Biography of revolutionary heroes;

Front matter

207,

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Chapter I

Birth-place of General William Barton, tendency of natural scene ry and childish sports in the formation of character. His apprenticeship, marriage, &c. Commencement of the Revolutionarj' War. His departure for Roxbury. Return to his family. Station at Newport, subsequently, at Tiverton. Anecdotes of his residence there. Kindness to the families removing from the Island. Hardships of those who remained. Forlorn appearance of the Island, and tyranny of Prescott. Plot laid by Barton, to capture him. Choice of companions, in that enterprize. Departure for Bristol. Delays. Subsequent departure for Warwick Neck.

Chapter II

Precautions on leaving, for R. I. British shipping in the Harbor. Their signal of alarm. Description of the quarters of General Prescott. Peril of reaching him. Success of the onterprize. Safe return to Warwick Neck, and to Providence. Prescott sent off to be exchanged for General Lee. Cruelty of the enemy to their prisoners, in Newport. Letter from Dr. Center, the Hospital Surgeon, Horrible situation of the sick. Exasperation of the public mind. Vain attempt to procure an exchange. Predatory excursions of the enemy in the Bay. Alarms at Providence. Sword voted by Congress, to General Barton. Plot to bring off the British treasure from Newport. Its failure. Description of the Treasure House. Anecdotes of Earl Stanhope.

Chapter III

Commission from Congress of Brevet Colonel. Sufferings of the poor families from Newport, 1778. Desertions from the British camp. Anecdote of two officers from the Lark frigate. Attack upon Fall River. Attack upon Bristol. Letter from Earl Percy, afterwards Duke of Northumberland, to Governor Bradford. Destruction of the shipping at Kickemuet. Firing of Warren. Pursuit of Barton, wounded at Bristol, 28th May, 1778. Long illness of General Barton. Alarm at Providence. Bombastic description of battles, &c. of the British press. Their circulation of incendiary handbills, and panic proclamations. Colonel Barton obtains 1*

VI CONTENTS.

icsLVe to have a few vessels lo protect the Bay. Ineffectual af tempt of Colonel Barton to obtain the release of John Viol. His long imprisonment, anecdotes of his life. Temper of General Barton, habitual cheerfulness, anecdotes. Close of the war. Purchase of township in Vermont, difficulties with the contested claim. Barton's resolution never to pay it. His detention in Caledonia County, Vt. fourteen years upon a civil process. Obstinacy respecting its liquidation. Visit of Lafayette to this Country, his liberation of General Barton, and the veteran's return to his family. Gradual decline in health.

Chapter IV

Remarks of the Editor on the life and character of General Bar. ton. Anecdotes illustrative of his habitual temperament. Refutation of the charge of egotism. His aversion to titles, aristocracy, &,c. &c. Exemption from avarice. Defence of the General from the charge of vindictiveness. Letters found among his papers, from Henry Laurens, John Knox &c. Letters of General Barton in answer, &c. Description of the person of General Barton, his peculiarities, simplicity of speech, want of caution towards his enemies, frankness, &c. Sec. His last illnes, and peaceful departure fron* this world. Appendix to the story. Notes occupying 43 pages.

LIFE OF CAPTAIN STEPHEN OLNEi'.

CHAPTER I.— Page 145

Captain Olney's parentage. Effect of Puritanism, in preparing the way for a Republican Government. Appointment to an Office in the Company. Delay of the Rhode-Island regiment in obtaining their commissions. Termination of the difficulty.

CHAPTER II.— Page 156

Departure of the brigade for Roxbury. Situation in the battle of Bunker Hill. Evacuation of Boston. Ordered to New-York, Station on Long-Island. Brooklyn Heights. Reading the Declaration of Independence.

CHAPTER III.— Page 165

Captain Olney's reflections on a dream. Singular want of vigilance on the part of the American commanders. Fatal security. Account of the battle of Long-Island. Disastrous termination. Captain Olney's bravery in the field, Washington's grief. La hient for the dead.

CHAPTER IV.— Page 175

Terrible storm. Retreat from Rhode-Island to Nev.-.York. Treacherous attempt of the enemy at negotiation. Baffled by the American commissioners. Council of war, and evacuation of New- York, which was taken possession of by the enemy immediately

CONTENTS. Vll

Great fire there. Cruelty of the British. Skirmishes. Surrender of Fort Washington. Colonel Magaw. Proclamation of the two Howes. March through the Jerseys. Capture of Lee.

