 | The American war |  |
BOOK IV.
THE ARGUMENT.
Lord Howe, Admiral Sir Peter Parker, and the Commodores Fielding and Hotham, arrive off Staten Island, with transports, &c. The American states declare for independence. A flag of truce sent to General Washington. The descent on Long Island, the battle, and rout of the provincials; their evacuation, and retreat to New York, which is attacked by the British forces, and taken. Great part of the city destroyed by incendiaries. The British troops prepare to drive the provincials farther back; skirmishes, as they retire; the battle at the White Plains. Forts Washington, Independence, and Lee attacked, and taken; the provincials retreat on all sides; and General Lee taken: General Clinton, Earl Percy, &c. take possession of Rhode Island. Both parties retire into winter quarters: General Washington attacks the Hessians at Trenton; Colonel Mawhood, with the 17th regiment, engages a large body of the provincials; the expeditions of Lord Cornwallis, &c. General Tryon's successful expedition against Danbury; Colonel Meigs's and Colonel Barton's success against the British at Sagg Harbour, and Major General Prescot surprized by them, and carried off to the Continent, from Rhode Island.
On future action ruminating lay;
The long expected succours came at length,
And brought them foreign and domestic strength:
T' avoid th' effusion of fraternal blood,
A vessel sail'd towards th' unfriendly shore;
A waving flag of amity she bore:
In her, an herald from the brothers went,
On a most amicable errand sent;
Requesting all hostilities might cease;
Proclaiming pardon, (harbinger of peace,)
To all in arms, who wou'd accept the same;
In their affronted pard'ning monarch's name.
Leave first obtain'd, he set his foot on land,
Receiv'd with caution, on the guarded strand:
Was thence convey'd where Washington remain'd,
Surrounded by provincial chiefs conven'd:
Due forms observ'd, the Gen'ral silence broke,
And to the herald to this purport spoke;
Say, why you come from yonder hostile fleet,
With peaceful emblems? and with kindness greet,
Those ye so lately met with angry frowns;
Attack'd their persons, and destroy'd their towns?
Seiz'd on their ships with most rapacious hand!
And threaten'd devastation through the land?
Do they sincerely wish the war to cease?
Beg we'll forgive, and live with them in peace?
Will they acknowledge us a sep'rate state?
Which seems to be the will of mighty fate.
I no such inconsistent message bring,
The herald said, but from your gracious king
Give due attention to their Sov'reign's call:
He begs you'll take sound reason for your guide,
And lay all animosity aside,
T' exonerate your souls from future guilt,
Of adding to the blood already spilt.
Will you submissively your arms lay down,
He'll sheath the sword, and sooth his angry frown;
He'll grant immunities, and make you free,
As subjects can with justice wish to be;
Will pardon ev'ry rude affront that's past,
And in the sea of dark oblivion cast
All misdemeanours 'gainst his crown and state,
And will your suff'rings strive t' alleviate.
Now Washington reply'd, too late you bring
These offers, and demands, from Britain's king:
A time there was, when ev'ry freeborn son
Of British race, wou'd full of ardor run
T' assist your state, and strive in ev'ry war,
The schemes of all your enemies to marr:
With filial satisfaction, liv'd elate,
Amid th' indulgence of a parent state:
But when we, tho' complaining, often felt
Repeated injuries, that parent dealt!
Oppressive acts, too num'rous to relate;
Design'd the colonies to subjugate!
From town to town, it spread the sad alarms!
We rouz'd indignant! and we rush'd to arms!
As we, on Providence alone rely,
Bear to the gallant brothers this reply;
The colonists to meet them are prepar'd;
We have for independence now declar'd;
With arms, with lives, and fortunes, to maintain.
The herald rose, and made this short reply,
Since ye determine Britain's strength to try;
War I denounce; and let each stubborn man,
Silence his crying conscience if he can:
Whilst indignation flash'd from ev'ry eye;
The Gen'ral said, we mean in war to try
Great Britain's strength, and will not tamely yield,
Tho' twice the vet'ran numbers took the field,
Which she can send; and round our wide stretch'd coast,
Her royal fleets, of which ye proudly boast,
Shou'd be sent out, their gallant crews t' employ,
T' obstruct our commerce, and our towns destroy:
Distress, and poverty, and ruin threat
(Under a most enormous load of debt)
Your state convuls'd; too heavy to be borne:
By party feuds your constitution torn:
Your troops, and tars, reluctant come, when sent
On expeditions 'gainst the continent:
And can ye think to stretch a conqu'ring hand
Over such vast well peopled tracts of land!
Th' enthusiastic natives train'd, and arm'd,
And in the glorious cause for battle warm'd!
And ratify'd the speech the Gen'ral spoke.
The herald was conducted to the shore,
And this report to Britain's leaders bore,
The stubborn colonists too proud to bend,
In war will with their gracious king contend!
Their forts they've mann'd, and fortify'd their towns,
Despis'd his mercy, and defy'd his frowns!
Mercy refus'd, their honours lay at stake;
Compell'd a slaught'ring rough attack to make,
They seem'd to think of dove-ey'd peace no more;
But on Long Island's well mann'd hostile shore,
They disembark'd Great Britain's threaten'd war,
To force that boasted formidable bar.
From Putnam's lines ten thousand sally'd forth,
To prove 'gainst Britain's troops their warlike worth.
Now Bunker's Hill, and that more mortal check,
Which Carleton gave their forces at Quebec;
Their rout through Canada, o'er Lake Champlain,
And all the loss they ev'ry where sustain;
Warren's, Montgom'ry's, Hendrick's, Cheesman's fall;
With many more for vengeance seem'd to call:
They seiz'd on hills, defiles, and woods, around,
And posted stood on advantageous ground.
As near their foes the British leaders drew;
Boston's evacuation rose to view:
They with impatience burn'd to wipe away
Th' unwelcome tarnish of that gloomy day:
And that regretted vict'ry, dearly bought:
On Norfolk's fatal bridge they ruminate;
Where many gallant vet'rans met their fate!
