August 1776 in the American Revolutionary War

Timeline

August 1 — Commodore Peter Parker, with General Henry Clinton and General Charles Cornwallis, arrived in New York to reinforce General William Howe. The British force of 32,000 men, including 8,000 Hessians under General Leopold von Heister, was the largest ever assembled in North America.

AHC Notes

• Peter Parker (1721–1811) — Parker was a British Admiral who served in the British Navy during the American Revolutionary War. Appointed Commodore in October 1775, he escorted Charles Cornwallis’s transports to America and later worked with Henry Clinton in the attack on Sullivan’s Island on June 28, 1776. He also supported British operations at New York and Rhode Island, commanded the Jamaica Station, backed expeditions to Honduras and Nicaragua, received a baronetcy in 1783, and later rose to Admiral of the Fleet.
• Henry Clinton (1730–1795) — Clinton was a British soldier and General during the American Revolutionary War. He was placed in command of British forces in 1778. Despite early success, he was unable to defeat American forces, which led to the Surrender at Yorktown in October 1781.
• Charles Cornwallis (1738–1805) — Cornwallis was a British officer during the American Revolutionary War who led several successful campaigns but ultimately surrendered to American and French forces at Yorktown on October 19, 1781, effectively ending major fighting. Despite this defeat, Cornwallis maintained political influence and later served as the Governor General of India and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.
• Leopold Philip von Heister (1707–1777) — Heister was a Hessian Commander-in-Chief who served during the American Revolutionary War. He led Hessian troops at the Battle of Long Island (1776) and the Battle of White Plains (1776) before disagreements with General William Howe and the American victory in the Battle of Trenton (1776) led to his recall in 1777.

August 1 — Battle of Seneca Town

Seneca Town, South Carolina — Major Andrew Williamson and 330 South Carolina Militia were ambushed by 1,200 Cherokee led by Loyalist Alexander Cameron at Seneca. Williamson was saved by another Patriot contingent led by Colonel Andrew Pickens, who drove the Cherokee away. The Americans regrouped and attacked the deserted settlement at Esseneca Town (Seneca Ford), South Carolina, burning houses and stored corn. The Americans suffered three killed and 14 wounded, including Francis Salvador, who was the first Jew elected to a legislature in the New World and the first of his faith to fall in defense of the Patriot Cause.

AHC Notes

• Andrew Williamson (1730–1786) — Williamson was a South Carolina Militia Officer who supported the Patriot Cause during the early years of the American Revolutionary War. He fought in the Battle of Ninety Six (Savage’s Old Fields), participated in the “Snow Campaign,” and served in South Carolina’s Provincial Congresses and Assembly. After surrendering to the British, he encouraged former followers to give up the fight, faced accusations of treason, and had his property confiscated before General Nathanael Greene reported that he had passed information to the Americans.
• Andrew Pickens (1739–1817) — Pickens was a prominent South Carolina militia officer during the American Revolutionary War. He fought in early frontier conflicts and played key roles at battles such as Ninety Six, Kettle Creek, and Cowpens. Known for his leadership in guerrilla warfare with Francis Marion and Thomas Sumter, Pickens also served in the state and national legislatures after the war. His military and political service helped shape South Carolina’s early history and relations with Native American Indian nations on the western frontier.

August 2 — The Declaration of Independence was formally signed by members of Congress.

August 3 — Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Tupper led five American galleys in an unsuccessful attack on HMS Phoenix and Rose, which were anchored off Tappan Zee, New York.

AHC Notes

• Benjamin Tupper (1738–1792) — Tupper served in the French and Indian War (1754–1763) and was a militia officer in Chesterfield. He participated in several raids during the Siege of Boston. Afterward, he saw action in New York and Rhode Island and was at Valley Forge. He fought at Monmouth Courthouse and then served at West Point. Following the war, he helped defend Springfield during Shays’ Rebellion (1786–1787). He helped form the Ohio Company of Associates and led the first settlers to Marietta, Ohio.

August 4 — American militia under Major Andrew Williamson attacked and burned Cherokee settlements at Sugar Town, Soconee, and Keowee, South Carolina, then destroyed six more villages over the next eight days.

August 5 — General Nathanael Greene wrote to General Washington, advising him that New York City was probably indefensible and ought to be burned down to deprive the British of a useful port.

