphia.
6th.--The enemy were again embarking their
troops from Staten Island; they embarked on board
the men-of-war. Confidering their cafe as defperate,
they were determined to make one defperate attempt.
Ten or twelve fire-fhips were prepared to fail with the
fleets; they were filled with proper materials for
the purpofe, and, to prevent fufpicion, they were
new painted, had guns, and the appearance of fome
of the handfomeft fhips in the fleet. El motor
8th. A detachment was fent on a grand forage.
The fame day, intelligence was received, that a party
of refugees and Indians, from Niagara, had burnt a
number of houfes and barns at Warworfing; they
were purfued by Col. Paulding, but could not be
come up with. Sir Henry Clinton, in his orders of
the 3d, directed 3,000 regular troops to embark on
board the men-of-war as marines; it was fuppofed
that every thing would be ready by the 14th. Se-
cret intelligence had been received from Albany,
that the enemy had intentions on that city; that they
would advance by different routes, and on their near
approach, would be joined by fome difaffected people
in the country, and the deftruction of the city be ef-
fected. Brig. Gen. Stark had been in command for
fome time at the northward.dont no noon trods
10th Our General ordered the 2d New-Hamp-
fhire regiment, and a detachment of artillery, to the
northward. Gen. Stark had executed a Mr. Love-
lefs, fent in by Capt. Dunham, as a fpy.amo 81 ni
13th. Intelligence was received, that the enemy
had advanced to this fide of Lake George. to
bed
1814th.
siog

314
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [OCT. 1781.
0 14th. The 1ft New-Hampshire and 10th Maffa-
chufetts regiments, with a detachment of artillery,
were ordered to Albany, were matters wore a more
ferious afpect. d idgword) venom to col ut &
s
15th. Intelligence was received, that on the 28th
alt. Gen. Wafhington took a pofition in the neigh-
bourhood of York-the enemy gave him no annoy-
ance on his advancing, a body of horfe paraded
before the enemy's works; but retired upon the dif
charge of a few fhot at them.it su view to no
The 29th was fpent in taking another pofition as
near the enemy's advanced works, as could be done
without placing the encampment in the range of their
fhot. Some fkirmifhing happened between our rifle-
men and the yaugers, in which the former had the
advantage. At night, the enemy abandoned all their
out-pofts, (fome of which were very advantageous)
and retired to the town; the Americans occupied
the fame ground, and made lodgements at a fhort
diftance from the enemy's lines. The heavy artil-
lery was to be brought up as foon as poffible, and
the fiege pufhed with vigour. Towo-nom od bod
5830th. Col. Scammell, who was officer of the day,
was wounded and taken prifoner by a party of the
enemy's horfe, as he was reconnoitring one of the
works which had juft before been evacuated.
elg Our General had ordered Maj. Gen. Lord Sterling
to proceed to Albany, and take the command of the
troops in that quarter; he fet out for the northward
about noon on the 16th. The fame day, Col. Tup-
per, with the 1ft New-Hampfhire and 10th Maffa-
chufetts regiments, and a detachment of artillery,
embarked at Fishkill Landing, and arrived at Albany
in 18 hours afterwards. The fame day, it was learnt
that the enemy's fleet at New-York, was 24 or 25
fail of the line; and that 5 or 6,000 of the beſt
troops at New-York had embarked, and were on the
point

OCT. 1781.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
315
point of failing to attempt to relieve Earl Cornwallis;
it was alfo faid that Cornwallis was thort of bread,
and that his meat provifions would not laft him more
than the month out, at fartheft-he had received
fresh provifions but once after he was blockaded.
On the morning of the 17th, a horfe-guard be-
longing to Gen. Howe's divifion, confifting of a fer-
jeant, 9 privates, and 8 waggoners, with 30 horfes,
were taken by Delancy's horfe a little below Croten
River, where the horfes had been put to pafture con-
trary to orders. A Court of Inquiry was ordered to
inveftigate the matter. Who motul va
aill18th. It was learnt, that on the preceding Satur-
day, a British 74 gun fhip was ftruck by the light-
ning at New-York, and fuftained confiderable dam-
age. bad doidwanibnsibilim one bovist
2022d. Gen. Greene's official letter to Congrefs,
announced that his battle on the 8th, near Eutaw
Springs, was well fought; that on the field he ob-
tained the victory, drove and purfued the enemy for
feveral miles; when the enemy, throwing themfelves
into a three-story brick houfe, a stockaded garden,
and thick brufh, renewed the action, when, after fome
efforts to diflodge them, Gen. Greene thought it ad-
vifeable to call off his troops, which was done, and
the wounded brought off, except fuch as were under
the fire of the houfe. Four brafs fix-pounders hav
ing had their horfes killed, were alfo left near the
houfe, in poffeffion of the enemy. This was fome-
what fimilar to what took place at Germantown
battle, and now very probably faved the British from
a total defeat.
The clofe of this action barred its
being called a complete victory, although its effects
proved it fuch. General Greene, of Continental
State troops and militia, had one Lieutenant Colo-
nel, 1 Major, 6 Captains, 8 Subalterns, 8 Serjeants,
and 114 rank and file killed-5 Lieutenant Colonels,
13

316
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [OCT. 1781.
300
13 Captains, 25 Subalterns, 32 Serjeants, and
rank and file wounded-1 Serjeant, and 40 rank and
file miffing-1 Brigadier-General of militia wound,
ed. Of the enemy, 500 prifoners, including the
wounded, which the enemy left behind them, were
taken; and it was fuppofed that the killed and other
wounded of the enemy, must be nearly 600 more.
Perhaps troops never fought better than the Ameri-
cans did in this battle; and of the British, General
Greene obferved, the enemy fought with equal
fpirit, and worthy of a better caufe."obro or
By a letter from Gen. Waſhington, of the 6th, it
appeared that the operations against Earl Cornwallis
had then gone on but flowly, but that the trenches
were to be opened that night. The fame letter ob-
ferved, that fome mifunderftanding, which had fub-
fifted in Vermont, was fettled ; and that Gen. Enos,
and the troops under his command, were to be fub-
ject to the orders of our General. How swagninga
The army in the Highlands were at this time
fhort of flour, occafioned by the dry feafon, and con-
fequent want of water for the mills, ol-homi
24th. A letter was received from Gen. Wafh.
ington, dated at York, in Virginia, the 12th, by
which it appeared that the trenches were opened on
the night of the 6th, without being diſcovered by
the enemy until day-light. The approaches were
carried on within 600 yards of the enemy's works,
without any lofs-the 7th and 8th were employed in
erecting batteries--on the 9th, two batteries, one on
the right, and the other on the left, were opened.
The next morning, four other batteries being com-
pleted, the whole opened a heavy fire of cannon and
mortars, which foon become fo warm as to drive the
enemy from their guns, and their fire was almoft to-
tally filenced-very little return was made after-
wards. The Charron, of 44 guns, with one tranf
port,

OCT. 1781] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
317
port, took fire from our fhot or fhells, the evening of
the 10th, and were both confumed. The 11th, an-
other fhip was deftroyed in the fame manner. The
fame night, the fecond parallel was advanced within
lefs than 400 yards of the enemy's lines. This ap-
proach was alfo effected without annoyance; and on
the 12th, the fatigue men were fecurely, covered,
while they were completing the works. The fame
evening there was a flying report, and which feemed
to gain credit, that Earl Cornwallis, and his army,
furrendered on the 17th; and that Count de Graffe
had gone out to meet Admiral Digby.
-
en 25th. Intelligence was received of the advance
of the enemy at the northward.
26th. Col. Francis, with the fpecie from Bofton,
paffed the river; the money was eſcorted by 40
horfe of Sheldon's regiment, and 150 infantry; and
Lieut. Col. Mellen, was ordered with a detachment
of infantry, to move on the lower road as far as
Morristown, keeping between the efcort and the
nonego id
enemy.
28th. In the afternoon, a letter from Gen. Wafh-
ington to our General, announced the pleafing and
highly important news of the complete capture of
Earl Cornwallis, and his whole army, on the 19th.
Our General had affured the army, that the moment
he received the certain intelligence of the capture of
Cornwallis, it fhould be announced to them by the
difcharge of 13 cannon, near his quarters; thefe
were now the heralds to the army, and were inftant-
ly anſwered by a like number of field-pieces in eve-
ry brigade on the ground. bewor
On the 15th, two of the enemy's redoubts were
ftormed, one by the Americans, and the other by
the French troops, and foon carried, with but little
lofs. The poffeffion of theſe redoubts, gave the
allied army in a great meafure the command of the
other

318
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [OCT. 1781.
other works of the enemy; who, on the 17th, beat
a parley, and on the 19th furrendered: 13,500 regu
lar troops laid down their arms; 2,000 more were
fick and wounded, in the hofpitals. Thefe were
exclufive of failors, negroes, &c. Earl Cornwal
lis was to go to England on parole, and remain a
prifoner until exchanged. The officers and men
were to be exchanged as far as the garrifon of
Charleſton would extend; the remainder were to
continue prifoners of war; the British were to retain
their private baggage. It was faid that more than
100 veffels were taken from the enemy. A détail
of the prifoners taken, was ftated as follows: one
Lieut. General, one Brig. General, 2 Colonels, 14
Lieut. Colonels, 16 Majors, 97 Captains, 180 Lieu-
tenants, 55 Enfigns, 4 Chaplains, 6 Adjutants, g
Quarter-Mafters, 18 Surgeons, 25 Mates, 385 Ser!
jeants, 197 Drummers and Trumpeters, 6,039 rank
and file, 189 in the Commiffary's department-failors
in the pay of the King, 840-killed during the fiege,
309-deferters, 44-75 brafs cannon, 169 iron do.
5,743 mufkets with bayonets, 915 mufkets without
bayonets, and 1,136 damaged mufkets were among the
trophies of victory. Thus was the principal force of
the enemy cruſhed in the fouth. At the northward, the
enemy were advancing, both by the way of the Lakes
and by the Mohawk River. Col. Willet, with his
regiment of New-York levies, and fome militia of
New-York, and from the western parts of Maffachu-
fetts, were advancing to meet Maj. Rofs, who, with
from 500 to 700 men, principally British troops, was
making his way towards Albany, through the fettle-
ments on the Mohawk. do ow did
Y29th. Intelligence was received that an action
Sook place the preceding Thurfday, near Johnftown,
etween the troops under the command of Col.
Willet and Maj. Rofs.log
19010
bells
Col.

OCT. 1781.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
319
BrCol. Willet having advanced until he had arrived
near Maj. Rofs, detached Maj. Rowley of Maffachu-
fetts, with a body of militia, by a circuitous move-
ment, to get in the rear of the enemy, with orders,
that as foon as he heard the firing in the front, to
fall on them.ba Maji Rowley performed his mancu
vre accordingly, and as foon as Col. Willet judged
that the Major had gained the rear of the enemy, he
made a vigorous charge on their front, when they
immediately gave way, and to all appearance the
Colonel was nearly in the grafp of victory, when, all
at once, without any vifible occafion the levies came
to a fland, and then immediately began to fall back,
the enemy facing about and charging vigorously;
the Colonel's brafs field-piece and ammunition tum-
brel fell into the hands of the enemy, and a rout
feemed to be taking place, when Maj. Rowley, not
knowing what had taken place in the front, com-
menced a brifk attack on the enemy's rear; this in-
ftantly threw them into confufion; the levies rallied
in the front, and fought with redoubled bravery; the
field-piece and tumbrel were retaken, and the ene-
my put to a moft complete rout, and purfued until
the levies, militia, and fome Oneida Indians who
were with Col. Willet, were worn down, with
fatigue. It was not poffible to afcertain the number
of the enemy's flain; for, to ufe the words of the re-
porting officer, "Unlefs the fwamps and rivers, in
which they fell, were to report the killed, it was im-
poffible to make a return of them." Major Butler,
fo frequently a troublefome partizan officer on the
frontiers, was killed by the Indians, as he was paffing
a river. Fifty-two prifoners were taken and brought
in; and Major Rofs went off in a direction into the
woods, where he and his troops must have fuffered
extremely for provifions, &c. Of the levies and mi-
litia with Col. Willet, 1 Lieutenant and 12 rank
and

320
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [OCT. 1781.
and file were killed; 1 Captain, 2 Lieutenants, and
20 rank and file were wounded; 1 Captain, 1 Lieu-
tenant, and 3 privates, miffing. Thus were the de-
figns of the enemy alfo fruftrated in the north. them
67 The Corporation of the city of Albany were fo
much impreffed with the feafonable and effectual ex-
ertions, made by our General, to fave their city from
deftruction, that they fent him the following very
polite addrefs.
--
or bits ALBANY, October 22, 1781.
"SIR,
"THREATENED as this city and the frontiers
of the State have been, with deftruction, from an
enemy, who, forgetting the rights of humanity, and
the cuſtoms of war, adopted by civilized nations,
have hitherto waged it with all the fpirit of the moft
favage barbarifm, we cannot reflect but with pleaf-
ure and gratitude on the alacrity with which you
have purfued the intentions of the Commander in
Chief, in affording with fo much diſpatch a compe-
tent fupport to oppofe the enemy: permit us, there
fore, to render you our unfeigned thanks, and to af-
fure you that the Corporation of the city of Albany
can never be unmindful of your attention; and we
entertain not the leaft, doubt, but that fimilar fenti-
ments influence every inhabitant who has experienc-
ed the advantage of your generous exertions.
We are, Sir, with the greateft refpect and efteem,
Hoidy
your moft obedient, humble Servants.
oldiloy
By order of the Corporation,
(Signed) ABRA. TEN BROECK, Mayor.
So
The Hon. Maj. Gen. HEATH."
31ft. The army in the Highlands, celebrated the
glorious victory obtained over Lord Cornwallis.
The whole army was under arms in one line; the
sliv do artillery!
W
bac

OCT. 1781.
321
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
artillery interfperfed with the brigades to which it
was attached: at 12 o'clock, the army was reviewed
by the General; at one, a grand feu-de-joy was fir-
ed; after which, all the officers dined together, at a
table ſpread in the field, and formed a great fquare,
where great feftivity and focial mirth prevailed.
The foldiery had an extra boon on the occafion;
and, to crown the whole, in the midſt of the joy
around the table, an officer approached our General,
and informed him, that, at the requeft of the prif-
oners in the provoft, (who were pretty numerous)
he was defired to reprefent that their hearts ex-
panded with joy on account of the glorious victory
obtained by their illuftrious Commander in Chief
that they lamented they could not exprefs it with
their comrades in arms; but that they did it heartily
in their confinement, and folicited the General's
goodness in an order for fomething to cheer their
fpirits. This was inftantly done, with an additional
order to the officer of the provoft guard, to fet every
prifoner in confinement at liberty. The promulga-
tion of this order drew a fhout of approbation from
the whole body of the officers at the table; and
probably had a better effect on the difcipline of the
army, than a continuation of confinement, and ex-
emplary puniſhment of the culprits, could have pro-
duced. The general order of the day directed, that,
"As foon as the feu-de-joy is over, the arms, am-
munition, &c. are immediately to be put in perfect!
order for inftant action. All guards, pickets, and
centinels to be vigilant and alert on their pofts
which, notwithstanding the joy of the day, was ftrictly
obferved. bisworn in 915w
32
On this occafion there were rejoicings in all parts
of the United States: one inftance feems to be
worthy of notice; the company collected had deter
mined to burn Gen. Arnold in effigy, for his treach-
RR
ery

