 | The American war |  |
BOOK V.
THE ARGUMENT.
The British fleet, in the spring of 1777, crosses the Lake Champlain; the provincials evacuate Ticonderoga, &c. The destruction of their armed vessels, &c. General Fraser's detachment routs the provincial rear guard: Colonel Hill, with the 9th regiment, repulses near six times his number. The impediments, and unsuccessful expedition of the Colonels Baum, and Breymen to Bennington. A bridge thrown over Hudson's river. The battle near Still-water; the second battle, and retreat to Saratoga; the convention signed, and the surrender to General Gates. Gen. Howe marches with the British army to Quibble town, is attacked in his retreat to New York; they embark, and sail up the Delaware, and by land, from the Elk's Head, march to Chad's Ford. The battle on the heights near Brandywine, the provincials routed, and Philadelphia taken possession of by Lord Cornwallis. General Wayne's camp surprized. The British attacked at German Town, by General Washington, Col. Musgrave's gallantry, the provincials retreat. Gen. Clinton's, Gen. Vaughan's, and Gen. Campbell's expeditions against Fort Montgomery, Fort Clinton, Esopus, &c. Red Bank Fort attacked, the Hessian rout, and retreat. Mud Island and Red Bank Fort attacked and taken; the Augusta and Merlin blown up.
And strove each other's hostile schemes to marr;
In other parts appear'd no sign of peace;
No warlike preparation seem'd to cease;
The British troops, with a large batt'ring train,
Sail'd unmolested over Lake Champlain:
The colonists, before th' attack began,
From Crown Point and Ticonderoga ran!
Mount Hope, Defiance, and each rising ground,
They left, t' evade that unpropitious hour,
When intercepted by the British pow'r!
To Castletown, by land, one party sped,
A chosen corps the gallant Francis led,
To check pursuit, at least, if not repel
Grant, Fraser, Hill, Powell, and Reidesel.
Meanwhile, another party strove to make
A safe retreat, by water, on the lake;
But through th' almost impenetrable bar,
Lutwidge and Carter rush'd with Britain's war:
Carter steer'd close 'midst furious cannonade,
And soon a dreadful devastation made.
Fraser and Grant advanc'd towards the foe;
Francis retir'd both cautiously and slow;
He knew where best their passage to dispute;
To face, to stand, and strive to check pursuit.
Grant and the grenadiers were first oppos'd,
And with the colonists in battle clos'd;
Where the long-doubtful battle chiefly rag'd;
There, strongly posted the provincials stood,
'Midst bushes, trees, and rocks, and logs of wood:
At length dislodg'd, no longer cou'd contend;
Seeming to Castletown their march to bend;
But here, the grenadiers oppos'd their flight;
Again they rally'd, and renew'd the fight;
Routed again, to Pittford's rising ground
They mov'd with speed, but there no passage found,
Upon the summit stood the grenadiers;
And now they seem'd oppress'd by growing fears;
Dislodg'd, confus'd, on ev'ry side fell back,
When Reidesel and Berner made th' attack;
Towards Fort Anne they mov'd with quicken'd pace,
And the ninth reg'ment foremost in the chace,
Was intercepted in the dang'rous course;
Six times out-number'd by superior force!
Hill entertain'd no thought of falling back;
Firm, and determin'd, stood the rough attack!
And Phillips hasten'd with the batt'ring train;
But found such obstacles his march t' impede,
He came not soon enough to give them aid:
Three hours they bore each oft-repeated shock!
Held their position firm, and never broke!
At length their foes inclin'd to hemm them round;
In hottest fight the reg'ment chang'd the ground!
So formidable now they seem'd t'appear;
That bold manœuvre fill'd their foes with fear:
They slack'd their fire, cooler and cooler grew,
And to Fort Edward from the field withdrew.
A more laborious dang'rous task remain'd;
Batteaux and stores again must leave the lake,
And over land a tardy passage make!
Must from Fort George to Hudson's River ride,
Be dragg'd perforce, not onward gently glide!
Nat'ral impediments their passage barr'd
On ev'ry side, the Britons to retard;
They pass'd swamps, bogs, defiles, 'midst slow delay,
And tardily through forests hew'd their way;
Through roads the cautious colonists had spoil'd;
Where trees were transverse fell'd, or lengthways laid,
The progress of the British troops t' impede.
Baum, with five hundred, was detach'd away
To Bennington, where some provisions lay;
As he advanc'd, false friends from many parts,
Came pouring in, with mischief in their hearts;
Upon whose oaths and friendship he rely'd;
But when they came in battle to be try'd,
They 'gainst his troops a mortal volley fir'd,
And to the foes exultingly retir'd!
On all sides round them, Baum's detachment heard
Disheart'ning shouts, and suddenly appear'd
The num'rous parties of provincial foes,
Who, for th' attack this friendly signal chose!
Secure in numbers, in a dreadful form,
Onward they came, like an impetuous storm;
Baum on defence was resolutely bent,
And from the cannon mortal greeting sent;
Each other corps, with Fraser's marksmen try'd
To thin their foes, hard press'd on ev'ry side:
They fled, and almost total loss sustain'd:
To their assistance Breymen came too late,
And bravely fought he might not share their fate;
With most determin'd resolution strove,
And thrice from heights provincial victors drove!
Still to the charge the colonists return'd,
And for revenge with double fury burn'd!
Now Breymen's ammunition spent, no more
His cannon bellow'd with destructive roar:
Th' assailants rushing on brisk efforts made,
Seiz'd the mute guns, and drove him retrograde.
A bridge of boats o'er Hudson's River threw:
A storm had all their former labour cross'd;
A bridge of rafts was swept away, and lost:
Unheedful of th' event, they pass'd the same,
And marching on, to Saratoga came.
Repairing bridges now more frequent grew,
As they advanc'd, and nearer Arnold drew;
Who, like a couchant lion, ready lay,
With Morgan, Lincoln, Gates, to seize their prey
A most convenient spot of ground they chose,
To stop the progress of advancing foes.
Burgoyne resolv'd their utmost strength to prove;
He must this living obstacle remove;
Or backward push'd retire, (harrass'd and foil'd)
Over the ground through which the troops had toil'd:
Th' access was difficult, a ravin lay
With broken bridges, in th' assailants way:
And Fraser made a circuit on the right,
To keep the height already they possess'd;
Whilst Reidesel and Phillips forward press'd,
And labour'd hard the destin'd spot to gain
In time, they might the British line sustain.
The height of Baumus Arnold occupy'd,
His camp well mann'd, the ground well fortify'd;
But Morgan's riflemen possess'd the ground,
Advanc'd in front; and sev'ral corps around,
Their stations took, and first commenc'd th' attack,
T' impede, or drive the scouts and flankers back;
Who halted, fought, disdaining to retire,
Or forward push'd, returning fire for fire:
The British vanguard now had pass'd the wood,
When Morgan's corps, who station'd ready stood,
Began a rough attack, stopp'd their career,
Their line disorder'd, and inspir'd with fear:
Still pressing near, compell'd them to retire
Before the riflemens superior fire:
But soon they rally'd, and the ground regain'd,
By timely reinforcements well sustain'd:
Now Morgan's corps, in turn dishearten'd grew,
Amidst a show'r of balls th' artill'ry threw;
From Arnold's camp, with visible design
A party mov'd, t' outflank the British line;
Fraser and Breymen posted there they found;
They wheel'd, retir'd, and soon retrod the ground;
And countermarching, to the left they drove,
And briskly there to make impression strove;
Phillips and Reidesel here cross'd their way,
Their ardor check'd, and held them at a bay.