AHC Notes

• Nathanael Greene (1742–1786) — Greene was an officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He was one of George Washington’s most trusted officers and led American forces to a strategic victory in the Southern Campaign.
• George Washington (1732–1799) — Washington led the Continental Army to victory over the British in the American Revolutionary War. Afterward, he presided over the Philadelphia Convention that produced the United States Constitution. Washington was then elected as the first President of the United States and served two terms. He is often referred to as the “Father of Our Country” for his role in establishing the United States as an independent republic.

August 7 — Lord North’s Turtles

Portsmouth, New Hampshire — The American privateer Hancock, under the command of Captain Wingate Newman, captured the British transport HMS Reward and brought it into Portsmouth, New Hampshire, as a prize, which included a shipment of turtles intended for Prime Minister Frederick North. The following article appeared in the Pennsylvania Evening Post on August 20, 1776.

This day was carried into Portsmouth, New Hampshire, by the Hancock privateer, which sailed from Philadelphia, a large three-decked ship, named the Reward, of between five and six hundred tons burden. She was a twenty-gun ship last war, in the service of the British King. She was from Tortola, bound to London, and had on board between ten and eleven hundred hogsheads of sugar, eighty-six hogsheads of rum, twelve bales of cotton, and nine cannon, some of them brass. There were on board the ship a number of turtles, directed to Lord North, with his name cut in the shell, the best of which Captain Wingate Newman, master of the privateer, is determined to send to the Honorable John Hancock.

AHC Notes

• Frederick North (1732–1792) —  The 2nd Earl of Guilford. Lord North served as British Prime Minister (1770–1782) for most of the American Revolutionary War. He supported measures like the Intolerable Acts, which intensified colonial resistance.
• John Hancock (1737–1793) — A leader of the Patriot Cause in Massachusetts, President of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress, and President of the Second Continental Congress. He was also aligned with the Sons of Liberty. Hancock is widely regarded as one of the wealthiest men in the colonies.

August 7 — Bridgetown, New Jersey, Declares Independence

Bridgetown, New Jersey — The committee of inspection for the county of Cumberland, in the State of New Jersey, the officers of the militia, and a great number of other inhabitants, having met at Bridgetown, went in procession to the Bridgetown, court-house, where the declaration of independency, the constitution of New Jersey, and treason ordinance, were publicly read, and unanimously approved of. These were followed with a spirited address by Doctor Elmer, chairman of the committee, after which the peace officers’ staves, on which were depicted the King’s coat-of-arms, with other ensigns of royalty, were burnt in the street. The whole was conducted with the greatest decency and regularity.

The following is the substance of the before mentioned address: “Gentlemen of the Committee, Officers of the Militia, and Gentlemen Spectators: — From what has now been read, you see the long wished for, but much dreaded period has arrived, in which the connection between Great Britain and America is totally dissolved, and these colonies declared free and independent states. As this is an event of the greatest importance, it must afford satisfaction to every intelligent person to reflect that it was brought about by unavoidable necessity on our part, and has been conducted with a prudence and moderation becoming the wisest and best of men.

With the independency of the American States, a new era in politics has commenced. Every consideration respecting the propriety or impropriety of a separation from Britain, is now entirely out of the question, and we have now no more to do with the King and people of England, than we have with the King and people of France or Spain. No people under heaven were ever favored with a fairer opportunity of laying a sure foundation for future grandeur and happiness than we. The plan of government established in most states and kingdoms of the world, has been the elfect of chance or necessity; ours of sober reason and cool deliberation. Our future happiness or misery, therefore, as a people, will depend entirely upon ourselves. If actuated by principles of virtue and genuine patriotism, we make the welfare of our country the sole aim of all our actions; if we intrust none but persons of ability and integrity with the management of our public affairs; if we carefully guard against corruption and undue influence in the several departments of government; if we are steady and zealous in putting the laws in strict execution, the spirit and principles of our new constitution, which we have just now heard read, may be preserved for a long time: but if faction and party spirit, the destruction of popular governments, take place, anarchy and confusion will soon ensue, and we shall either fall an easy prey to a foreign enemy, or some factious and aspiring demagogue possessed of popular talents and shining qualities. A Julius Caesar, or an Oliver Cromwell, will spring up among ourselves, who, taking advantage of our political animosities, will lay violent hands on the government, and sacrifice the liberties of his country to his own ambitious and domineering humor. God grant that neither of these may ever be the unhappy fate of this, or any of the United States! To prevent which, while we are striving to defend ourselves against the unjust encroachments of a foreign and unnatural enemy, let us not neglect to keep a strict and jealous eye over our internal police and constitution. Let the fate of Greece, Rome, Carthage, and Great Britain warn us of our danger; and the loss of liberty in all those states, for want of timely guarding against the introduction of tyranny and usurpation, be a standing admonition to us, to avoid the rock on which they have all shipwrecked.