3229
[Nov. 1781.
HEATH'S MEMOIRS
ery at Weft-Point; juft as they were going to com-
mit the effigy to the flames, one of the company ob-
ferved, that one of Arnold's legs was wounded when
he was fighting bravely for America, that this leg
ought not to be burnt, but amputated; in which the
whole company agreed; and this leg was taken off,
and fafely laid by. nood sixens bed visible adT
November 3d. At night, the efcort with the fouth-
ern mail, who had put up at Col. Cooper's, in Clark's
Town, were attacked by a gang of villains, who fir-
ed into the houfe, and killed the Serjeant dead on the
fpot, and wounded Capt. Champion, of Connecticut,
who had put up at the fame houfe, in the fhoulder:
the Corporal of the efcort behaved well, threw the
mail behind a bed, and defended the houfe--the
affailants made off. ad id nisbatmisd
The fame day, the foragers returned from below
the lines, with a large quantity of forage, and two
prifoners, taken near Col. Phillips's.widT
Tis
5th. A Heffian yauger came in, with his horfe
and equipments complete. 1
7th. Two deferters came in from New-York;
they left the city the evening before-they were very
intelligent; by them it was learnt that the British
fleet returned to Sandy Hook, the preceding Satur
day was a week-that no action happened while they
were at fea that the troops were difembarked from
the men-of-war, but remained on board the tranf
ports that Gen. Sir Henry Clinton landed on Long-
Island, and came acrofs to the city. insini ol sho
8th. Intelligence was received from the north-
ward, that the enemy did not eſtabliſh a poft at Ti-
conderoga, but were returning towards Canada;
and the militia which had been called out, were
difmiffed. The British at New-York, at this time,
wifhed to ftrike fome of the pofts in the Highlands,
-doser and not ni blot no ad of but im
я Я

Nov. 1781.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.H
323
but did not attempt any of themas The army was
fhort of flour, but amply fupplied with meat. base
About this time, our General received a letter from
Gen. Washington, dated at York, (Virginia) October
27th, 1781.5 in which, among others things, the
Commander in Chief obferves There will be no
occafion for forwarding on any more beef cattle, from
the northward, for this army. Should there be a
greater quantity of cattle fent from the New-England
States, than the daily confumption of your army fhall
require, I would with the furplus might be falted
(if practicable) at fome convenient place on the
North River; otherwife, it will be neceffary for you
to give orders to the Agents and Commiffaries, to pre-
vent their fending more cattle than you fhall have
occafion for." This was the good fruit of the fyf
tematic arrangement.sludosits M ir sTd18s
12th.-Gen. Glover, with his own brigade, march-
ed for the lines, in order to cover a grand forage.
bed 3th!+-Lieut. Deforefter, of the Connecticut line,
with 25 continental foldiers, and Capt. Lockwood,
with 15 volunteers, including Lieutenants Hull and
Mead, of the Connecticut State troops, took an arm-
ed floop of socarriage-guns, with 25 foldiers on
board. Lieut. Deforeſter, and thofe with him, be-
haved with great addrefs and gallantry. be a to
16th-Brig. Gen. Glover returned from the grand
forage; during the forage, one of the enemy was
killed, and two taken prifoners; a quantity of corn,
hay, &c. and about 40 fwine, were brought off. 13
17th. The 3d Maffachufetts brigade moved to
their ground of cantonment, fouth of the north re-
doubt, where they built their huts.q80 bus omloH
7019th. Admiral Digbyl remained at New-York,
with feven fail of the line, five of 74, and two of 64
guns, two fifties, two frigates, one 20 gun fhip, and
two floops of war; the remainder of the British fleet,
noiib
under

324
[DEC. 1781.
HEATH'S MEMOIRS,
under the command of Admiral Greaves, failed from
Sandy Hook the preceding Monday, for the Weft-
Indies; a great number of fhipping, perhaps 300
fail, were lying in New-York harbour; the enemy
and inhabitants appeared much dejected.18
or 20th. Col. Tupper, with the 10th Maffachuſetts
regiment, a detachment of artillery, &c. arrived at
Weft-Point, from Albany. i obrewdrion si
b23d. The Connecticut line marched to their can-
tonment, back of Conftitution Ifland, and the corps
of artillery to Weft-Point. The fame day, Maj.
Gen. Lord Sterling returned to the army, from
Albany.afond lliw it shivredio TV
24th.-Our General removed his quarters from
the Continental Village to Robinfon's Farm, for win-
ter-quarters. The army in want of flour and forage.
28th. The 1ft Maffachuſetts brigade moved to
their cantonment, back of Weft-Point.diat
December 2d.-The militia which had been called
out for 3 months, were returning home. They had
ferved with much reputation, and done good fervice
for their country. signibuloni slov diw
m4th.-Capt. Sacket, of the New-York levies, near
Harrifon's Purchaſe, below the lines, having gone a
fmall diftance from his detachment, on the morning
of the 2d, was taken prifoner by a party of the ene-
my. The enemy afterwards attacked Lieut. Mofher,
to whom the command of the detachment fell;
Lieut. Mofher and the detachment behaved with
great bravery, repulfed the enemy, killed one of them
and two horfes, and wounded eight of the enemy;
among them a Capt. Kipp, faid mortally; Colonel
Holmes and Capt. Kipp had their horfes killed un
der them. The levies had not a man killed or
wounded. bas
evitonilodi to list novel di
The army were now bufily employed in building
their huts, which they profecuted with great expe.
1sbitu
dition,

DEC. 1781.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
325
dition, and foon rendered them comfortable as to
fhelter; but many of the troops were in a moft nak-
ed and diftreffed condition as to clothing; but re-
lief was daily arriving from the eastward.belolandT
8th. The officers and foldiers, who had been in
Virginia, were now returning to the army. Some
of the foldiers brought the fmall-pox with them. ol
12th.-The river was frozen down to Fishkill
Landing, so uo batiliv gaived allar shamol
The 13th was a general Thanksgiving Day; a
large company of the officers of the army dined
with our General. 95nsbivot snivid lo asfion of
24th.The Clothier-General was iffuing the new
clothing to the regimental Pay-Maftersa moft ne-
ceffary piece of bufinefs. Congrefs about this time,
by refolutions which they paffed, called upon the
Legiſlatures of the refpective States, to complete their
quotas of the army by the first of March enfuing,
Congreſs being determined to push the late fucceffes,
until the enemy were driven from America. The
preceding day, viz. the 23d, Capt. Williams, of the
New-York levies, (ftationed on the lines) with 25
volunteer horfe, made an excurfion to Morriffania,
where they took and brought off prifoners, one Cap
tain, one Lieutenant, and feven privates, of Delan-
cy's corps, without the lofs of a man. Capt. Wil-
liams conducted this enterprize with addrefs and
gallantry. Capt. Pritchard moved down with a de-
tachment of continental troops, to cover the horfe,
if neceffary; but the enemy did not come out. e
ey
26th. Five deferters came in from Arnold's
corps, with their horfes, &c. complete they were
a patrole to a foraging party, near Col. Phillips's.
An embarkation of troops was taking place at New-
York, for Charlefton and Savannah; Gen. Leflie
having written, that without a reinforcement he could
not maintain his pofts.
27th.

326
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [JAN. 1782.
0 27th.-Free Mafons celebrated the feast of St.
John, &c. now owns
1616
9131ft.-The river was a little freed of the ice.-
Thus clofed the year 1781, a year which will be mem-
orable in the annals of the United States of America,
for the capture of Earl Cornwallis and his army-
for feveral well-fought battles in the fouth by Gen.
Greene and the British, in that quarter-for the
Count de Graffe's having vifited our coaft with the
moft formidable fleet ever before in thefe feas-and
for general fucceffes on the American arms, under
the fimiles of Divine Providence, in every quarter.
May the new year be rendered more aufpicious in
the completion of the American warfare, and in the
eftabliſhment of the United States in the full ac-
knowledgment of independence, peace and hap-
pinefs. algo of eviẞeglerods to assunshigs. I
-
1782. January 1ft.-A new mode of fupplying
the army by contract commenced, under the con-
duct of Comfort Sands and Co. contractors.sling
7th.-Nine foldiers had then died of the fmall-
pox: it was fpreading, and it was determined
to inoculate fuch as had not had the distemper;
which took place in the Connecticut line on the 11th.
11th. Capt. Hunnewell, of New-York, with a
number of volunteer horfe, covered by Maj. Tref
cott, with a detachment of continental troops, made
an excurfion to Morriffania, took and brought off
prifoners Capt. Totten, and three privates of Delan-
cy's corps; it was the intent to have captured the
Colonel, but he was abfent from his quarters. A
party of the enemy's horfe collected and purfued
Capt. Hunnewell, but they were checked by Major
Trefcott, and no injury was fuftained.de f
sil 14th. It was learnt, that on the 4th, a fleet of
fail of victuallers arrived at New-York from Cork,
aloq aid is under
125
diys

JAN. 1782.]
327
HEATH's MEMOIRS.
under convoy of the Quebec frigate; ten fail more
were left at Charlefton, where the whole touched.
16th. The river was hard frozen again, and was
paffable on the ice, from Weft-Point to Conftitution
Ifland. The fame day, a ferjeant and four dragoons
came in from Arnold's corps, with fix horfes and fur-
niture complete. boyThe fixth dragoon would not
come off, on which the others took from him his
horfe, cloak, fword, &c. They deferted from a for-
aging party, and reported that a great part of the
corps would defert, when opportunity offered.
17th.Three dragoons came in from Arnold's
corps, with their horfes, &c. complete; and one
prifoner taken by our guides, near Morriffania, was
fent up.-dhol abiswot boxom you?
20
18th.-Lieut. Hiwill, crofling the river on the ice,
fell through, but fortunately got out again. 19t
bragth. It was communicated, that about the
month of the preceding October, one
was
offered two thoufand guineas to take Gen. Wafh-
ington, and five hundred to take and bring in Gov.
Read.sg is for go do quite as shent
dino
20th.-News was received, that the Marquis de
Boullie, Governor of Martinico, had recaptured the
Ifland of St. Euftatia, where he made prifoners of
670 men. The Count De Graffe, with 31 fail of the
line, had arrived at Martinico before the 6th of De-
cember. The British fleet from New-York had ar-
rived at Barbadoes.
How oiladas eros
24th. Some uneafinefs having taken place on
account of the iffues of provifions under the contract,
the officers commanding brigades were ordered, on
the part of the army, to endeavour an adjuftment
with the contractors, who went for the purpofe.
yd
28th.-A man and his horfe fell through the ice,
near Weft-Point; feveral foldiers lent their affift-
ance, but in vain-both were drowned,bersaftovis
llow
31ft.

328
HEATH'S MEMOIRSH [FEB. 1782)
9131ft.The whole of the troops who had not be-
fore had the fmall-pox, were then under the opera-
tion of inoculation their number near 2,000; fev-
eral had died, but in general it was very favourable.
February 8th.-News was received, that the Duke
de Lauzun, who carried to France the news of the
capture of Earl Cornwallis, arrived in France in 23
days after he left the Chefapeak; that there were
great rejoicings in France on the occafion, and alfo
for the birth of a Dauphin.oger bas visq gnis
10th. The river had been paffable on the ice for
feveral days, at King's Ferry. On the preceding
Thurfday, about 50 of Delancy's horfe came out
within four miles of Shapequa, where they halted.
On the 8th, they moved towards North-Caftle, but
turned off by Wright's Mills; from thence to King-
ftreet, and towards Horfeneck; they fell in with
a fmall guard of Gen. Waterbury's-killed one, and
made four prifoners; they alfo took two or three
inhabitants, plundered two houfes, cando returned.
About this time, a detachment from the Jerfey line
made an attempt on the refugee poft at Bergen, but
were repulfed.d ads, boyjor 20w whos
17th. The King of England's fpeech to his Par-
liament came to hand: this fpeech was more mod-
erate than any before had been, and an inclination
to pacification was difcernable. s bovins bad stil
20th. Two deferters came in from Arnold's
corps, and alfo two Heffians; ten had come in, du
ring the courfe of two or three days. mod
21ft.The enemy were out towards Bedford.
About this time, nine or ten thoufand ftand of arms,
and a large quantity of powder, brought from France
by Col. Laurens, were brought from Bofton to
Fishkill. deuord list strod air ban nem As
123d.A detachment, confifting of 150 men, prop
erly officered, bunder the coinmand of Maj. Max-
well,
जीम

MARCH, 1782.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
329
well, marched for Stamford, to cover that part of
the country.
27th.-Col. Sumner arrived from Maffachuſetts;
he brought on about 2,000 fuits of clothes for the ar-
my. The day before, a Mr. Dyckman, one of our
guides on the lines, with 13 volunteer horfemen,
made an excurfion to Morriffania, took five prifon-
ers of Delancy's corps, and five horfes; on their
return, they were purfued by a party of the enemy's
horfe, who coming rather too near, the brave vol-
unteers faced about, charged vigorously, took one
man prifoner with his horfe, and put the reft to
flight. The enemy again appeared in fome force at
a diſtance, but dared not to renew the attack. A-
bout this time, a fleet of tranfports failed from New-
York to the fouthward; it was conjectured to bring
away troops.
babnuow virg
Two
March 3d. The river was fo freed of ice, that
the General's barge croffed to Weft-Point.
prifoners of war taken from Delancy's corps, were
fent up. Accounts from Maffachufetts announced
an uneafinefs among the people refpecting the bur-
den of taxes; and that there had been Conventions
in the counties of Hampshire and Berkshire. tow adi
yli4th.-Capt. Hunnewell, with a body of volun-
teer horfe, backed by the infantry under the com-
mand of Maj. Woodbridge, made an excurfion to
Morriffania. The horfe proceeded down between
the Britiſh fort No. 8, and the cantonment of De-
lancy's corps, and having turned the cantonments
between day-break and fun-rife, they entered pell-
mell. The enemy were completely furprifed, and
fled in every direction; fome were cut down on the
fpot, others fo badly wounded as not to be able to
be removed. Some of the enemy availed them-
felves of pofitions where the horfe could not affail
them, from whence they began to fire on the horſe;
1
$
this

330
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [MARCH, 1782.
this occafioned the firing of the alarm guns at No. 8.
The horſe having nearly accompliſhed their defign,
moved off, taking the Eaft-Chefter road, on which
Maj. Woodbridge had pofted the infantry in am
bufcade.no Capt. Hunnewell had brought off one
Subaltern and 20 men prifoners, and 20 horfes. The
enemy in the vicinity collected a number of horfe
backed by light-infantry, and purfued Capt. Hun-
newell until he came to Maj. Woodbridge. The
enemy were drawn into the ambufcade, who made
one or two difcharges on them, on which they broke
and retired, but foon returned to the charge; fkir-
mifhing enfued, and continued to a confiderable dif
tance. Of the Americans, two privates were kill
ed Mr. Dyckman, one of the guides, a brave and
active man, mortally wounded, and three privates
flightly wounded.
.80001] VAWS
The enemy at New-York were now contemplat-
ing means for their own defence, against the next
campaign; and it was determined to open a canal
and ftrong lines from the Hudfon to the Eaſt River,
at fome diftance from the city. The canal was to
be deep and wide; 2,000 men were employed on
the works on one day, 300 of whom were inhabit-
ants. The fame number were to be furnifhed daily.
Thefe preparations were a defenfive fhield for the
time of approaching negociation; for from the de-
bates and fpeeches in the British Parliament, the
olive-branch was evidently putting forth its buds.d
10th. Two foldiers, belonging to the 6th Maffa-
chuſetts regiment, having fome words refpecting
their mefs, one of them ftruck the other with his
fift a blow on the head, and killed him dead on the
fpot. About the fame time, an inhabitant, appre-
hending that fome foldiers were about to rob his
hen-rooft, diſcharged a mufket out of a window,
by which a foldier was killed. sen mol,ment
13th.