Alternately each other's succour prov'd:
Vig'rous and fierce both parties onward prest,
And roughly put each other to the test;
Oft as Burgoyne's and Arnold's battle clos'd,
Riflemen stood to riflemen oppos'd:
Here, Fraser's marksmen spread destruction round;
There, Morgan's corps strew'd the disputed ground
With dead and wounded; whilst in turn they felt
The leaden vengeance hostile parties dealt:
Fraser and Hamilton their ground maintain'd,
Incessant fought, and hard-earn'd honor gain'd:
Unequal war the British forces wag'd,
Against superior numbers long engag'd:
Three hours their firmness Arnold's party try'd,
With reinforcements from the camp supply'd:
Envelop'd in thick clouds of smoke they came;
In peals of thunder, wrapp'd in sulph'rous flame,
Th' advancing British veterans drew near;
Met them half way, and stopp'd their bold career:
The vig'rous, rough, and long attack that day,
Chiefly against three British cohorts lay!
Fraser judiciously the fight survey'd,
And reinforc'd Burgoyne with timely aid;
Who briskly was in front and flanks assail'd;
But Hamilton, whose ardor never fail'd,
Good succour prov'd, unshaken as a rock,
Barr'd Arnold's course, and bore each hostile shock.
And with repeated efforts, briskly strove
To gain the flank of Britain's hard-press'd line;
Phillips advanc'd to frustrate their design;
Up to the spot the twentieth reg'ment brought;
Both officers, and em'lous privates caught
His warlike flame, and 'gainst their foes prevail'd;
Who, from th' assailants, now became th' assail'd:
Jones, Williams, and Blomefield, th' artill'ry ply'd,
And flung destruction round on ev'ry side:
To check the slaughter of their cannonade,
A brisk advance a strong detachment made;
The British forces grim defiance low'r'd,
And round one cannon resolutely pour'd:
Both parties seem'd to scorn ignoble flight;
And thrice each vanquish'd corps renew'd the fight!
Jones persever'd, till in the mortal strife,
The gallant Ancient Briton lost his life.
O'er wounded, groaning, dying, and the dead,
Surviving and contending soldiers tread,
With hard-knit brows, and fury in their eyes,
To seize, drag off, and keep the precious prize:
So, for Patroclus slain, old heroes strove;
From ev'ry part the troops in tumult drove;
To gain the body Greeks and Trojans toil'd;
Trojans and Greeks alternately were foil'd.
At length the British troops most grimly pleas'd,
Firmly determin'd on the cannon seiz'd,
And dragg'd it off with a triumphant shout.
In other parts the battle was severe,
As if both sides had bid adieu to fear:
Green, Clark, and Petersham, where danger frown'd,
And duty call'd, quick travers'd o'er the ground,
That reinforcements might in time oppose,
And check the fire of fresh advancing foes,
When any hard-press'd party grew dismay'd,
And anxious look'd around for friendly aid.
Gates, Lincoln, Glover, busily employ'd,
Successively their enemies annoy'd;
Whilst Arnold oft to make impression try'd,
And Morgan's corps their rifled barrels ply'd,
To thin the ranks, and break that living bar,
Which stood so firm 'gainst Arnold's vig'rous war.
To various parts detachments briskly mov'd,
Each side by turns, victors and vanquish'd prov'd.
Exhausted nature warn'd them to retire;
But innate courage, and avenging ire,
For slain and wounded friends, and love of fame,
Still fann'd, and kept alive the warlike flame:
Till night they stood disputing for the ground,
Advanc'd, retir'd, and travers'd briskly round:
At length the colonists inclin'd to yield,
And left the Britons the disputed field;
Who, mournfully, the dear-bought ground survey'd,
Thick strew'd with heaps of dying and the dead.
Burgoyne soon learnt, by sad experience taught,
Only for honour, Britain's troops had fought:
With indefatigable vigor toil'd,
To fortify the camp on ev'ry side,
To stand the test when next in battle try'd:
So strong already Arnold's right appear'd,
It seem'd secure, no threat'ning dangers fear'd:
From the like work the Britons never ceas'd,
Their labours, doubts, and fears, and foes increas'd:
Nor Howe, nor Clinton had assistance sent;
Time fled away, provisions almost spent;
In front, unnumber'd obstacles remain'd;
'Twas dang'rous to re-tread the ground they'd gain'd:
Burgoyne still more embarrass'd grew, and found
Superior hostile numbers gath'ring round;
And as the threat'ning dangers greater grew,
Ticonderoga was the point in view;
But Arnold, Lincoln, Gates, with treble force,
And nat'ral obstacles, oppos'd his course;
Impenetrable bars their parties lay,
Through which his troops must force their sanguin'd way;
Humanity likewise suggests the thought,
The sick and wounded shou'd be forward brought;
The great embarrassment, the deep distress!
Must they desert their friends on hostile ground!
And add more poignant pangs to ev'ry wound!
Johnson had not a rapid progress made;
St. Leger too was moving retrograde.
Scalpers, provincials, and Canadians fled
From threat'ning danger near, and homeward sped;
Thus by desertion thinn'd, both night and day,
The British mould'ring army shrunk away.
No cause they had to keep their hopes alive,
Clinton, or Howe, with succours cou'd arrive:
T' attempt to pass, or to dislodge their foes;
They watch'd Burgoyne, each operation knew;
Rapid and sudden 'gainst his left they flew;
Nor wou'd they to that spot th' attack confine,
They stretch'd themselves across the German line;
Ackland and Reidesel, out-number'd far,
Sustain'd the shock, and strove their course to bar:
From Arnold's camp, another party rush'd
Against the right, and onward briskly push'd:
Britons, and Germans, yet unbroken fought;
Oft anxious turn'd, but none fresh succours brought;
No friendly reinforcements cou'd they see,
To check the brisk advancing enemy;
Who like a thunder-cloud towards them came,
With gloomy front, thick wrapt in sulph'rous flame:
No respite cou'd the British forces have,
By foes out-number'd, vigorous and brave.
Th' advantage gain'd, the colonists improv'd;
From Arnold's camp another party mov'd
Against the stagger'd left, who faintly bore
This second shock, and cou'd engage no more;
But overpow'r'd, and hopeless to succeed,
Gave way, and strove to reach the camp with speed:
Meanwhile, the right with cooling fear inspir'd,
Before their foes with quick dispatch retir'd:
Firm as amidst the billows stands a rock,
Fraser sustain'd the formidable shock!
True to the trust his sov'reign had repos'd;
And where the dreadful battle roughest clos'd,
There was he active found, with heart elate,
And front erect, oppos'd to threat'ning fate:
Whilst show'rs of bullets thick around him fell:
Hoping the flying troops to reinspire
With his own sentiments, and martial fire;
T' example blind, to exhortations deaf,
Alone they left the Caledonian chief!
Stung to the quick, when they commenc'd the rout,
Halt, halt, for shame! he cry'd, and face about!
Where wou'd ye run to shun this glorious strife?
With tarnish'd fame, so much in love with life?
And when amidst the loud tumultuous roar,
The distant troops cou'd hear his voice no more;
Fix'd to the spot, and beck'ning was he seen,
As if he had invulnerable been!
Whilst hostile parties briskly onward sped,
To seize the spot from whence the Britons fled:
From rifled tubes, swift wing'd with sulph'rous flame,
The messengers of death in vollies came:
Where first the British troops possess'd the ground,
He bravely fell, with lasting honour crown'd:
The colonists exulting drove along:
Towards the camp, Britons and Germans throng:
They came in haste from ev'ry post around;
All had deserted the disputed ground:
To check the foes, who in pursuit drew near,
Phillips and Reidesel brought up the rear;
A show'r of shot and shells incessant sent;
But this cou'd not their quick approach prevent;
Th' artill'ry corps cou'd not their charge sustain,
They fell, or fled, and left the batt'ring train;
Which soon were turn'd with grape-shot amply stor'd,
And 'gainst the British lines destruction roar'd:
And dying groans, and hostile shouts were heard:
Jones, Breymen, Clarke, and Fraser were no more;
Lind, Harnage, Ackland, Williams, drench'd in gore;
With many gallant chiefs, lay welt'ring round;
Or limp'd disabled, o'er th' ensanguin'd ground.