Let us, as honest citizens and sincere lovers of our country, exert ourselves in the defence of our state, and in support of our new constitution; but, while we strive to vindicate the glorious cause of liberty, on the one hand, let us on the other hand, carefully guard against running into the contrary extreme of disorder and licentiousness.

In our present situation engaged in a bloody and dangerous war with the power of Great Britain, for the defence of our lives, our liberties, our property, and every thing that is dear and valuable; every member of this state, who enjoys the benefits of its civil government, is absolutely bound, by the immutable law of self-preservation, the laws of God and of society, to assist in protecting and defending it. This is so plain and self-evident a proposition, that I am persuaded every person here present makes it the rule of his conduct on all occasions; and consequently, in a time of such imminent danger, will be extremely careful, at our ensuing election, not to trust any one with the management of our public affairs, who has not, by his vigilance and activity in the cause of liberty, proved himself to be a true friend to his country. The success, gentlemen, of our present glorious struggle wholly depends upon this single circumstance. For, though the situation and extent of the United States of America, and our numberless internal resources, are sufficient to enable us to bid defiance to all Europe; yet should we be so careless about our own safety, as to intrust the aflairs of our state, while the bayonet is pointed at our breasts, to persons whose conduct discovers them to be enemies to their country, or whose religious principles will not suffer them to lift a hand for our defence, our ruin will inevitably follow.

As it is impossible for any one, possessed of the spirit of a man, who is a friend to the United States, and whose conscience does not furnish him with an excuse, to stand by, an idle spectator, while his country is struggling and bleeding in her own necessary defence; all such inactive persons ought, therefore, to be shunned as enemies or despised as cowards. And as I have reason to believe that many who plead conscience as an excuse, are sincere in their pretensions, and as every man’s conscience ought to be free from compulsion, this single consideration should restrain us from forcing such into any of the departments of government. For to put such persons, at this time, in places of public trust, is actually to deprive them of liberty of conscience; for we thereby compel them either to betray the trust reposed in them, or to act contrary to the dictates of their own consciences. A dilemma in which, act as they will, their conduct must be criminal. Besides, if we consulted only our own safety, it is plain, that to intrust the affairs of our government, at this juncture, to such people, is as dangerous as to intrust the management of a ship in a violent storm, to an infant, or an idiot.

As a friend to my country and a lover of liberty, I thought it my duty to address you on this occasion, and having now, as a faithful member of society, discharged my duty, I shall leave you to the exercise of your own judgment, and conclude with a request, that you would conduct yourselves this day in such a manner as to convince the public that your abhorrence of the cruel and bloody Nero of Britain, and his despicable minions of tyranny and oppression, arises, not from the mere impulse of blind passion and prejudice, but from sober reason and reflection; and while we rejoice in being formally emancipated from our haughty and imperious Task-masters, let us remember, that the final termination of this grand event is not likely to be brought about without shedding the blood of many of our dear friends and countrymen.” — Pennsylvania Journal (August 28, 1776).

August 8 — American militia under Major Andrew Williamson defeated the Cherokee at Oconore, South Carolina.

August 10 — Colonel Andrew Pickens and his men defeated Cherokee warriors near Tugaloo, South Carolina. Pickens proceeded to destroy the Cherokee towns of Tugaloo and Estatoe.

August 12 — Savannah, Georgia, Declares Independence

Savannah, Georgia — At Savannah, in Georgia, a declaration being received from the honorable John Hancock, Esq., by which it appeared that the Continental Congress, in the name and by the authority of their constituents, had declared that the United Colonies of North America are, and of right ought to be, Free and Independent States, and absolved from all allegiance to the British crown, his Excellency the President, and the honorable the council, met in the council chamber and read the Declaration.