MARCH, 1782.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
334
m3th. Maj. Gen. Lincoln, Secretary at War, are
rived at the army, on his way to Philadelphia, aset
ed At this time it was learnt, that on the 13th of the
preceding December there were ftrong debates in
the British Houfe of Commons, refpecting the car-
rying on the war in America. When Sir James
Lowther made a motion, that the mode which had
been purfued was ineffectual, many Members fpoke
for and against the motion; when it was put, there
was againſt the motion, 220; for it, 179; major-
ity, 41. bisod not need bsn nonneo yaod to
2514th.Lieut. Harris, with fix men belonging to
Capt. Vermille's company of militia, having obtain-
ed intelligence of a party of Delancy's corps being
at a houſe near Mile-Square, had the addrefs to fur-
prife the whole party, confifting of 12, killed
and made four prifoners.
one
16
21ft. A duel was fought at Weft-Point, between
Capt. and Lieut., when the former was
killed and the latter wounded: they fought with
piftols, at about ten feet diftance. The Lieutenant
abfconded. basmmo oda of eqtor aid ysg of
25th.-News was received, that the Iflands of St.
Chriſtopher's and Nevis furrendered to the arms of
his moft Chriftian Majefty, on the 12th of the pre-
ceding February. The terms granted by the French
commandants were truly noble, and reflect the high-
eft honour on them. balans heb od w odw
slo26th.About this time, putrid fevers were preva-
lent among the American troops, and in fome inftan-
ces proved mortal.no About this time, an embarkation
of about 800 troops took place at New-York; their
deftination not publickly known.ad bad sobercro
ni 28th. The whole army were ordered to be in
readineſs for inftant action, or, to march to fuch
place or places, as might ftand in need of aid.
additional company was ordered to the lines, and
another
An

332
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [APRIL, 1782.
another to Smith's Clove, for the fafety of the Com-
mander in Chief, who was on his way from Philadel
phia to Newburgh, and was to paſs the Clove, on the
fucceeding Saturday or Sunday. News was receiv-
ed, that the citizens of London and Weſtminſter
had petitioned the King, in the ftrongeft terms, to
relinquish the American war.
29th.-Five deferters came in from Arnold's corps,
with their arms, &c. complete. The enemy were
bufily employed on their canal and lines: a number
of heavy cannon had been put on board fhip, at
New-York. About this time, the Britifh cruifers
were but too fuccefsful against the Americans, at fea.
A fhip of 18 guns, had, for fome time, taken a fta-
tion off Spitten-Devil Creek. ll en stor
31ft. His Excellency Gen. Waſhington arrived
at Newburgh; he had been abfent from the main
army fince the 19th of the preceding Auguft, hav-
ing fpent the winter at Philadelphia, after the capture
of Earl Cornwallis, bebrow our oft bar b
14 April 2d. Our General went up to Newburgh,
to pay his refpects to the Commander in Chief, where
he dined, and returned at evening: Gen. Wafhing-
ton eftabliſhed his quarters at Newburgh. On the
night of the 1ft, a party of Capt. Pray's men, from
the water-guard, being on fhore, on the eaft fide of
the Hudfon, fell in with a party of our own militia,
who, in the dark, attacked each other; four of the
latter were wounded, and eleven (being the whole
of the party) were taken prifoners, before the miſtake
was diſcovered. An exprefs, on his way from St.
John's to New-York, with feveral letters, one in
characters, had been taken. Jaildug ton nodib
4th. The following [extract] was published in
the general orders, 10
big
odions
ot alaniba
WY HEADQUARTERS,

APRIL, 1782.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
333
bedorsal
HEAD-QUARTERS, NEWBURGH, April 4th, 1782
"The Commander in Chief, having returned, and
refumed the command of the main army, prefents
his thanks to Maj. Gen. Heath, and the troops which
have been employed under his orders, for having
preferved the important pofts committed to his
charge, and covered the country fo fuccefsfully
against the depredations of the enemy, during the
abfence of the General."
6th. The Commander in Chief vifited Weft-
Point, and reviewed the firft Maffachuſetts brigade.
On his arrival at the Point, he was faluted by the
difcharge of 13 cannon,
8th.-Four deferters came in, three from the 42d
British regiment, and a feaman from the fhip Venger;
this fhip, ftationed in the North River, mounted 24
guns, and had two gun-boats with her. The enemy
continued at work on their canal and lines, which
they were making very ftrong. An incredible num-
ber of fafcines had been made, during the winter, on
Long-Island and Staten-Ifland, ftrongly bound with
eight bands; thefe were placed in the face of the
work, with five pickets in each fafcine.
9th.-The Commander in Chief reviewed the 3d
Maffachuſetts brigade and 10th regiment, and dined
with our General. The fame day, two deferters came
in from the fhip in the river. The fame night, an
armed brig, and three boats, full of men, came up
the Hudfon, and came to anchor a little above the
place where our guard-boats rendezvous, at Nyack;
they were early difcovered, and the alarm given.
The foldiers landed at Haverstraw, about one o'clock
on the morning of the 10th, and took 3 or 4 militia-
It was fuppofed that their defign was to have
taken our whale-boats: they were refugees and fail-
ors. Not knowing but this might have been a feint,
29
to

334
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [APRIL, 1782.
to an attack on the lines, 200 men were detached
for their fupport, if neceflary. The enemy returned
down the river, in the afternoon, having, in addi-
tion to the militia, above mentioned, taken two of
Capt. Pray's men, who were out, burning coal, and
two others who were over at Tarrytown, fishing, and
deſtroyed fome feines. It was learnt, from the north-
ward, that the enemy were repairing and building
boats at St. John's, and bringing up provifions to
that place; this rendered it probable, that the ene-
my would be troublefome in that quarter, the enfu-
ing campaign. Several parties of Indians had been
fkulking about, on the Mohawk River, had killed a
foldier and a lad, and had taken a foldier prifoner,
and burnt a building. omo rotolob tuod-d18
14th. Three deferters came in from Robinfon's
corps; they made their efcape from Long-Ifland, by
croffing the Sound in a canoe. They reported, that
the enemy were under great apprehenfions of an at-
tack, and were making every preparation for defence;
that 62,000 fafcines had been made on Long-Ifland,
during the winter and fpring. A fleet of tranfports
had arrived at New York, from Charlefton. Lines
were traced out on Long-Ifland, from the great fort
to the marfh, near M'Gowen's mill-dam.
18th. It was learnt, that the enemy had laid an
embargo on the hipping at New-York. News was
received, that Holland had formed an alliance with
France, and that a Spanish fleet had arrived in the
Weft-Indies. anodons or sms bus nolbull
19th. The General Officers, and officers com-
manding brigades and regiments, met at our Gener-
al's quarters, in confequence of orders from the
Commander in Chief, to give an opinion what meaf-
ures ought to be adopted, in confequence of the hor-
rid and brutal murder of a Capt. Huddy, who had
commanded a block-houfe at Tom's River, in the Jer-
fies,

APRIL, 1782.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
335
fies, and had been taken prifoner by the enemy, and
carried to New-York, where he was clofely confined,
under guard, and in the fugar houfe, and on board
a veffel, in irons, and then carried over to Bergen, in
the Jerfies, and hanged by the refugees, a Capt. Lip-
pincot directing the execution. This was done, un-
der the pretence that Capt. Huddy had been con-
cerned in the death of one Philip White, although
White was killed by the guard, from whom he en-
deavoured to make his efcape, and Capt. Huddy was
at the fame time a prifoner with the enemy. Hud-
dy was left hanging on a tree, with the following la-
bel faftened on his breaft: "Up goe's Huddy for Philip
White." This wanton and cruel act, fo exalpe-
rated the inhabitants of New-Jerfey, that they drew
up a petition, figned by a vast number of refpecta-
ble citizens, claiming of Gen. Waſhington, as the
Military Guardian of their country, the obtainment
of justice for this horrid act, or retaliation in cafe juf
tice was refufed. Indeed, painful as the idea of re-
taliation must be to the feelings of humanity, it
feemed now to be the only preventative of more hor-
rid murders. Gen. Washington, with his wonted
prudence and talent for inveſtigation, free of all bias,
ordered the officers to affemble as before mentioned,
and directed our General to ftate to them the occa-
fion of their being convened, and then the following
queftions: Shall there be retaliation for the murder
of Capt. Huddy ? Onowhom fhall it be inflicted?
And how fhall the victim be defignated?" The offi-
cers affembled were forbidden to converfe on the
queftions fubmitted to them, each one was to write
his own opinion, feal it up, and addrefs it to the
Commander in Chief. By this mode of procedure,
all the influence which fome officers might have on
others was prevented, and the fpontaneous feelings
of every individual officer collected. Col. Hum
phries

336
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [APRIL, 1782.
phries and Col. Trumbull, of the General's family,
attended the Council, and every direction of the
Commander in Chief was moft ftrictly obferved.
It was found that the officers were unanimous in
their opinion, that retaliation ought to take place;
that it should be inflicted on an officer of equal rank,
viz. a Captain; not under convention or capitula
tion, but one who had furrendered at difcretion;
and that in defignating fuch an one, it fhould be
done by lot. The Commander in Chief was pleaſed
to approve of the opinion of the officers, and wrote
to the British commander, demanding juftice for
the wanton murder of Capt. Huddy; informing the
British General at the fame time, that if juftice was
not obtained, retaliation would moft affuredly take
place. At the fame time, arrangements were put in
train for retaliation; the names of feveral British
officers, of equal rank and circumftances, were
thrown together, and a fair and impartial lot was
drawn, when young Capt. Afgill was taken; he was
of a noble family, his father was dead, and on him
were the fond hopes of his mother, Lady Afgill,
placed. Indeed a more affecting fcene than this
can fcarcely open; an innocent young man, doomed
to fuffer for the wanton offence of another, which
deed no doubt his foul defpifed; and the tender
breaft of a mother rent in twain on the fate of her
darling fon. Nor were the feelings of the Great
WASHINGTON unmoved on this occafion; they
were too manifeft not to be obferved, and could on-
ly be curbed by the invariable refolution, in every
exigence, to exhibit the adminiftrator of justice. It
was months before this tragic bufinefs clofed; and
that the reader may have the whole narrative to-
gether, it will be carried forward to fuch periods
as will render a return back to the proper chain of
events neceffary.
esinda
Gen.

APRIL, 1782.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
337
Gen. Sir Guy Carleton, who had come into the
command in chief at New-York, wrote to Gen.
Waſhington, affuring him of the fulleft fatisfac-
tion.MOTOMIZAW
Sir Guy ordered a Court-Martial for the trial of
Capt. Lippencot, who was charged with the murder
of Capt. Huddy. The Court-Martial had fet, and
given in their proceedings to Gen. Carleton, who
wrote a letter to Gen. Wafhington, requefting a
paffport for Chief Juftice Smith, to repair to the
head-quarters of the American army, in order to lay
before the Commander in Chief the proceedings of
the Court-Martial, with other documents, which he
(Sir Guy) had no doubt would give full fatisfac-
tion.
Upon Gen. Washington's receiving the letter
from Sir Guy Carleton, he informed our General
that he ſhould not confent to, or give a paffport to
Mr. Chief Juftice Smith, to come up with the pro-
ceedings of the Court-Martial on Lippencot; but
that he would fend him (Gen. Heath) down to Col.
Phillips's, near King's Bridge, to meet fuch officer
of equal rank, as Sir Guy Carleton might think
proper to ſend out to meet him, with the proceedings
of the Court-Martial, &c.; and on the 30th of July
the Commander in Chief wrote to our General as
follows: betrbin
ઃઃ
bat
15 DEAR SIR,
buy won
HEAD-QUARTERS, 30th July, 1782.
TOOY
"FOR your information, and that you may know
the object of your miffion, I inclofe to you a tranf-
cript of my letter to Sir Guy Carleton, which is
herewith committed to your care, to be forwarded
as foon as poffible.
"Before the time of your going to Phillips's
houfe, I fhall have the pleafure of feeing you, or
TT
conveying

338
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [APRIL, 1782.
conveying to you in writing my fentiments more
fully on the fubject of your meeting.
With great regard, &c.
(Signed)
Maj. Gen. HEATH."
"SIR,
G. WASHINGTON.
(Copy)
HEAD-QUARTERS, July 31st, 1782:
"IN reply to your letter of the 25th, I have to
inform your Excellency, that Maj. Gen. Heath,
fecond in command, with two Aids-de-Camp, will
have the honour of meeting an officer of equal rank,
of your Excellency's appointment, at the houfe of
Mr. Phillips, on the 5th day of Auguft next. At
that time Gen. Heath will receive from your officer
the proceedings of the Court-Martial on Capt. Lip-
pencot, for the murder of Capt. Huddy, together
with fuch other documents as you fhall think proper
to communicate.
"The affurance which your Excellency has given
me, of the fulleft fatisfaction in this matter, is as
pleafing as it is interefting.
"Your Excellency's propofitions, contained in your
letter of the 7th, have been communicated to Con-
grefs, and are now under the confideration of that
honourable body; as foon as I am favoured with
their determination, your Excellency may be affured
I will do myſelf the honour to communicate it.
I have the honour, &c. 10
(Signed)
Sir GUY CARLETON."
G. WASHINGTON.
sidilog
T
66
By

APRIL, 1782.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
339
"By his Excellency George Washington, Efq. General
and Commander in Chief of the forces of the United
States of America.
cc
"To Maj. Gen. HEATH.
lims to yang co niqo
berbas
SIR,
HIS Excellency Sir Guy Carleton, having re-
quefted a paffport for Chief Juftice Smith, to repair
to the head-quarters of the American army, in order
to lay before me the proceedings of a Court-Mar-
tial, on the trial of Capt. Lippencot for the murder
of Capt. Huddy, with other documents and explana-
tions, which, he fays, "he has no doubt will give
full fatisfaction:"
"I do, therefore, from an earnest defire to proceed
with candour and deliberate juftice, appoint you to
meet an officer of equal rank, at the houfe of Col.
Phillips, on Monday the 5th inftant, or at any other
time or place which you may think more conveni-
ent, for the purpoſe of receiving the proceedings and
documents above mentioned, with fuch explanations
in writing as he may think proper to communicate.
The
papers you fhall receive, you will tranfmit to
me as foon as your bufinefs is concluded, together
with a report of your proceedings therein.
besig
"Given at head-quarters, this 3d day of Au-
od guft, 1782.olito anos on tad
(Signed) G. WASHINGTON.
be By his Excellency's command."
ISTO
bas
The following inftructions accompanied the fore-
going commiflion:
STOP SIR,
"To Maj. Gen. HEATH.
"HAVING defired you to meet an officer from Sir
Guy Carleton, for the purpofe mentioned in your
appointment

340
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [APRIL, 1782.
appointment and authority, you will proceed to ex-
ecute faid bufinefs; in the courfe of which, you may
inform the officer you meet, that, as I have no con-
nexion with, or control over any perfon in the
line in which Mr. Smith walks; as the queftion be.
fore us is in my opinion purely of a military nature,
and reduceable to this fingle point, whether the per-
petrator of the wanton and cruel murder of Huddy
is to be given up, or a British officer to fuffer in his
place, that I could fee no propriety or neceffity in
an interview with the Chief Juftice.
"If you fhould find that the defign of Sir Guy
Carleton is to procraftinate this bufinefs, to envelope
it in as much intricacy and difficulty as poffible, or
that he means to justify it by recrimination and law
cafes, thereby attempting to avert our purpoſes of
retaliation, you may affure him, (unless you fhall
judge it expedient to leave me more at liberty) if
not explicitly, at leaft by ftrong infinuation, that he
will mifs his aim; and that my deliberate and difpaf-
fionate proceedings in this cafe are intended to give
him, as he now has had, full time to determine
whether the guilty perfon or an innocent officer fhall
be made the fubject of retaliation.
You will be particularly cautious, that whatever
paffes in the conference you are to have, which is to
be confidered as official, be committed to writing,
that no omiffions or mifconceptions may be plead
hereafter; and you will inform the officer in explic-
it terms, if you find the matter is not likely to end
as juftice dictates and we could wifh, that all oral
converfation will be excluded from the official re-
port of thefe proceedings now, or any fhare in the
account of them hereafter, or the recital of them will
be confidered as unfair, and an evident departure
from that line of rectitude which we wished to pur-
fue, for an unbiaffed world to judge by.
"If,