Gates, Arnold, Lincoln, with each other vy'd,
And like a rapid overwhelming tide,
Th' assailing continental force drew near,
(Reg'lars, militia, and each volunteer;)
To give the storm, no slow-pac'd march they made,
But through a most tremendous cannonade,
And show'rs of balls, from British muskets sent,
On glorious death or hard-earn'd conquest bent,
Towards the lines they resolutely sped,
Where both the parties most profusely bled!
To closest battle Arnold briskly flew,
By Lincoln join'd, with glory's goal in view;
But a retarding ball each leader met;
They limp'd reluctant from the parapet:
Gates and the main corps fighting still remain'd,
Whose furious charge the Britons well sustain'd;
Whilst over head hung vict'ry in suspense,
As doubtful where to fix her residence!
Phillips, Burgoyne, Belcarras, Reidesel,
Most em'lous strove th' assailants to repel;
The British chiefs by their examples fir'd,
Determin'd fought, and ev'ry corps inspir'd;
In ev'ry part Burgoyne all danger brav'd;
No hope remain'd unless the camp was sav'd:
Belcarras firm sustain'd the grand attack;
At length the charging enemies fell back;
They gain'd the lines, and kept the German ground;
By which mishap the British right, and rear,
Became expos'd, and gave new cause for fear;
A restless night they had, the troops must make
A movement, and a new position take:
New fears, new dangers now, their minds opprest,
And Saratoga seem'd a place of rest;
Distressful thought to ev'ry gen'rous mind;
The sick and wounded must be left behind!
They cou'd not hope they shou'd successful prove,
Unless they cou'd thus disencumber'd move:
It was decreed, by night away they sped,
And Reidesel the British vanguard led;
Whilst in the rear the gallant Phillips mov'd;
His thund'ring train a guard of safety prov'd:
Delay'd, fatigu'd, they Saratoga gain'd;
But yet so many obstacles remain'd;
Their spirits flagg'd, foreboding total loss,
Before they cou'd o'er Hudson's river cross:
Their “ne plus ultra” this encampment prov'd;
For where the workmen with detachments mov'd,
There, a sufficient hostile force they found,
To guard the fords, and to dispute the ground:
A pensive gloom fill'd ev'ry soldier's face;
Approaching enemies with eager pace,
And took possession of th' adjacent ground,
Where nature help'd to form the strongest bar,
And bid defiance to the British war.
Burgoyne had now the worst events to fear;
Accumulating woes grew more severe:
He had sufficient cause to dread th' event;
His troops might rouze 'midst sudden discontent!
Horrid the thought! they possibly might grow
Impatient, rude, and no commanders know!
Almost incircled by surrounding foes;
Whose skill appear'd in ev'ry post they chose:
From whence their cannon, with destruction stor'd,
And slaught'ring rifle tubes alternate roar'd:
With sage precaution Gates each moment seiz'd;
And the provincial forces grimly pleas'd;
Rage in their eyes, and vengeance in their hearts;
Were stationed near the camp in various parts;
Like bears bereav'd of whelps, around they lay,
Expecting soon to see the welcome day,
When the devoted army shou'd recede,
Or quit their lines o'erpow'r'd, and grow dismay'd.
They stood upon the margin of the grave,
Which seem'd to yawn for the surviving brave!
Convention only can prolong their breath,
And save them from th' expanded jaws of death:
Humanely caus'd hostilities to cease:
But first declares he will their passage bar,
Till they surrender prisoners of war:
Th' entrenchments, and the camp must be resign'd,
Their grounded arms, and cannon, left behind!
We ground our arms in camp, inflam'd with rage,
The Britons cry'd; we rather will engage
Our num'rous foes; tell Gates, whilst we have breath,
We'll fight our way, and rush on certain death!
Rather than sink so low, we scorn to live!
No mercy will we crave, nor quarter give!
Gates heard the same, his rising rage repress'd;
The brave, the prudent warrior stood confess'd:
He said (whilst he benevolently smil'd,)
Let them march forth, and let their arms be pil'd:
Let them revisit England, and declare,
Crown'd with success, we condescend to spare:
Altho' unfortunate, I know them brave,
They all the honours of the war shall have:
All shall their private property possess,
As some alleviation of distress:
Arms, ammunition, stores of ev'ry kind,
They must give up, all shall be left behind;
During the present war shall not be found
In arms again, on continental ground;
On these conditions, they shall feel no more
The rifle balls, nor hear our cannons roar:
He wish'd no needless carnage in the field,
His point was gain'd, Britons inclin'd to yield;
He might repent, when the rough battle clos'd,
That he rejected what had been propos'd.
Each to the quick, with rage and grief was stung;
When, with great perturbation in his mind,
Th' embarrass'd Gen'ral the convention sigh'd:
The winged moments swiftly pass'd away;
And Gates no longer suffer'd slow delay:
Sullen, and silently they march'd along;
Full of emotions, visible and strong:
By hard necessity compell'd to yield;
They must resign the honours of the field!
Before they pass that formidable bar,
Must give up all the glorious pomp of war!
As slowly they advanc'd, each British chief
Suffer'd the most excruciating grief:
The destin'd spot once gain'd, they made a stand,
And with reluctance utter'd the command,
To pile, and leave their arms, they long had borne,
With all th' accoutrements in battle worn!
The scene of deep humiliating woe,
Now drew compassion from a conqu'ring foe:
The most emphatic words cannot express,
The poignancy of ev'ry chief's distress.
With many leaders brave, in war renown'd;
With fame unsully'd had reclin'd his head,
And slept secure in honour's sanguin'd bed.
The British troops, as Gates before agreed,
Were march'd to Boston with convenient speed;
But great misunderstandings soon arose,
Between the British and provincial foes.
Provincial forces march'd, prepar'd for war;
The Congress thought ere the campaign shou'd end,
They must for Philadelphia contend:
The Britons seem'd prepar'd by land to go;
But Washington, a cautious skillful foe,
Resolv'd t' attempt to change their destin'd course;
Collecting quickly the provincial force,
Near Quibble Town a strong encampment form'd,
Seeming to rest secure from being storm'd;
Thinking they cou'd not be dislodg'd from thence
For art and nature join'd in their defence.
This obstacle across their way they found
They halted, and at proper distance stood,
And gloomily the lines and trenches view'd:
Howe cautiously avoided an attack,
And rather chose to march his army back;
So tenable he thought the lofty spot,
And had not Bunker's dreadful Hill forgot
Soon as they mov'd the colonists drew near;
Cornwallis backward led the harrass'd rear;
A vigorous attack on all sides made,
And drove them from their shady ambuscade;
Still Stirling, Maxwell, Conway, onward came,
And led three thousand candidates for fame;
Eight thund'ring cannons their approach declar'd;
Cornwallis, Grant, and Matthew were prepar'd
To meet their foes; Donop, and Leslie too,
Boldly advanc'd, and near their station drew;
Each corps was emulous, with fierce delight,
Impetuously rushing to the fight,
They penetrated the surrounding wood,
And face to face, in close engagement stood;
The colonists could not sustain the shock,
On all sides round gave way, dispers'd, and broke,
Matthew and Mingerode still onward push'd,
And where the cannon roar'd, intrepid rush'd;
And as a proof how well they fought that day,
They seiz'd and brought three batt'ring guns away!