They then proceeded to the square before the assembly house, and read it to a great concourse of people, when the grenadier and light infantry companies fired a general volley. After this they proceeded in the following procession to the liberty pole: The grenadiers in front; the provost-marshal, on horseback, with his sword drawn; the secretary, with the Declaration; his Excellency the President; the honorable the council, and the gentlemen attending; then the light infantry and the rest of the militia of the town and district of Savannah.

At the liberty pole, they were met by the Georgia battalion, who, after the reading of the Declaration, discharged their fieldpieces and fired in platoons. Upon this, they proceeded to the battery at the trustee’s gardens, where the Declaration was read for the last time, and the cannon of the battery discharged.

His Excellency and council, Colonel Lachlan McIntosh, and other gentlemen, with the militia, dined under the cedar trees, and cheerfully drank to the United, Free, and Independent States of America. In the evening, the town was illuminated, and there was exhibited a very solemn funeral procession, attended by the grenadier and light infantry companies, and other militia, with their drums muffled, and fifes, and a greater number of people than ever appeared on any occasion before, in that province, when George the Third was interred before the court-house in the following manner:

“Forasmuch as George the Third, of Great Britain, hath most flagrantly violated his coronation oath, and trampled on the constitution of our country, and the sacred rights of mankind: we, therefore, commit his political existence to the ground — corruption to corruption — tyranny to the grave — and oppression to eternal infamy, in sure and certain hope that he will never obtain a resurrection, to rule again over these United States of America. But, my friends and fellow-citizens, let us not be sorry, as men without hope, for Tyrants that thus depart — rather let us remember that America is free and independent; that she is, and will be, with the blessing of the Almighty, great among the nations of the earth. Let this encourage us in well-doing, to fight for our rights and privileges, for our wives and children, for all that is near and dear unto us. May God give his blessing, and let all the people say Amen.” — Pennsylvania Evening Post (October 8, 1776).

AHC Notes

• Lachlan McIntosh (1725–1806) — McIntosh was a Georgia Patriot and Continental Army officer during the American Revolution. He helped defend Georgia from British attack, led operations against Loyalists in East Florida, served under General George Washington at Valley Forge, commanded the Western Department, and later fought in the Siege of Charleston. McIntosh became involved in political struggles in Georgia, where rivals accused him of disloyalty, but the Continental Congress cleared him of all charges.

August 12 — Congress encouraged desertions from the British Army by granting free land as a bounty.

August 12 — The Ring Fight

Lower Town, South Carolina — Andrew Pickens and his men were on a scouting mission when they were ambushed by an estimated 200 Cherokee near Lower Town. Pickens organized his men into two defensive circles, protected by high grass, and ordered them to fire in relays until relieved by troops under his brother, Joseph Pickens. This battle is known as “The Ring Fight.”

August 12 — Battle of Tamasee

Tamasee, South Carolina — Major Andrew Williamson and his troops attacked and defeated a large party of Cherokee near Tamassee, South Carolina. Williamson proceeded to burn several towns, including Chehohee and Eustash.

August 15 — Battle of Roanoke Inlet

Roanoke Inlet, North Carolina — A British foraging expedition landed near Roanoke Inlet, North Carolina. They were seen by Captain Dennis Dauge, who led his independent militia company in an attack on the expedition. The Americans inflicted heavy casualties on the British and took many of them as prisoners.

August 16 — Admiral Richard Howe, writing from his flagship HMS Eagle off Staten Island, New York, contacted his friend Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia, informing him of his authority to conduct peace negotiations.

AHC Notes

• Richard Howe (1726–1799) — Howe was an Admiral in the British Royal Navy and commanded the British Royal Navy’s North American Station during the American Revolutionary War from 1776 to 1778. He is often criticized for failing to take advantage of situations that may have ended the war as early as 1776. Following the British defeat during the Saratoga Campaign, he resigned his commission. Before returning to England, Howe briefly engaged the French fleet at the Battle of Rhode Island. One of his brothers was General William Howe.
• Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) — Franklin was a writer, printer, civic leader, statesman, diplomat, scientist, and inventor. Born in Boston, he became a prominent printer and newspaper owner in Philadelphia, published Poor Richard’s Almanac, and helped found important civic institutions. He supported colonial union, opposed British taxes, assisted in drafting the Declaration of Independence, secured French support during the American Revolution, helped conclude the Paris Peace Treaty of 1783, and served in the Constitutional Convention.

