Head Quarters, Robinson’s House, Sept. 22d, 1780.Permit Mr. John Anderson to pass the guards to the White Plains, or below, if he chooses. He being on public business by my direction.B. Arnold,M. Gen’l.
Head Quarters, Robinson’s House, Sept. 22d, 1780.
Permit Mr. John Anderson to pass the guards to the White Plains, or below, if he chooses. He being on public business by my direction.
B. Arnold,M. Gen’l.
Andre made a second effort to be dismissed; when one of the men requested to know, how a British officer came in possession of a pass from an American general. A notice appeared some time since, purporting to be from a person who had remembered the circumstance, and an actual acquaintance of Paulding, Van Wart and Williams, that Paulding wore a British uniform, which accounted for the fatal mistake made by Andre, in so quickly declaring himself to be a British officer. The three militia men insisted upon Andre’s dismounting, which he did. They then led him to the side ofthe road, and told him he must divest himself of his clothing, in order to give them an opportunity to search him. This was done with reluctance, after offering his splendid gold watch, his purse, nay thousands, to be permitted to pass; but no bribe could tempt, no persuasion could allure: they were Americans! Paulding, Van Wart and Williams had felt the hand of British wrong; they had been robbed, ill-treated, and trampled on, and would sooner suffer death than aid the enemy of Washington.
This, then, was the appalling moment. Andre knew that all must be divulged. He had but one hope, that their ignorance might prevent their being able to read the papers contained in his boot. In this he was mistaken, for Paulding first seizing the papers, read them aloud to his comrades in a bold voice. Nothing can picture the terrible treachery, which, to their uneducated minds, was planned in these papers.
Andre was speechless, and as pale as death. His fortitude seemed to forsake him; and laying his hands on Paulding’s arms, exclaimed, in tones of pity not to be described, “Take my watch, my horse, my purse, all! all I have—only let me go!” But no! the stern militia men could not be coaxed or bribed from their duty to their country. By a court martial ordered by General Washington, Andre was tried, found guilty, and agreeably to the law of nations, sentenced to suffer death.
Though he requested to die like a soldier, the ignominious sentence of being hung was executed upon him the 2d of October, 1780, at the early age of twenty-nine years.
Benedict Arnold effected his escape, remained in the British service during the war, then returned to London, where he died in 1801.
“By a vote of Congress, 3d of November, 1780, a silver medal or shield (SeePlate IV.) was ordered to be struck and presented to John Paulding, David Williams, and Isaac VanWart, who intercepted Major John Andre in the character of a spy, and notwithstanding the large bribes offered them for his release, nobly disdaining to sacrifice their country for the sake of gold, secured and conveyed him to the commanding officer of the district, whereby the conspiracy of Benedict Arnold was brought to light, the insidious designs of the enemy baffled, and the United States rescued from impending danger.”
A pension of two hundred dollars, annually, during life, was bestowed on each of them.
Occasion.—Capture of Major Andre, Adjutant-General of the British army.
Device.—A shield.
Legend.—Fidelity.
Reverse.—A wreath.
Legend.—Vincit amor Patriæ.
Plate 3.678W. L. Ormsby, sc.
Plate 3.
6
7
8
W. L. Ormsby, sc.
Nathaniel Greene, the son of a preacher of the Society of Friends, was born on the 27th of May, 1742, in Warwick, Rhode Island.
Nathaniel received the first rudiments of his education among that peaceful sect; but being of a strong and robust form, he often had to intersperse his hours of study by a relaxation of labor in the field, at the mill, or at the anvil. His early years were passed at the home of his parents, and in the garb of a strict Quaker, till he was twenty years of age, when he commenced the study of law.
Not long, however, did he continue his studies, for in 1773, when the states began to organize their militia, his attention turned to the subject, and he became a member of the “Kentish Guards,” a military company composed of the most respectable young men in his county. For this he was dismissed from the Society of Friends; yet he ever after regarded the sect with great respect.
Greene remained in the ranks of this corps till after the battle of Lexington; when Rhode Island embodied threeregiments of militia, and placed them under his command with a commission as brigadier-general. He marched his regiments to Cambridge, where he met the commander-in-chief, and was the first to express his satisfaction in his appointment, which was met by the confidence and friendship of Washington, which he retained through life. He was appointed by Congress major-general in 1776. He accompanied the army to New York, and took the command of the troops on Long Island. His absence, caused by sickness, from the disastrous battle of Flatbush, was severely regretted; but when the commander-in-chief found it necessary to retreat across New Jersey, General Greene was his companion. Although scarcely able, from debility, to sit on his horse, his cheerfulness and confidence never forsook him, and the spirits of the troops were ever cheered by his example.
On the night of the 25th of December, 1776, General Greene crossed the Delaware, and in command of the left wing of the army, surprised the enemy at Trenton, seized their artillery, and prevented their retreat to Princeton. He never left the army during the following winter, but bore his share in its hardships and glories. He commanded the left wing of the American army at the battle of Germantown. “Such was the distressed situation of the American army through the winter of that year, that Washington was doubtful of his ability to take the field the ensuing season. Every exertion was made to put the army in a condition for the campaign, and General Greene was urged to accept the appointment of quarter-master general. The office was accepted with great reluctance, for his inclination was to serve in the line; and the charge and disbursing the public money was to him of all things unpleasant. The necessities of the army, however, and the strong expression of Washington, that ‘some one must make the sacrifice,’ at last induced him toconsent; but not until the condition was acceded, that he should not lose his right to command in action. Of this he availed himself at the battles of Monmouth, and on the retreat from Rhode Island. The duties of his new station were arduous and embarrassing, but were rendered more so by the unhappy factions which divided the councils of the country. Notwithstanding the distress and poverty which threatened ruin to the cause, intrigue and slander were in active operation, to undermine the reputation and character of the men who were devoting themselves to accomplish the almost hopeless work. Washington himself was assailed; and Greene, who was supposed to have been his favorite officer and confidential adviser, was made an object of suspicion; but the purity and integrity of General Greene’s character bore him above the storm.—Congress did him justice, and his personal friends never faltered in the discharge of their duty towards him.” In 1780, General Greene was appointed to the command of the southern department; on his arrival at Charlotte, he found the southern army destitute of almost everything: no artillery, baggage or stores. In a letter to Lafayette, he says:—“Were you to arrive now, you would find a few ragged, half-starved troops in the wilderness, destitute of everything necessary for the comfort or convenience of soldiers.”