And had through Jersey march'd the Britons back;
For a sea-passage they must next prepare;
Embark'd, they sail'd, and reach'd the Delaware;
And from th' Elk's Head by land to Chad's Ford sped;
Cornwallis, and Knyphausen, forward led
The two divisions; soon their march was barr'd;
A thousand chosen men strove to retard
Cornwallis, as he march'd, and in a wood,
Most advantageously they posted stood;
The British vanguard some resistance found,
But soon they drove them to more distant ground:
Each movement shew'd a visible design,
The Britons chose to pass the Brandywine:
The cautious Washington the time improv'd,
Halted with them, and march'd whene'er they mov'd;
Near ev'ry ford, on advantageous ground,
With a large train, to form a thund'ring bar,
And fifteen thousand men prepar'd for war.
One column to the right Cornwallis led;
Another with Knyphausen forward sped;
For Chad's Ford they design'd, and bought with blood
The ground o'er which they march'd to reach the flood;
Here, Maxwell posted on a neighb'ring height,
Oppos'd their passage, and prolong'd the fight:
To gain that height, a British party strove,
That party the provincials backward drove;
Which reinforc'd, again retrod the ground;
But such a second warm reception found,
Again they fled, postponing the design,
Until Cornwallis pass'd the Brandywine:
Repuls'd, and vex'd, for close attack they burn'd;
'Gainst Maxwell's front, and flank, again they turn'd;
Who overaw'd, across the passage mov'd,
Where Washington his guard of safety prov'd:
At distance now, both parties stood and made
A long continu'd thund'ring cannonade:
To cross the limpid stream, Cornwallis chose,
Where Brandywine in double channels flows;
And Washington inform'd of his intent,
With Sullivan a grand detachment sent:
Advanc'd before, on advantageous ground,
Green's, Wayne's, and Stirling's corps, were posted found:
And now both hostile fronts appear'd in view:
Station'd on Birmingham's commanding height,
Ten thousand colonists stood rang'd for fight;
To right and left rose a thick shady wood,
Which near each flank, as friendly cov'rings stood;
Their cannon advantageously dispos'd,
Which roar'd rough greeting ere the battle clos'd:
Cornwallis form'd the line with care and skill,
Rapid and steady led them up the hill;
The Britons saw their foes, and to the fight,
Advancing briskly with a fierce delight,
Amidst a roaring storm they upward mov'd,
Which both offensive and defensive prov'd:
Grey, Matthew, Agnew, to the battle flew,
And all around enliv'ning glances threw;
Each chief shook off th' appearance of delay,
And strove to share the honour of the day;
The chasseurs and light infantry inspir'd,
Began th' attack, with emulation fir'd:
The colonists display'd their warlike skill,
To check their progress up the dang'rous hill,
A blended show'r of lead and iron sent,
Their dreaded quick advances to prevent:
Tho' from their musquetry and cannon fell
A mortal storm, the Britons to repel,
(Which havoc made, yet undecisive prov'd;)
Towards their lines the main corps briskly mov'd:
The guards and grenadiers now onward push'd,
And foremost to a close engagement rush'd;
With ireful eyes, and a soul-harrowing frown,
They charg'd compact, and bore resistance down;
They chac'd them to the woods in sad dismay;
In close pursuit increas'd their speed and fear,
Oft harrass'd and alarm'd their broken rear!
Meanwhile at Chad's Ford neither party gain'd
A great advantage, tho' both sides maintain'd
A cannonade; for each with caution view'd
Their adverse foes, and at due distance stood.
Maxwell still near the ford well station'd lay,
And held the British forces at a bay;
But when a distant thund'ring cannonade,
Proclaim'd Cornwallis had a passage made;
The British troops in motion soon appear'd,
And loud-repeated chearful shouts were heard;
Grant led them on, each caught his warlike flame,
And like their leader thirsted after fame;
And as through hissing show'rs of balls they past,
Towards their foes their threat'ning glances cast;
Whose cannon, musquetry, and mortars roar'd
From trenches, and redoubts, to guard the ford:
Maxwell, and Mayne, were rouz'd, and labour'd hard
The passage of the Britons to retard;
Who made their deeds their firm resolves proclaim,
Whilst wading thro' the intervening stream;
Onward they press'd to make their passage good,
And rang'd once more on “terra firma” stood;
For their slain comrades full of great regret,
Vex'd by repulse, and long delay they met,
Impatient of restraint, to closest fight
They quick advanc'd, and put their foes to flight;
Still upwards drove, surmounting ev'ry bar,
And seiz'd the brazen thunder of the war.
Two British reg'ments emulously prest;
Foremost the fourth stepp'd forth, and forc'd their way,
Where the chief strength of their opponents lay;
As close as possible, the fifth appear'd;
And now the pass of all obstructions clear'd;
Knyphausen, with the main corps, pass'd the brook,
And on the ground they gain'd, their stations took.
As he advanc'd, all opposition fled;
Stirling's and Sullivan's, hard press'd, retir'd,
Nor were they with fresh courage reinspir'd,
Till Wayne's division check'd their wild career,
And partly banish'd their desponding fear;
But when the gallant Green appear'd in view,
To flight and fear again they bid adieu;
For battle rang'd, thus pow'rfully sustain'd,
They stood, expecting honour might be gain'd
A quick advance the British forces made,
'Gainst Proctor's brisk effectual cannonade;
Cornwallis, Agnew, Matthew, Grey, appear'd
Serenely brave, and each beholder chear'd;
Firm stood the colonists, seem'd undismay'd;
Wayne, Green, and Fayette, warlike worth display'd;
Woodford and Spotswood much distinguish'd shone,
(For their humanity to Fordyce known)
Wenden's and Stuart's corps great honour gain'd,
A close and heavy fire long time sustain'd:
Some other chiefs, not natives of the land,
By their examples strove to make them stand,
And rally those that were dispers'd and broke:
Thus officer'd, and by example taught,
They kept their ground, and vigorously fought;
But when th' impetuous close attack took place,
And Britain's forces charg'd them face to face,
They broke, confus'd, whilst Wenden, Woodford, Wayne,
Green, Hartley, Spotswood, Stewart, call'd in vain,
To halt, to rally, and to face about:
As vainly to prevent a gen'ral rout,
Polaski, Plessi, Fayette, Fleuri rode
From corps to corps, still retrograde they trod!
Altho' th' artillery the Britons gall'd,
And Proctor, Allen, Cooper, loudly call'd
Stand, stand, and make one glorious effort more;
Rally, and join our yet effective roar!
Of succour now on all sides quite bereft,
They, with reluctance, next th' artill'ry left;
A general retreat took place around,
From Chad's Ford, quite to Brandywine's high ground.
Three reg'ments thither march'd, led on by Grey;
And under covert of nocturnal shade,
Like prowling wolves their near approaches made;
Rapid, and sudden, to the charge they flew,
Surprize and consternation gen'ral grew:
Great slaughter 'midst a total rout ensu'd,
The dead and wounded wide around were strew'd.
As Howe advanc'd he small resistance found;
For Washington wou'd not dispute the ground:
He seem'd to fear a total overthrow,
And Philadelphia lost without a blow!
The Delaware, mann'd by provincial foes,
Drew near the town, to rouse them from repose;
Her long continu'd fire advantage gain'd,
By gallies and gondolas well sustain'd;
Whilst they their cannon resolutely ply'd,
They heeded not th' incessant ebbing tide,
Until the ground receiv'd the vessel's keel;
As soon as Cleveland saw the frigate heel,
He brought the four battalion guns to bear,
And pour'd destruction on the Delaware:
To shun her fate the gallies mov'd away.
And occupy'd a great extent of ground;
And Washington employ'd each precious hour,
To reunite his lately scatter'd pow'r;
Justly concluding his extended foes,
Might meet perhaps repeated overthrows
Like those in Jersey, when they felt dismay!
And Rall, at Trenton, fell an easy prey!