For Concord Bridge, for Lexington they grieve,
As they advance lost honour to retrieve:
But more than all they had endur'd beside,
Boston's evacuation gall'd their pride;
Most grimly ruminating on that day,
When they sought safety on a wintry sea
Driv'n from the shore, by their exulting foes,
By hard necessity compell'd to expose
Themselves, their baggage, and their mourning wives,
To most apparent danger of their lives;
Rather than stand the dreadful cannonade,
Which Washington almost incessant made!
According to the steady gen'ral's plan:
Cornwallis, near Flat Bush, with Donop drew;
And posted stood, their enemy in view:
Next, Heister to that spot his Hessians led,
And Clinton onward resolutely sped,
To seize a dang'rous pass, which might have prov'd
A mortal bar, as on the Britons mov'd:
Whilst gallant Percy briskly forward came,
And led the main corps to the field of fame.
And now, a large detachment marching round,
Where the provincials occupy'd the ground;
With the light infantry, t' attack their rear;
There 'gainst their musquetry and cannon stood,
And drove th' insurgents from the shelt'ring wood:
The British main corps strove their rear to gain;
The colonists no longer cou'd sustain
The dreadful shook; th' approaching Britons fear'd;
Soon as the thirty-third in front appear'd.
Heister advanc'd, and with his Hessians made
Against another corps, brisk cannonade:
Here, in the skirts of an adjacent wood,
The chosen lev'ling rifle reg'ments stood:
Unskill'd in war, or by cold tremor shook;
They fought as if no certain aim they took!
Or else all-ruling Providence decreed,
But few assailing troops that day shou'd bleed!
For through thick falling show'rs of lead they came,
From rifled barrels sent, with frustrate aim!
Matthew, and Donop, briskly forward led,
And up a rising ground to battle sped,
Rush'd on, and made superior numbers yield,
And quit their brazen thunder of the field;
Join'd by the Hessians, and supported well,
They on th' insurgents main corps fiercely fell;
Spread wild dismay and slaughter round about,
Scatter'd, pursu'd, and put them to the rout.
Grant march'd along, wrapp'd in the gloom of night,
And with the rising day commenc'd the fight;
Near the well-posted foes, they boldly drew;
The fourth and sixth brigade to battle flew;
And from their stations the provincials drove:
Each corps was overpow'r'd; and 'midst the shock,
Udell's, Stirling's, Sullivan's, retir'd, and broke;
Full gallop, the dragoons among them rode,
O'er heaps of wounded, dead, and dying trod;
Amongst their foes the Caledonians mix'd,
Hessians, and royal guards, with bay'nets fix'd,
A dreadful havoc made, and all around,
With slaughter'd carcases bestrew'd the ground!
They strove to gain their principal redoubt,
Pursu'd, confus'd, amidst a gen'ral rout:
To save his forces Putnam vainly strove;
With flight precipitate, they onward drove,
To the main work they rush'd, each outline past,
And scarcely thought themselves secure at last:
But, dreadful was the carnage in the chace,
Before they reach'd that strong constructed place.
Upon their broken rear the Britons hung,
Tho' from their lines their friends incessant flung
The progress of th' assailing troops t' impede;
Who forward rush'd the grand redoubt t' attack,
But Howe their ardor check'd, and held them back!
So much his near approach th' insurgents fear'd,
To them the works untenable appear'd:
T' avoid th' expected dreaded cannonade,
A circumspect and good retreat they made;
And round New York design'd to make a stand,
Imbody'd under Washington's command.
The forces all conven'd, the Gen'ral view'd
The fugitives (who pensive round him stood,
Like culprits at a bar,) and thus began:
How much beneath the dignity of man,
Have ye behav'd, who boast ye feel the flame
Of freedom, spurring on to deeds of fame!
Who in her cause have now declin'd the fight;
From works of such great strength have taken flight!
Beware, he frowning said, another day
Ye strive to wipe th' inglorious stain away;
Or I shall think ye wedded so to fear,
No longer worth my time, or friendly care.
Fearing perhaps he might proceed too far,
And drive them from the present seat of war;
And in a milder tone the troops address'd:
We may expect amidst their naval roar,
Our foes will visit this adjacent shore;
Perhaps the day of vengeance is at hand,
When they debark upon our hostile strand:
Havoc and ruin stretch along our shore!
Norfolk, Charlestown, and Falmouth, are no more!
Enthusiastic ardor now began
To operate, and spread from man to man;
A gen'ral shout ensu'd; aloud they cry'd,
We wish to be in close engagement try'd:
Tho' England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, agree
The colonists no longer shall be free;
Tamely their slaves we never will be made;
Through seas of blood they shall to conquest wade;
If we must fall, their hardy vet'rans brave,
We'll drag with us by thousands to the grave.
Meanwhile, the Britons not inactive lay;
But preparation made both night and day;
Montressor's, and Buchannan's Isles, they seiz'd,
And against Horen's Hook their batt'ries rais'd,
And briskly ply'd them, to facilitate
Their destin'd dang'rous passage through Hell Gate;
Whilst Washington prepar'd his troops to stand,
T' oppose their debarkation on the land.
Some ships of war approach'd, and stations took,
Five were dispatch'd, and there prepared lay,
To land the troops upon th' adjacent shore,
Cover'd from danger by their friendly roar;
The colonists seem'd roughly to prepare,
And threaten'd fatal greeting ev'ry where.
As they drew near, the British seamen made
Incessant well-directed cannonade;
'Gainst which the Trans-atlantics could not stand;
But unmolested, on th' unguarded strand
The British rang'd; then chac'd them in their flight,
And seiz'd on Inclenberg's commanding height:
The colonists retir'd from place to place,
As if determin'd not their foes to face!
Post after post gave up, and march'd away,
To take their stations where their main corps lay!
They thought, in safe possession of the town.