He had arrived in an exhausted country, the inhabitants divided into hostile parties, and an enemy before him, well provided, and flushed with the prospect of victory.
His only dependence and hope of success were in a number of spirited and devoted officers, who gathered around him, and the promise of reinforcements from the states he had passed through during his route. General Greene thought it most prudent to remove to a place where subsistence and the means of transportation could be obtained.
He accordingly marched to the Cheraw hills, on the PeeDee; and detached General Morgan to the west of the Catawba, to cut off the left wing of Cornwallis’ army, and otherwise annoy him as circumstances might permit. This movement of General Morgan and his army alarmed the British from their posts. Colonel Tarleton was dispatched with a force to cut off and destroy him; but in this case the victory took an opposite direction, and Colonel Tarleton’s troops met their annihilation at the Cowpens. The news of this victory was a severe blow to Cornwallis, and he at once determined to cut off Morgan’s retreat with his prisoners, and prevent his joining the main army. But in this he was foiled; for, mistaking the route supposed to be taken by his enemy, Morgan was enabled to reach Greene in safety. Notwithstanding the victory at the Cowpens, General Greene had to encounter a number of successive disasters. He was defeated at Guildford, and again at Camden, but prevented Lord Rawdon from improving his success, and obliged him to retire beyond the Santee. While in the vicinity of the Santee, he was under the painful necessity of ordering the sentence of the law to be put in force on some of his men. From the continual desertions taking place, he found it necessary to hang eight of his soldiers in one day. A number of forts and garrisons in South Carolina now fell into his hands, but the army, at the approach of Lord Rawdon, was under the necessity of retreating to the extremity of the state. Discouraging as this was, the firmness and decision of General Greene sustained him through every trial. Being at this time advised to abandon South Carolina and retire to Virginia, he replied, “I will recover the country or perish in the attempt.” Lord Rawdon soon found that pursuit was hazardous, and retired to Charleston. General Greene retired to the Santee Hills, to enjoy the breezes during the debilitating heat of the summer months. An able historian gives the following account of thebattle at Eutaw Springs, which was the last of General Greene’s battles:—“The battle at the Eutaw Springs, on the 8th of September, was described by the American commander, as the most obstinate and bloody he had ever seen. The militia, with a firmness ‘which would have graced the veterans of the great King of Prussia,’ advanced with shouts into the hottest of the enemy’s fire; but one part of the line faltering for a moment, the British, elated at the prospect, sprang forward to improve that moment, but at the same time deranged their own line. General Greene, who was watching for such an incident, ‘ordered the second line to advance and sweep the field with the bayonets!’
“The order was promptly obeyed, and the enemy were driven from the ground, through their camp in the rear. But their pursuers were diverted by the spoils of their tents, and became irretrievably confused. In the mean time the enemy rallied, and under cover of the fire from a large party who had taken possession of a brick house, recovered their camp. Had it not been for the temptation, so unexpectedly thrown open, the British forces must have surrendered. As it was, their power in South Carolina was prostrated, for in this action they lost upwards of one thousand men. The enemy abandoned the whole of South Carolina, except Charleston, and the American army retired to their former encampment.”
Except for the purpose of procuring provisions, the enemy lay inactive in Charleston, for with all their sagacity they had not been able to retain possession of the country. They therefore prepared to evacuate the city, having agreed with General Greene to leave it uninjured, and without interruption from the American army. On the 14th of December, 1782, the delighted citizens of Charleston beheld the British troops march out of their city, and with joyous congratulations received with open arms the liberators of theircountry. This, indeed, was a happy day; many and sincere were the prayers offered to theAlmightyfor their deliverance; the whole city presented a scene of festivity.
From the governor to the lowly citizen, General Greene was regarded as the object of every eye, the praise of every tongue. South Carolina conveyed to him a valuable portion of land; Georgia presented him with a beautiful and highly improved plantation in the vicinity of Savannah.
When peace was restored, General Greene returned for a time to his native state, in order to remove his family to his new plantation in Georgia.
On his arrival at Princeton, New Jersey, where Congress was then in session, that body unanimously resolved to present him with two pieces of ordnance, taken from the British army, “as a public testimony of the wisdom, fortitude and military skill which distinguished his command in the southern campaign. They had previously voted him a British standard and a gold medal, an engraving of which is given onPlate III., commemorative of the battle of Eutaw.
In 1785 General Greene removed, with his family, to his new residence in Georgia, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits, and in the education of his children, but his period of domestic repose was short; scarcely a year did he enjoy the happiness of his family, for on the 19th of June, 1786, he closed a life of deep, pure, devoted patriotism to his country, and love and good-will to all mankind.
Occasion.—Gallant conduct at Eutaw Springs, S. C.
Device.—Head of General Greene, profile.
Legend.—Nathanieli Greene egregio duci comitia Americana.
Reverse.—Victory lighting on the earth, stepping on a broken shield; under her feet broken arms; colors; a shield.
Legend.—Salus regionem australium.
Exergue.—Hostibus ad Eutaw debellatis, die 8th Sept. 1781.
Horatio Gates was the son of a clergyman at Malden, in England, and was born in the year 1729. Having lost his father at an early age, he was left pretty much to the dictates of his own passion. He appears to have determined on a military life as early as twelve years of age, when the frequent remonstrances of his uncle and guardian could not prevail on him to relinquish the thoughts of a profession so much against the wishes of his family.
At the age of seventeen he was appointed to an ensigncy in the regiment commanded by General Monckton, who was a personal friend of the father of Gates, and who gave him every opportunity of improving himself. Shortly after he was promoted to a lieutenancy, and was aid-de-camp to General Monckton at the capture of Martinico, where his bravery and soldier-like conduct won for him the rank of major. He was among the first troops who landed at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, under General Cornwallis, and was stationed there for some time. He was only in his twenty-sixth year when he accompanied the unfortunate Braddock in the expedition against Fort du Quesne, and with the illustriousWashington, was among the few officers, who, on that occasion, escaped with their lives. Gates did not escape, however, without a very dangerous wound; he was shot through the body, which for a time shut him out from the bloody and perilous scenes which attended the various battles of the French war. Although he had not been a citizen of the new world but a few years, he evinced his attachment to it by purchasing a farm in Virginia, where he retired till he was perfectly restored to health. His attachment to the new country, and a military reputation so high, Congress, without any hesitation, appointed him adjutant-general, with the rank of brigadier-general in the new army of the revolution of 1775. General Washington was well acquainted with his merits in his military character, and warmly recommended him to Congress on the occasion; they had been fellow-soldiers and sufferers under General Braddock.