From various parts, throughout the continent,
Large reinforcements to the camp were sent;
To battle, for revenge, all seem'd t' incline,
For friends, and honour lost, near Brandywine;
For slaughter unreveng'd, they hourly grieve,
And long their late-lost honour to retrieve;
Their fears forgot, the chief, with great delight,
Observ'd returning ardor for the fight;
From Skippach Creek, with his collected force,
To German Town, he straightway bent his course;
So great their numbers, such the speed they made
With secret march, thro' the nocturnal shade,
'Twas more than probable they should obtain
Revenge for honour lost, and comrades slain:
With early dawn, the colonists appear'd,
The vanguard soon their hostile greeting heard;
Quickly alarm'd, all rouz'd from sweet repose,
And under arms advanc'd to meet their foes;
Briskly they mov'd, firm, and compact, to form,
Amidst the fury of th' impending storm.
Knowing the consequences of delay,
Donop and Stirn, with many a gallant chief,
To battle ran, to give their friends relief;
For Sullivan had some advantage gain'd,
By Conway, Wayne, and Washington sustain'd:
Before their growing pow'r, and brisk attack,
The vanguard and light infantry fell back;
Tho' the tenth reg'ment gallantry display'd,
'Midst the first shock, and gave them friendly aid;
As fresh provincial troops came pouring round,
In haste they quitted the disputed ground.
The gallant Musgrave, full of martial fire,
Reluctant mov'd, and scorning to retire,
Resolv'd he wou'd in Chew's strong house abide,
And posted there, his enemies defy'd:
The door secur'd, with furniture he made
In the grand entrance a strong barricade;
With frowning front, and a determin'd look,
In various parts each man his station took;
And as th' assailing forces nearer drew,
On ev'ry side, each window open threw;
On all sides storm'd by a detach'd brigade;
Who many bold and brisk advances made;
They, undismay'd, their stony station held,
And ev'ry hostile near approach repel'd:
Although to strike the British troops with fear,
Th' assailants brought four batt'ring cannons near;
The shatter'd facile doors asunder flew;
They gave a shout, and more determin'd grew:
Let glorious death, or vict'ry, be your choice;
Tho', far out-number'd, we appear but few,
Convince your foes what British troops can do:
This strong-built house we may long time defend,
And can from hence destructive vollies send;
Our worthy friends, station'd all round this place,
Will not be tardy in bright glory's race;
We soon shall see th' assailants put to rout,
And hear the friendly loud exulting shout:
Should all this fail, each man, at honour's call,
Among an heap of slaughter'd foes will fall:
Triumphing thus, who'd not resign his breath!
And almost smile amidst the pangs of death!
Now the provincials briskly forward prest,
And put their manhood to severest test;
Both parties equally resolv'd appear'd,
At intervals, respondent shouts were heard,
To chear th' advancing corps 'midst rough attack,
And rouze th' assail'd, to drive th' assailants back;
The doors and furniture were swept away,
Therefore the batt'ring cannon ceas'd to play;
Thronging provincials briskly forward push'd;
Towards the door intrepidly they rush'd:
To right and left the Britons met the war,
And with their bay'nets form'd a steely bar;
To pass, th' assailants resolutely strove;
Whilst those behind, the foremost on ward drove:
The flanking bay'nets gave a mortal wound,
In heaps they fell, and form'd a frindly mound!
Thus, hostile bodies prov'd a strong safeguard,
And the grand entrance 'gainst th' assailants barr'd!
No respite cou'd the door's defendants know;
Altho' their comrades, from each window sent
A show'r of balls, approaches to prevent;
The spacious court was with provincials spread,
And on the slipp'ry steps lay heaps of dead!
Over their wounded friends, and comrades slain,
Each man advanc'd who strove the door to gain!
If they continu'd thus the house t' assail,
Numbers, and cannons, must at length prevail;
But Musgrave, and his vet'ran troops, held out,
Until a welcome loud approaching shout
From each adjacent friendly corps was heard,
And Britain's quick advancing flags appear'd;
Agnew, and Grey, in fierce encounter clos'd,
And first th' advancing colonists oppos'd;
Matthew, and Grant, advanc'd upon the right,
And the fifth reg'ment, hast'ning to the fight,
Was by the fifty-fifth so well sustain'd,
They check'd their foes, and great advantage gain'd;
Two reg'ments, with the guards, stood undismay'd,
Bore the grand shock, and warlike worth display'd.
Now, from th' invested house, those sons of worth,
Headed by Musgrave, briskly sally'd forth;
As when a torrent bursts the obstructing mound,
And spreads a deluge o'er th' adjacent ground;
Thro' the grand portal, over heaps of dead,
They frowning rush'd, and wide destruction spread;
From right to left, both parties fiercely fought,
And their main strength up to the battle brought.
And blooming hopes of glorious conquest lost!
For in the moment vict'ry seem'd t'incline
To grant revenge for loss at Brandywine;
Round Washington unfriendly vapours flew,
And hid the scene of action from his view!
Which fog envelop'd the disputed spot,
On which th' encount'ring parties fiercest fought!
This prov'd a gloomy cause of doubt, and grief,
The late exulting Transatlantic Chief,
(Who, had with greatest caution travers'd round,
Expecting soon with vict'ry to be crown'd;)
Saw not the Britons meditating flight!
The scene was vanish'd from his ravish'd sight!
For Britain's right wing pressing closer, chose
To charge the left of their assailing foes;
A random fight, perplexity, and doubt,
Took place, and put the colonists to rout;
Not long the right wing, and the center stood,
Disorder, and confusion soon ensu'd;
Whilst the provincial leaders strove in vain,
To make them rally, and their ground maintain;
Thro' diff'rent roads, the routed parties seek
Safety, and rest, at Perkiomy Creek.
Infernal Discord with gigantic stride,
Travers'd the desolating continent,
And both sides seem'd on mutual slaughter bent!
Clinton with caution station'd troops around,
And made incursions over hostile ground;
Strove to divert the foes, t' avert the blow,
And save Burgoyne from threaten'd overthrow;
Howe's operations to facilitate,
And form a junction ere it was too late;
To spread alarming fears around, and try
To bring off cattle for a fresh supply:
Crown'd with success the British chiefs return'd,
And for some nobler enterprizes burn'd.
Clinton led on three thousand sons of Mars;
Wallace and Pownal chear'd the British tars;
Campbell and Robinson, with care and skill,
Advanc'd, and seiz'd the pass of Thunder Hill;
They made a silent circuit round the same,
And to the rear of Fort Montgom'ry came.
Vaughan forward press'd, and as he nearer drew,
Fort Clinton's mural breastwork rose to view;
And through the abbatis he forc'd his way
'Gainst roaring cannon, and at glory's call,
He gain'd, and kept possession of the wall;
Where Clinton soon to succour him appear'd,
The welcome junction ev'ry soldier chear'd.
Now, under covert of a gloomy night,
Surrounding troops prepar'd for closest fight;
Meanwhile, both Robinson and Campbell lay
Near Fort Montgom'ry, ready to display
Their warlike worth, soon as the gallies made
Their near approach, with thund'ring cannonade:
'Gainst Fort Montgomery their force was bent,
From whence their foes a mortal greeting sent;
Campbell soon felt a fatal random ball;
But Robinson reveng'd the warrior's fall;
Inspir'd his corps their duty to perform,
And gain'd th' assaulted fortress in a storm.
Clinton, and Vaughan, with emulation fir'd,
To action rouz'd, and all as if inspir'd
And the strong abbatis, advances made:
Silent, and resolute, the ground they gain'd,
And a destructive hostile fire sustain'd
From musquetry, and cannon, all around,
Whilst lab'ring o'er the well-disputed ground:
No British vollies in return were heard;
Their swords and bay'nets all obstruction clear'd.