APRIL, 1782.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
341
"If, notwithſtanding my letter to Sir Guy Carle.
ton, requeſting his appointment of an officer of
your rank to meet you on this bufinefs, he fhould
fend Mr. Chief Juftice Smith, you may, at your dif
cretion, either receive the proceedings of the Court,
and fuch other documents as he is merely the bearer
of, without going into any explanation with this
gentleman, or refufe the whole, as the circumftances
of the moment fhall dictate to you.
Or if this gen-
tleman fhould be an attendant on the officer afore-
mentioned, you may refufe to admit him at your
conference. In the firft cafe, you may either return
with the proceedings, &c. or you may write Sir Guy
Carleton, that you will wait a given time for an of
ficer, agreeable to the purport of my letter to him
of the 30th of last month.
di bsebn
xo
Sor
"Given at head-quarters, Newburgh, Auguft
3d, 1782.
(Signed)
G. WASHINGTON."
In the afternoon of the fame day, our General
received the following letter from the Commander
in Chief:
vortorv on D
21500 mg our of sacomoved of bemgal Tomot
HEAD-QUARTERS, Auguft 3d, 1782.
DIS
"DEAR SIR,
"BY the contents of Sir Guy Carleton's letter,
which came inclofed in your's of this day, I find it is
unneceflary for you to proceed to Phillips's houfe.
Difappointed in not obtaining a paffport for Mr.
Chief Juftice Smith to come out, he will not, he
fays, trouble an officer of your rank to be the bearer
of a bundle of papers only; but adds, they fhall be
fent out in the ordinary courfe of conveyance.
Your letter to Col. Trumbull, covering the new
adopted fyftem of iffues, &c. is received.
(Signed)
Maj. Gen. HEATH."
antol of
G. WASHINGTON.
Jeans et mol dojdw
Not

342
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [APRIL, 1782.
TOY
Not long after, the proceedings of the Court-
Martial on Capt. Lippencot, for the murder of Capt.
Huddy were fent out; Lippencot was acquitted by
the Court, and it appeared that the British Com-
manders in Chief, both Sir Henry Clinton, and Sir
Guy Carleton, difapproved the act. It feemed that
a kind of Board of Directors who had a fubordinate
direction of the refugee operations, were fome how
concerned in this bufinefs, and that argument and
fome artifice were neceffary to fmooth it over. How-
ever, Gen. Washington, painful as his talk was, was
not to be diverted from juftice or retaliation; but
execution was fufpended. Lady Afgill, learning the
unhappy fituation of her darling fon, with much
policy, and equal fuccefs, applied to the Count de
Vergennes, then Prime Minifter of France, who fpread
the matter before the King and Queen: indeed it
was a fubject that needed no extra colouring to fix
it on the mind of humanity. The King and Queen
liftened to the requeft; and Congrefs was addreffed
in a reprefentation, that the French, as well as Amer-
ican arms, were victorious at York; and that the
former feemed to have fome fhare in the prifoners;
and hinted that it would be pleafing to the French
Court, if young Afgill was pardoned-which Con-
grefs complied with: and although reparation for
the wanton murder of Capt. Huddy was not fully
obtained, yet it is highly probable, that the firm and
determined conduct of Gen. Wafhington, on the oc-
cafion, put a final ftop to any further repetition of
the kind.
Sd Sir Guy Carleton was probably the greateſt General
which the British had in America, during the war;
Wand it was fortunate for the Americans, that he was
fo long kept within the limits of Canada. In him
were combined many of thofe great qualifications
which form the General.
JOVI
When

APRIL, 1782.
343
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
When Sir Guy vifited the American prifoners in
confinement in Canada, he addreffed them with all
the tenderneſs of a father; he obferved to the young
prifoners, that he did not blame them, it was the
fault of the defigning inen of their country, that had
led them into difficulty; that he would not hold
them in confinement, but would fend them home to
their fathers and friends. See here the foothing art,
that could not fail to cool the ardour of the young
warrior in the caufe of his country.
To Gen. Waterbury of Connecticut, when he fhew
him his commiffion, Sir Guy obferved Your com-
miflion is from the proper authority of your Colony;
(Connecticut had not changed her form of govern-
ment) you are no rebel, Sir; you fhall go
your family."
home to
Soon after Sir Guy Carleton came into the com-
mand at New-York, a Connecticut foldier, who had
been a prifoner, came out to our army, and requeft-
ed a pafs to go home, informing that he had given a
parole to Sir Guy, not to ferve again, during the
war; but he was ordered to join his regiment, which
difappointed the foldier exceedingly. Gen. Wafh-
ington ordered the Commiffary of Prifoners to credit
the British for one man exchanged; and informed Sir
Guy that this practice would not be allowed. Ma-
ny
foldiers were at that time very uneafy in the Amer-
ican army had a conduct of this fort been allowed,
many foldiers on the out-pofts and otherwife, might
have gone to the enemy, have pretended they were
taken, and have come out under parole, and have
gone home, to the unfpeakable injury of the army
but it was nipped in the bud-only one other hav-1
ing come out in the fame way, before it was put a
ftop to.
shom od o
We now return to take up the chain of events
from which we digreffed.
od tog on
The Tois
smA of fin

344
[MAY, 1782.
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
The 20th of April, two prifoners of war, taken near
Kingftreet, were fent up by Major Oliver.
21ft.-A Serjeant-Major deferted and came out;
he reported that an enterprize was contemplating at
New-York, and a number of large boats were col-
lecting at Turtle Bay.
24th. Two deferters came in from the Adamant
man-of-war, of 50 guns, which lay in the Eaft River,
againft New-York. Admiral Digby's flag was then
hoifted on board the Centurion. The feamen on
board the fhips very fickly.
The latter end of April, the Duke of Cumberland
packet, Capt. Dafhwood, arrived at New-York, in
fix weeks from England, with the March mail: by
which it was learnt, that the debates in the Britiſh
Parliament on the American war, grew more and
more intereſting; that a motion had been made by
Gen. Conway, for bringing in a bill, empowering the
King to make peace with America.
The beginning of May, the Britiſh cruizers were
very fuccefsful againft the Americans; eleven fail of
veffels from Philadelphia were taken, and carried
into New-York, with near 9,000 barrels of flour.
May 4th. This evening exhibited the moſt ex-
traordinary aurora borealis ever before feen by thofe
who obferved it.
5th. It was learnt, that the merchants of Edin-
burg, at a meeting on the 7th of the preceding
January, declared and publifhed their fentiments and
wifhes for a peace with America, and a renewal of
friendſhip. It was alfo further learnt, that it was the
prevailing fenfe of the British Houfe of Commons,
as a firſt ſtep to an accommodation with America,
to change the mode of carrying on the war, and to
act only on the defenfive, on the Continent; and
that the perſon who fhould advife to offenfive opera-
tions againſt the Americans, fhould be confidered as
an

MAY, 1782.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
345
an enemy to the King and nation. At the fame
time, France and Holland appeared to be making
great preparations for a vigorous campaign.
6th.-Symptoms of a dangerous mutiny were dif-
covered in the Connecticut line; it had been con-
ducted with fo much addrefs, as to have been nearly
matured before it was divulged. Under the preffure
of real or fuppofed grievances, the foldiers of the
whole line had determined, at revelle the next morn-
ing, to have marched from their cantonment with
arms, &c. complete, for Fishkill, were they were to
take a number of field-pieces, and fuch ammunition
and provifions as might be neceffary, and then pro-
ceed to Hartford, and there demand of their new
General Affembly that juftice which they fuppofed
was their due. Juft as the officers were going to
bed, a faithful foldier, who was waiter to an officer,
came into his room, and told the officer that he could
not go to reft until he divulged to him an event.
which would affuredly take place the next morning,
at break of day; and that every thing was then in
readineſs for it-and laid open the whole fecret. The
matter was immediately communicated to the prin-
cipal officers of the line, and feveral foldiers were
feized and confined, and one fuffered. The whole
defign was fruftrated. Mutiny is a moft horrid of-
fence in an army, which, without ftrict order and
difcipline, is but a rope of fand. On the other hand,
human nature can bear but to a certain degree, and
no further; hence any trial of human nature, be-
yond fuch a degree, is impolitic, and unjuftifiable.
Of this line, it may with ftrict juftice be faid, that
their whole conduct through the war was highly
meritorious.
7th.-- A ftop was put to the inoculation with the
fmall-pox.
UU
8th.

346
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [MAY, 17820
in.
8th. A prifoner was fent up, and a deferter came
9th.-News was received, that there had been a
total change of the British Miniftry, and that Fort
St. Philip, and the whole island of Minorca, furren-
dered to the Spaniards, on the 6th of the preceding
February, by capitulation.
15th.-Eleven trufty Serjeants were fent to Maffa-
chuſetts, to march on the recruits to the army from
that State.
17th. Two deferters came in, who reported that
a packet had arrived at New-York, from England.
24th.-Near 100 old and decrepid foldiers were
collected from the different regiments, and many of
them diſcharged. About this time, a packet arrived
at Boſton, in 25 days paffage from France; the let-
ters were immediately forwarded to Congrefs.
26th. The 1ft Maffachuſetts brigade was ordered
to move out of its cantonment, and encamp near the
German Huts.
The United States of Holland acknowledged the
independence of the United States of America, the
28th of the preceding March.
There was a great talk of peace in New-York.
In the American army great preparations had for
fome time been making to celebrate the birth of the
Dauphin of France. At leaſt 1,000 men a day were
employed, under the direction of the engineers and
other artifts, in conftructing a moft fuperb arbor,
'decorated with every emblem and device, defcriptive
of the occafion, and the alliance between France
and America, which ingenuity could invent; and
perhaps for any thing of the kind, conftructed in
the field, was never furpaffed.
31ft.-The birth of the Dauphin of France was
celebrated by the American army. An elegant din-
ner was provided, by order of the Commander in
Chief;

JUNE, 1782.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
347
Chief; of which the officers of the army, and a
great number of ladies and gentlemen, invited from
the adjacent country, partook. Thirteen toafts were
drank, announced by the difcharge of cannon. At
evening there was a grand feu-de-joy, opened by the
difcharge of 13 cannon, three times repeated. The
feu-de-joy, being fired in the duik, had a pleafing
appearance to the eye, as well as the ear; and was
fo ordered for that purpofe. The army was not
formed in line, but each brigade was drawn up in
front of its own cantonment, or camp, on both
fides of the river; and thus were in a circle of fev-
eral miles circumference, in the centre of which, the
Commander in Chief, and the fpectators were plac-
ed. After the feu-de-joy, there was an exhibition
of fire-works, &c,
June 2d.-Information was received, that the ifl-
and of New-Providence, and its dependencies, were
taken by the Spaniards, on the 11th of the preced-
ing May. The garrifon, which confifted of about
200 men, were fent to Europe. The new frigate
South-Carolina, built in Europe, arrived about this
time in the Delaware; fhe was an exceeding fine
fhip, mounting 28 42-pounders on one deck, and
12 12-pounders on her quarter and fore-caftle. She
was commanded by Commodore Gillon.
There had been a bloody engagement in the Weft-
Indies, the 12th of the preceding April, between the
Count De Graffle and Admiral Rodney; but all the
accounts had been very vague. The British now
publiſhed their account, and that they took from the
French, the Ville de Paris, of 110 guns, and 1300
men; Le Glorieux, Le Cefar, and Le Hector, of 74
guns each; and Le Ardent, of 64 guns, and funk
one fhip of the line. They acknowledged to have
had 236 men killed, and 779 wounded; among
whom were feveral officers. They alfo boafted of
having

348
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [JUNE, 1782.
having obtained a very fignal advantage in the Eu
ropean feas, over Admiral Kempelfelt.
5th. It was reported, that a French fleet had
been ſeen on the American coaft. A fleet about
this time failed from New-York, eastward, through
the Sound, conjectured to be deftined to Penobſcot,
The brigades of the American army daily manceu-
yred, and fired to great acceptation.
10 14th. The British had been removing a number
of heavy cannon and ordnance ftores from their
works at the north end of New-York ifland, and
placing light pieces in the room of them. A num-
ber of deferters daily came in.
24th. The Commander in Chief fent the fol
lowing letter to our General: bust sdi wila
-hi od tadt beviso
STOW
DEAR SIR,
SA 10 431
.bs
Tow-ant to
SHEAD-QUARTERS, NEWBURGH,
{HEAD June 24th, 1782.
onsbiver SV to bu
no ebrsins 2 vd as det
I AM this moment fetting out for Albany, and
fhall be abfent a few days. I give you this informa-
tion for the regulation of your own conduct; and
requeft, in the mean time, you will give me any in-
telligence you may receive, which you fhall deem of
fufficient confequence for communication by ex-
prefs. noil, stobommo
Wedai (Signed)
G. M
bab
G. WASHINGTON.
or Maj. Gen. HEATH. 991 ad to dead
ens lle and yonboligbA bas slitino)
wo 26th. It was learnt from, Canada, that feveral
armed veffels and a number of batteaux, had come
up Lake Champlain; there were probably about 300
men. A much larger force, (report faid 3,000)
was gone or going towards Lake Ontario, to eftab-
lifh a poft at Ofwego. 1 onil odrlo gid no
27th. Another fhip came up the North River,
and took a ftation near Spitten-Devil Creek. mod
July

JULY, 1782.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS. 349
July 2d. The Commander in Chief returned
from Albany.
visb
bsп
4th. The army fired a grand feu-de-joy, it being
the anniverſary of the Declaration of American In-
dependence.
11th. At evening, the Commander in Chief
wrote our General the following letter: .dios
-16sqqa bad 00 TO HEAD-QUARTERS, July 11th, 1782.11
trol DEAR SIR, vba visi swade M
vil wedo M on no bo
"I HAVE this moment received a letter from
Count de Rochambeau; (by one of his Aids, in 5 days
from Williamsburg) informing me that he is on his
way to Philadelphia; that he will be there the 13th
or 14th, and wifhes for an interview with me: for
this purpoſe I fhall fet out in the morning, very ear-
ly, and have only to request your ufual attention.
onil od 10 list to lo
Sed si bavit
150 (Signed) G. WASHINGTON.
bad
Maj. Gen. HEATH."
13th. Two prifoners of war were fent up, and
three German deferters came in, and the next day
a light dragoon, with his horfe, &c. complete. A-
bout this time, the fouthern mail was taken, between
Philadelphia and Morristown. nonsmotr
010
18th. It was learnt, that on the 21ft of the pre-
ceding May, Gen. Wayne obtained a confiderable
advantage over the enemy, with very little lofs on
his fide, near Ogechee, in Georgia: the enemy re-
tired into Savannah. About this time, a Corporal
and 8 men deferted from our block-houfe, at Dobb's
Ferry.
21ft. Three deferters came in. About this time,
a fleet of about 40 fail arrived at Sandy Hook, un-
der convoy of two frigates; they were fuppofed
to be from Ireland.
22d.-Three deferters came in from the British
grenadiers;
nieds

359
[AUG. 1783.
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
grenadiers; two others deferted at the fame time,
but had not got in. The fame day, four deferters
came in from the Huffar frigate, and the next day
three foldiers. At this time the cow. thieves and
refugees were lurking in the Highlands, and detach-
ments were fent out to patrol them.
26th.-Information was received, that a party of
the enemy, to the number of 4 or 500, had appear-
ed on the Mohawk River, advancing towards Fort
Herkemer. They killed a continental foldier...
27th. Gen. Waſhington returned to Newburgh
from Philadelphia.
August 2d.-The British May and June packets
had arrived at New-York. Admiral Barrington
had taken a French man-of-war, of 74 guns, and
feveral tranſports, deftined for the Eaft-Indies. The
next day it was learnt, that a French fleet, confifting
of 12 or 13 fail of the line, and 3 frigates, had ar-
rived in the Cheſapeak.
On the 29th ult. a bloody engagement took place
off the Chefapeak, between the French frigate Am-
azon, of 36 guns, and the Britiſh frigate Margaretta,
which terminated in favour of the latter.
6th.-Information was received, that the British
had evacuated Savannah in Georgia.
old
8th.-Four deferters came in from the enemy.
10th. The profpect of an approaching peace.
brightened; Gen. Sir Guy Carleton and Admiral
Digby informed Gen. Wafhington, that Mr. Gren-
ville had gone over to France on the negociation for
peace, and that the independence of America was
to be acknowledged previous to, or as an opening of
the negociation. The refugees at New-York were
greatly alarmed at the profpect of peace.
Sir Guy
Carleton had notified the inhabitants to meet him;
and, in Rivington's paper of the 7th, there appeared
a proclamation, advifing the refugees to continue
their