From this period he took an active part in most of the transactions of the war, and his bravery and good fortune placed him in a rank inferior only to Washington. In July, 1775, he accompanied the commander-in-chief to Cambridge, and was employed for some time in a subordinate but highly useful capacity. In June, 1776, the government evinced their confidence in Gates, by conferring on him the chief command of the forces at the north, and the new general was found in no way deficient in courage and vigilance, so necessary under such circumstances.
The Congress had turned an anxious eye towards Canada at the opening of the contest; being fully aware of the danger of their gaining possession of our harbors and lakes, and the great difficulty to us, to obtain possession of their strong forts on their settled frontier. The British commenced the naval preparations on their side with great alacrity and success. But the Americans had every obstacle, but the want of zeal, to encounter in preparing for defence. GeneralGates was directed to co-operate with General Schuyler, but there was a miserable and irreparable deficiency in cannon, in the materials of ship-building, and even in the necessary workmen. The country had been hitherto a desert. Colonization, in its natural progress, had not approached these solitary shores. Nothing but the exigencies of the former war with France had occasioned this region to be traversed or inhabited. A few forts, with suitable garrisons, were all that could be found in it, and that abundance of workmen, vessels and prepared timber, which a well-planted country would have spontaneously furnished, was unknown. Schuyler, indeed, was not destitute of a naval armament, but it was insufficient to cope with the greater preparations of the enemy. With all the exertions of the two commanders, they were merely able to equip about fifteen vessels, half of which were little better than boats, and the largest carried only twelve small guns very ill supplied with ammunition. This small armament, at the recommendation of General Gates, was placed under the command of the intrepid, and then, unsuspected Arnold. The first operations of the campaign consisted in a contest between these vessels under Arnold, and a much superior force under General Carleton, in which the land forces had no concern. The British army under Carleton commenced their advance to Ticonderoga, where Gates and Schuyler were already stationed with eight thousand men, well provisioned and determined to defend it to the last extremity; all parties expecting to witness a long, obstinate, and, perhaps, a bloody siege.
Some causes, however, and most probably the lateness of the season, induced Carleton to disappoint these expectations, by precipitately retiring to Canada in search of winter quarters.
This retreat enabled General Gates to march southward, with a considerable detachment of his army, to assist GeneralWashington in his operations in the middle colonies. The ensuing year was passed in a great variety of movements and skirmishes in the lower districts of New York, Pennsylvania and Jersey, between detachments of each army. In the ordinary records of the time, we meet with no splendid or conspicuous part performed by the subject of these memoirs, though there is sufficient reason to believe that his services in that motley warfare were active, strenuous and useful.
News having reached General Gates that Burgoyne, with part of his army, had passed the Hudson and encamped at Saratoga, he, with numbers already equal, and continually augmenting, advanced quickly towards him, with a resolution to oppose his progress at the risk of a battle.
On the 17th of September he arrived at Stillwater, where he encamped, being then within four miles of the enemy. Two days after, skirmishes between advanced parties terminated in an engagement almost general, in which the utmost efforts of the British merely enabled them to maintain footing of the preceding day. Burgoyne, who was daily expecting reinforcements from Clinton at New York, was content to remain in his camp, although his army was diminished by the desertion of the Indians and the Canadian militia, to less than one-half of its original number.
Gates, on the contrary, finding his forces largely increasing, being plentifully supplied with provisions, and knowing that Burgoyne had only a limited store, and that rapidly lessening, and could not be recruited, was not without hopes that victory would come, in time, even without a battle. His troops were so numerous, and his fortified position so strong, that he was able to take measures for preventing the retreat of the enemy, by occupying the strong posts in his rear.
Accordingly, nineteen days passed without any further operations, a delay as ruinous to one party as it was advantageousto the other.
At the end of this period, the British general found his prospects of assistance as remote as ever, and the consumption of his stores so alarming, that retreat or victory became unavoidable alternatives. On the eighth of October a warm action ensued, in which the British were everywhere repulsed, and a part of their lines occupied by their enemies. Burgoyne’s loss was very considerable in killed, wounded and prisoners, while the favorable situation of Gates’ army made its losses in the battle of no moment.
Burgoyne retired in the night to a stronger camp, but the measures immediately taken, by Gates, to cut off his retreat, compelled him without delay to regain his former camp at Saratoga. There he arrived with little molestation from his adversary. His provisions being now reduced to the supply of a few days, the transport of artillery and baggage towards Canada being rendered impracticable by the judicious measures of his adversary, the British general resolved upon a rapid retreat, merely with what the soldiers could carry on their backs. They soon found they were deprived even of this resource, as the passes through which their route lay were so strongly guarded, that nothing but artillery could clear them. In this desperate situation a parley took place, and on the sixteenth of October the whole army surrendered to Gates. The prize obtained consisted of more than five thousand prisoners, some fine artillery, seven thousand muskets, clothing for seven thousand men, with a great quantity of tents, and other military stores. All the frontier fortresses were immediately abandoned to the victors. This successful capture filled America with joy: Congress passed a vote of thanks, and ordered a gold medal (SeePlate III.) to be presented to him by the President. It is not easy to overrate the importance of this success. It may be considered as deciding the war of the revolution, as from that period the British causebegan rapidly to decline. The capture of Cornwallis was not considered of equal importance to that of Burgoyne, nor an event which caused more exultation.
The conduct of General Gates towards his conquered enemy was marked by a delicacy which did him the highest honor; he did not permit his own troops to witness the mortification of the British in depositing their arms. The system of General Gates was that of forbearance and lenity—of allowing for honest intentions and difference of opinion. The benignity of his measures were seconded by the urbanity of his personal deportment—he was courteous and even friendly to the proscribed, and this event entitled him to a high rank among the deliverers of his country. Soon after General Gates retired to his estate in Virginia, and died in 1806, at the advanced age of seventy-seven years.