Vaughan executed gallant Clinton's plan,
Skillful, and brave, the race of glory ran;
Each British ready chief in concert mov'd,
Cautious, and bold, and mutual succour prov'd;
So gallantly each corps the fight maintain'd,
Both forts were storm'd, and both at once were gain'd:
The spirit and resources of the foe
Were now so great, that with a warlike pride,
With arms, and ammunition, well supply'd
They met Burgoyne, form'd an effectual bar,
And check'd the progress of the British war.
'Gainst Red Bank Fort a large detachment sent;
Extensive works their near approaches barr'd,
Gallies, and floating batt'ries lay to guard
The threaten'd fort, which most offensive prov'd,
Yet on the brisk assailing Hessians mov'd
Towards the lines; for fame and conquest strove,
And from their outworks the provincials drove;
To an interior work in haste they ran,
And now a slaught'ring brisk attack began;
Behind a lofty parapet, they made
A strong defence, secure from escalade;
Their implements of death incessant ply'd,
And thinn'd th' assailing troops on ev'ry side;
Donop, and Mingerode, and many more
Advent'rous chiefs, lay welt'ring in their gore;
And now, a well-directed hostile fire
Again took place, to quicken their retreat,
To thin their ranks, and make the rout complete.
The land force thus withstood, and driven back,
The British fleet prepar'd to make th' attack;
First Hammond, with Great Britain's active tars,
Strove to remove the deep-sunk pond'rous bars;
Which almost an Herculean labour prov'd;
They toil'd incessant, and a part remov'd;
A joint attack from forts and gallies bore,
And tow'd the dreadful flaming rafts on shore!
One row remov'd, they small advantage gain'd;
Nearer the forts, obstructing rows remain'd;
Now, larger ships of war approaches made,
T' assist the troops with naval cannonade;
This joint attack the colonists sustain'd,
Held both their forts, and some advantage gain'd:
Whilst death in show'rs of lead and iron flew
From side to side, and hot the battle grew;
Forth from th' Augusta, suddenly there broke
A pitchy cloud of suffocating smoke:
The spreading flame resistless fury gain'd;
From stem to stern, fear, and confusion reign'd;
Whilst from the burning ship the seamen came,
To shun their fates amidst devouring flame,
Beyond their warmest expectations pleas'd,
The colonists the dreadful moment seiz'd,
From each well-mann'd redoubt, a mortal show'r;
Th' assisting num'rous boats in haste withdrew
To distant safety, with th' affrighted crew;
When 'midst the final blast, so justly fear'd,
Th' Augusta, and the Merlin, disappear'd.
The tumult ceas'd, and with redoubled rage,
The British troops, and tars, began t' engage;
Mud Island, and Red Bank, at once assail'd,
In front, and rear, and o'er their foes prevail'd.
The British troops with dear-bought vict'ry crown'd,
Resolv'd till spring arriv'd to keep the ground.
The provincials lost at Ticonderoga, and Mount Independence, which were evacuated (according to their commissary's account by more than 6000) on the 6th of July 1777, 128 pieces of ordnance, 2 howitzers, 2 petards, a small brass mortar; 1,768 barrels of flour, 649 barrels of pork, 60 barrels of pease, 50 barrels of biscuit, 121 gallons of rum, 87 barrels of pork and beef, supposed damaged; 1,877 round loose shot, from 32 to 6 pounders; 232 grape shot, from 32 to 6 pounders; 278 double-headed shot, from 32 to 6 pounders; 654 shells, from 13 inches to 4 and 2 fifths; 39 boxes of iron round shot, from 8 ounces to 1 and a half; 39 whole barrels of corned powder, 9 broken barrels: besides the above specified articles, the British forces took great quantities of military stores, of every denomination, intrenching tools, &c. &c. &c. General Burgoyne issued a proclamation to smooth his passage through the continent; but his threats of the exertion of British power, and savage rage, proved ineffectual.
Capt. Lutwidge mentions taken at Skenesborough, 6th July 1777, the Trumball Galley, and a schooner, laden with powder. Burnt and blown up, the Gates Galley; a sloop; and a schooner, with provisions; and that a great quantity of military stores, officers baggage, &c. were destroyed in the batteaux belonging to the enemy.
The grenadiers scrambled up what had appeared an inaccessible part of the ascent, and gained the summit before them.
General Burgoyne wrote. This happened on the 7th of July 1777. The provincials had about 2000 chosen men in the action, strongly posted, commanded by Col. Francis, a brave and experienced officer. The British detachment, under Brigadier-general Fraser, Col. Hill, &c. consisted of only 850 fighting men, brought up to battle. The provincials lost Col. Francis, and many other officers, and upwards of 200 privates, above 600 wounded (many of which perished in the woods, attempting to get off); one colonel, 7 captains, 10 subalterns, and 210 privates, taken prisoners. On July the 8th 1777, the battle was fought between the 9th regiment, Col. Hill, and about six times the number of provincials. The loss of the British and German forces, from the 2d of July to the 8th. Total killed, 1 major, 3 lieutenants, 2 serjeants, 55 rank and file; and wounded, 2 majors, 6 captains, 10 lieutenants, 12 serjeants, 151 rank and file, 3 Indians. The provincials acknowledge 4 or 500 missing, and say the British lost 300 killed.
General Burgoyne, in his letter in the London Gazette, 1st Nov. 1777, writes, “From the 30th of July, to the 15th of Aug. 1777, every possible measure was employed to bring forward the batteaux, provisions, and ammunition, from Fort George to the first navigable part of Hudson's River; a distance of 18 miles: the roads in some parts steep, and in others, wanting great repair, &c. Fifty teams of oxen were found far inadequate to assist, to feed the army, and form a magazine at the same time. Ten or twelve oxen were employed on a single batteau; and after the utmost exertions, for 15 days, there were not above 4 days provisions before-hand, nor above 10 batteaux in the Hudson's River.”
This expedition was undertaken about the 15th of Aug. 1777. Col. Baum was dispatched with about 500 Germans, and 2 light field-pieces. Lieutenant-colonel Breymen advanced to sustain them; but came too late, with the Brunswick grenadiers, light infantry, and chasseurs. General Burgoyne says, the British and Germans had about 400 men killed and taken, and 26 officers, mostly prisoners: the enemy's loss, in killed and wounded, he says, is more than ours, as prisoners and deserters say, and the inhabitants, who saw the dead buried. The provincial Brigadier-general Starks, in his account of the action, writes that they took 4 pieces of cannon from the Germans, with all their baggage, a number of horses, carriages, &c. killed upwards of 200 in the field, took about 700 prisoners; the number of the wounded not known.
The 20th, 21st, and 62d regiments; the most parts of which were engaged near four hours without intermission. Vide General Burgoyne's account of the action.
This intelligence came from a provincial officer, in his account of the action. He likewise writes, the British troops lost in killed, wounded, and prisoners, near 1000; of which, 50 are prisoners; that the provincials had 100 killed, 160 wounded, and none taken prisoners. General Burgoyne's account of the British loss, is 13 officers killed; 15 officers wounded; and about 300 rank and file killed, wounded, and missing.
This battle was fought on the 19th of Sept. 1777, near Stillwater. Gen. Burgoyne, in his letter in the London Gazette, Dec. 15th 1777, says “Just as the light closed, the enemy gave ground on all sides, and left us completely masters of the field of battle; with the loss of about 500 men on their side, and, as supposed, thrice that number wounded. The behaviour of the officers, and men in general, was exemplary. Brigadier-general Fraser took his position in the beginning of the day, with great judgment, and sustained the action with constant presence of mind and vigor. Brigadier-general Hamilton was the whole time engaged, and acquitted himself with great honour, activity, and good conduct. The artillery, in general, was distinguished; and the brigade under Capt. Jones, who was killed in the action, was conspicuously so.”