AUG. 1782.]
351
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
their loyalty, and make themfelves eafy, until the
event of the negociation was known.
12th.-A large ftone magazine, capable of con-
taining 1,000 barrels of gun-powder, was begun to be
erected on Conftitution Ifland; it was built upon
the principles of Monfieur Vauban, and under the
direction of Maj. Villefranche.
15th. It was learnt, that the French fleet, which
had been at the Chefapeak, had arrived at Bofton.
The British troops evacuated Savannah the 11th of
July, leaving the town and works uninjured. Pre-
vious to the evacuation, the refugees fent out to
Gen. Wayne, to know if they might depend on pro-
tection in their perfons and property; they were an-
fwered in the affirmative, until they were delivered
over to the civil authority, who, they were inform-
ed, muft decide on their cafe. When the British
left the town, near 200 of the inhabitants immedi-
ately entered the American fervice in the Georgia
battalion.
19th. Three prifoners of war were fent up; they
were taken near Eaft-Chefter. Several deferters
came in about the fame time.
22d.-The light-infantry of the American army
moved down, and encamped near Peek's Kill.
24th.-Maj. Gen. Knox was in the general or-
ders appointed to the command of Weft-Point. The
artillery, fappers and miners, 10th Maffachuſetts
regiment, and the corps of invalids, for the garrifon.
From the 25th to the 27th, inclufive, 7 deferters
came in; they reported that the fick of the Britiſh
army were ordered to be fent on board the hofpital
fhips, and not to the hofpitals on fhore. The heavy
baggage was alfo 'ordered to be put on board the
fhipping; the officers to retain on fhore no more.
than what was of abfolute neceffity.
29th. An order of encampment and battle for
-
the

352
[SEPT. 1782.
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
the American army was publifhed. The army was
to encamp in one line, with a referve; the New-
Jerfey and New-York troops were to form a divifion
under the command of Maj. Gen. St. Clair; the
Connecticut troops, a divifion under Maj. Gen.
M'Dougal; thefe two divifions to form the right
wing, to be commanded by Maj. Gen. Gates: the
New-Hampshire brigade and firit brigade of Mafla-
chuſetts, to form a divifion under the command of
Maj. Gen. Lord Sterling; the 2d and 3d Maffachu-
fetts brigades, a divifion under the command of
Maj. Gen. Howe; thefe two divifions, forming the
left wing, under the command of Maj. Gen. Heath.
The 2d Connecticut and 3d Maffachufetts brigades
to form the referve; and when the ground would
admit, form at 200 paces in the rear of the army.
Maj. Gen. Lord Sterling was ordered to Albany to
take the command of that part of his divifion which
was then in that quarter.
31ft.-As
31ft. As many of the army as could be carried
in the boats, embarked at their refpective brigade
landings; and the whole of the boats being formed
in order, fell down the river to Verplank's Point,
where the troops difembarked and encamped. They
made a moft beautiful appearance, when in the boats
and in motion. The remainder of the army march-
ed down by land.
September 1ft.-Information was received, that
the Britiſh were on the eve of evacuating Charlefton,
South-Carolina. The feafon was remarkably dry,
both to the eastward and fouthward; it was with
difficulty that the army could obtain a fupply of wa-
ter. About this time, an embarkation of Heffian
troops took place at New-York.
7th.-There was a grand review and manoeuvre
of the army, which gave great fatisfaction. The Ju-
ly packet arrived at New-York about this time; it
appeared

SEPT. 1782.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
353
appeared that the Marquis of Rockingham had died,
that Mr. Fox and Lord Cavendish had refigned their
places, and that Lord Shelburne was appointed one
of the Secretaries of State.ondud of boss of
of 14th. The American army was under arms to
receive Gen. Count de Rochambeau; after his re-
ception, the army defiled before him, and returned
to their reſpective encampments. The French ar-
my was now arriving from the fouthward; they en-
camped to the South of Peek's Kill as they arrived.
16th.-The enemy made a grand forage near
Volentine's Hill; Sir Guy Carleton was out in per-
fon, as was the young Prince. The covering party,
it was faid, confifted of 5 or 6,000 men; a number
deferted. The American army at this time was in
great want of forage, occafioned by the dry feafon.
-18th. The laft of the French army arrived.wob
20th. Gen. Washington reviewed the French
army; the troops made a fine appearance. A
French frigate had been run on fhore in the Dela
ware, and taken by the enemy. A dT
21ft. The American army manoeuvred before
the Commander in Chief, Gen. Rochambeau, and
many other officers. The troops made a handfome
appearance, and manoeuvred well.not wit stort
1022d. It was learnt, that the fhips-of-war and
tranfports, at New-York, were watering and prepar
ing for fea, and a number of regiments were under
orders for embarkation. A little before this time,
Congrefs had authorized and empowered Gen.
Washington to adjuft and finally fettle the accounts
fubfifting between the United States and the British
government, refpecting the fupport of the prifoners
of war on both fides; and to provide, by a general
cartel, for their greater comfort and exchange, un-
der the great feal ratifying what he, the Com-
mander in Chief of their army,ofhould agree to.
ba
W w
Gen.

354
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [SEPT. 1782.
Gen. Washington transferred this power to Major-
Generals Heath and Knox, whom he appointed
Commiffioners for the purpofe, and inftructed them
not to proceed to bufinefs, unlefs the Britifh Com
miffioners were found to be equally empowered to
bring the bufinefs to a final iffue.uo 90 3215991
boThe time and place of meeting were agreed to by
the two Commanders in Chief, and was to be on
the 25th of September, at Tappan. its
b24th. The American Commiflioners fent down
two of their Aids-de-Camp, to take up the neceffary
quarters, and make other preparations; and a com-
pany of light-infantry was ordered to Tappan, to fur-
nith guards and centinels. to baflitos bist an ti
25th. The American Commiffioners embarked
on board their barges, at King's Ferry, and fell
down the river to Tappan Landing, where they ar-
rived about 2 o'clock, P. M. In lefs than half an
hour, the British Commiffioners, in two veffels, wear-
ing flags, came up the river, and caft anchor off the
Landing. The American Commiflioners waited at
the fhore, and fent off their barges to aid, in bring-
ing the British Commiffioners on fhore, the river be.
ing at that time very rough: on their reaching the
fhore, it was found that Lieut. Gen. Campbell and
the Hon. Mr. Elliot, who had been Lieut. Governor
of New-York, were the Commiflioners on the part
of the British. The whole dined together, an ele
gant dinner having been ordered by the American
Commiffioners, and politenefs and great fociability
took place; and a mutual arrangment for the daily
fupport of the table, was agreed on, as it was ex-
pected that the bufinefs would not be completed in
lefs than three or four weeks, if the whole object
was adjufted. bus from 1916979 tdi 101 511?
26th. The Commiffioners interchanged copies of
their refpective powers; thefe were to be confider-
ed

SEPT. 1782.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
355
ed until the next day, when anfwers were to be giv
en in writing, whether the powers were fatisfactory
on both fides. On examining the powers, given to
the British Commiffioners, it appeared that their do-
ings would not be conclufive, until confirmed, and
were very fhort of thofe held by the American Com-
miffioners, whofe agreement and fignature were to
be final.jsful stow is ed to ashor of smit
27th. The American Commiffioners ftated to
the British Commiffioners, that the powers with
which they were vefted were inadequate to effect
the expectations of the government of the United
States, and that therefore the negociation must be
broken off. Of the great difference of the powers,
the Britiſh Commiffioners were fully convinced.
The American Commiffioners thought it to be their
duty, when they gave their note of objections to the
British delegated powers, to hand with it a very
pointed proteft, in behalf of the United States, against
that conduct, on the part of the British, which had
fo long delayed the fettlement of the accounts for the
fupport of the prifoners of war, which were in the
power of the United States. The Commiffaries of
Prifoners, on both fides, were prefent, to prefent and
fupport their refpective accounts; and a fettlement
would not only have been juft, but alfo very intereft-
ing to the United States. 21oved od linquiwold
be 28th. About 12 o'clock, at noon, the Commif-
fioners parted with the fame politenefs and good-hu-
mour with which they met, and which had invaria
bly continued during the time they were together.
Our General fent orders to the commanding officer
at Dobb's Ferry, to permit the British flags to pals
down the river; and the American Commiffioners
returned to camp. The day before, (the 27th) Gen.
Washington, covered by the dragoons and light-in-
fantry, reconnoitred the grounds on the eaft fide of
the

356
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [OCT. 1782.
the river, below the White-Plains; and the 29th,
about noon, returned to camp.
of October 3d. It was learnt, that the enemy had
evacuated Lloyd's Neck, and deftroyed their works
at that place their works at Bergen Point, in the
Jerfies, had been deſtroyed before that time. 137
5th. Maj. Gen. Gates arrived at camp. At this
time, the horfes of the army were fuffering for want
of forage. astioiitospiromA sdl-
6th. Intelligence was received from the fouth-
ward, that on the 27th of Auguft, Col. Laurens
was killed, in a fkirmish with the enemy: the lofs
of this brave young officer was much regretted. The
enemy, previous to their leaving Charleſton, defired
to purchaſe fome provifions; and Gen. Leflie had
intimated to Gen. Greene, that if this could not be
permitted, he must take the provifions by force.
The former being denied, the latter was attempted,
and Col. Laurens fell; 124 or 25 others were
killed, wounded, or taken prifoners, and one
howitzer fell into the hands of the enemy.bgotiot
7th. Intelligence was received, that Maj. Gen.
Lee had died, a little before, at Philadelphia; he
had juft before fold his eftate, in Virginia, for
£6,100 fterling.. 6o3ovi:Boglor isd noqqut
8th. The weather beginning to grow cold and
blowing, all the bowers (which were numerous and
very falutary, during the hot feafon) were ordered
to be pulled down and removed, to prevent accidents
by fire, and to admit the benefit of the fun. wort
to12th.-Intelligence was received from Europe, by
the arrival of a veffel in 34 days from Amfterdam,
that the negociation for peace was going on, and
that additional Minifters and Envoys had gone to at-
tend; that the combined fleets were all in port;
that the fiege of Gibraltar was continued; and that
there had been an obftinate engagement in the Eaft-
Indies,

OCT. 1782] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
357
Indies, between the French and English fleets, in
which both fleets had fuffered much, but no fhips
were taken by either fide. The infurrection in
South-America had been quelled. di bus ab orr
15th. A new contract, for fupplying the
army
with provifions, under Meffrs. Wadfworth and Car-
fer, took place.toro quived plow on onto T-s W
qui6th. A grand manoeuvre was performed by
eight picked battalions, preparatory to a grand re-
view, which was to be the next day. ivism anoth
On the 19th (feveral preceding days having been
ftormy) the grand manoeuvre was performed, by the
eight picked battalions. The evolutions and firings
were performed with regularity and exa&nefs, much
to the credit of the troops, and general fatisfaction of
the numerous fpectators of the American and French
armies. Tots
T
20th.The Secretary at War arrived at camp.
The enemy were demolishing their works at No. 8,
Morriffania. Intelligence was received, that the be-
fiegers of Gibraltar had made a nearer approach to
the place, and were playing upon it with 200 pieces
of artillery.ow Hed eth to bus roso t
Is 22d. The first divifion of the French army mov-
ed eastward they were to halt at Hartford, in Con-
necticut, where the whole were to rendezvous. The
American army was put under orders, to be ready
to move on the fhorteft notice. The Auguft pack-
et, from England, arrived at New-York the day be-
fore.nomos ver Toniw no mts 90
oder
24th. The whole American army manoeuvred
before the Hon. the Secretary at War. The Com-
mander in Chief, in the orders of the day, expreffed
his own, as well as the Secretary at War's fulleft
approbation. lil tonnot be
yor 26th. At revelle, the left wing of the American
army, under the command of our General, ftruck
their

358
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [OCT. 17822
their tents, and marched from the encampment, as
far as the wood, near the north redoubt, in the
Highlands, where they remained during the night;
the day and night were rainy, and the troops had
no covering but the heavens.moo won gi
27th. The troops croffed the Hudfon in boats to
Weft-Point, the whole having croffed by half paft
12 o'clock. In the afternoon, the troops took up
their line of march, and afcended Butter-Hill, a te-
dious march, and halted and paffed the night on the
northern defcent of the hill, in the open field. O
28th. At 7 o'clock, A. M. the troops refumed
their march from Butter-Hill, and reached the
ground on which they were to build their huts, in
New-Windfor, at about half paft 10 o'clock, A. M.
Upon this ground, and its vicinity, the army paffed
the enfuing winter. The cantonment, for its nature
and kind, was regular and beautiful. Upon an em-
inence, the troops erected a building, handfomely
finifhed, with a fpacious hall, fufficient to contain a
brigade of troops on Lord's days, for public worship,
with an orcheſtra at one end; the vault of the hall
was arched; at each end of the hall were two rooms,
conveniently fituated for the iffuing of the general
orders, for the fitting of Boards of Officers, Courts
Martial, &c. and an office and ftore for the Quarter-
Mafter and Commiffary's departments. On the top
was a cupola and flag-ftaff, on which a flag was
hoifted occafionally, for fignals, &c. In this can
tonment the army fpent the winter very comfortably,
and it proved to be their laft winter-quarters.
goth. It was learnt, that on the 26th or 27th,
fourteen British men-of-war, of the line, one 44
gun fhip, feven frigates, three large tranfports, and
ten or twelve brigs and fchooners, failed from New-
York, it was conjectured for the Weft-Indies. They
were obferved to fail nearer under Long-Ifland than
Tisilt
ufual,

Nov. 1782.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
359
ufual, and came too, near the place where Gen.
Howe landed in the year 1776, where it was icon-
jectured troops now embarked.no udzo mi suod
On the 7th of the preceding Auguft, Congrefs
paffed refolutions, directing the Secretary at War, on
or before the 1ft day of January following, to caufe
the non-commiffioned officers and privates, belonging
to the lines of the feveral States, to be arranged in
fuch manner as to form complete regiments, agreea-
ble to the acts of Congrefs of the 3d and 21ft of Oc-
tober, 1780, of regiments of not lefs than 500 rank
and file, the junior regiments to be drafted to fill
the fenior regiments. The regiments fo formed, to
be completely officered; the officers to agree and de-
termine who fhould ftay in fervice; or if this could
not be effected by agreement, the juniors who were
fupernumerary of each grade were to retire, retain-
ing their rank, and be entitled to the emoluments
to which the officers were entitled, who retired un-
der the refolutions of the 3d and 21st of October,
1780. In confequence of thefe refolutions, the
Commander in Chief, on this day, (30th of Oct.)
ordered the regiments of the Maffachuſetts line to be
reduced to 8 regiments, of 500 rank and file each,
or as near as could be to that number; and the
Connecticut line to 3 regiments of fimilar strength,
with 3 Field Officers, 9 Captains, 19 Subalterns, I
Surgeon, and 1 Mate each; and the regiments were
formed accordingly. ivibusd leh8s
I
November 1ft.-It was learnt from Europe, that
the Royal George, a first-rate English man-of-war,
of 10 guns, had been overfet near Spithead, by a
fudden flaw of wind, as the lay heeled to repair a
leak on the other fide; that the funk in about 8
minutes, having on board 12 or 1300 fouls, about
900 of whom perished. vins (yew aids animos tom
vib ni biwiol gnimo 519-20001 T 5th.bi
е поп
ЛОЛ

360
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [DEC. 1782.
5th. Our General left the army, and commenc-
ed his journey to the eastward, and arrived at his
houfe in Roxbury on the 11th. 2qoo1
ale12th. There was a tranfit of Mercury over the
north-weft limb of the fun's difk. The preceding
week, one of the French men-of-war, in Portſmouth
harbour, (N. H.) was ftruck by lightning, and her
foremaft damaged. The French army were now
on their march towards Bofton.ot of an ornam dout
The America, a fine new 74 gun fhip, the firft of
her rate built in the United States, and which had
not long before been prefented by Congrefs to his
moft Chriftian Majefty, was launched at Portſmouth
on Tueſday the 5th inftant.barapillo plotolymo
blr8th. The field artillery of the French army
reached Bofton. The fame day it was reported,
that the Britiſh troops had left Charleston, South-
Carolinas su or balti
bas do iods gui
21ft. The French difcharged their artillery
horfes, to the number of feveral hundreds.dob
27th Intelligence was received from Spain, that
the British had relieved Gibraltar, and taken a Span-
ifh 70 gun fhip; feveral of their gun-boats were alfo
deftroyed. Had Spain long before this given over
the fiege of Gibraltar, and employed her naval and
land forces against the British in fome quarter more
vulnerable, folid advantages might have accrued,
much money and many lives have been faved.g
28th.-General Thankſgiving throughout the
United States. The French fleet, under the com-
mand of the Marquis de Vaudreuil, was at this time
in Nantafket Road, except a few fhips which were
at Portfmouth, New-Hampfhire. now to well aabbut
&December 2d. Maj. Gen. Baron Viominel, com-
mander of the French army, (Count de Rochambeau
not coming this way) arrived at Bofton from Prov-
idence. The troops were coming forward in divi-
fions,