The citizens rejoic'd, expecting peace,
When they beheld the dreadful tumult cease;
Look'd up with hearts replete with gratitude;
That 'midst the storm, unhurt the city stood!
Their fears were fled, and those unhappy hours,
They often pass'd, when two contending pow'rs
Strove for the place, and both by day and night,
Threaten'd destruction 'midst a gen'ral fight!
Altho' humanity so far prevail'd,
That neither side, th' assailants, nor the assail'd,
Had giv'n a dreadful desolating blow,
To grace their entrance, or their overthrow!
How soon alas! was fled their short-liv'd joy!
With hearts obdur'd, determin'd to destroy,
Some persons, with a most malicious will,
Made preparation, with destructive skill,
To bring the late spar'd city to the ground;
And spread a flaming devastation round!
Sullen they waited, till a storm shou'd rise,
To perpetrate this horrid enterprize!
In which they cou'd no more compassion show
To their best friends, than an invet'rate foe!
Aided by wind, the fire outrageous grew;
The troops and tars, a liquid torrent threw,
The rapid progress of the flames t' impede,
Which had whole streets in smoking ruins laid,
Before they could obtain their hearts desire,
And check the fury of the spreading fire.
Three weeks were in a preparation spent,
To carry war upon the continent:
The tars, careering in a thunder storm,
Launch'd Britain's troops on the defended strand,
Wherever the provincials made a stand:
They reach'd Pell's Point, and onward march'd elate,
Far as Rochelle design'd to penetrate;
But at a narrow pass, they found their foes
Posted, prepar'd their destin'd march t' oppose;
Who fled repuls'd, and briskly were pursu'd;
When, lo, in front a larger body stood;
By walls, and woods, on ev'ry side secur'd;
Those, a more close and fatal charge endur'd:
Light infantry, and chaffeurs, made th' attack,
Join'd by th' artillery, to drive them back:
But ere they were dislodg'd, the Britons felt
The fatal mischief rifle reg'ments dealt:
At Mamaroneck many lives were lost,
Where Rogers, tho' surpriz'd, maintain'd his post.
As near King's Bridge, the British army drew,
A gen'ral action was the point in view:
Lee, Washington, and Putnam, ne'er design'd
Decisive battle; and the fight declin'd:
They chose not yet a gen'ral stand to make,
Nor rashly throw so rich a prize at stake:
Should Providence ordain, that in the end,
America to Britain's force must bend;
America must fall by slow delay;
And not be gain'd in one decisive day:
And they wou'd struggle to retard that hour,
When she shou'd bend beneath Britannia's pow'r:
Besides, in time, the troops wou'd fitter grow;
And if alone compel'd th' event to try,
Might on their own internal strength rely:
Great Britain might grow weary of the war;
Her fleets and troops sent out from home so far;
Th' expence might prove too heavy to be borne,
Her constitution by rude factions torn:
Some neighb'ring states, who envy'd Britain's pow'r,
Might take th' advantage in an evil hour,
T' insult her flag, fit out an armament,
And on her coast might threaten a descent;
Obstruct her commerce, on her riches prey,
And lop some large dependencies away:
They knew the turbulence of Britain's race;
And hop'd, if she shou'd suffer foul disgrace,
Th' impatient public some rash steps wou'd take;
Perhaps a gen'ral insurrection make!
Buoy'd by these hopes, such welcome news to hear,
Their main corps mov'd as if inspir'd by fear;
From ev'ry post around, they chose to flee;
Fort Independence, Washington, and Lee,
Seem'd the grand objects worthy of their care;
To the White Plains, each party else drew near;
There halted with their main corps, for the fight,
Near to the brunx, on each adjacent height:
Behind entrenchments posted, thus they stood,
Determin'd seem'd, as Britain's troops they view'd,
In two grand columns, marching to the fight;
Heister the left, and Clinton led the right:
On the light infantry and chaffeurs sped,
Before them each advanced party fled
And station'd on a strong commanding ground:
To make a near approach Raille briskly try'd,
And mark'd a lofty hill unoccupy'd;
There, with his Hessian brigade march'd, well pleas'd,
And unoppos'd, on that strong station seiz'd.
Now, on both sides, the loud artill'ry roar'd,
With deadly shells, and batt'ring mischief stor'd:
As to th' attack, Leslie, and Donop mov'd,
The winding brunx a strong obstruction prov'd:
Two reg'ments pass'd this intercepting flood,
Form'd as they landed, and in order stood:
Then up th' acclivity they slowly rose,
Under the fire of their superior foes:
With steadiness, the fight they well maintain'd;
At length the summit of the mountain gain'd;
Then rushing on, with resolution strove,
Routed, and from their works th' insurgents drove:
Corps after corps, follow'd them up that height;
But the provincials still declin'd the fight.
Again the brunx a nat'ral barrier prov'd,
As near their foes the British main crops mov'd:
Next morn, their works, and lines, the gen'ral found
Much stronger made, more tenable the ground;
And with precaution an attack delay'd,
Till Percy came with reinforcing aid:
The danger now more formidable grew;
And Washington, most prudently withdrew;
On a more proper advantageous spot!
From thence, the British army marching back,
Determin'd on Fort Washington's attack:
Strong was the ground th' insurgents occupy'd,
Of access difficult on ev'ry side;
Cover'd from hostile danger seem'd to be,
Tho' threaten'd by the boldest enemy:
And with three thousand troops completely mann'd;
Possess'd of ev'ry thing the siege to stand.
Before the thunder of the war was heard,
Near the strong ramparts Patterson appear'd;
Attend he said; again I come in peace;
Resign the fort, and let destruction cease:
M'Gaw, with resolution, answer gave;
We know the British troops are greatly brave;
Expert in war, matchless beyond compare;
But in the cause of liberty, we dare
To put them to the test, th' event to try;
We'll hold the fort, or will with honour die.