Occasion.—Surrender of Lieutenant-General Burgoyne and his army at Saratoga, New York, in 1777.
Device.—Bust of General Gates.
Legend.—Horatio Gates duci strenno comitia Americana.
Reverse.—Gates and Burgoyne in front of the American and British troops. Burgoyne in the act of presenting his sword to Gates. The Americans on the right, with arms shouldered and colors flying. The British on the left, in the act of grounding their arms, and laying down their colors. By the side of the two generals are a drum and a stand of colors.
Legend.—Salus Regionum Septentrional.
Exergue.—Hoste ad Saratogam in dedition. Accepto die 17th October, 1777.
The father of Daniel Morgan was a Welshman, who had emigrated from Wales, and settled in the state of New Jersey, some years before the birth of his son, which took place in the year 1736. His father was poor, consequently his education was confined to the ordinary branches of a country school. At an early age, an enterprising character appeared to be developing itself, and our hero, at the age of seventeen, left the humble roof of his parents, to improve his fortune at the south. Accordingly, we next find him as wagoner on the estate of a wealthy planter, in Frederick county, Virginia. In the situation of teamster, he continued until after the unfortunate expedition of Braddock; during the whole of this campaign he drove his own team attached to the army. During this unfortunate campaign he was charged with insolence to a British officer, tried and sentenced to receive five hundred lashes, which he submitted to with that firm indifference which was peculiar to him through the remainder of his life. Lee, in his memoirs says, “That in a few days after the infliction of this disgraceful punishment, the officer became convinced of the injustice of the charge, and made an ample atonement to young Morganbefore the whole regiment.” It was during this disastrous campaign, that the military qualifications of Morgan were first noticed, when the officers recommended him to the colonial government of Virginia, from which he received a commission as ensign in the English service. It was in this capacity that his powers of mind burst forth, in those qualifications which twenty years afterwards distinguished him as one of the prominent heroes of the glorious revolution.
Although engaged from 1775 to 1781, in which he saw more actual service than any other American officer, he received but one dangerous wound. He was attacked by a party of Indians, while carrying dispatches to a frontier post, accompanied by two soldiers; he received a ball, which entering the back of his neck, came out through his left cheek, shattering his jaw in a dangerous manner. He was mounted on a fleet horse, and in falling, grasped firmly the neck of the animal. The savages, presuming he was dead, left him to scalp the two that had fallen. Morgan, who believed that his wounds would prove fatal, or that he should be exhausted by loss of blood, urged his horse to full speed, and the noble animal escaped with him into the fort. One of the savages followed him for some distance, as fast as he could run, with open mouth and tomahawk in hand, expecting every moment his victim would fall. When the disappointed savage found the horse was fast leaving him behind, he threw his tomahawk with great force, but without effect, and abandoned the pursuit with a most hideous yell.
This serious wound confined Morgan to the hospital for six months; as soon as convalescence permitted, he returned to his native state, where he remained till he was quite recovered. In 1774, we find him possessor of one of the finest farms in the county of Frederick. During this year he took the command of a company in an expedition to the west,under Lord Dunmore, against the Indians, who were defeated. On his return, on the Ohio river, he first heard of the hostilities between the English and the Bostonians. On their arrival at Winchester, Virginia, the corps was disbanded, and they severally pledged themselves to each other, to aid their eastern brethren if they should require it. Matters now becoming serious, he applied to Congress for permission to raise a company, which was immediately granted, with an appointment as captain. His military popularity being so well known, that in the short space of eight days, ninety-six men had enrolled themselves under his command, which formed the nucleus of that celebrated rifle company, which so signally distinguished itself in so many battles. His corps being complete he reached Boston in fifteen days, and remaining there some time in inactivity, he requested to be detached to Quebec. This was done, and under the orders of General Arnold, in that celebrated march through the woods, he led the van. Shortly after his arrival, General Montgomery also arrived, when the attack was decided upon. Morgan led the vanguard, under the order of General Arnold, who, being badly wounded in the leg, was carried from the field at the commencement of the attack.
At this time there were three field officers superior in command to Morgan, but each, from inexperience, insisted upon waiving their rank, and placed Morgan in command. His attack was upon a two gun battery, supported by fifty men. Having twice fired and missed, he ordered the ladders to be placed, which he mounted, and leaped into the town amidst the fifty men who, after a faint resistance, fled; this daring act inspired the soldiers, who lost no time in following their leader.
The English soldiery were panic-struck, the battery was carried without resistance, the barrier left open, and the peoplegave themselves up, asking for protection. Before entering the barrier gate, he was ordered to wait for General Montgomery. In this he very reluctantly acquiesced, saying at the same time that it would give the enemy time to rally, and recover from their panic. In this he was correct, for the news of the death of the brave Montgomery seemed to damp the ardor of the brave soldiers; although they fought to desperation, they were overwhelmed by numbers and made prisoners of war. Soon after the exchange of Morgan, he received the appointment of colonel in the continental army; and marched at the head of the partisan rifle corps to the assistance of General Gates. At the glorious victory of Saratoga, he took a most conspicuous part; although Gates shamefully omitted to do him justice at the time, the English account of the battle gave the principal credit of the victory to Morgan.
A reconciliation, however, soon took place between Morgan and Gates; and the latter, on every subsequent occasion, endeavored to make amends for the injustice. The legislature of Virginia presented Morgan with a horse, pistols and a sword; and his neighbors named his plantation “Saratoga,” in honor of his late victory. His next act of bravery and skill was displayed in the defeat of General Tarleton, at the battle of the Cowpens, on the 17th of January, 1781, where he took nearly as many prisoners as he had men of his own; and Congress testified the high sense they entertained of this brilliant victory, by presenting him with a gold medal, (hereafter described.) At the end of the war General Morgan retired to his plantation at Saratoga, and devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. He was elected to Congress, but after serving two sessions, his debilitated health obliged him to retire from public life.