DEC. 1782.]
361
HEATH's MEMOIRS.
fions, at one day's march diftance from each other.
The firft divifion arrived at Bofton on the 5th, in
the morning.
6th. In the morning, a fhip lying in Bofton
harbour, laden with mafts, deftined to the Weſt-
Indies, by fome accident took fire, and burnt down
to the water's edge; the lofs was very confiderable.
Advice was received from Europe, that the Com-
miffioners, for fettling peace, were fitting at Paris;
that matters were in forwardness; feveral articles
had been agreed to, &c. A reinforcement of French
fhips and troops had arrived in the Weft-Indies from
France. This day the laft divifion of the French
troops reached Bofton. Thefe troops embarked on
board the men-of-war, were much crowded, and in
danger of growing fickly, if continued long on
board. About this time, the American officers had
been very uneafy refpecting their great arrears of
pay, &c.; and foon after addreffed Congrefs on the
fubject, and appointed a Committee from the army
to prefent their petition and fupport it.
11th. The town of Bofton prefented an addrefs
to the French General and officers.
bad
22d.The French fleet had all fallen down below
the Caſtle, and were in readineſs to proceed to fea.
The markets were at this time extremely high; flour
at 8 and fome at 9 dollars per hundred; butter was
fold at 25. 4d. per pound, &c.om oth
24th. His moft Chriftian Majefty's fleet, under
the command of the Marquis de Vaudreuil, came to
fail in King and Nantafket Roads, and went out to
fea, having the army under the command of Gen.
Viominel on board. The fleet was firft to ftand to
the northward, until it was joined by the fhips from
Portſmouth; they were then to tack and ftand to
the fouthward, and take with them the Fantafque,
armed
X X

362
[JAN. 1783.
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
armed en-flute from Rhode-liland, and proceed to
the Weft-Indies. golod i hovers noivib
ha
25th. It was learnt, that near 3,000 refugee in-
habitants had gone from Charlefton, South-Carolina,
to Jamaica, and about the fame number to Auguf-
tine. The exorbitant prices of provifions fell imme-
diately after the failing of the French fleet.
sw or of
26th. Authentic accounts were received from
Europe, that Monfieur de la Perreufe, in the fhip
Sceptre, with two frigates, had returned to France,
from a fuccefsful enterprize against the British fet-
tlements in Hudfon's Bay, having entirely deftroy-
ed the eſtabliſhments and property of the English
on that coaft, eftimating the damage at ten millions
of livres.
190
31ft.--Intelligence was received, that the British
homeward-bound Weft-India fleet, on their way to
England, met a violent ftorm, in which two 74 gun
fhips, the Ramillies and the Centaur, were faid to
have foundered; and that a number of the mer-
chantmen had been taken by French and Ameri
can cruizers, and carried into France-that four pri-
zes had been taken by the American frigate Alli
ance, Capt. Barry, having 1,200 hhds. of fugar, and
400 hhds. of rum on board.
Бле
1783. January 1ft.-Intelligence was received,
that a terrible fire happened in the city of Conftan-
tinople, in the month of the preceding Auguft, in
which a large part of the city was confumed, and
about 5,000 lives loft. The fire was fuppofed to
have been kindled by the malefactors, in fix differ-
ent places.
4th. Intelligence was received, that Great-Brit-
ain had acknowledged the Independence of the. Uni-
ted States, collectively and feverally; and that a
commiffion had been fent to Mr. Ofwald, one of
the

JAN. 1783.]
363
HEATH's MEMOIRS.
the British Commiffioners at Paris, to treat with the
American Commiffioners accordingly.
1
valSome further accounts of the terrible fire in Con-
antinople, ftated that near 200,000 inhabitants
were burnt out of their habitations-that the fire
continued to burn fixty-two hours, and at fome
times with a front a mile in width.od o
8th. Intelligence was received, that the Charlef-
ton man-of-war, belonging to the State of South-
Carolina, a remarkable fine fhip, commanded by
Commodore Gillon, was taken by the British, and
carried into New-York. OvSbus now ha
In this month, the inhabitants of Maffachuſetts,
in their feveral religious focieties, made voluntary
contributions to the inhabitants of the town of
Charleſtown, to enable them to rebuild a meeting-
houfe, in the room of that which was deftroyed by
fire, by the British troops, during the battle of Bun-
ker's Hill, on the 17th of June, 1775.
24th.-News was received, that Maj. Gen. Lord
Sterling had lately died at Albany; he was a brave
officer in the American army.
25th.-Intelligence was received, that the British
troops left Charlefton, in South-Carolina, the 14th
of the preceding December, and the Bar the 17th;
and that Gen. Greene had taken poffeffion of the
city. It had been previously agreed, that the Amer-
icans would not moleft the Britiſh in quitting the
place; and on their part, they were not to injure
the city. ad bevisas
hov 28th. It was learnt, that Gen. Clarke had been
very fuccefsful againft the Shawanefe Indians, and
had deftroyed a number of their towns. From Eu-
rope it was learnt, that although there was the great-
eft profpect of peace, yet all the powers at war were
ftraining every nerve to be prepared for the opening
of the next campaign. The damage fuftained by
the

364
[FEB. 1783.
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
the Britiſh homeward bound Weft-India fleet, was
greater than at firft fuppofed; among the difabled
fhips was the Ville de Paris, of 110 guns, and fev-
eral others.
29th. A prize fhip, taken by Capt. Manly, arriv-
ed in Boſton harbour, having about 1,800 barrels of
provifions on board.. Shims
February 5th.-News was received, that the Brit-
ifh had reinforced the garrifon at Penobſcot-that
the whole garrifon confifted of nearly 900 men-that
a further reinforcement was expected-and that the
Britiſh were endeavouring to extend their influence
in that quarter.astidedai addigon aids pl
6th.--Intelligence was received, that a number of
loyalifts had gone from New-York to Nova-Scotia ;
that Gov. Franklin, in England, had written to his
friends in New-York, that peace would certainly
take place. About this time, the articles of a treaty
of amity and commerce, between the United States
of America and Holland, was publiſhed by Congrefs.
In the month of the preceding December, Congreſs
paffed a ſpirited refolution, refpecting the conduct
of the government of Vermont; and about this time,
the Council of Vermont prefented to Congreſs a re-
monftrance against the refolution, as interfering with
their internal police.
Las
bed
About this time, Gen. Wafhington and Gen.
Sir Guy Carleton had an interview on the lines of
the two armies.
bra
20th.-Intelligence was received, that Don Sola-
no, with ten fail of Spaniſh men-of-war, had arrived
at the Havannah, and that the Count D'Estaing had
arrived, with a French fleet, at Martinico; that an
attack on the iſland of Jamaica was foon expected to
take place; in confequence of which, feven Britiſh
regiments were to go from New-York to the Weft-
Indies. The refugees at New-York were felling off
od
their

FEB. 1783.1M
365
HEATH's MEMOIRS.
their effects at auction, and preparing for a fudden
removal to Nova-Scotia.
21ft. The British King's fpeech, to his Parlia-
ment, appeared in a hand-bill. The fpeech breath-
ed reconciliation throughout. The King informed
his Parliament, that he had gone the utmoſt lengths
the power granted to him would allow; and that he
hoped foon to lay before them the articles of peace,
which were in great forwardnefs, and fuch as he ap-
prehended they would approve. That he hoped the
two countries would ftill be in friendſhip,-that re-
ligion, language, intereft, &c. urged this, that he
devoutly prayed Great-Britain might not experience
any of thofe calamities, which might be feared from
fuch a difmemberment of the Empire; and then
extends fome compaffionate expreffions to America.
Alas, O King! it might have been happy for both
countries, if a due confideration had been early ex-
ercifed; then might much blood and much treaſure
have been faved. Let it be a warning to other na-
tions, to be wife and juft! Nature will have her own
way, and do her own work in her own time. Amer-
ica of courfe would be independent and fove-
reign; but a miſtaken policy in Great-Britain,
hurried on an event to her own lofs, long before
nature had ripened it for her own confummation.
The public expectation now was high, and the pe-
riod when peace fhould be announced fuppofed to
be even at the door, and divers premature accounts
were at different times circulated.
25th. It was learnt, that Lieut. Col. Barber, of
the New-Jerfey line, had a little before been killed,
together with his horfe, near the army, by the un-
expected fall of a tree, which a foldier was cutting.
By this event a brave officer and valuable citizen
was loft, who had frequently diftinguifhed himfelf
in action; his fall, therefore, in this manner, and
at

366
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [MARCH, 1783.
at the very grafp of the harveft of his toils, were
rendered the more affecting.
27th.-Intelligence was received from Virginia,
that the Houfe of Delegates of that State had rec-
ommended to their conftituents, not to chooſe in-
to places of power and truft, men who had not been
attached to the caufe of liberty, and only fuch as
had given early and decided proof of their friend-
fhip.
28th. It was found, that the British cruizers,
from New-York, had lately taken a number of A-
merican veffels, among them feveral from Bofton to
Virginia.
March 3d.-Accounts were received from Eu-
rope, that in an affault made by the Spanish troops
on the garrifon of Gibraltar, in the month of Sep-
tember, the befieged, with their cannon loaded
with grape-fhot, made great havock among the af-
failants, but that this did not check their ardor; but
that upon a near approach to the walls, they were
ftopped, and thrown into great confufion by feveral
engines, throwing fcalding water upon them. Some
were fcalded almoft to death, and others had their
eyes put out a new mode of defence, but a pow-
erful one.
6th.-Intelligence was received, that not long be-
fore, the French frigate Sibill had been taken by
fome of the Britiſh cruizers, and carried into
New-York.
bas toob st 36
20th. It was learnt from Philadelphia, that the
Waſhington packet, Capt. Barney, had arrived at
that place from L'Orient in France, which place fhe left
the 17th of January. The public difpatches brought
by this veffel, although they did not announce a
peace to be concluded, yet informed that the nego-
ciations were going on; every thing was fettled be-
tween America and Great-Britain, and matters look-
ed

APRIL, 1783.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
367
ed favourable towards France; but difficulties were
fubfifting between Great-Britain, Spain and Holland.
Several of the out-lines of the articles of the treaty,
between Great-Britain and the United States of
America, were publifhed, and in general were thought
to be favourable to the latter. The fame packet
brought difpatches for Gen. Sir Guy Carleton and
Admiral, Digby, which were forwarded to New-
York.
botinu od nested
22d. It was learnt, that a great uneafinefs had
difcovered itſelf in the American army, on account
of the great arrears of pay which was due, and fome
doubting apprehenfions as to the real intention of the
public to fulfil their promifes to the army, and in
particular that of half pay. An anonymous notifi-
cation, and two addreffes to the officers, made their
appearance about ten days before, couched in very
firm and decided language; thefe produced an ad-
drefs from the Commander in Chief, a meeting of
the officers, a reprefentation to Congrefs, and their
refolutions refpecting the army at that time.
abra
The evening of the 28th, a letter was received
from Philadelphia, purporting that a veffel had ar-
rived there from Europe, with the intelligence, that
the preliminary articles of peace were figned on the
20th of the preceding January. Hoftilities were to
ceafe in Europe the 20th of February, and in Amer-
ica on the 20th of this month. The public dif-
patches had not now arrived, but were momently
expected.
April 2d. It was learnt, that a very valuable prize
was carried into Salem.
7th. Our General fat out from his houfe in Rox-
bury, and arrived at the head-quarters of the Amer-
ican army at Newburgh, on Hudfon's River, on the
14th, in the forenoon.
silt
2002 Isibro dom
On
valo zisoitto si ils of
Ho

368
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [APRIL, 1783,
On the 16th, in the general orders of the day,
our General was directed to take the immediate
command of the army, during the abfence of Maj.
Gen. Gates. Congrefs had publifhed their procla-
mation fufpending hoftilities. dug stow a
smA
18th. The Commander in Chief addreffed the
army on the happy ceffation of hoftilities as follows:
The Commander in Chief orders the ceffation
of hoftilities between the United States of America
and the King of Great-Britain, to be publickly pro-
claimed to-morrow at 12 o'clock, at the New Build-
ing; and that the Proclamation which will be com-
municated herewith, be read to-morrow evening, at
the head of every regiment and corps of the army;
after which, the chaplains, with the feveral brigades,
will render thanks to Almighty God for all his mer-
cies, particularly for his over-ruling the wrath of
man to his own glory, and caufing the rage
of war
to ceafe amongft the nations.
Although the Proclamation before alluded to,
extends only to the prohibition of hoftilities, and not
to the annunciation of a general peace, yet it muſt
afford the moft rational and fincere fatisfaction to
every benevolent mind, as it puts a period to a long
and doubtful conteft-ftops the effufion of human
blood-opens the profpect to a more fplendid
fcene—and, like another morning-ftar, promifes the
approach of a brighter day than hath hitherto illu-
minated this weftern hemifphere! On fuch a happy
day-a day which is the harbinger of peace-a day
which completes the eighth year of the war, it would
be ingratitude not to rejoice: it would be infenfi-
bility not to participate in the general felicity.
"The Commander in Chief, far from endeavour-
ing to ftifle the feelings of joy in his own bofom,
offers his moft cordial congratulations on the occa-
fion, to all the officers of every denomination-to all
the

APRIL, 1783.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
369
the troops of the United States in general, and in
particular to thofe gallant and perfevering men who
had refolved to defend the rights of their invaded
country fo long as the war fhould continue; for
theſe are the men who ought to be confidered as the
pride and boaft of the American army, and who,
crowned with well-earned laurels, may foon with-
draw from the field of glory to the more tranquil
walks of civil life.abob of slogue aub so
"While the General recollects the almoft infinite
variety of fcenes through which we have paffed with
a mixture of pleaſure, aftonifhment and gratitude-
while he contemplates the profpects before us with
rapture, he cannot help wifhing that all the brave
men, of whatever condition they may be, who have
fhared in the toils and dangers of effecting this glo-
rious revolution, of refcuing millions from the hand
of oppreffion, and of laying the foundation of a
great empire, might be impreffed with a proper idea
of the dignified part they have been called to act (un-
der the fmiles of Providence) on the ftage of human
affairs; for happy, thrice happy, fhall they be pro-
nounced hereafter, who have contributed any thing,
who have performed the meaneft office in erecting
this ftupendous fabric of Freedom and Empire, on
the broad bafis of independency; who have affifted
in protecting the rights of human nature, and eſtab-
lifhing an afylum for the poor and oppreffed of all
nations and religions of sansion
& To
The glorious task for which we first flew to arms,
being thus accomplished the liberties of our coun-
try being fully acknowledged and firmly fecured, by
the fmiles of Heaven on the purity of our caufe, and
the honeft exertions of a feeble people, determined
to be free, against a powerful nation difpofed to
opprefs them; and the character of thofe who have
perfevered through every extremity of hardfhip, fuf-
fering,
Y Y