CHAPTER v.— Page 188

Exchange of commanders. Battle of Trenton, Anecdotes of Col. Jeremiah Olney. Princeton. Trying position of the army. Council of war. Boldness of Washington's plan. Battle of Princeton. Death of General Mercer. Captain Olney saves the life of Monroe, afterwards President of the United States. Col. Jeremiah Olney. Col. Lippitt. Narrow escape near Brunswick. Goes home on a furlough.

CHAPTER VI.— Page 203

Visit at home. Innoculation at Coventry. Success of Washington in his absence. Atrocities of the British and Hessians. Excites indignation in Europe. Ultimate benefit of the American cause. Courtland Manor. Captain Olney's return to his regiment. W^ashington. Singular expression of his countenance. Successes of Arnold. Wooster. Col. Huntington. Col. Meigs. Departure from Peekskill. Stratagems of the enemy to force Washmgton to a pitched battle. Gallant action of 700 American riflemen near Woodbridge. Fears for Philadelphia and Albany. Manoeuvers in the river. British troops disembark at the head of the Elk, August 25th, 1777. Battle of Brandywine. Anecdotes. Pulaski, and other distinguished foreigners. Unfortunate termination of the battle. Activity of Gen. Greene.

CHAPTER Vll.— Page 217.

English pillage Wilmington, and take the Governor prisoner. Manoeuver of the enemy. Congress adjourn to Lancaster, and Cornwallis enters Philadelphia. Battle of Germantown. Attack on Red Bank and Fort Mifflin. Anecdote of Gen. Smith.

CHAPTER VIIL— Page 228.

Attack on Fort Mifflin renewed on the 15th of November. Hot action. Abandonment of the forts by the Americans, after bravely beating off the enemy twice. Winter at Valley Forge.

CHAPTER IX.— Page 236.

Base conspiracy against Washington. His imraoveability. In March two companies slaughtered in cold blood by the enemy at the bridges of Quintin and Hancock, after their surrender. Baron Steuben. Arrival of despatches from France. Great rejoicing. Manoeuvers of the enemy to outwit France.

CHAPTER X.— Page 242.

Captain Olney's return, after leave of absence. Battle of Monmouth. His apology for Lee. Extreme heat.

VIU CONTENTS,

CHAPTER XL— Page 249.

D'Estaing at Sandy Hook. At Rhode-Island. Captain Olney in Sullivan's expedition. Battle of Springfield. Captain Olney wounded. Difficulty of procuring quarters. At Bearskin Ridge 10 months. Commissioners from England. M. Gerard.

CHAPTER XII.— Page 257.

Destruction of Wyoming. The French frightened at its atrocity. Slight review of the events of 1780. Winter quarters. Consolidation of the Rhode-Island regiment. Death of Colonel Christopher Greene. Major Flagg killed in his bed. Captain Olney marches for Virginia with Lafayette. Counter orders. Furlough. Meeting in the army. Craft of the enemy. Hanging of the spies.

CHAPTER XIIL— Page 263, Barbarities of the enemy in Charleston. General Greene in the south. Execution of Haync. Anecdote of Arnold. Departure of Rawdon. Marchings of Cornwallis. Lafayette. Entrenchment of the enemy at Yorktown. Manoeuver of Washington to blind them. Count D'Rochambeau marches to the Hudson. Situation of the encampment at York. Count D'Barras. Skirmish between the British and French fleets. York invested by 20,000 men. Fleet. Situation of the allies. Battleground. Storming the redoubt, and surrender of the enemy. Captain Olney wounded.

CHAPTER XIV.

Captain Olney throws up his commission, and retires to private life. Aifection of his townsmen. Civil offices. Difficulties of obtaining a pension. Letters to Hon. Tristam Burges and Dutee J. Pearce. Success. Sickness and death. Character. Appendix. Notes.

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE.