Those commanders had met a much greater opposition than was at first expected, and their Indians began to grow discontented. Col. St. Leger in particular; although he had killed 400 of a detachment, who came to the relief of Fort Stanwix, was obliged to raise the siege, and retire towards Canada, and give up all thoughts of forcing a passage down the Mohawk River, to join Gen. Burgoyne, when he heard of the approach of Gen. Lincoln towards him; who advanced with a detachment of several thousands, joined by Col. Brown, who arrived about the 18th of September 1777, took possession of several places, and demanded a surrender of Ticonderoga and Mount Independence: a reinforcement arriving from Crown Point, the colonists quitted the enterprize, after having twice summoned Brigadier-general Powell to no purpose, and having tried, during the course of four days, several attacks; but were repulsed in all; in which Gen. Powell, Capt. Taylor of the 21st regiment, Lt. Beecroft, &c. behaved gallantly. The provincials, in their progress, took 2 captains, 11 subalterns, 280 privates, and retook 100 of their own men: they took likewise 200 batteaux in Lake Champlain, &c. with several large gun-boats, and an armed sloop, ammunition, arms, cannon, &c. by the capture of which Gen. Burgoyne writes they were enabled to attack Diamond Island in two divisions, where Capt. Aubrey was posted with two companies of the 47th regiment: the enemy were repulsed by Capt. Aubrey, with great loss, and pursued by the gun-boats under his command, to the East Shore; where two of their principal vessels were retaken, with all the cannon. They had just time to set fire to the other batteaux, and retreated over the mountains.
The savages were much restrained from their usual mode of scalping, butchery, and plunder; and after the murder of the unfortunate Miss M'Crea, (who was coming to the British camp, as was reported, to be married to an officer;) they were held under greater restraint, and watched with a jealous eye; which not agreeing with their ferocious dispositions, they at length withdrew, as did many of the Canadians and volunteers, when the provincials gathered round them, and threatened them with total overthrow.
This battle was fought on the 7th of Oct. 1777. In an account of which, General Burgoyne mentions what is above recited. He says, “We lost 6 pieces of cannon; Brigadier-general Fraser, Lieutenant-colonel Breymen, and the German entrenchments; Major Ackland, wounded and taken; with many other gallant officers. The British troops retreated hard press'd, but in good order; and were scarcely entered the camp, when it was stormed with great fury; the enemy, led on by General Arnold, rushing to the lines, under a severe fire of grape shot, and small arms.”
General Burgoyne's report of the killed, wounded, and prisoners, of the British troops, to the 12th of Oct. 1777. Killed, 1 brigadier-general, 1 major, 2 captains, 15 lieutenants, 4 ensigns, 12 serjeants, 5 drummers, 315 rank and file. Wounded, 2 lieutenant-colonels, 5 majors, 17 captains, 18 lieutenants, 4 ensigns, 1 adjutant, 38 serjeants, 4 drummers, 715 rank and file. Prisoners, 2 majors, 2 captains, 3 lieutenants, 2 ensigns, 1 surgeon, 4 serjeants, 2 drummers, 43 rank and file.
Oct. the 17th 1777. Surrendered to General Gates; British: 2,442; Brunswick, and other German troops, 2,198: Canadian volunteers, &c. 1, 190: staff-officers, 12: sick and wounded, left in the British camp, when General Burgoyne began his retreat, 528; besides the above, there were killed, wounded, taken, and deserted, of British, German, and Canadian troops, from the 6th of July to the 16th of Oct. 1777. 2,933: total 9,303. Brass ordnance, &c. delivered up at Saratoga: 2 twenty-four pounders, 4 twelve pounders, 18 six pounders, 4 three pounders, 5 royal howitzers, 5 inches and a half; 2 brass mortars, 8 inches; with 7000 stand of arms complete, besides those taken at Bennington; the military chest; large quantities of ordnance-stores, cloathing for 7000 provincials, tents, &c. Vide General Gates's letter to the Honourable President of the Council of the state of Massachusets Bay, dated Albany, 19th of Oct. 1777.
By what follows, it appears the charge was mutual. The Congress, on the 8th of Jan. 1779, came to resolutions to this purport: “That General Burgoyne had infringed the articles of the convention at Saratoga; and that his charge of their breach of public faith, is considered by the Congress in an alarming point of view; and that they cannot confide in his honour, &c. &c. &c.” And notwithstanding General Burgoyne offered to join with all his officers to sign an agreement, as a further pledge of faith, provided the suspension was immediately taken off; they resolved, “That the embarkation of Lieutenant-general Burgoyne, and the army under his command, be suspended till a distinct and explicit ratification of the convention of Saratoga shall be properly notified by the court of Great Britain to Congress.” Signed Ch. Thompson, Sec. Where the troops now are, or how disposed of, I know not.
Gen. Howe wrote, “That when the British army marched back from Quibble Town, on the 19th of June 1777, and were attacked in the rear by the provincials, the British lost 5 men killed; Capt. Finch died of his wounds, and 30 wounded. The provincials lost 3 brass field-pieces; 3 captains, and 60 men killed; and upwards of 200 officers and men wounded and taken. The British troops engaged in this action were the 1st light infantry; 1st British grenadiers; 1st, 2d, and 3d Hessian grenadiers; 1st battalion of guards; Hessian chaffeurs, and the queen's regiment. One piece of cannon was taken by the guards, and the other two by Col. Mingerode's battalion of Hessian grenadiers.”
Gen. Sir Henry Clinton was left commander in chief at New York, and Brigadier-general Campbell, in a letter to him, dated head-quarters, Staten Island, 23d Aug. 1779, mentions a descent made on the island, the 22d Aug. by a large body of select troops, chosen from Brigadier-general Sullivan's, Small-wood's, and De Bore's brigades, and headed by 3 generals, with Drayton's and Ogden's battalions: they effected almost a total surprize of two battalions of the Jersey provincials, &c. but that he repulsed, and drove them off the island, by the assistance, bravery, and resolution of Brigadier-general Skinner, Colonels Dongan and Buskirk, Lieutenant-colonels Campbell and Allan, Brigade-major Campbell, &c. with their respective corps. They took many of their boats, and 259 prisoners; among whom were 1 lieutenant-colonel, 3 majors, 2 captains, 13 subalterns; killed and wounded a considerable number. But perhaps the loss on the British side, though not specified, was as great, as they surprized the two Jersey battalions.
This was on the 3d of Sept. 1777. The British lost 3 men killed; 2 officers, and 19 wounded. The enemy had about 100 killed and wounded.
The provincials say, General Maxwell declared they had but 3 killed, and 9 wounded; but that the British had at least 300 killed and wounded, before they attempted to pass the ford; and 1 captain, and 30 men, when they first advanced to pass it, and were repulsed.
This battle was fought on the heights of the River Brandywine, on the 11th of Sept. 1777: in which, and in skirmishes, according to General Howe's account, there were of the British, killed, 3 captains, 5 lieutenants, 5 serjeants, 68 rank and file. Wounded, 1 lieutenant-colonel, 1 major, 25 captains, 21 lieutenants, 5 ensigns, 35 serjeants, 4 drummers, 372 rank and file, 6 missing. The Germans lost 2 serjeants, 6 rank and file, killed; and 1 captain, 3 lieutenants, 5 serjeants, 26 rank and file, wounded. The Provincials lost about 317 men killed; 600 wounded; and near 400 made prisoners. Ordnance, mounted on travelling-carriages; 3 brass six-pounders, 4 French four-pounders, 2 three-pounders, 1 five and half inch howitzer, 1 iron four-pounder; total 11. Shot, fixed with powder; case, wood bottoms, and round, from six to three-pounders, 649; 38 eight inch howitzers, 39 five and half ditto; cartridges, paper filled with powder; 24 six-pounders, 46 three-pounders; 28 flannel for five and half inch howitzers; 6000 musquet with ball; 3 whole barrels of powder, 4 budge barrels; 9 covered waggons for ammunition, 1 open ditto, intrenching tools, &c. &c. &c. The Provincials say, their loss does not exceed 1000 killed and wounded; and they call it another Bunker's Hill affair: but with how much propriety, I must leave my readers to judge.