370
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [APRIL, 1783
fering, and danger, being immortalized by the illuf
trious appellation of the Patriot Army, nothing
now remains but for the actors of this mighty fcene
to preſerve a perfect, unvarying confiftency of char-
acter through the very laft act; to cloſe the drama
with applaufe; and to retire from the military theatre
with the fame approbation of angels and men, which
have crowned all their former virtuous actions.
"For this purpofe, no diforder or licentioufnefs
must be tolerated; every confiderate and well-difpof-
ed foldier must remember it will be abfolutely necef
fary to wait with patience, until peace fhall be de-
clared, or Congrefs fhall be enabled to take proper
meafures for the fecurity of the public ftores, &c.
As foon as thefe arrangements fhall be made, the
General is confident there will be no delay in dif
charging, with every mark of diftinction and honour,
all the men enlifted for the war, who will then have
faithfully performed their engagements with the pub-
lic.) The General has already interefted himſelf in
their behalf; and he thinks he need not repeat the
affurances of his difpofition to be ufeful to them on
the prefent, and every other proper occafion.In
the mean time, he is determined that no military
neglects or exceffes fhall go unpunifhed, while he re-
tains the command of the army.i to afled bsond sdr
The Adjutant-General will have fuch working-
parties detailed to aflift in making the preparation
for a general rejoicing, as the Chief Engineer, with
the army, fhall call for; and the Quarter-Mafter-
General will alfo furnish fuch materials as he may
want. The Quarter-Mafter-General will, without
delay, procure fuch a number of difcharges to be
printed as will be fufficient for all the men enlifted
for the war; he will pleafe to apply to head-quar
ters for the form. 15Bsd on bas med drago
girt To instiX 1975 guoid bo" An q
ghitst

APRIL 1783.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
371
flo An extra ration of liquor to be iffued to every
man to-morrow, to drink perpetual peace, inde
pendence, and happinefs to the United States of
America." 299stio smol battimmos ylingoor bed
18 In the afternoon of the 18th, a fchooner, nor Cot
tle, mafter, from Nantucket, with filh, oil, rum, &c.
came up the Hudfon, to Newburgh. This was the
firft American veffel which had come up the river,
fince the British took poffeffion of New-York, in
the year
1776. od liau stiqxo ton sob ovre of
sdi19th. At noon, the Proclamation of the Congrefs,
for a ceflation of hoftilities, was publiſhed at the door
of the New Building, followed by three huzzas
after which, a prayer was made by the Rev. Mr.
Ganno, and an anthem (Independence, from Billings)
was performed by vocal and inftrumental thufic.
The fame day, Gen. Washington went for Ringwood,
to meet the Secretary at War, on fome bufinefs of
importance. of as y 12 abieng to yub ont
20th. At evening, the Commander in Chief re-
head-quarters.noonsrot dual-.bg
w21ft Permiflion was given for fuch perfons as
might chooſe it, to go to New-York, with provifions,
&c. A veffel was loading with flour, to go down
the river; and one laden with rum, porter, cheefe,
beef, &c. &c. came up from New York. Thus, as
we have feen how the rage of war came on, we now
fee how by degrees that rage fubfided, until the
olive fprang up and progreffed to full bloom.
219 24th. It was learnt from Europe, that on the 5th
fof February, preceding the Bedford, Capt. Morris,
made entry at the cuftom-houfe in London, being
the firft veffel that had arrived in the river, belong-
ing to the United States. Tw yedi 1975l 10
sto 26th. It was learnt that the refugees were em-
barking, in order to leave New-York; and many
tranfports were falling down to the watering-place.
turned to
4815dmun
About

372
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [MAY, 1783,
VOTIO
atsm
About this time, Congrefs recommended an impoft
duty to the feyeral States. or
10 27th. Intelligence was received, that the Indians
had recently committed fome outrages on the weft-
ern frontier; had killed and fcalped 17 perfons near
Wheeling Creek. w wins most often oft
May ift.-Congrefs had expreffed their opinion
in a refolution which was this day published, that
the term for which the men engaged for the war, are
to ferve, does not expire until the definitive treaty
is received; and that then, thofe engaged for the
war, and who fo continue, fhall have their arms and
accoutrements, as a prefent, for their long and faith-
ful fervices. vd sblm
2d. The next morning, the Commander in Chief
was to go down the river, to Dobb's Ferry, to meet
Gen. Sir Guy Carleton. Four companies of light-
infantry marched this morning for that place, to do
the duty of guards. Sir Guy was to come up the
river in a frigate.mo daisys A 116
3d. In the forenoon, the Commander in Chief,
and Gov. Clinton, with their fuites, &c. went down
the river.
01 sloods dim
7th. It was learnt that feveral veffels had arriv-
ed at Boſton, from Europe, Halifax, &c. with mer-
chandize; in confequence of which, the price of
goods had much fallen, and the inhabitants of the
eaftern States were fitting out a great number of fish-
ing veffels. Id or b
llut bel
w
8th. It was faid that 11,644 American prifoners
had died, during the war, in the prifons, and on
board the prifon-fhips, at New-York: a furprifing
number, and evidences that if their treatment was
not fevere, they were too much crowded, or
not properly attended to, in other refpects. Thofe
who have feen, know, and others can eafily con-
ceive, that where men are clofely confined in great
numbers,
rodA

JUNE, 1783.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
373
numbers, in sprifon-fhips, or in gaols, that without
frequent airing and cleanfing, the air in fuch places
becomes putrid and poifonous, and produces almoft
certain death.od How much care then ought to be
exercifed by every humane commander, in the ap
pointment of provoft officers, to be affured that
thofe whom they appoint are not only firm and ref
olute, (neceffary qualifications in fuch officers), but
that they alfo are confiderate and humane; and that
fuch commanders themfelves take care to know,
and if neceffary, correct any abufes which may exift.
Such conduct towards the confined and diftreffed,
would add a laurel to the hero's brow, equal to the
triumphs of victory, and more lafting: for if the
merciful man be merciful even to his beaft, how
much more ought a great and brave man to feel
for the unfortunate of his own fpecies!
9th. At evening, the Commander in Chief re-
turned to head-quarters, having had an interview
with Gen. Sir Guy Carleton. begilde med
5th. The Commander in Chief went for Pough-
keepfie. A letter from Gen. Sir Guy Carleton, to
Gov. Clinton, had rendered an interview between
the Governor and the Commander in Chief ne-
ceffary. bid sa bas
no16th. At evening, the Commander in Chief
turned to head-quarters.
SW
Sw 28th.The army about this time were badly fup-
plied with provifions, and much uneafinefs was dif
covered, both by the officers and foldiers.
31ft.-It was learnt that Congrefs had paffed a
refolution, to furlough the men engaged for the war.
This mode appeared to be marked with policy in
feveral refpects. ni bole
lo June 2d. The general orders of the day an-
nounced, that the men engaged for the war, fhould
be immediately furloughed, with a proportion of the
3000
officers.

374
[JUNE, 1783.
HEATH'S MEMOIRS
officers. They were to be difcharged as foon as the
definitive treaty arrived; they were to be marched
homes in divifions. Thofe men that remained ent
gaged for other periods, were to be. formed sinto
complete corps. The officers to agree who fhould
ftay, and in cafes where they could not agree,ife
niority was to decidea as nioqqs ysdr monw plodr
Jud. The Maryland battalion was put under or
ders to march to the fouthward. 97 olis vodi, tad
gth. The Maryland battalion marched from the
cantonment. The fame day, the general officers, and
officers commanding regiments and corps, in the
cantonment on Hudfon's River, having, by theit com-
mittee for that purpofe appointed, prepared an ad-
drefs to the Commander in Chief-it was according
ly prefented, in the words following Tom doum
asiboql nwo aid to scuola di Tot
11 SIR, Tobasmmodinov Adre
WIT is difficult for us to exprefs the regret we feel
at being obliged again to folicit your Excellency's
attention and patronage. Next to the anguish which
the profpect of our own wretchednefs excites in our
breafts, is the pain which arifes from a knowledge of
your anxiety on account of thofe men who have been
the fharers of your fortunes, and have had the hon-
our of being your companions through the various
viciffitudes of the war. Nothing, therefore, but ne-
ceffity, could induce us to a reprefentation which we
know muft give you concern.nonivotq diw boilq
TS
"Your Excellency has fo intimate a knowledge
of the condition of the army, as to render a particu-
lar delineation unneceffary. As you have been a
witnefs of our fufferings during a war uncommon in
its nature, and unparalleled in many circumstances
attending it; fo you are now, Sir, no lefs a witnefs of
the unequal burden which has fallen upon us, from
the want of that provifion, to which, from our affid-
uous

JUNE, 1783] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
375
uous and unremitting fervices, we conceive we are
entitled. Having recently expreffed our fenfe of
what was due to our diftrefs; having repeated to
your Excellency the confidence we had, that our ac
counts would be liquidated, the balances afcertain-
ed, and adequate funds provided for payment, pre-
vious to our being difperfed or difbanded; having
feen with pleaſure, the approbation which Congrefs
gave our reliance, it is with a mixture of aftonifh-
ment and chagrin, that we view the late refolve of
Congrefs, by which the foldiers for the war, and a
proportionate number of officers, are to be furlough-
ed without any one of thofe important objects being
accomplished; and, to complete the fcene of woe,
are to be compelled to leave the army without the
means of defraying the debts we have neceffarily
incurred in the courfe of fervice, or even of gratify-
ing thofe menials in the pittance which is their due
much lefs to carry with us that fupport and comfort
to our families, of which, from our long military
fervices, they have been deprived. No lefs expofed
then to the infults of the meaneft followers of the
army, than to the arrefts of the fheriff-deprived of
the ability to affift our families, and without an evi-
dence that any thing is due to us for our fervices,
and confequently without the leaft profpect of ob-
taining credit for even à temporary fubfiftence, until
we can get into bufinefs-to what quarter can we
look We take the liberty to fay, Sir, only to your
Excellency; and, from the fincerity of our hearts,
we do it no lefs from a perfuafion of the efficiency
of your further efforts in our favour, than from the
kind affurances you have been pleafed to give us of
your fupport.vouslisox
Y
"To your Excellency, then, we make our appeal,
and in the moft folemn manner, from that abhorrence
of oppreffion and injuftice which first unfheathed
OT
Our

376
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [JUNE, 17831
our fwords; from the remembrance of the common
dangers through which we have paffed; and from
the recollection of thofe aftonifhing events, which
have been effected by our united efforts, permit us
to folicit your further aid, and to entreat that the
order of the 2d inftant, founded on the act of Con-
grefs of the 26th of May laft, may be fufpended or
varied in its operation, fo far as that no officer or
foldier be obliged to receive a furlough until that
honourable body can be apprized of the wretched
fituation into which the army must be plunged by a
conformity to it; that your Excellency will endeav-
our to prevail on Congrefs-nay, that on the princi-
ples of common juftice, you will infift that neither
officer nor foldier be compelled to leave the field
until a liquidation of accounts can be effected, still
the balances are afcertained, certificates for the fums
due, given, including the commutation of half pay
to the officers, and gratuity of 80 dollars to the fol-
diers; and till a fupply of money can be furnished,
fufficient to carry us from the field of glory with
honour to ourfelves and credit to our country. We
ftill wish to believe, that that country to which we
have been fo long devoted, will never look with
indifference on the diftreffes of thofe of her fons who
have fo effentially contributed to the eſtabliſhment
of Freedom, the fecurity of property, and the rear-
ing of an empire.
dvd otni jego ov
In the name and behalf of the Generals and
officers commanding regiments and corps, in the
cantonment on Hudfon's River, stol on i obow
or mort I have the honour to be, od uoy to
to e vig of With the highest refpect, as bad
Your Excellency's 110qquloy
n swMoft obedient fervant,
Je to
Dodds at me
erupe
June 5th, 1783"
W. HEATH, Maj. Gen. Prefident.
ΠΟΙΠΟΥ
To

JUNE, 1783.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
$77
boTo the foregoing addrefs, Gen. Wafhington was
pleaſed to return the following anfwer, viz. thi
tavs SIR,
ole! HEAD-QUARTERS, June 6th, 1783.10
ylde
BEFORE I make a reply to the fubject of the
addrefs of the Generals and Officers, commanding
the regiments and corps of this army, prefented by
yourfelf, yefterday, I entreat that thofe gentlemen
will accept my warmeft acknowledgment for the con-
fidence they have been pleaſed to repofe in me; they
may be affured it fhall never be abufed and I beg
they will be perfuaded, that as no man can poffibly
be better acquainted than I am, with the paft merits
and fervices of the army, fo no one can poffibly be
more ftrongly impreffed with their prefent ineligible
fituation, feel a keener fenfibility at their diftreffes,
or more ardently defire to alleviate or remove them.
But it would be unneceffary, perhaps, to enter into a
detail of what I have done, and what I am ftill at-
tempting to do, in order to affift in the accomplish-
ment of this interefting purpofe. Let it be fufficient
to obferve, I do not yet defpair of fuccefs; for I am
perfectly convinced that the States cannot, without
involving themfelves in national bankruptcy and
ruin, réfufe to comply with the requifitions of Con-
grefs; who, it must be acknowledged, have done
every thing in their power to obtain ample and com-
plete juftice for the army; and whofe great object
in the prefent meafure undoubtedly was, by a reduc-
tion of expenfe, to enable the Financier to make the
three months' payment to the army, which on all
hands has been agreed to be abfolutely and indifpen-
fably neceffaryo To explain this matter, I beg leave
to infert an extract of a letter from the Superintend-
ant of Finance, dated the 29th ult.bzswot noinoqlib
-mos lo asloits lacZazq owi odt omit treill Its
Jaislq

378
HEATH'S MEMOIRS! [JUNE, 1783
"It is now a month fince the Committee conferred
with me on that fubject, and I then told them no
payment could be made to the army, but by means
of a paper anticipation; and unlefs our expenditures
were immediately and confiderably reduced, even
that could not be done. Our expenditures have
nevertheleſs been continued, and our revenues leffen,
the States growing daily more and more remifs in
their collections. The confequence is, that I cannot
make payment in the manner firft intended; the
notes iffued for this purpoſe would have been payas
ble at two, four, and fix months from the date, but
at prefent they will be at fix months, and even that
will foon become impracticable, unless our expenfes
be immediately curtailed. sd to asofvist bus
"I fhall caufe fuch notes to be iffued for three
months' pay to the army; and I muft entreat, Sir,
that every influence be ufed with the States to abforb
them, together with my other engagements, by tax-
ation." me lady babove I saw to liesh
its
"Three days ago, a meffenger was diſpatched by
me to urge the neceffity of forwarding thefe notes
with the greateft poffible expedition.ob Ido of
"Under this ftate of circumftances, I need fcarcely
add, that the expenfe of every day in feeding the
whole army, will increaſe
will increaſe very confiderably the ina
bility of the public to diſcharge the debts already
incurred, at leaft for a confiderable time to come.
"Although the officers of the army very well
know my official fituation, that I am only a fervant
of the public, and that it is not for me to difpenfe
with orders, which it is my duty to carry into exe-
cution; yet, as furloughs, in all fervices, are confid-
ered as a matter of indulgence and not of compulfion
-as Congrefs, I am perfuaded, entertain the beſt
difpofition towards the army--and, as I apprehend, in
a very fhort time the two principal articles of com-
plaint

JUNE, 1783.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
379
plaint will be removed I fhall not heſitate to comply
with the wishes of the army, under thefe refervations
only, that officers fufficient to conduct the men who
choofe to receive furloughs, will attend them, either
on furlough or by detachment. The propriety and
neceflity of this meaſure must be obvious to all; it
need not, therefore, be enforced; and with regard
to the non-commiffioned officers and privates, fuch
as from a peculiarity of circumftances wifh not to
receive furloughs at this time, will give in their
names by 12 o'clock to-morrow, to the command-
ing officers of their regiments, that on a report
to the Adjutant-General, an equal number of men,
engaged for three years, may be furloughed, which
will make the faving of expenfes exactly the fame
to the public.
DIUow bas bad also mad
wile of
"I cannot but hope the notes will foon arrive, and
that the fettlement of accounts may be completed,
by the affiftance of the Pay-Mafters, in a very few
days. In the mean time, I fhall have the honour of
laying the fentiments of the Generals and Officers,
commanding regiments and corps, before Congrefs;
they are expreffed in fuch a decent, candid and
affecting manner, that I am certain every mark of
attention will be paid to them. of
sd ovlombdr
ing DAH
Jikisq; non have the honour to be,oqmos sd liv
basanmisht With great efteem, Sir,
Allos ostrt
aftsuper bldanolEST T
Your moft obedient Servant,
33 (Signed) non siGEO.I WASHINGTON.
Maj. Gen. HEATH, omit side stoled
The two preceding papers were enclofed in the
following letter from the Commander in Chief to his
Excellency the Prefident of Congreſs.
isdan betigiai bad enogash defines bu
viso omni sovietoni riot of HEAD-QUARTERS,