In 1800, General Morgan removed to Winchester, where he was confined by extreme debility for nearly two years, andexpired on the sixth day of July, 1802. General Morgan had two daughters, the eldest married to the late General Presly Neville, of Pittsburgh, and the youngest to Major Heard, of New Jersey. Of this gallant soldier it may truly be said, that no officer rendered more efficient aid to the cause of his country, and that he well merited the character at that time given him, the hero of the three greatest victories, Quebec, Saratoga, and the Cowpens.
(SeePlate III.)
Occasion.—Victory at the Cowpens, North Carolina.
Device.—An Indian queen with a quiver on her back, in the act of crowning an officer with a laurel wreath; his hand resting on his sword: a cannon lying on the ground: various military weapons and implements in the back-ground.
Legend.—Danieli Morgan, duci exercitus comitia Americana.
Reverse.—An officer mounted, at the head of his troops, charging a flying enemy. A battle in the back-ground: in front, a personal combat between a dragoon unhorsed and a foot soldier.
Legend.—Victoria libertatis vindex.
Exergue.—Fugatis, captis aut cæsis ad cowpens hostibus, 17th January, 1781.
Plate 4.91011W. L. Ormsby, sc.
Plate 4.
9
10
11
W. L. Ormsby, sc.
John Eager Howard, the subject of this memoir, was born on the 4th of June, 1752, in Baltimore county, and state of Maryland. He was the grandson of Joshua Howard, who, when young, left his home, in the vicinity of Manchester, England, and against the wishes of his parents, joined the army of the Duke of York, afterwards James the Second, during Monmouth’s insurrection; fearing to encounter the displeasure of his parents, he joined a band of adventurers, who were preparing to seek their fortunes in the British colonies in North America, in the year 1685.
He soon obtained a grant of land in Baltimore county, (which is still held by the family,) and married Miss Joanna O’Carroll, of an Irish family, but recently emigrated from Ireland.
Cornelius, his son, and father of the subject of this sketch, married a Miss Eager, whose estate now forms part of the city of Baltimore. During the interval that elapsed between the emigration of the early members of the family to the revolution, they appear to have been quiet cultivators of the soil, taking no part in the political broils that were frequently arising in the colonies.
The time had now arrived, when every true son of America felt bound to participate in the approaching struggle for liberty and independence, and John Eager Howard received a commission as captain, in one of those bodies of militia termed flying camps in the regiment commanded by Colonel Hall. The commission depended upon his raising thirty men in a given time; but such was the esteem in which our hero was held, that he formed his company required in two days, and marched direct to the army.
In the following year he was promoted, till finally he succeeded Lieutenant-Colonel Ford in the command of the second Maryland regiment. He was present at the battle of White Plains, and continued to serve till the end of the year 1776, when his corps was dismissed. Congress having resolved to raise additional regiments to serve during the war, with officers commissioned by Congress, Major Howard was one of the number allotted to Maryland, and in April 1777, we find him marching with his regiment to join the army at Rocky Hill, near Princeton, where he remained till the latter end of June, when receiving information of the death of his father, he returned home, till the following September, when he rejoined the army a few days after the Battle at Brandywine Springs, but in time to give proofs of his bravery at the battle of Germantown, which afterwards so greatly distinguished him.
Colonel Hall being disabled at the commencement of the battle of Germantown, Major Howard assumed the command and encountered the British corps of light infantry, posted some distance from the main body, and after a sharp conflict, pursued them through their encampment, Howard passing with his regiment amidst the standing tents, and in front of Chew’s house, without any serious injury from the fire of the British. Having passed in safety, he advanced his Marylandtroops about a quarter of a mile farther towards the main body of the British troops, who now sallied forth from their temporary fortress, and attacked the Maryland corps, but a return fire killed the officer who had commanded the garrison, and no further molestation ensued.
Major Howard still remained with the army, and was present at the battle of Monmouth, but we do not hear of any particular share that he bore in that contest. In June, 1779, Major Howard received the commission of Lieutenant-Colonel of the fifth Maryland regiment in the army of the United States, and accordingly prepared for a southern march, to meet General Gates and his army at the camp at Deep Run, North Carolina.
Having reinforced, they made night marches, in order to attack the British army, commanded as they thought by Lord Rawdon, but Cornwallis, who had lately arrived from Charleston with a strong reinforcement, was resolved to assault Gates in his camp. Gates, who had left his camp, and was proceeding by night marches to meet his antagonist, was encountered in the woods, where, to his great astonishment and dismay, he found that not Lord Rawdon, but Cornwallis, was the commander of the British troops, and that the enemy was much superior in force to the American troops. A retreat now was impossible, and the only alternative offered, was to form a line of battle. The disheartening intelligence, that Cornwallis had reinforced the British army, and the darkness of night, may, in some measure, account for the conduct of the militia in the battle of Camden, for they gave way early in the action, thereby throwing the whole of the British troops entirely upon the two Maryland brigades, who maintained the contest obstinately against superior numbers, at one time making a partially successful attempt to use the bayonet. Colonel Howard drove the corps in front of him out of line;and if the left wing of the American army had been able to occupy the attention of the British right, the day would have been propitious; but attacked as he was in front and rear, by horse and foot, the American troops were overpowered and driven into the woods and swamps in all directions. Colonel Howard succeeded in keeping a few of his men together, and being occasionally joined by other officers and men, they reached Charlotte, a distance of sixty miles, in about three days: their only subsistence during that time was a few peaches. From this time, and until the arrival of General Greene in December, Colonel Howard was employed in equipping and forming into a battalion, four companies of light infantry, placed under his command, and then transferred to Greene. The next conspicuous act of our hero was at the celebrated battle of the Cowpens, 17th of January, 1781. We find from manuscript and printed documents of Colonel Howard himself, whose scrupulous accuracy places his authority beyond a doubt, that it was Howard, and not Morgan, who gave the order to the right company to change its front and protect his flank, and it was Howard also, who, on his own responsibility, ordered the charge with the bayonet. We give his own language:—“Seeing my right flank was exposed to the enemy, I attempted to change the front of Wallace’s company, (Virginia regulars;) in doing it, some confusion ensued, and first a part, and then the whole of the company commenced a retreat. The officers along the line seeing this, and supposing that orders had been given for a retreat, faced their men about and moved off. Morgan, who had mostly been with the militia, quickly rode up to me and expressed apprehensions of the event; but I soon removed his fears by pointing to the line, and observing that men were not beaten who retreated in that order. He then ordered me to keep with the men, until we came to the rising groundnear Washington’s horse; and he rode forward to fix on the most proper place for us to halt and face about. In a minute we had a perfect line. The enemy were now very near us. Our men commenced a very destructive fire; which they little expected, and a few rounds occasioned great disorder in their ranks. While in this confusion I ordered a charge with the bayonet, which order was obeyed with great alacrity. As the line advanced, I observed their artillery a short distance in front, and called to Captain Ewing, who was near me, to take it. Captain Anderson, (now General Anderson, of Montgomery county, Maryland,) hearing the order, also pushed for the same object; and both being emulous for the prize, kept pace until near the first piece, when Anderson, by putting the end of his spontoon forward into the ground, made a long leap, which brought him upon the gun and gave him the honor of the prize. My attention was now drawn to an altercation of some of the men with an artillery man, who appeared to make it a point of honor not to surrender his match. The men, provoked by his obstinacy, would have bayoneted him on the spot, had I not interfered and desired them to spare the life of so brave a man. He then surrendered his match. In the pursuit I was led to the right, in among the seventy-first, who were broken into squads; and as I called to them to surrender, they laid down their arms, and the officers delivered up their swords. Captain Duncanson, of the seventy-first grenadiers, gave me his sword and stood by me. Upon getting on my horse, I found him pulling at my saddle, and he nearly unhorsed me. I expressed my displeasure, and asked what he was about. The explanation was, that they had orders to give no quarter, and they did not expect any; and as my men were coming up, he was afraid they would use him ill. I admitted his excuse and put him into the care of a sergeant. I had messages fromhim many years afterwards, expressing his obligation for my having saved his life.” At the time Colonel Howard was “among the seventy-first,” as he observes, he had in his hand at one time, seven swords of officers who had surrendered to him personally.