On the 20th of Sept. 1777, at night, Major-general Grey was detached with the 2d light infantry, the 42d and 44th regiments, to suprize General Wayne's corps, of about 1500, in the woods; which was effected with great slaughter. General Howe writes, “The provincials had killed and wounded, not less than 300 between 70 and 80 taken prisoners, including several officers; the greatest part of their arms, and 8 waggons, loaded with baggage and stores. The British lost 1 captain and 3 men killed, and 4 wounded.”
This battle was fought at German Town, in Pennsylvania, on the 4th of Oct. 1777. General Howe wrote, “That the British forces lost; killed, Brigadier-gen. Agnew, 1 colonel, 1 capt. 1 ensign, 7 serjeants, and 60 privates. Wounded, 1 colonel, 8 captains, 12 lieutenants, 12 ensigns, 23 serjeants, 373 privates: 1 captain and 13 privates missing: 3 horses killed, and 4 wounded. The Hessians had 1 serjeant, 23 rank and file, wounded.” Of the Provincials, Gen. Howe writes, “By the best accounts, their loss was between 2 and 300 killed, about 600 wounded, and upwards of 400 taken: among the killed, was General Nash, with many other officers of all ranks; and 54 officers among the prisoners:” (to which we may add, 10 officers in the Delaware frigate, and all her crew.)
This incursion from New York into Jersey, from the 12th to the 16th of Sept. 1777, was conducted by Gen. Sir Henry Clinton, Major-gen. Vaughan, Brigadier-gen. Campbell, Col. Campbell, and Capt. Drummond. They landed at Elizabeth Town Point, Schuyler's Ferry, Fort Lee, and Japan. They returned with 400 head of cattle, and 400 sheep, with some horses. The British loss, 8 rank and file killed. One lieutenant, 17 rank and file wounded, 10 missing, 5 taken prisoners. The Provincial loss is not mentioned.
His division consisted of 1200 men; viz. grenadiers and light infanty, 26th and 63d regiments, 1 company of the 71st, 1 troop of dismounted dragoons, and Hessian chauffeurs.
Gen. Sir H. Clinton, in a long and particular account to Gen. Sir W. Howe, writes as follows: “I chose to wait a favourable moment before I ordered the attack on the side of Fort Clinton; which was a circular height, defended by a line for musquetry, with a barbet battery in the center of 3 guns, and flanked by 2 redoubts. The approaches to it, through a continued abbatis of 400 yards, defensive every inch, and exposed to the fire of 10 pieces of cannon, &c. The gallies approaching, firing, the men of war appearing, crouding sail to support us, the extreme ardor of the troops, in short, all determined me to order the attack; General Vaughan's spirited behaviour and good conduct did the rest. Having no time to lose, I particularly ordered that not a shot should be fired; in this I was strictly obeyed, and both the redoubts, &c. were stormed. General Tryon advanced with one battalion to support General Vaughan, if necessary; and he arrived in time to join the cry of victory. Trumbach's regiment was posted at the wall to cover our retreat, in case of misfortune. N. B. The Forts Clinton and Montgomery are separated by a creek, and communicate with each other by a bridge.”
The British forces lost in this storm; killed, Lieutenant-col. Campbell, 3 majors, 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 1 ensign, 3 serjeants, 30 rank and file. Wounded, 4 captains, 5 lieutenants, 2 ensigns, 4 serjeants, 1 drummer, 126 rank and file, and 5 missing. The provincials lost, according to Gen. Sir Wm. Howe's account, about 100 killed, 8 field-officers, 2 captains, 12 subalterns, and about 300 taken prisoners. Gen. Clinton's account of their loss, as follows: 67 cannon, from 32 to 2 pounders; two frigates built for 36 and 30 guns, burnt by themselves, and 2 gallies; and a sloop with 10 guns taken. The total loss about 100 cannon, 54 casks of powder, 11 half barrels; 12,236 l. exclusive of what was on board the vessels; 1,852 cannon cartridges, filed; 57,396 musquet ditto; 9,530 round cannon-shot, 886 double-headed, 2,486 grape and case; 36 cwt. 1 qr. 15 lb. of langridge; 379 lb. wt. of musquet balls, 116 lb. of buck shot, 5,400 flints. Every article belonging to a laboratory in the greatest perfection. Other stores, such as port fires, match, harness, spare gun carriages, tools, instruments, &c. &c. &c. in great plenty. A large quantity of provisions. The boom and chain, which ran across the river from Fort Montgomery to St. Anthony's Nose, is supposed to be worth 70,000 l. Another boom, which was destroyed near Fort Constitution, cost much much money and labour. Barracks for 1,500 men, burst on the 9th of Oct. by Major-gen. Tryon, with several storehouses and loaded waggons, at Continental Village, Fort Constitution evacuated, and taken by Sir James Wallace and Gen. Tryon; the guns left unspiked, and storehouses burnt. Esopus likewise burnt, by Major-gen. Vaughan, on the 11th of October, and at the same time all the shipping, and all the stores on shore (except 1 galley) destroyed by Sir James Wallace. All this was performed from the 6th to the 17 of October 1777. The naval officers mentioned in the expedition by Com. Hotham, are Captains Sir James Wallace, Pownall, Ommonney, Jordan, and Stanhope; of whom, with the inferior officers and men under their commands, he writes honourably, and applauds the spirited behaviour of the troops, in their fatiguing march over precipices, and through roads almost impenetrable, without cannon, and but small assistance to be expected from the naval force, in such a dangerous and laborious enterprize.
Eight or nine feet high, boarded, and fraized, and defended by 800 men, gallies, and floating batteries. The Hessians had no cannon.
The brave Col. Donop was left on the spot, with his thigh fractured; Col. Mingerode was wounded, and several brave officers lost; and this is all the Gazette account we have of the loss of the Hessians in killed, wounded, and taken: but it is reported their loss amounted to about 4 or 500. The Provincials loss uncertain.
Mud Island Fort was evacuated, and surrendered, on the 16th of Novem. 1777, as was Red Bank on the 19th; and the works at Billingport abandoned, and blown up; and on the 20th, 2 zebecques, 2 floating batteries, with several ships, and fire-vessels, 17 in number, were quitted and burnt, being opposed in their attempt to pass the town, by Lieut. Watt, made capt. of the Delaware frigate. Ordnance and stores found in Mud Island Fort, and Red Bank Fort; iron ordnance, on travelling carriages, 12 from 32 to 12 pounders; on garrison and truck carriages, 29 from 18 to 10 pounders; 12 howitzer swivels, 3 common swivels, 1 travelling carriage for 18 pounders, 5 truck carriages for ditto, 1 travelling carriage for 9 pounders, 4 ditto for 6 pounders: round loose shot, 6,626 from 24 to 3 pounders: bar, from 32 to 3 pounders, 326; from 32 to 4 pounders, 330; 6 boxes with ball, and some cask ditto: grape in bags, case, &c. 77; 1 box, different sorts; 400 lb. wt. of small iron for case; 18 hand-granades; 9 boxes with ball-cartridges; 1 cask with musquet-balls; 65 8 pounder paper cartridges, fill'd; 93 pikes, 39 sponges, 9 ladles, 17 wad-hooks, 3 drag-ropes, 1 traversing handspike, &c. &c. &c. The Provincials lost, according to Gen. Howe's account, about 400 killed and wounded. The British troops had 7 killed, and 5 wounded; the ships had 6 killed, and 19 wounded. The Augusta, a 64 gun ship, and the Merlin sloop of war, burnt in the attack, and blown up, and about 30 of the Augusta's crew perished.
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