Knyphausen on their lest prepar'd for fight;
Grant, Matthew, and Cornwallis, on the right;
And in batteaux the forty-second went,
T' alarm the fort, and make a timely feint;
On their right flank the fourth division lay,
And Percy led them on the dang'rous way;
Th' artill'ry yawn'd, and ready stood to throw
A pond'rous iron show'r against the foe,
Portending dreadful havoc, 'midst the shock,
When o'er Fort Washington the tempest broke!
Knyphausen first advanc'd towards a wood,
In which his foes posted t' advantage stood;
'Midst fire of infantry, and cannonade;
Stirling his Caledonians forward led,
Who up the mountain vigorously sped;
The guards, and thirty-third, follow'd their track;
As on they rush'd, the colonists fell back:
Percy, with his detachment briskly strove,
And from an advanc'd post th' insurgents drove;
As opposition yet much greater grew;
To his assistance gallant Stirling flew;
And up a well-defended rugged height,
He led the Caledonians to the fight;
Upward they forc'd, tho' steadily oppos'd;
And hew'd their way oft as the battle clos'd;
Meanwhile, the Hessian chief obstructed stood;
Intangled in a strong defended wood;
Encount'ring difficulties, as they rose;
But 'midst th' attack of rough provincial foes,
Knyphausen with his Hessians persever'd;
Of all impediments the forest clear'd.
From post to post the colonists gave way,
As Rall press'd forward spreading wild dismay,
Near him, Knyphausen's column made a stand;
Both for surrender made a rough demand:
They begg'd to treat, expressing a desire,
With military honours to retire;
Short time to treat Knyphausen wou'd afford;
Instant surrender, or the slaught'ring sword
Shou'd oft be drench'd in blood; the yawning grave,
And greedy death shou'd precious morsels have:
A friendly fort, and bore Knyphausen's name.
Hostile Fort Lee next their attention drew,
Where yet aloft provincial banners flew;
'Gainst which, Cornwallis was to battle sent;
None strove his near advances to prevent
From thence two thousand ran, nor staid to see
The colours of th' approaching enemy!
Safety seem'd uppermost in ev'ry mind;
They left their baggage, tents, and stores behind!
Retreating still in haste, and marching on,
They pass'd, and broke the bridge of Rariton;
For Philadelphia, they first design'd;
But cou'd not bring their purposes to bear;
Safe, the provincials pass'd the Delaware.
Here their precaution visibly appear'd;
(As they the quick advancing Britons fear'd;)
From the north shore they took the boats away,
Causing an unsurmountable delay;
Effectually retarding a pursuit,
To shun if possible, the rough dispute.
At Pennington, Cornwallis took his post;
Where all his march and labour was not lost;
Both forage and provisions were secur'd,
Which made amends for hardships they'd endur'd
Through fourscore miles, a long continu'd chace
Of foes, removing quick from place to place.
Harcourt was sent a reconnoitring round,
With some light horse, to traverse hostile ground;
From Lee, a rustic messenger drew near,
Whose words and actions spoke internal fear:
His only choice was death, or to betray
The place, where Lee, with near two thousand lay:
Life was his choice, he trembling backward sped,
And to the spot the British party led:
(So intercepted Dolon, much dismay'd,
The secrets of the Trojan camp betray'd:)
But weakly guarded they the gen'ral found,
And Harcourt's wishes with success were crown'd.
From the main corps, with a detachment sent,
Attended by a naval armament,
And seiz'd Rhode Island in their sov'reign's name.
And fill'd contending foes with sad alarms;
Flush'd with success, they travers'd far and wide,
A large extent of country occupy'd:
Thus, pow'rful fate for the provincials wrought,
British detachments might be distant caught.
To cold intense at length compell'd to yield,
Stern winter drove both parties from the field.
Tho' Washington repeatedly retir'd
From post to post, (and not too rashly fir'd)
Had quitted ev'ry advantageous spot
To shun his foes; nor ever cou'd be brought
To gen'ral action; yet he mov'd not far;
But, with intention to prolong the war,
Cautious, and vigilant, he hover'd round,
Where Britain's forces occupy'd the ground:
Near Trenton first he made a slight attack;
The Germans drove those first assailants back,
This was a prelude to the destin'd blow,
The carnage, rout, and Hessian overthrow,
And to the brigade prov'd (on duty there)
A deep-laid well-concerted fatal snare.
Next morning, with a much superior force,
Towards the Hessian post, they bent their course;
They rouz'd to arms, and Rall, who bore command,
First vainly strove to make his reg'ment stand:
But Washington at proper distance stood,
Calm, and delib'rate, their disorder view'd;
And brought the Hessians onward to the storm;
Flush'd with success on the preceding day,
Rall scorn'd defensive war, and slow delay!
The regiments of Rall and Losberg chose,
With which t' advance against th' assailing foes:
With caution, Washington each movement made;
And cover'd his approach with cannonade:
Cannon to cannon, sometime stood oppos'd;
Next, the light infantry in battle clos'd:
A large provincial main corps stood in view;
On either flank, their wings to battle flew;
A strong reserve advancing, quick drew near,
To take their station in the Hessian rear;
Knyphausen's regiment advanc'd in vain,
Losberg's, and Rall's, thus threaten'd, to sustain;
Like fiercest beasts in toils by hunters caught,
With lifeless hope the hard-press'd Hessians fought:
One hour they vig'rous strove at glory's call;
And Scheffer, Brethaur, Haustein, Deckow, Rall,
In the wide sanguin'd bed of honour lay,
Depriv'd of life on that important day:
And now the Hessian resolution fail'd;
In front, and rear, and either flank assail'd:
The chasseurs, and dragoons, shun'd the dispute,
And with two hundred of the scatter'd foot,
And through the fiercest opposition broke;
Whilst Losberg's, Rall's, Knyphausen's corps became
Prisoners of war, and suff'rers in their fame.
A safe retreat was Washington's next view;
Across the Delaware with speed he flew;
With heart elate, and glorious vict'ry grac'd,
His pris'ners, and the cannon, safely plac'd.