August 16 — Battle on the Hudson River

Tappan Zee, New York — American forces used fire rafts to attack HMS Phoenix at Tappan Zee, New York; the tactic failed but convinced the British ships to sail back down the Hudson River. This account of the battle was printed in the Pennsylvania Evening Post on August 20, 1776.

Last Friday, two fire-ships, commanded by Captains Fosdyke and Thomas, gentlemen volunteers of rank, proceeded up the North River with intent to give a suitable warming to those piratical gentry that have infested it since the 12th of July last.

The night was dark and favorable to the design, and the enemy did not perceive our vessels till they were near aboard of them. Captain Fosdyke grappled the Phoenix, but the fire not communicating so soon as was expected, she disentangled herself in about twenty minutes, after sustaining considerable damage in her rigging. 

Captain Thomas fell on board one of the tenders, which was soon consumed, and we are truly sorry to inform the public this intrepid commander is yet missing. 

This gallant enterprise struck so great a panic upon the enemy, that they thought it prudent to quit their stations; and yesterday, taking advantage of a fresh wind at S.E., attended with considerable rain, they run the gauntlet, through a great number of well-directed shots from our batteries in and near New York, which no doubt must have damaged them much.

Our galleys played smartly, and followed the ships a considerable distance into the bay. The enemy’s fire seemed to be mostly directed upon the city, as the tops of the houses were crowded with spectators; but very little damage was done to the buildings, nor any lives lost upon the occasion.

August 17 — Report from the British Camp on Staten Island

Staten Island, New York — A gentleman who lately escaped from New York, and joined the army on Staten Island says: — “Every means of defence has been concerted to secure the city and whole island of New York from an attack of the royal army. Should General Howe succeed in that enterprise, his antagonist, Mr. Washington, has provided a magazine of pitch, tar, and combustibles, to burn the city before he shall retreat from his present station. 

The numbers of his men are daily diminishing; they desert in large bodies, are sickly, filthy, divided, and unruly. Putrid disorders, the smallpox in particular, have carried off great numbers. When I left the city, there were six thousand in their hospitals, to which use they have devoted King’s College.

John Morin Scott is appointed Governor of New York, and Samuel Tucker, a cordwainer of Trenton, is exalted to that rank in New Jersey. The persecution of the loyalists continues unremitted. Donald McLean, Theophilus Hardenbrook, young Fueter, the silversmith, and Rem Rapelje have been cruelly rode on rails, a practice inost painful, dangerous, and, till now, peculiar to the humane republicans of New England. Mr. John Rapelje, of Brooklyn, and Mr. James Coggeshal, have been seized on their way to join General Howe, with a quantity of sheep in their possession; however, the latter afterwards escaped, and found means to carry a number of fat wethers to the army.

Mr. John Foxcroft, postmaster-general, Mr. Dashwood, Mr. Smith Eamage, Messrs. Hugh and Alexander Wallace, and Mr. Abraham Lott, the treasurer, are committed to gaol, having refused to take an oath of allegiance to the Congress; in short, every one suspected of an hostile disposition to that body, are disarmed and conducted into a d—nable durance, which was the case of the venerable chief justice Horsmanden, who, at eighty, was hurried into the countiy by a party of ruffians; but he proved so troublesome on the journey, that they chose to leave him on the road, without performing the injunctions of their demagogues.

Frequent have been the messages from General Howe to Mr. Washington, and Colonel Patterson has also been repeatedly in conference with the latter; but it seems that Mr. Washington’s ultimatum was, that he would hearken to no propositions from the British commissioners. The Phoenix and Rose, men-of-war, have passed up the North River about twenty-four miles, where they were attacked by row galleys and floating batteries, all which they either burnt or sunk, with a vast number of men. It was a dangerous service, and to the honor of Captain Hyde Parker and Captain James Wallace, most intrepidly and effectively performed. They are just returned, having expended all their ammunition.

On my arrival in General Howe’s camp, I found Mr. Cortlandt Skinner appointed colonel, and Mr. John Morris, late of the 47th regiment, lieutenant-colonel of a corps consisting of fifteen hundred loyal Americans, and Major Rogers, the famous partisan in the last war, colonel of a corps of rangers. 