The moral effect of this celebrated battle was felt throughout the whole country. Congress voted a gold medal to Colonel Howard, (SeePlate I.,) descriptive of his gallant conduct at the Cowpens, which is described at the end of this sketch.
The battle of the Cowpens is the only one on record, in which the American troops fairly conquered the British with the bayonet in open field.
In the extreme danger incurred by the rear guard, in protecting the retreat of Greene, Colonel Howard bore his full share; in the battle of Guildford, which soon followed, we find his skill and bravery displayed in no common degree. In his own manuscript, he observes:—“My station being on the left of the first regiment, and next the cleared ground, Captain Gibson, deputy adjutant-general, rode up to me, and informed me that a party of the enemy inferior in number to us, were pushing through the cleared ground and into our rear, and that if we would face about and charge them, we might take them. I rode to Colonel Gunby and gave him the information. He did not hesitate to order the regiment to face about, and we were immediately engaged with the guards. Our men gave them some well directed fires, and we then advanced and continued firing. At this time Gunby’s horse was shot, and falling upon him, injured him, but not severely. Major Anderson was killed about this time. As we advanced, I observed Washington’s horse, and as their movements were quicker than ours, they first charged and broke the enemy. My men followed very quickly, and wepressed through the guards, many of whom had been knocked down by the horse without being much hurt. We took some prisoners, and the whole were in our power.
“After passing through the guards, as before stated, I found myself in the cleared ground, and saw the seventy-first regiment near the court-house, and other columns of the enemy appearing in different directions.
“Washington’s horse having gone off, I found it necessary to retire, which I did leisurely; but many of the guards who were lying on the ground, and who we supposed were wounded, got up and fired at us as we retired.”
Such is the unadorned narrative of this brave and gallant soldier. At the battle of Hobkirk’s Hill, he also ably distinguished himself. At Eutaw he had the command of the second Maryland regiment, who distinguished themselves at the bayonet’s point, and (according to Lee) in encountering the obstinate resistance of the Buffs, many of the Marylanders and of the Buffs were mutually transfixed with each other’s bayonets. Colonel Howard, in a letter, says, “nearly one-half of my men were killed or wounded, and I had seven officers out of twelve disabled; four killed, and three severely wounded.” Towards the end of the battle, Colonel Howard received a ball in the left shoulder, which, passing entirely through, came out under the shoulder-blade, and disabled him. In a letter from General Greene to General Smallwood, written a few days after the battle, he says, “nothing could exceed the gallantry of the Maryland line, the uncommon bravery of Colonels Howard, Williams, and the other officers, and the free use of the bayonet, by this and some other corps, gave us the victory.”
As soon as he was able to be removed, Colonel Howard was taken home, followed by the affectionate commendations of his brother officers. General Greene, in writing to a friend,after his departure, says, “Colonel Howard is as good an officer as the world afforded, and deserves a statue of gold, no less than the Roman or Grecian heroes.”
At the conclusion of the war, Colonel Howard retired to his estates in Baltimore county, and soon after married Margaret, the daughter of Benjamin Chew, of Philadelphia. He was shortly after chosen governor of Maryland, which office he filled for three years. In 1795, General Washington invited him to a seat in his cabinet, but this was declined. In 1796, he was transferred from the legislature of his own state to the senate of the United States, where he remained seven years; he then returned again to his agricultural pursuits, where he remained till the trumpet of war broke in upon his retirement in 1814. The capture of Washington by the enemy, and the meditated attack upon Baltimore, demanded a preparation for resistance, and a troop of aged men was organized to render such services as their strength would allow, and Colonel Howard was, by unanimous consent, placed at its head. Colonel Howard now began to feel the effects of his early wound, which at every slight exposure brought on severe pain, which made inroads in his constitution not easily repaired. In 1821 he had the misfortune to lose his eldest daughter, and in 1822 his eldest son, and in 1824, the loss of his devoted wife gave him a shock from which he never recovered; from that time his health began fast to decline, and in October, 1827, he resigned his life with characteristic fortitude and pious resignation. An obituary notice written by a celebrated dignitary of the Catholic church, demands a place in these pages. “One after another, the stars of our revolutionary firmament are sinking below the horizon. They rise in another hemisphere, as they set to us; and the youth of other times will gaze upon their lustre, as he learns their names and marks them clustering into constellations, whichwill recall to his mind some interesting event of our period of struggle.” An able historiographer thus speaks of the lamented Howard: “In private life he was distinguished for the amenity of his manners, his hospitality, and his extensive and useful knowledge. He possessed a memory uncommonly minute, and a love of information that never sank under the labor of acquisition. These faculties rendered him, perhaps, the most accurate repository of the history of his own time, in this or any other country. His habits of life were contemplative, cautious, scrupulously just, and regulated by the strictest method. Few men have enjoyed a more enviable lot;—his youth distinguished in the field, his age in the council, and every period solaced by the attachment of friends. Affluent in fortune, as rich in public regard, and blessed in his domestic and personal associations, he has glided away from the small band of his compatriots, as full of honors as of years. The example of such a citizen is a legacy to his country, of more worth than the precepts of an age.”