The sev'nteenth reg'ment, not three hundred strong,
Advanc'd in view, and rushing to th' attack,
O'erpower'd, and drove their advanc'd parties back;
When soon the danger formidable grew:
With threat'ning front presented to their view,
Mercer's main corps appear'd; they slack'd the chace,
Fell back, and chose the most convenient place:
Posted behind a fence, compact they stood;
Their brisk advancing foes most grimly view'd;
Who, full of confidence, came on, and made
Against their front a furious canonnade:
The Britons shouting, of incumbrance eas'd,
The lucky moment for an onset seiz'd;
A show'r of bullets first before them sent,
And in a cloud of smoke, they next present
Their petrifying fronts, and fiercely mix'd
In close conjunction, with their bay'nets fix'd:
Which had enthusiastic bosoms fir'd!
Had on the sev'nteenth reg'ment been bestow'd,
With which both officers, and privates glow'd!
So was this rude disorder'd battle fought:
Mawhood led on, each individual caught
His martial glow, and with a rapid shock,
Twice through their main corps most resistless broke!
As when Achilles on the Phrygian plain,
Drove o'er the wounded, dying, and the slain;
His myrmidons the warrior's tract pursu'd,
And for themselves wide lanes of carnage hew'd:
Again they turn'd to make a third attack;
But Mawhood, more consid'rate, held them back;
Yet, on the continental broken rear
They brought their own artillery to bear;
A thund'ring farewell roar'd, with show'rs of shot,
To drive them distant from the fatal spot!
Next, in their way two British reg'ments fell,
Who dar'd not strive such numbers to repel;
But as they made approaches, wheel'd about,
To Brunswick march'd, and shun'd their destin'd route:
As chasing they march'd on, the gallant Scott,
A small detachment led towards the spot;
Intrusted to his courage, skill, and care:
Conquest seem'd facile, and they fix'd their eyes
With chearful aspect on the precious prize:
But, unexpected warm reception found;
Scott, and his escort, firmly stood their ground!
Courage, he cry'd; the rest his actions spoke;
Whilst he through thickest ranks like Mawhood broke!
And with his little corps maintain'd the fray,
Around the spot, where all the baggage lay!
The colonists convinc'd of their mistake,
Observing them such dreadful havoc make;
Finding the whole so martially inspir'd,
In discontent, without their prey retir'd!
Cornwallis, in his station, from afar,
Heard the loud thunder of the distant war;
And hastily advanc'd towards the spot,
Where those unequal battles had been fought;
Too late the British forces reach'd the place,
And distant in the rear commenc'd the chace;
Some hours before the colonists were gone,
Acting, as when they pass'd the Rariton;
They occupy'd too large a space of ground;
Time after time, from each interior post,
In haste, confus'd, they march'd towards the coast;
Expecting Britain's tars wou'd interpose
With naval aid, against their gath'ring foes.
Advancing near some fatal ambuscade;
The privates fell amidst the sudden strife,
And oft the leaders were depriv'd of life.
The foragers in large detachments fought,
And shouted for a vict'ry dearly bought!
Thus, like two scales, (such was the will of fate,)
Both sides alternately preponderate;
Sometimes the colonists felt sad dismay;
And in their turn, the British troops gave way.
Tho' on the land, the colonists might boast,
They'd driv'n the Britons from each distant post;
Had oft in rough and close encounters stood;
An Hessian brigade likewise had subdu'd;
Were busily employ'd 'midst snow and frost,
And had recover'd half the ground they'd lost:
Far otherwise, upon the sea they far'd;
The wintry storms the British seamen dar'd:
Cruiz'd in the Delaware, along their shores,
Took ships of war, and trading ships with stores;
In diff'rent parts, some hundreds thus they seiz'd,
And baulk'd the sanguine expectations rais'd;
On which the Trans-atlantics firm rely'd,
They shou'd in winter months be well supply'd,
By various ships arriving from afar,
With cloathing, and all implements of war;
This caus'd distress, and want, and discontent,
And great heart-burnings thro' the continent;
At an enormous price, all things were sold;
By war, by pinching poverty, and cold,
They waver'd, and their resolution fail'd!
It might grow worse! yet some faint hopes remain,
That when they shou'd begin the next campaign,
Success might crown their arms, by land and sea,
Relieve their wants, and drive their fears away:
This their sheet-anchor prov'd; some great event,
In favour of the northern continent,
Might in the womb of time be grown mature,
And they might money, men, and arms procure,
Firm leagu'd with some European potentates;
Or else assisted by mercantile states:
The congress persever'd in the grand cause,
And suffer'd none to violate their laws;
In their resolves inflexible remain'd;
Provisions, cloathing, arms, and money gain'd:
Their levies they wou'd make, men they wou'd have;
And only this alternative they gave;
All able men shou'd their assistance yield,
Shou'd taxes pay, or march into the field.
The Britons too, on Neptune's element,
Oft had sufficient cause for discontent;
Their ships of war, and merchant fleets, were tost
In dreadful storms, and on the coast were lost:
Provisions, cloathing, arms, and powder, sent,
For British soldiers, on the continent,
Were by provincial cruisers made a prey,
To cloath, feed, arm the troops, in hostile pay:
This caus'd an heavy national expence,
At which th' indignant public took offence:
Th' embarrass'd ministry were driv'n to raise
Annual supplies, by some disgustful ways:
Which all the nation into ferment threw:
Thus was Great Britain, and the continent,
Harrass'd, and vex'd, and torn by discontent.
Both sides their winter residence to quit,
Bird, and Cornwallis, from their quarters mov'd;
Successful both their enterprizes prov'd.