The Hessians arrived here on the 12th instant, full of health and ardor for immediate service. The guards, on their arrival, were ordered to land and refresh themselves after a tedious voyage, but they desired to be led on directly to action, in resentment of the atrocious insults to their King and country. Their impatience was beyond expressing, when they were told of some indignities lately offered to the statue of their royal sovereign in New York. 

I find the whole British army is now increased to between twenty-four and twenty-five thousand men, and not more than one hundred sick and disabled men among them.

Some people, lately arrived here from Philadelphia, tell us that Mr. J. Dickinson is employed by the Congress in digesting a code of laws for the United States of America. We are informed that Mr. John Alsop, one of the New York delegates, has escaped from the Congress, and is on Long Island, on his way to join General Howe. Dr. Peter Middleton, Mr. Theophilus Bache, Mr. Philip John Livingstone, sheriff of Duchess County, Mr. John Watts, jun., recorder of New York, Mr. Augustus Van Cortlandt, and Messrs. Robert and Samuel Auchmuty, are lately arrived in this island, having narrowly escaped from their pursuers.

Lady Johnson is seized by order of General Schuyler, by way of reprisal for Sir John, her husband, who has taken an active and loyal part, at the head of his faithful Mohawks. These have declared that, should the least injury be done to her, they would desolate and extirpate every person and property belonging to this same general.

A person just escaped from New York informs us, that there is again a fresh hunt for the friends of government, who are called Tories, and that Mr. Augustus Van Horne, Mr. Vincent Pearce Ashfield, Captain Haradd, Mr. John Roome, jun., Mr. John Stone Fairholme, and Captain Turnbull, late of the Royal Americans, are made prisoners; Captain Archibald Kennedy, of the royal navy, is confined in Morristown, and Governor Franklin, accompanied by that merry heart, David Mathews, Mayor of New York, now under sentence of death for eminent proofs of loyalty to his King and the old constitution, are removed into Connecticut government for the better security of their persons.

Early this morning a petiaugre, with sixteen of the provincial soldiers, completely armed, arrived here. They found means to desert to us, and have each man received £3 currency for their firelocks; the general has disposed of them on board the men-of-war, to act as marines. Five guineas a man is given for recruits, who daily enter in great numbers.

We are told by persons escaped from Jersey, that Lord Stirling, who commanded and was reconnoitering at Amboy, was killed by a cannon ball from our batteries, and that he was buried at that place.

Colonel Guy Johnson is arrived here from England. On the passage in a Halifax packet, a privateer engaged her; but after Captain Boulderson had gallantly defended his ship three glasses, the adventurer ended the contest by a retreat. On this occasion, Dr. Constable received a wound, but is likely to do well. 

The episcopal churches in New York are all shut up, the prayer books burned, and the ministers scattered abroad in this and neighboring provinces.

It is now the Puritans’ high holiday season, and they enjoy it with rapture all over the continent. Their behavior exactly assimilates the manners of the king-killing tribe during the English grand rebellion, but perhaps they may soon find an alteration in their spirits, from the execution of a plan for a general attack of the island of New York, &c., for which preparations are now making. 

The whole army is on shipboard; General Clinton with the guards, Highlanders, and some other troops, is to land and attack the enemy’s posts on Long Island. Lord Cornwallis is on the point of departure, with a considerable detachment of troops, round Long Island, and to land at New Rochell, near West Chester; and General Howe, with the main body of the army, to proceed up the North River, and make a descent into West Chester county, as nearly opposite as possible to the place where Lord Cornwallis may secure a landing. Should General Howe succeed in this arrangement, it will be difficult for Mr. Washington to move from the island of New York, so that a general engagement may be expected.

We fancy that several days will elapse before the attack is made, to give time for Lord Cornwallis to get into the Sound, before General Howe attempts his landing in West Chester County. It is said that Mr. Washington’s magazines are all in Cortlandt’s Manor, and to get possession of them must, surely, be an object of General Howe’s serious attention, and an additional inducement to attempt a landing in the rear of the provincial forces. — extract of a letter from Staten Island.