380
[JUNE, 1783,
HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
ano
HEAD-QUARTERS, NEWBURGH, June 7, 1783.
"SIR, dobu mas
SIR,
"I HAVE the honour to enclofe to your Excellency
the copy
of an addrefs to me, from the Generals and
Officers, commanding regiments and corps, together
with my anfwer to it. Thefe encloſures will explain
the diftreffes which refulted from the meaſures now
carrying into execution, in confequence of the refo-
lution of the 26th of May; but the fenfibility occa-
fioned by a parting fcene, under fuch peculiar cir-
cumftances, will not admit of deſcription !
"The two fubjects of complaint with the army,
appear to be the delay of the three months' payment
which had been expected, and the want of a fettle-
ment of accounts. I have thought myfelf authorized
to affure them, Congrefs had and would attend par-
ticularly to their grievances; and have made fome
little variation refpecting furloughs, from what was
at firft propofed; the Secretary at War will be able
to explain the reafon and propriety of this alteration.
While I confider it a tribute of juftice, on this
occafion, to mention the temperate and orderly be-
haviour of the whole army, and particularly the
accommodating fpirit of the officers, in arranging
themfelves to the command of the battalions which
will be compofed of the three years' men; permit
me to recall to mind all their former fufferings and
merits, and to recommend their reafonable requefts
to the early and favourable notice of Congrefs.
MOTOMICAWI have the honour to be, &c."
A little before this time, the officers of the army
beginning to realize that the diffolution of the
army was drawing nigh, and wishing to perpetu-
ate that friendfhip which numerous hardfhips, fuf-
ferings, and common dangers had infpired in their
breafts, refolved to form themfelves into a Society,
by

JUNE, 1783.] HEATH's MEMOIRS.
381
by the name of the Cincinnati. Several meetings
were had for the purpofe, and an Inftitution was di-
gefted and completed; and although our General
prefided at one of the meetings, and cheerfully, at
the request of his brother officers, tranfmitted copies
of the Inftitution, covered by a letter, to the officer
commanding the fouthern army, and to the fenior
officers of the refpective State lines, from Pennfyl-
vania to Georgia-yet he had ferious objections to
the Inftitution, as it flood, and refufed for fome time
to fign it. He wifhed, as much as any one in the ar-
my, to perpetuate the happy friendfhip cemented in
the breafts of the officers by an eight years common
danger and fufferings; but he thought this would be
beft done, by fimply forming a Society, to meet an-
nually in their refpective States, for the purpofe of
a focial hour, and to brighten the chain of friend-
fhip, with a fund for the relief of the unfortunate
of their brethren; but he was oppofed to any idea
of any thing that had any refemblance of an order,
or any infignia or badge of diftinction, afferting that
it would only ferve to mark them in an unfavourable
light with their fellow-citizens: but the prevailing
opinion of the officers was otherwife. Our General
was finally induced to fign the Inftitution, from the
following confideration (but not until all the offi-
cers were appointed, and he nearly ready to leave
the army) converfing with an officer of rank, who
was of the fame opinion with him, they parted in
the refolution not to fign the Inftitution; but the
next morning, the officer called upon him, and ob-
ferved, that one confideration, not before mentioned,
had occurred to him, viz. that it might happen in the
days of their pofterity, in cafe they did not fign, that
the defcendant of one who was a member might hap-
pen to fall in company with the defcendant of one who
was not; that the latter, on obferving the badge,
noilivib
might

382
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [JUNE, 1783.
might inquire what it was, and what its intention?
upon its being anfwered, that it was the infignia of a
Society, of which his anceftor, who ferved in the
American army, during the revolution, was a mem-
ber-the other might reply, my anceftor too ferv-
ed during that war, but I never heard any thing
of fuch a badge in our family; to which it might
probably be anfwered, it is likely your anceſtor
was guilty of fome mifconduct, which deprived him
of it. Upon this, our General broke out-"I fee it,
I fee it, and fpurn the idea;" which led him to fign the
general Inftitution: and he fubfcribed to the State
fund, 166 dollars, being one month's pay, as was
ftipulated in the Inftitution. He however never met
with the Society, although no one has cheriſhed a
warmer affection for every member of the army.
After the revolution in France, finding that the in-
fignias of diftinctions were doing away, it led him
anew to review the diftinction which the badge of
the Society to which he belonged, if not in fact, yet
in appearance feemed to exhibit, and brought to
mind all his former objections, which induced him
to write to the Secretary-General to erafe his name
from the Inftitution; but that his fubfcription to the
fund fhould remain, fo long as it was applied to the
purpofe for which it was given the relief of the un-
fortunate.
Lus
It
of 6th. In the forenoon, the Jerfey line marched
from the cantonment to their own State, where they
were to be disbanded. The fame day, the first
New-York regiment made a prefent of their ftand-
ards and band to Governor Clinton; they were
efcorted to Poughkeepfie by the light-infantry com-
pany of the regiment.shro sflog sisth to avsb
8th: The men for the war, belonging to the
Maryland, New-Jerfey, New-York, and New-Hamp-
fhire lines, having marched from the cantonment, a
divifion
gin

JUNE, 1783] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
383
divifion of the Maffachuſetts men marched on this
day.
bonnimoshib oder pyl
Suroth
9th. A divifion of the Suffolk and Worceſter
furloughed men, marched for their own State, and
for on, a divifion each day, until the whole had
marched.lenolod, bsbnrmmos od or STOW bas
Our General was General of the Day. In
the after orders of the Commander in Chief on this
day, it was expreffed The ftrength of the army
in this cantonment being confiderably diminished by
the number of men lately furloughed, the order of
the 16th of April, directing a General, Field-Offi-
cers, and Quarter-Mafter to be of the day, and alfo
a regiment to parade every day for duty, is difpenfed
with. For the prefent, there will be one Field-Offi-
cer, and an Adjutant of the day; and the guards
only will form on the grand parade at 9 o'clock in
the morning." It is here a little remarkable, that
our General, by whofe orders and under whofe di-
rection the firft guard in the American war mounted
at the foot of Profpect Hill, on the evening of the
19th of April, 1775, after the battle of that day,
fhould happen, in the courfe of fervice, to be the
laft General of the day in the American main army,
on the Toth of June, 1783, to infpect, turn off, and
vifit the guards. At the first period, the roads were
full of militia, preffing towards Bofton, to commence
and profecute a dubious war; they were now filled
with veteran foldiers, covered with laurels, returning
from the field to their peaceful abodes.seq to rotterd
11th-About 2 o'clock, P. M. the wind frefhen-
ed from the weft; there were feveral thunder-fhow-
ers, with large hail-ftones, fome of which were fup-
pofed to be two inches long. The lightning ftruck
the flag-ftaff of the New Building, entered the houfe,
and ran down the fouth fide of it, doing fome dam-
age, and ſtunning feveral foldiers near the door. ib In
badlildst
the

384
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [JUNE, 1783.
the general orders of this day, it was announced,
that the levees were to be difcontinued.
13th. The men who had enlifted for 3 years,
and for fhorter periods not expired, were formed,
thofe belonging to Maffachuſetts into 4 regiments,
and were to be commanded by Colonels Michael
Jackfon, Henry Jackfon, and Jofeph Vofe, and Lieut.
Col. Commandant Sprout. On the morning of the
16th, theſe regiments incorporated, and were form-
ed into two brigades, the one commanded by Brig.
Gen. Patterſon, the other by Brig. Gen. Greaton.
-19th. A number of officers of the army, viz.
feveral general officers, and officers commanding
regiments and corps, met at the New Building, and
elected his Excellency Gen. Wafhington, Prefident
General; Gen. M'Dougal, Treafurer and Gen.
Knox, Secretary, pro tempore, to the Society of the
Cincinnati.ee eluil s stone signinom ods
20th. The Maffachuſetts State Society of the
Cincinnati met, and made choice of Maj. Gen. Lin-
coln for their Prefident; Maj. Gen. Knox, Vice-Pref
ident; Col. John Brooks, Secretary; Col. Henry Jack-
fon, Treaſurer; and Capt. Heywood, Affiftant-Treaf-
urer. The fame day, the troops at the cantonment
were put under orders, to be ready to march for
Weft-Point on the fucceeding Monday.sg stiiliy
5222d. Our General iffued his laft order, which
finifhed as follows: "The long wifhed for period
having arrived, when the din of war ceafes, the olive-
branch of peace is diſplayed, the toils and fatigues of
the field are drawing to a clofe, a part of the army
have already mingled with their fellow-citizens, and
others will probably ere long join them-Maj. Gen.
Heath being about to leave the army, and this being
the laft opportunity which will remain in his power,
to exprefs that affection for his brother officers and
foldiers, which more than eight years fervice has ef-
sd:
tabliſhed

JUNE, 1783.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
385
tabliſhed in his breaft, he cannot depart without
leaving his beft wishes for the health, profperity and
happineſs of thofe, whofe lot it is a little longer to
continue in the field invoke every bleffing on them,
and bid them an affectionate farewel."
23d. The Maffachuſetts regiments marched to
Weft-Point.
ni The morning of the 24th, our General was to
commence his journey homeward; but the Com-
mander in Chief wifhed him not to proceed until the
afternoon. On his arrival at head-quarters, Col.
Humphries, one of the Aids-de-Camp of the Com-
mander in Chief, gave him a fealed letter, obferving
to him to read it at his cleifure. On opening it,
ins General Washington's own hand-writing it was
as follows:branish laroval sbad bas A STOV
-tasterqet si beturo dojde noitsmalingo bol begoit
snio da(Private.) to odrof
food nobis
Tobro gaidarkm ToHEADQUARTERS, June 24th, 1783-
DEAR SIR,ni boybuj esw
"PREVIOUS to your departure from the ar-
mywifh
I wish to take an opportunity of expreffing
my fentiments of your fervices, my obligations
for your affiftance, and my wifhes for your future
felicity. o o
fortu
Our object is at laft attained; the arrangements
are almoft completed, and the day of feparation is
now at hand. Permit me, therefore, to thank you for
the trouble you have lately taken in the arrangement
of the corps under your orders, as well as for all
your former cheerful and able exertions in the pub-
lic fervice. Suffer me to offer this laft teftimony of
my regard to your merits; and give me leave, my
dear Sir, to affure you of the real affection and ef-
10017
A Aa
Soivret vedut molt beatsdolib dinom eldi
dont
teem

386
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [OCT. 1783.
teem with which I am, and fhall at all times, and un
der all circumftances, continue to be fled aid gives!
of Tognol Your fincere friend, and or to atoniqqed
medi no gnilloid vs Very humble fervant, uniino
(Signed) sts G. WASHINGTON.
of Maj. Gen. HEATH." ludollsM odT-by's
Anio I-fle W
In the afternoon, the general officers were in
Council at head quarters, in confequence of an ex-
prefs from Philadelphia. Four or five hundred men
of the Pennfylvania line, of thofe who had been fur-
loughed on or about the 20th, grew very mutinous,
refufed to obey orders, entered the city of Philadel-
phia, feized fome public flores, furrounded the place
where Congrefs and the Supreme Court of the State
were fitting, and made feveral demands, and occa.
fioned fome confternation, which caufed a reprefent-
ation to the Commander in Chief. The continent-
al regiments were to be put under marching orders
immediately. It was judged inexpedient to call out
the militia.
At about 5 o'clock, P. M. our General took his
leave of his beloved General, and commenced his
journey for
for Maflachuſetts, and arrived at his houfe in
Roxbury on the first day of July, at 2 o'clock, P. M.
where he gave evidence that an eight years military
life had not divefted him of the feelings or man-
ners of a citizen.
ners of a cit wolored sm time bond as w
October 30th.-It was learnt, that the definitive
treaty of peace was figned the 3d of the preceding
September; and that difpatches were fent off to the
different Courts in Europe, to America, the Eaft
and Weft Indies, &c. with an account of this happy
event.
03
Congrefs, by a proclamation which bore date the
18th of this month, difcharged from further fervice
fuch

DEC. 1783.] HEATH'S MEMOIRS.
387
fuch foldiers as were engaged for the war, and offi-
cers who were abfent by derangement and furlough.
The difcharges to take place the 3d of November,
enfuingon aboM to aid of bonitor gol ofs
eNovember vadai Gen. Washington iffued his laft
and farewel orders to the federal armies, taking an
affectionate leave of them, and giving them his beft
advice.
4th.-Gen. Washington, by proclamation, in com-
pliance with a refolve of Congrefs of the 29th of the
preceding October, difcharged all the troops in the
fervice of the United States, that were then in Penn-
fylvania, or to the fouthward thereof, except the
garrifon of Fort Pitt.
The British troops having left New-York, on the
25th of November, at one o'clock, P. M. a detach-
ment of the American army took poffeffion of the
city; after which, his Excellency General Wafh-
ington, and Governor Clinton, made their public
entry, properly efcorted, &e. The Governor gave
a public dinner at Frances' tavern.
December 2d.-There was a grand exhibition of
fire-works in celebration of the peace, at the bowl-
ing-green, in Broadway. The magnificent fire-
works far exceeded any before exhibited in the
United States.
sinod o motod od mot
hidi
On the 4th, at noon, a great number of American
officers of diftinction met at Frances' tavern, to take
their leave of their great Commander, Gen. Wafh-
ington, who, on filling a glafs of wine, addreffed his
brave compatriots as follows: bsbor 701,2012.
"With an heart full of love and gratitude, I now
take leave of you-I moft devoutly with that your
latter days may be as profperous and happy, as your
former ones have been glorious and honourable."
12 101
The
पू

388
HEATH'S MEMOIRS. [DEC. 17831
The diffolution of the American army (excepting
a fmall detachment of artillery and of infantry) took
place a few days after; and General WASHINGTON,
ere long, retired to his feat at Mount Vernon, cov-
ered with every laurel with which his own victorious
conduct, and a grateful country, could adorn him ;
and with the applaufe of an au.niring world.oists
osivbs
moo ninotsioon yd notgrid W.050
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stat aqoon od) is THE END.dogbosiq
- ni mari 91SW 12 besinu od to
ad soivast
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9 no oY we al grired aqoon) ditina od f
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sta do momshoq door ymas nokrom sdi do snem
olduq isrit. obsojail ovo bre notgal
nevatesons 1 19mnib silduq s
30 noirididxo hastes 9dbdmass
ERRATA.
-Iwod ad se o noustalo ni show-stit
Page 46, line 2, for Montrefos read Mantrefors.ond ni sr-gni
P. 54, laft line, after below, place a femicolon. ab
P. 65, 1. 18, for Lo! r. low, and place the inverted commas at "que.
Ibid, 1. 4 from the bottom, for boats r. boat.
P. 67, 1. 12 from the bottom, for neck r. creek.
P. 69, 1. 14 from the bottom, after referve place a comma.
P. 104, 1. 8 and 9, for Erving r. Ewing. 15
OW
291812 biaU
molib to 15pifto
P. 111, 1. 10 from the bottom, for Delaney's r. Delancy's.vsel nisdt
P. 199, 1. 13 from the bottom, for Gambice r. Gambier.
P. 207, 1. 14, for proceed 1. proceeded.
Bili so odw morgni
P. 210, 1. 5, for furrounded 1. fupported. ollat es atciusqmos everd
P. 244, 1. 9, for Seville x. Leville.
Ibid, 1. 10, for Fautafque r. Fantafque. to Hut 1165d as diW**
Γ.
P. 276, 1. 18, for Mecklenburgh 1. Muhlenburgboy lo veel als
P. 298, 1. 7 from the bottom, for minutes r. minuter.
P. 314, L. 3, for were r. where, 1015q1ong as ed yam aysb 1911sk
"olds monon bas apotroly need even reno Tomot
edT





1798 Heath, William
OE, M
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