Now Tryon rouz'd to strike a wasting blow;
And make a deep incursion 'gainst the foe;
Long way the Britons march'd o'er hostile ground;
Large magazines at Danbury they found,
Well fill'd with stores of almost ev'ry kind,
For military purposes design'd:
Prudence suggested they must soon retire;
The stores, and village, were destroy'd by fire:
Next morn, towards the shore they march'd away,
Where Duncan's naval force at anchor lay;
Arnold had form'd a breastwork, to retard
The British troops; who found their passage barr'd;
And Wooster now the fit occasion seiz'd,
To vex the flanks, and press upon the rear,
To spread confusion, and inspire with fear:
Agnew, and Erskine, each attempt oppos'd,
And ev'ry corps repel'd whene'er they clos'd;
Whilst under cover of a cannonade,
'Gainst Arnold, Tryon quick advances made;
His wonted bravery the chief display'd,
Undaunted fought, as scorning to recede.
Charg'd in their flanks, and rear, and held at bay,
The Britons seem'd to feel no cold dismay;
But fac'd each way, where any foes were found,
Bore down, or drove them to more distant ground:
And now, 'gainst Arnold's post they briskly sped,
By Tryon, Erskine, Stewart, Agnew led;
With Emulation fir'd, all forward push'd,
And o'er the breastwork resolutely rush'd;
And like a torrent rising o'er a mound,
Swept ev'ry foe from the disputed ground:
The gen'ral's steed receiv'd a mortal blow,
As he retir'd amidst that overthrow;
Soon disengag'd, erect he trod the ground,
And cautious cast his threat'ning glances round;
His pistols drew, when lo, before the rest,
To seize his prey, a British soldier prest;
Arnold was on a firm resistance bent,
With certain aim, a fatal bullet sent;
His rough assailant on the spot expir'd,
Whilst safely, he 'midst show'rs of balls retir'd.
That night, at Ridgefield Tryon's troops remain'd,
Well posted on the ground in battle gain'd;
Meantime, their foes more formidable grown,
Well reinforc'd, and with artill'ry too,
On all sides round them boldly nearer drew;
Their march retarded to the distant coast,
Disputing ev'ry advantageous post.
'Mongst those who strove the Britons to impede,
Lamb, Henman, Atwater, their worth display'd;
Gould, Oswald, Whiting, Huntington, and Cooe,
From one post routed, to another flew;
Arnold, and Silliman, t' annoy their foes,
With cautious vigilance their stations chose.
As stalks a lion rouz'd across a plain,
Attended by the distant hunting train;
Thus, amidst thousands which around them pour'd,
The reg'lars march'd, and grim defiance low'r'd.
Amidst a cannonade both sides maintain'd,
The Britons now the height of campo gain'd;
When double numbers of their gath'ring foes,
In gen'ral battle seem'd resolv'd to close;
Indignant, Stewart mark'd the bold design,
And rush'd intrepid thro' th' advancing line,
By twelve supported, with their bay'nets fix'd,
And with the bravest of th' assailants mix'd:
By Stewart's gallantry at first inspir'd,
By Tryon, Agnew, Erskine, nobly fir'd;
As bursting shells spread death, and wild dismay,
Th' expanding main corps scorning slow delay,
Sprung forward to the charge on ev'ry side,
And with provincial blood their bay'nets dy'd:
Thro' thickest ranks of foes they rapid sped,
Who fell, or fought confus'd, or trembling fled:
Made bold attempts the battle to maintain;
Each effort fail'd th' assailants to repel;
They scorn'd retreat, and fighting bravery fell!
Coo's, Oswald's, Silliman's examples fail'd,
To make those stand, whom Britain's troops assail'd;
As vainly Arnold call'd to stop their flight,
To stand! to rally! and renew the fight!
Tho' gallantly expos'd, he strove to bar
The further progress of the steely war;
All fled; and to the charge return'd no more;
Whilst Tryon unmolested left the shore.
The gallant Meigs, griev'd at this overthrow,
Endeavour'd to retaliate the blow;
His whale-boats with an active party mann'd,
Evading Britain's cruisers in the Sound,
They boldly landed on forbidden ground,
And to Sagg Harbour briskly march'd away,
Where large supplies for Britain's forces lay;
There, whilst oppos'd by naval cannonade,
O'erpow'r'd the guard, and flaming havoc made.
Both parties busily themselves employ'd;
Alternately each other much annoy'd:
Prescot and Barrington, like Lee, were caught,
And learn'd too late (by sad experience taught)
The vigilance, and brav'ry of their foes,
Who roughly rouzing them from sweet repose,
With hostile haste (a rescue to prevent)
They bore them pris'ners to the continent!
The colonists their firm resolves display'd;
Acting as if they had been undismay'd;
Fleet after fleet they lost, yet sent out more;
Their merchandize to distant nations bore;
With foreigners lucrative bargains made
For liberty within their ports to trade.
July 3d 1776, General Howe landed with the troops, from Halifax, on Staten Island: on the 12th of July, Lord Howe arrived with his reinforcements. Admiral Lord Viscount Howe, and General Sir William Howe, were appointed commissioners by his majesty, to settle all differences with the Americans; but in May 1776 the congress had suppressed the authority of the crown, and early in July 1776 declared the thirteen united states of America independent. The event of this treaty, and of that attempted by the five commissioners; viz. the Earl of Carlisle, Lord Viscount Howe, General Sir William Howe, William Eden, Esq; and George Johnstone, Esq; captain in the royal navy, is so well known to the public as to need no recital or comment here. August 12th 1776, two fleets under Commodore Hotham, with guards and Hessians, arrived off Staten Island: Aug. the 14th Admiral Sir Peter Parker, with the Generals Sir Henry Clinton, and Earl Cornwallis, and the troops, arrived: Oct. 18th 1776, a fleet of transports, and ships of war, with 2d division of Hessians, Waldeckers, light horse, &c. arrived at New York, under Commodore Fielding.
Any person conversant with the Transatlantic affairs must, I think, be convinced, that the sentiments conveyed to the readers in General Washington's speeches, which, according to poetic licence, I have furnished him with in this interview, and through the whole work, are his real sentiments; and that the expressions attributed to the continental commanders, and troops in general, convey no other ideas than what existed in the minds of the people through the continent of the event of the war, and of (what was commonly called) the glorious cause they were engaged in.