Occasion.—Victory at the Cowpens, N. Carolina.
Device.—An officer mounted, with uplifted sword, pursuing an officer on foot, bearing a stand of colors: Victory descending in front over the former, holding a wreath in her right hand over his head: a palm-branch in her left hand.
Legend.—John Eager Howard, legionis peditum præfecto comitia Americana.
Reverse Inscription—(within a laurel wreath.)—Quod in nutantem hostium aciem subito irruens, præclarum bellicæ virtutis specimen dedit in pugna, ad Cowpens, 17th January, 1781.
William Augustine Washington was the eldest son of Baily Washington, of Stafford county, Virginia. The subject of these memoirs had commenced his studies for the church, when the war sound of the revolution rung in his ears; he was one of those who exerted such an exalted influence throughout the whole campaign, that his biographers distinguish him as the “modern Marcellus.”
Colonel Washington was a scholar of rare attainments, especially in the Greek language, in which, in his day, he was unequalled. At the request of his relative, General George Washington, he was appointed to the command of a company of infantry, in the third regiment of the Virginia line.
He was distinguished for his manly fortitude in sustaining the greatest difficulties and dangers.
He led one of the attacking columns, at the surprise of the Hessians at Trenton, where he received a severe wound from a musket-ball which passed entirely through his hand. He was afterwards appointed a major in a regiment of dragoons,commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Baylor, which was shortly after surprised by a detachment of the enemy, commanded by General Grey, and almost cut to pieces. Our hero fortunately escaped, and in the year following joined the army of General Lincoln, of South Carolina, with whose troops he was constantly employed, in encounters with the British, first, near Ashley Ferry, where he drove back the cavalry of the British legion, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton, and took several prisoners: but being unsupported by infantry, he gained but little advantage or success.
It has been asserted, and it is believed from good authority, that Colonel Washington and Tarleton were personally engaged, and that during the skirmish, Tarleton lost three of his fingers from a stroke from the sword of Colonel Washington. An anecdote is related and believed to be correct, respecting the meeting of these two officers: it is as follows:—Tarleton, when on a visit to an American family, remarked, that he should be glad to get another look at this Colonel Washington, of whom he had heard so much: when a lady in company quickly observed, “What a pity Colonel Tarleton did not turn his head when he lost his fingers!” Subsequently, Colonel Washington was attached to the light corps, commanded by General Morgan; and by an ingenious stratagem carried a valuable post in possession of the British, called Rugely’s, and took a great number of prisoners, without firing a single shot. Aware of the character of his opponent, Colonel Rugely, he placed a pine log on the wheels of a wagon, so painted as to have the appearance, at a distance, of a field-piece, threatening immediate destruction if any resistance should be offered. The affrighted Colonel begged for quarter and surrendered without difficulty!
Next followed the brilliant victory of the Cowpens, in which Colonel Washington contributed in no small degree.His ardor in this contest had nearly cost him his life. Animating the troops to the pursuit by his example, he advanced so far as to be surrounded by several British officers. At the moment when the sword of one of them was actually raised for his destruction, his brave bugleman fired a pistol which disabled the British officer, and saved the life of his gallant commander. Shortly after his cavalry was added to a body of horse and foot selected by General Greene, and placed under the command of Colonel Williams. Colonel Washington was happy to a degree in baffling the efforts of Cornwallis to force Greene to a battle. He took a very conspicuous part in the contest at Guildford Courthouse, where, by a spirited and daring charge, he broke the British regiment of guards, commanded by Colonel Stewart, who was killed; and with the brave Colonel Howard and his gallant Marylanders, nearly effected their entire destruction. Colonel Garden relates the following remarks made to him by an officer of distinction in the army of the enemy:—“I was near General Webster when the charge was made by Washington. The desperate situation of the guards had its effect on all around. An American officer quickly perceiving it, rode up to the British line and called aloud, ‘Surrender, gentlemen, and be certain of good quarters.’ Terrified by appearances, and concluding that defeat was inevitable, the soldiers of the regiment of De Bose were actually throwing down their arms. In the midst of the confusion, General Webster, famed for great presence of mind, exclaimed, ‘Unless that gallant fellow is taken off, we are lost.’ A field-piece at this moment was brought up, and directed to be fired into the throng where the guards now appeared to be greatly outnumbered, and did so with the happiest success; the cavalry wheeled off, the remains of the battalion rallied, and the army was saved.”
At Hobkirk Hill, Colonel Washington added another wreathto his well-earned laurels. Famous for skillful maneuvering, he cut off the rear of the British line, capturing eleven officers and two hundred men, but the early retreat of the American forces prevented his bringing more than fifty of his prisoners off the field; these, however, contained the eleven officers. At the battle of Eutaw, his repeated charges on the British light infantry were signalized by extraordinary bravery and valor. In an effort which required all his courage, his horse was shot from under him, and becoming entangled as he fell, he was taken prisoner. This was the closing scene of his military performances, which had always been characterized by ardor, bravery and decision; he knew danger only by name, and though unfortunate at last, no officer in the American revolution ever in a higher degree merited success.
He remained a prisoner until the close of the war, when he retired to his plantation at Sandy Hill, about thirty miles from Charleston, South Carolina. He served for several years as a member of the legislature, during which service he was persuaded to become a candidate for the office of governor; but this honor he respectfully declined.
He married a lady to whom he had become attached during his imprisonment. By her he had a son and daughter. After a long and tedious illness, borne by the most heroic and Christian fortitude, he died on the 6th of March, 1810.