Frescoti between Colonel Barton and Lieutenant Wilcox, on tk? shore. — There are two inaccuracies in the Plate : one, the stream which empties into the bay, has here the appearance of a large river ; but is only a brook. And the house and barn, on the right, are not on the shore, or near it, but in reality, only about 400 or 500 feet from the Overing place, which is seen indistinctly, in the distance. The Engraver's imagination has supplied a moon, too, but General Barton says, " there was no moon, but a star-light night,"

Preface

There is no species of writing so difficult as biography, and in an especial manner when it chances to be of some 'public character. To draw upon one's imagination, if the writer is gifted with any, is comparatively a work of little difficulty ; but where one is pinned down to stubborn facts, facts in the memory of men too, where the least deviation, the most trifling irregularity, even the mistake of a date, would subject one to be torn to pieces by the critics, is an affiiir of no small labor and anxiety.

In the present instance we are called to write on a theme of infinite interest, to all our countrymen certainly, but one so hacknied that it is almost impossible to say any thing new on the subject. The history of every old soldier in the Revolution, is in fact but a repetition of the Revolution itself Wherever they took the trouble to keep a memoranflum of the events of their lives it would be impossible to ,'uve it in such a way as to make it understood without much repetition. To write such a biography thfen, in a way to make it interesting to the public, is an effi^rt of no ordinary magnitude. To add to the difficulties of such a work, there are two classes of readers to please. One class is excessively offended if there is any thing in the story that sounds like romance, forgetful that truth is truth, let it be clothed in what language it may. They take offence if any thing like sentiment, or we had like to have said, refinement, is to be found in the whole book, and cavil at every sentence which is not confirmed by the pages of history, or attested to upon oath.

Again, there is another class of readers directly opposite in taste and judgment, who are continually fretting because there is not more of ornament. " What signifies," say they, " to confine one's self like a log-book, to the plain, straightforward, downright occurrences of every-day life, if the narrative is only interesting, whose business is it whether all of it is true ? We want to be entertained ; we do n't ! want a simple detail of the events of the war ; we have read them over a thousand times, (they always say as ■ many as that,) and we want something new, some wonderful adventures, some hair-breadth escapes, something that will make a man's hair rise on his head to read, or throw him into convulsions of laughter." Even on this, readers are divided. One says, " if the story is not witty, 1 shall not like it ;" another, " I hope it will be serious ; if a book can 't draw tears from one, there is no interest in it ;" and i another, " if there is nothing to terrify in it, it cannot be worth reading." The writer of these sheets has no recollection of having been so tormented at any time, while preparing a work for the press, by repeated and most earnest requests, first, " that it may have no romance about it," and again, " that it may be all romance," or what is equivalent i to it, that it may be such a mixture that it will be impossible to tell the one from the other. Amidst all these contending opinions, we have endeavored to make sure off pleasing one, viz. ourselves. We conceive that a narrative of this sort should be strictly true, and we have been at i very great trouble to collect all the facts which we deem it proper to insert. Many very interesting things in the ] hves of these persons, doubtless have never come to the • knowledge of the writer, and of the anecdotes related here, some of them have been handed down by tradition, some are from the manuscript, some collected from their otlier papers, and some narrated by their families and friends. We consider these as proof sufficient. Those who were cotemporary and intimate with them, remenaber their expression of feeling on different occasions.

To those who feel it wearisome to read the histories of our revolutionary soldiers, we can only apply the mournful consolation that there will be few more to read. They and their cotemporaries are almost extinct, and with that generation, a race of men shall have passed from the stage, the like of whom we shall never see again, nor can future ages. Luxury and dissipation has done its work, in our once happy country. Never again will the simplicity and singleness of heart, the abstemiousness and self-denial, the self-devotion, integrity and uprightness, and the pure, unmingled, disinterested fire of patriotism, be found in any other race of men, in an equal degree. There may be individuals, and are, who rising superior to the corruptions of the age, equal some of revolutionary memory, but it is preposterous ever to expect there can be such another whole race, in the first place, circumstances can never again conspire to such formation of character. Let us, or the tyrants of Europe, be as persecuting as they will, there is not another unexplored quarter of the globe to which pilgrim feet can travel. This is Liberty's last liome, and if it cease to be her home, she has no home on earth.