Brigadier General Cleveland of the artillery, with the other officers of the train, took their stations as each corps advanced, with which they were posted. The whole consisted of about 15000 British, with 40 pieces of cannon; besides General Heister, with his Hessians, and field-artillery.
In this battle, which was fought on the 27th of August 1776, the British army lost, total, 1 lieutenant-colonel, 3 captains, 1 lieutenant, 3 serjeants, 53 rank and file, killed: and 1 lieutenant-colonel, 3 captains, 8 lieutenants, 11 serjeants, 3 drummers, 231 rank and file, wounded; and 1 lieutenant, 1 serjeant, 29 rank and file, missing; and by mistaking the enemy for the Hessians, a lieutenant, and 20 marine grenadiers, taken prisoners. The Hessians lost 2 rank and file, killed; and 3 officers, and 23 rank and file, wounded. The provincials lost about 3,300, killed, wounded, prisoners, and drowned. Taken prisoners, 3 generals; Major-general Sullivan, Brigadier-general Lord Stirling, and Brigadier-general Udell; 3 colonels, 4 lieutenant-colonels, 3 majors, 18 captains, 43 lieutenants, 11 ensigns, 1 adjutant, 3 surgeons, 2 volunteers, 1006 privates. Total, 1,097 taken. They lost in this battle, and found in their redoubts, on Long Island, and Governor's Island, which they evacuated; brass ordnance, 1 five and half inch howitzer, 4 six pounders, 1 three pounder; iron ordnance, 6 thirty-two pounders, 1 twenty-four pounder, 4 eighteen, 2 twelve, 2 nine, 8 six, and 3 three pounders; total 32: shot, shells, ammunition, &c.
Vide the general's own words in the London Extra-gazette, 10th of Oct. 1776: “and the army still moving on to gain the enemy's rear, the grenadiers, and 33d regiment, being in front of the column, soon approached within musket-shot of the enemy's lines at Brooklyn, from whence these battalions, without regarding, the fire of cannon and small arms upon them, pursued numbers that were retiring from the heights, so close to their principal redoubt, and with such eagerness to attack it by storm, that it required repeated orders to prevail on them to desist from their attempt, &c.
In the attempt to pass between the two rocks, an artillery boat was lost, with 3 six pounders, and 4 men, on the 12th of October.
In the attack and taking possession of New York, on the 15th of Sept. 1776, and in the skirmish the following day, the British and Hessian forces lost 12 officers and 14 privates, killed; Major-general Vaughan and 78 privates, wounded. The provincials had a brigadier-general, a colonel, a major, and several other officers killed, and about 300 privates killed and wounded, with 20 officers, and 300 privates taken prisoners. Ordnance taken in the attacks; 1 brass six pounder, 1 five inch and half howitzer, on travelling carriages. Iron ordnance; 15 thirty-two pounders, 7 twelve pounders, 9 nine pounders, 1 six pounder, 6 four pounders, 3 three pounders, on garrison carriages; and 26 dismounted. Shot; round loose, from 32 to 12 pounders, 8,903. Double headed, from 32 to 12 pounders, 1,207. Ditto, with sliding bars, 270. Grape quilted, from 32 to 12 pounders, 140. Shells, from 13 inches to five and half, 2,131; 4 inch and two fifths, 17,871; filled with fuzees drove, from 13 inches to 4 and two fifths, 133. One barrel of powder. A large quantity of round shot, from 9 to 3 pounders. Four covered waggons. Thirty-five breast-plates for engineers armour. Fifty-two mantelets. Eighty-one chevaux de frize complete, &c. &c. &c.
On the 20th of September 1776, about midnight, several places in New York were set on fire with matches, and combustibles, that had been prepared with great art and ingenuity: about one quarter of New York is destroyed; for they took the dreadful opportunity of a very windy night. Vide General Howe's letter concerning the same.
In this action, Lt. Col. Musgrave, and 20 privates were wounded; 1 capt. and 3 men killed. The enemy lost 1 colonel, 1 major, and about 90 killed and wounded.
The two regiments which passed the brunx, to attack the enemy, were the 28th and 37th. The next were the 5th and 49th regiments, and the Hessian grenadiers. The loss of the provincials this day, the 28th of October 1776, was, in killed, wounded, and taken prisoners, about 250.
A return of the loss the British army sustained, in the several actions, from the 17th of September, to the 16th of November 1776, inclusive, on which day Fort Washington was attacked and taken. Killed, 1 field-officer, 3 captains, 2 subalterns, 4 serjeants, 82 rank and file, 5 horses. Wounded, 2 field-officers, 2 captains, 11 subalterns, 25 serjeants, 253 rank and file, and 4 horses. One serjeant, 46 rank and file missing. The Hessians, &c. Killed, 2 captains, 3 subalterns, 1 serjeant, 64 rank and file, and 1 horse. Wounded, 2 field-officers, 2 captains, 8 subalterns, 18 serjeants, 305 rank and file, and 23 missing. Nine killed, and 18 wounded, in the Phœnix, Roebuck, and Tartar. The provincials lost in the mean time, taken prisoners on New York Island, at the White Plains, Fort Washington, Fort Lee, and on the road leading to Hackinsack, in the Jerseys; 5 colonels, 6 lieutenant-colonels, 8 majors, 51 captains, 117 lieutenants, 32 ensigns, 20 surgeons, adjutants, &c. 3,095 rank and file; 2,607 of which occupied Fort Washington. Their killed and wounded, uncertain. Brass ordnance; 1 thirteen inch mortar, 1 ten inch ditto, 2 five and half inch ditto, howitzers. Iron ordnance; 9 thirty-two pounders, 5 twenty-four pounders, 4 eighteen pounders, 15 twelve pounders, 15 nine pounders, 31 six pounders, 49 four pounders, 16 three pounders, 2 thirteen inch mortars, 1 ten inch ditto, 1 eight inch ditto. Shot, round loose, from 32 pounders to 6 pounders, 2,339, and 900 three pounders; case, from 32 to 6 pounders, 774; 1,159 double-headed shot of sorts; 42 boxes for grape; shells, from 13 inch to 4 inch and two-fifths, 4,577; 15 powder-barrels, 2,800 muskets, near 40,0000 musket-cartridges; 27 tons of bar and rod iron, 500 intrenching tools of sorts; 6 sets of armourers tools, 200 hand-barrows, 1 gyn complete; 2 sling carts, 200 iron fraizes, of 400 lb. weight each, supposed to be intended to stop the navigation of Hudson's River, with a large quantity of other species of stores, &c. not ascertained.
