70. Queer Cavalry
BY ALEXANDER GRAYDON (ABOUT 1778)
AMONG the military phenomena of this campaign, the
Connecticut light horse ought not to be forgotten. They consisted of a
considerable number of old-fashioned men, probably farmers and
heads of families, as they were generally middle-aged, and many of
them apparently beyond the meridian of life.
They were truly irregulars; and whether their clothing, their
equipments or caparisons were regarded, it would have been difficult to
have discovered any circumstance of uniformity; though in the features
derived from "local habitation," they were one and the same.
Instead of carbines and satires, they generally carried fowling
pieces; some of them very long, and such as in Pennsylvania are used
for shooting ducks. Here and there, one, "his youthful garments, well
saved," appeared in a dingy regimental of scarlet, with a triangular,
tarnished, laced hat.
In short, so little were they like modern soldiers, in
air or costume, that, dropping the necessary number of years, they
might have been supposed the identical men who had in part composed
Pepperil's army at the taking of
Louisbourg.
[187] Their order of march
corresponded with their other irregularities. It "spindled into longitude
immense," presenting in extended and ill-compacted flank, as though
they had disdained the advantage of concentration.
These singular dragoons were volunteers, who came to make a
tender of their services to the Commander-in-chief. But they stayed not
long at New York. As such a body of cavalry had not been counted
upon, there was in all probability a want of forage for their horses,
which, in spite of ancient knighthood, they absolutely refused to
descend from; and as the General had no use for cavaliers in his insular
operations, they were forthwith dismissed with suitable
acknowledgments for their truly chivalrous ardor.
An unlucky trooper of this school had by some means or
other, found his way to Long Island, and was taken by the enemy in the
battle of the 27th of August. The British officers made themselves very
merry at his expense, and obliged him to amble about for their
entertainment. On being asked, what had been his duty in the rebel
army, he answered, that it was to flank a little and carry tidings.
But notwithstanding the unwarlike guise of the troops from
New England there was no part of the continent perhaps, in which so
little impression could be made, or in which the enemy was so cautious
of advancing. Their numbers and zeal rendered them formidable when
fighting on their own ground; and the defence of Bunker's hill was
worthy of the bravest veterans.