Happy for us that the question of Independence was agitated at so early a period of our history, the present race, it is to be t'eared, never would have achieved it. Wealth and influence have become of such importance in the eyes of by far the greater part of our population, that all other things, we fear, would become subservient to it ; self-aggrandizement is now the great object. The aristocracy of wealth is riding over the heads of the community at a high rate, and but for the salutary laws by which our brave forefathers have guarded the tree of liberty, we should be in danger of a worse bondage than that from which we have escaped ; but heaven be praised, that their efforts were not confined to the mere action of fighting, else had their blood been shed in vain. The salutary laws, by which wealth is made to change masters so often, will preserve us from all danger on that head. The possession of wealth, too, seems to generate such a spirit of extravagance — the lordling of to-day generally becoming the bankrupt of to-morrow, as absolutely to be a safeguard against its encroachments. All ruinous as it is to families, there is this good effect attending it ; for was the immense wealth of individuals handed down from sire to son, the danger of the State would be infinitely greater. But to return.

To us there is not a more interesting being than one of those old patriots of the revolution; whether soldier or statesman, the danger to themselves at the commencement of the contest was nearly equal. When I see one of those venerable men, bending under the weight of years, and often of infirmities contracted during the exposure of their persons to the hardships of war, the tears will involuntarily force themselves into my eyes, while I recall in imagination the days and nights of wearisomeness and watching for our country's i weal ; the cold, and hunger, and nakedness, of our afflicted army during that trying period, that made us a nation, the enduring courage that not only faced the cannon's mouth, but the far greater danger of imprisonment in those loathsome and pestilential dungeons, that proved the grave of so many brave Americans, my emotions are almost overwhelm.

In enumerating the incidents of the revolution as connected with the history of our State, or the narratives of our heroes, we confess we have presented in a striking point of view, the various cruelties practiced by our political enemies during the revolution. It has been said to the writer of this, "say as little as possible on that head ; it is unchristian to dwell upon the faults of our enemies, and especially of a gallant nation, with whom we are now at peace," and whose sins of that day are doubtless long since repented of; besides, that was comparatively a dark age, christian nations do not conduct the art of war now as they did then. In answer to such suggestions, we must say, we shall take the liberty to use our own judgment ; the advice we have always remarked comes from a questionable source. It has in general come from those whose sentiments we know to be anti-republican, who have always been admirers of British institutions, and in fact, of a despotic form of government, and who often complain that "our own wants energy.'* There are exceptions, persons who really are so christian as to hear with pain even the faults of an enemy exposed, and who really believe what they assert, that were the thing to be tried again, we should receive very different treatment from the hands of our enemies. To such we say, we want evidence. Has the slaughter and burning of St. Eustache, St. Bernoit, and St. Dennis, proved it ? has the hangings and banishments, and confiscations in the Canadas proved it ? We say not, nor are we disposed to attribute the cruelties perpetrating in that region of horrors to the insubordination of British troops. We know it is not the case, we know there is not a nation in Europe where the troops are in such complete subordination, as those of the English. That England was, and is, a christian nation, is an aggravation, a naonstrous one of her guilt. Let us think tor a moment, of the officers of an army who profess the reHgion of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving up a conquered city to pillage and rapine ; of men going to the table of the Lord, sanctioning crimes at which the very heathen would blush ; of ministers and others in authorit}'-, sanctioning the conduct of such officers ; and of a King, or perchance a Virgin Queen, upholding them ; of a woman, aye, and a christian one, too, quietly looking on, and beholding the wives and daughters of her subjects exposed to the insults of her brutal soldiery, because the fathers, or brothers, or husbands, sigh for that liberty which God has made all men to enjoy, since he has made them " free and equal." That there are exceptions, that there are individuals of that and of other despotic nations, who recoil at the idea of such cruelties and monstrous crimes as were once sanctioned in our country, and now are in Canada, we doubt not, but alas ! their solitary aid would nought avail against the arm of power.

The writer of this was recently favored with the perusal of a paragraph in a letter from a British officer in Lower Canada to his wife now residing in the United States. We dared not ask to copy it, but according to the best of our recollection it ran thus :

" Come not here ! Scenes are enacting in this country that no female ought to witness. There is a sickness at heart that almost unmans me, when I think of the cruelties practiced here, which I am not only obliged to witness, but to be almost a partaker in ; that is, obliged to permit my men to commit the most horrible crimes, because I dare not countermand the orders of my superiors. Happy the lot of those unfortunate, though rebellious subjects, who fall by the sword. They cannot live to know that their fireside com- • forts are for ever destroyed.