With 30 dragoons he soon overpowered the guard, took General Lee prisoner, and brought him to New York.
This attack was made on the Hessians on the 26th of December 1776, as the New York account says, by about 12,000. The provincial account says, the attack was made against about 1,500 Hessians, by about 2,500 men with 20 brass field-pieces, under the command of General Washington, Major-general Sullivan, and General Green; and speaks of General Ewing's, and General Cadwallader's divisions, with cannon, being impeded by ice, as they advanced to give the Hessians battle. The above is the best account can be obtained. The Hessians lost 918, which were taken prisoners, with their arms, 6 brass field-pieces, 3 pounders; 3 ammunition-waggons. The number of killed and wounded, on each side, very uncertain, but not great.
Vide the letter from General Sir William Howe in the London Gazette, Feb. 25th 1777; in which he says, the loss sustained on the 3d of Jan. 1777, by the 17th, 40th, and 55th regiments, is 17 killed; among which is the Hon. Captain Leslie, of the 17th, and nearly 200 wounded, and missing. General Howe says nothing for certain of the number of the killed and wounded of the enemy, but General Mercer from Virginia. Other accounts say they were between 5 and 6000; that the 17th regiment so confused them, that they retired in such disorder as to give them an opportunity to turn their own cannon upon their rear: that the provincials had above 400 killed and wounded; among the slain, 11 officers, and a General Mercer.
March 23d 1777, Colonel Bird, with about 500 men, landed at Peek's Kill, Connecticut, and by them, and the enemy, were burnt and destroyed 7 houses, mills, and stores, containing about 1300 barrels of flour, and 6000 bushels of wheat, 410 hogsheads of rum, 1 pipe of brandy, 150 hogsheads of melasses, 30 barrels of beef, 170 barrels of pork, 150 waggons and carts with harness 150 barrels of biscuit, 50 casks of tallow, 30 chests of candles, 12 casks of coffee, 9 cases of chocolate, 200 iron pots and camp-kettles, 500 canteens, bowls, &c. 400 entrenching tools, 30 casks of nails, a magazine of hay and straw, one loaded ammunition-waggon, and arms: besides several houses, and buildings of lesser note, containing large quantities of pitch, tar, candles, soap, straw, hay, grain for cattle, &c. &c. &c. which could not be ascertained; with several sloops and boats, and a twelve-pounder; and brought off several boats laden with some valuable articles. There were but few killed and wounded on either side. On the 13th of April 1777, Lord Cornwallis surprized, and defeated a provincial corps, at Bound Brook; killed 30, and took between 80 and 90 prisoners, and 3 brass field pieces; with only 7 wounded. Vide General Howe's letter in the London Gazette, 5th of June 1777.
Major-general Tryon's detachment consisted of about 2000 men from the 4th, 15th, 23d, 27th, 44th, and 64th regiments, and Brigadier-general Brown's corps, with 12 of the 17th light dragoons, and 6 light field-pieces. They landed on the 25th of April 1777, in the afternoon, about 20 miles from Danbury; which place they reached in the afternoon of the 26th, without much opposition. With the village of Danbury, they burnt and destroyed, at different places, a quantity of ordnance-stores, with iron, &c. 4000 barrels of beef and pork, 1100 barrels of flour, 100 large tierces of biscuit, 89 barrels of rice, 120 puncheons of rum, 100 hogsheads of rum, several large stores of wheat, oats, and Indian corn, in bulk; 30 pipes of wine, 100 hogsheads of sugar, 50 hogsheads of melasses, 20 casks of coffee, 15 large casks filled with medicines, 10 barrels of saltpetre, 1,320 tents, and marquees, several chests of arms, 5000 pairs of shoes and slockings, a number of iron boilers, a large quantity of hospital bedding, &c. engineers, pioneers, and carpenters tools, a printing-press complete, paper cartridges, field forges, tar, tallow, &c. Killed, wounded, and missing of the British. Total killed, 1 drummer, 1 fife, 23 rank and file. Wounded, 3 field-officers, 6 captains, 3 subalterns, 9 serjeants, 92 rank and file; 28 missing. The provincials lost. Killed, General Wooster, Col. Lamb of the artillery. Colonels Gould and Henman; Dr. Atwater; 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, and 100 privates. Wounded, 1 colonel, 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, and 250 privates. Taken prisoners, 50 privates, including several committee men.
Colonel Meigs (who with General Arnold, was one of the 25 selected to begin the storm of Quebec) conducted this enterprize. The detachment consisted of about 130 men, who crossed the Sound in whale-boats, and landed about four miles from Sagg Harbour, at the east end of Long Island; on the 23d of May 1777, they reached Sagg Harbour, and altho' they met a vigorous resistance from the guard, a company of foot, the crews of 12 small vessels, and an armed schooner, with round and grape shot, they boldly persevered, and finished their enterprize: they burnt 12 brigs and sloops, which lay at the wharf; and entirely destroyed every thing belonging to the forces on shore, and brought off with them about 90 prisoners.
General Howe mentions Major-general Prescot being surprised in his quarters, with Lieutenant Barrington, on the 10th of July 1777. This enterprize was performed by the Colonels Meigs and Barton; to whom, with their officers and men, the congress voted thanks for their valour, activity, and address, in the enterprize; and an elegant sword was given to each of the colonels.
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