By a resolve of Congress, 9th March, 1781, which stated that eighty cavalry and two hundred and thirty-seven infantry of the United States, and five hundred and fifty-three southern militia, obtained a complete victory over a select and well-appointed detachment of more than eleven hundred British, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton, a silver medal was ordered to be struck and presented to Colonel Washington, of which the following is a description:—
Occasion.—Victory at the Cowpens, North Carolina.
Device.—An officer mounted at the head of a body of cavalry, charging flying troops: Victory over the heads of the Americans, holding a laurel crown in her right hand, and a palm branch in her left.
Legend.—Gulielmo Washington legionis equit. Præfecto comitia Americana.
Reverse.—Quod parva militum manu strenue prospectus hostes, virtutis ingenitæ præclarum specionen dedit in pregna ad Cowpens, 17th January, 1781. (Within a laurel crown.) (SeePlate I.)
Henry Lee, the subject of the following sketch, was born in Virginia on the 29th of January, 1756. His family was one of the most respectable among the first settlers of that state. His father was for many years a member of the provincial assembly of Virginia. Henry Lee was prepared for college by a private tutor at his father’s residence, and afterwards graduated at Princeton College, New Jersey, under the superintendence of Dr. Witherspoon, then President.
Two years after his graduation, and in the twentieth of his age, he was appointed to the command, as captain, of one of the six companies of cavalry, raised by his native state; the whole under the command of Colonel Theodoric Bland.
During the campaigns of 1775 and 1776, there was not a single troop of horse attached to the continental army. General Washington, seeing the danger arising from this, was urgent in his applications to Congress, and consequently the Virginia regiment was received into the service of the United States.
Here, under the immediate eye of the commander-in-chief, his skill in discipline and gallant bearing rapidly acquiredconfidence. He was promoted to the rank of Major, with the command of a separate corps of cavalry. From his able and rigorous attention to his horses and men, he was enabled at all times to act with promptness and efficiency. Not only in attacking light parties of the enemy, but in foraging and obtaining information, he rendered most essential service to the American army.
As it was the province of Lee to lay near the British lines to discover their movements, an attempt was made to cut off both him and his troops. A body of British cavalry, amounting to about two hundred men, made a circuitous route, seizing four of his patrols, and came unexpectedly upon him in his stone house used as quarters. He had with him at the time buttenmen; the majority were dispersed in search of forage.
With this small but gallant band, he made such a resolute and determined defence, that the enemy hastily retreated, after having four men and several horses killed, with one officer and three men wounded. This gallant and almost miraculous affair called forth from his commander-in-chief marks of his warmest approbation. Congress also voted him their thanks and congratulations upon his fortunate escape. In the year 1779, Lee again called forth the approbation of his country, by the successful execution of a plan for the capture of the British garrison, stationed at Paulus Hook, near New York.
At the head of about three hundred men, he completely surprised the garrison, and after taking one hundred and sixty prisoners, retreated with the loss of but two men killed and three wounded.
As a reward for the “prudence, skill and bravery” shown by Major Lee in the affair of Paulus Hook, Congress ordereda gold medal to be struck, under the direction of the board of treasury, and presented to him; a description of which will be given at the end of this memoir.
Early in 1780, he returned with his legion to the south, having been previously promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel, to join General Greene, who was then watching the movements of Cornwallis.
At the celebrated retreat of Greene, before Cornwallis, the legion of Major Lee formed the rear-guard of the American army; and so hasty was the pursuit, that Lee, coming in contact with the dragoons of Tarleton, in a successful charge, killed eighteen, and made a captain and fifteen privates prisoners. When the safety of General Greene’s retreat was certain, Lee, with Colonel Pickins, was detached to intercept and watch the movements of Lord Cornwallis. Lee now formed a plan to surprise Tarleton, and on their way to execute the plan, they fell in with some messengers, dispatched by some loyalists to Tarleton, to apprise him of his situation. These messengers, mistaking the legion of Lee for the British, freely communicated the object of their errand, which enabled Lee to act accordingly.
He particularly distinguished himself in the battle of Guildford. Afterwards he succeeded in capturing Fort Cornwallis, and other forts.
In the battle of Eutaw Springs, which soon followed, his military talents were again exerted, and again contributed in no small degree to the successful issue of the day. Our hero was next dispatched by General Greene to lay before his commander-in-chief the exigencies of the troops under his command. Washington was then engaged in the siege of Yorktown, and Lee arrived a few days only before its surrender. He was present at that imposing and eventful ceremony,and, after having executed his commission, returned again to the south. The health of Colonel Lee had been much impaired by the fatigues and hardships he had undergone; besides, he fancied himself neglected, and his services underrated. Under the influence of these feelings, he sought and obtained permission to retire from the army. Soon after his return to Virginia, he married Matilda, the daughter of Philip Ludwell Lee, and settled at Stratford, in Westmoreland county.
In 1786, he was appointed a delegate in Congress from Virginia, in which body he remained till the constitution was adopted. In 1791, he was chosen governor of Virginia, and retained the office three years. He was a member of Congress at the death of General Washington, and was appointed by Congress to deliver an eulogy on the occasion. He retained his seat in Congress until the election of Jefferson to the chief magistracy, when he retired into private life. The last years of this gallant officer were clouded by pecuniary embarrassments. The profuse and extravagant mode of living in Virginia ruined his estate, and obliged him for some time to submit to the incarceration of a prison.
During his confinement he composed his memoirs of the southern campaign, in which he had been one of the principal actors; the events of which he had so good an opportunity of knowing. In hopes of restoring his broken health, Colonel Lee repaired to the West Indies, in order to try a warmer and more equable climate; but his hopes proved futile, and in 1818, on his return to the United States, he died on the 25th of March, at the house of Mrs. Shaw, on Cumberland Island, near St. Mary’s, Georgia, the daughter of his old friend and companion in arms, General Greene.
Occasion.—Attack on Paulus Hook.
Device.—Bust of Colonel Lee.
Legend.—Henrico Lee, equit præfecto.
Exergue.—Comitia Americana.
Reverse.—Non obstantib fluminibus, vallis astutia et virtute bellica, parva manu hostes vicit victosq. Armis humanitate devinxit. In men. pugn. ad Paulus Hook, 19th August, 1779. (SeePlate IV.)