You have doubtless heard of the massacre at St. Eustache, but the particulars, I venture to say, have never yet been told, in that happy land where you sojourn." 1 recollect something was said about throwing up his commission, but have forgotten what, but as the beautiful and interest, ing young English woman is still in this country, I conclude he has not done so.

These are ungrateful subjects, and we hasten to conteml»late the blessings which the exertions of our brave forefathers procured.

Is there a being insensible of the happiness we derive as a people, from our present form of government ? We may differ in opinion with respect to the merits of rulers, and on minor points of government, but can we cast a glance over our favored land and not exult at the name of American ? Does not our hearts leap within us while we contrast our situation with that of the subjects of despotic governments? All monarchies are more or less so. All the comforts of life are within our reach, and indeed to the industrious and persevering, most of its elegancies. There are no persons poor in these United States, but those who choose to be so. Of the suffering poor (if any such are to be found) nine tenths are made so by intemperance, and the remainder by idleness and wilful improvidence. Labor in our country is so high, that if a man worked only half his time, he might manage to lay up something. And of those who are reduced by sickness and become objects of charity, not one in ten but what might have provided against such calamity by prudent management while in health. It is really matter of curious speculation to think what would be the change and how it would be borne, if our country were suddenly to be brought under a government like that of Great Britain. How would the mechanics, farmers, and laboring classes feel to have the price of labor suddenly reduced to less than one third of what it is now, and half of that third 10 be paid out for taxes upon every thing we could name ; to have a tenth part of one's produce to pay tythes to support a church, though perhaps the very best one that human wisdom ever devised, or that human experience knows any thing about, yet different from the belief of two thirds of the community, and then worse than all, to see the< would-le-nobilitij suddenly become such in reality — him who now but struts his hour upon the stage, exalted to lord It over vassals and dependants, not only through life, but down to remote generations through his descendants. Powers of mercy ! How some of our purse-proud merchants, and corporation men, and insolent, aristocratic and domineering lawyers would look with the star and garter ! If the ungartered leg scarcely deigns to touch the earth now, we may well suppose the gartered one would tread on necks. We just make out to^bear with men who have to condesend now to coax people into quarrels, or whose business obliges them to spend part of their time behind a counter. But it is, as we observed, a curious speculation, how certain persons would appear were tliat necessity removed.

Dreadful has been the struggle to avoid such a slate of things. The great foundation has been successfully laid, and though the warfare is never to cease, though like that between the flesh and the spirit it will endure throughout all time ; yet honored, yea, forever blessed be the memory of those who laid it broad and deep, and laid it in their blood. I pity those who never felt the glow of patriotism, who can stand upon the battle field, where our brave forefathers contended for liberty, and not feel his bosom thrill with intense and irrepressible emotion. Spirits of the martyred dead, of those who fell in our country's cause! I have realized your .presence in those places, as much as I ever did that of my most familiar friend; I have seen your venerable shades move in the rustling trees, and heard your voices in the vv'tispering winds. Often " when evening has poured her Suudows o'er the plain," I have walked forth, to enjoy YO!ir society. From Bunker's Hill to Ticonderoga, and f: m thence to Virginia, I have traced your footsteps. Not a lake, or a river, but what has spoken of your prowess. Not a town, or scarcely a village, but what has something to tell of you. From the source of the mighty Hudson, to the mouth of the Chesapeake, every thing has reminded us of you. Your country is your monument.

It is surprising with how much indifference some people can view the places connected with Revolutionary history ; but there are instances in which even children are moved. I recollect the first time 1 visited Philadelphia, in walking up Chestnut-street, a little lad of only seven years of age, pointed out to me the State-House, from the balcony of which, Jefferson read the Declaration of Independence ; and, said the little fellow, while his eyes sparkled with animation, " The very bell, too, is there, which struck the first note for Liberty /" What a remark for such a child.

It was late when I returned, and my little guide was not with me ; but I could not forbear to look into the house, which, though now soHtary, stood most invitingly open. I looked into the room where the immortal signers of the Declaration of Independence set their seal to that instrument. It was untenanted, and I ventured in. Its spacious vaulted roof, and the antique fashion of the heavy moulding, spoke of ancient times. The last rays of an intensely hot sun yet lingered on the crimson curtains and reflected a mellow light upon the walls, and upon the long table, where the purest, the best, the noblest, and most patriotic company of men the world ever saw, had sat on that momentous occasion. With a heart swelling with unutterable emotion, I stood until the last gleam of day was withdrawn, the shades of twilight were gathering around ; and it was then, that in imagination, the shades of the departed patriots passed in review before me. It was but a dim and shadowy outline, and although I could not paint it like Joel Barlow, I enjoyed the " vision of Columbus.''^ Franklin, Adams, Jefferson, Hancock, and the whole host of worthies were there. A full length statue of Washington, exalted on a pedestal, graces the head of the table, his elbow resting on a book of laws ; the roll of the Constitution in his hand, and tran^.pling under foot the Charter of the Colony. The portraits of William Penn and Lafayette adorn the walls, wh^re it is contemplated to add the six Presidents. My delightful visions were at length disturbed by the entrance of a venerable looking person, who has the care of the house. He seemed somewhat surprised to find a lady standing t'lero alone, but quite delighted with the interest expressed in the scene. The house was, evidently, his idol ; and he was pleased to communicate every thing connected with it. I promised to call again and see the bell, which was engraven with a text, or motto, from the 25th of Leviticus, 10th verse. ^^Prodaim Liberty throughout all the land.^^

We trust these ebulitions of feeling, which to many may appear like digression, will be pardoned. We trust, that though luxury and effeminacy have done much to banish simplicity, it has not so effectually hardened the heart and dulled the senses, that patriotic feeling is utterly contemned. We know that, though from courtesy, persons have been tolerated in decrying our government, and speaking evil of the institutions of liberty, and in some instances have even dared to abuse the {3rivilege of addressing their fellow-citizens on the birth-day of our independence — to do this, without being put out of the house ; yet they have been visited by deserved contempt, and that no man dared raise his voice to apologise for them.

We know it has been quite fashionable among many of the lords of creation, to ridicule every thing like patriotic feeling among women, except at certain seasons, when their services were needed ; and we consider it as one of the remnants of barbarism, that knowledge, education, and refinement, have not yet entirely done away. But at the season of the Revolution, and during our last war, it was found very convenient, not only to refrain from ridiculing, but even to laud and admire it ; but at all other times they have been dubbed as " meddlers with subjects al)ove their comprehension ;" " petticoated politicians," with a host of other illmannerly appellations. For ourselves, we recollect that some of our earliest impressions of this sort, were communicated by females, cotemporary with the heroes of the revolution ; and we have at this moment, a very distinct recollection when a little child, of becoming deeply interested to inquire into the history of our Independence, from the conversation of an old lady of that period. The circumstance that occasioned it, was from my inquiring of her " what the bells were all tolling for." (It was on the reception of the news of the decapitation of Louis XVI.) She was weeping ; but I recollect she took the handkercliief from her face and drawing me tov/ards her, held m}^ little hands in liers, while she answered solemnly —

"My dear, it is for the death of the King of France." " And who" said I, looking up with childish wonder, " who was the King of France ?" She replied, while the big tears stole quietly down her cheeks, " Fle was one of America's best friends. Fle supplied us with money, when v/e needed it, sent us food and raiment and all other conveniences we were suffering for, and men to fight our battles. He became our friend when we had no other ; a friend in need, and now wicked men have cut his head off." And here her tears redoubled. I remember 1 left her, and went to look into the street to see if the men were crying, but to mv surprise, 2* not one appeared different from their usual manner. I saw several females that day and all appeared more or less affected. And though I did not exactly comprehend the services of the French monarch, yet from that time I conceived the highest respect for the feelings and opinions of women on those subjects, and imbibed a feehng of interest in the history of my country, which has never left me from that hour to this. And should the revolutionary tales which from time to time have been before the public, afford half the pleasure in the perusal, they have done in the composition, the writer of these will have nothing more to ask for. Aside from the interruptions, there has been no higher gratification, than when stealing from the world, she has been permitted to trace the history of the departed champions of American Independence.