August 17 — Charles Lee and Henry Clinton

Charleston, South Carolina — A correspondent wishes some able hand would undertake to describe General Lee’s march from Boston to Charleston, and would point out the remarkable circumstances of his meeting General Clinton at New York the day he arrived there; of his finding him in Hampton Road when he came to Virginia; if Clinton’s leaving Cape Fear just after his arrival in North Carolina; and of his unlucky meeting at Fort Sullivan. The world must have a high opinion of General Lee’s activity and vigilance when they read of his march of more than eleven hundred miles and of the circumstances attending it throughout; and Clinton himself must look on General Lee as his evil genius, thus haunting hun along a coast of such vast extent and meeting him at last in Philippi. — Pennsylvania Evening Post (September 3, 1776).

AHC Notes

• Charles Lee (1732–1782) — Lee was an officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He helped defend Charleston during the American victory at the Battle of Sullivan’s Island but fell out of favor with George Washington. Lee was critical of Washington, tried to help the British win the war, and was then relieved of command during the Battle of Monmouth.

August 20 — Congress ordered printed copies of the Articles of Confederation for circulation.

August 20 — General Nathanael Greene, commanding American forces on Long Island and suffering from illness, was replaced by General John Sullivan.

AHC Notes

• John Sullivan (1740–1795) — Sullivan was a politician and soldier from New Hampshire who served as an officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. Sullivan served under General George Washington in several major campaigns and led the 1779 campaign against the Iroquois in New York, known as “Sullivan’s Expedition.” Following the war, he served as the Governor of New Hampshire and as a U.S. district judge.

August 21 — A Violent Thunderstorm Strikes New York

New York City, New York — This night, we have reason to expect the grand attack from our barbarian enemies; the reasons why follow: 

The night before last, a lad went over to Staten Island, supped there with a friend, and got safe back again undiscovered. Soon after he went to General Washington, and upon good authority reported, that the English army, amounting to fifteen or twenty thousand, had embarked and were in readiness for an engagement; that seven ships of the line, and a number of other vessels of war, were to surround this city and cover their landing; that the Hessians, being fifteen thousand, were to remain on the island and attack Perth Amboy, Elizabethtown Point, and Bergen, while the main body were doing their best at New York; that the Highlanders expected America was already conquered, and that they were only to come over and settle on our lands, for which reason they had brought their churns, ploughs, &c; being deceived, they had refused fighting, upon which account General Howe had shot one, hung five or six, and flogged many.

Last evening, in a violent thunderstorm, Mr. — (a very intelligent person) ventured over. He brings much the same account as the above lad, with this addition: — that all the horses on the island were by Howe’s orders killed, barrelled up, and put on board — the wretches thinking they could get no landing at New York, and of consequence be soon out of provision; that the Tories were used cruelly, and with the Highlanders were compelled to go on board the ships to fight in the character of common soldiers against us. The British army are prodigiously incensed against the Tories, and curse them as the instruments of the war now raging. 

Mr. — further informs that last night the fleet was to come up, but the thunderstorm prevented. The truth of this appears from the circumstance of about three thousand red coats landing at ten o’clock this morning on Long Island, where by this time it is supposed our people are hard at it. 

There is an abundance of smoke today on Long Island, our folks having set fire to stacks of hay, &c., to prevent the enemy’s being benefited in case they get any advantage against us. All the troops in New York are in high spirits, and have been under arms most of the day, as the fleet have been in motion, and are now, as is generally thought, only waiting for a change of tide. Forty-eight hours or less will determine it as to New York, one way or the other.

The thunderstorm of last evening was one of the most dreadful we ever witnessed; it lasted from seven to ten o’clock. Several claps struck in and about New York. Many houses were damaged, and several lives lost. 

Three officers, a captain and two lieutenants, belonging to Colonel McDougal’s regiment, were struck instantly dead. The points of their swords, for several inches, were melted, with a few silver dollars they had in their pockets; they (the persons) were seemingly roasted. A dog in the same tent was also killed, and a soldier near it struck blind, deaf, and dumb. One in the main street was killed, as likewise ten on Long Island. Two or three were much burnt, and greatly hurt. “When God speaks, who can but fear?” — Pennsylvania Journal (August 27, 1776).

August 21–October 8 — Captain John Paul Jones and the 12-gun sloop Providence departed Delaware, capturing 16 prizes over the next three months.

AHC Notes

• John Paul Jones (1747–1792) — Jones was an American naval commander during the American Revolutionary War who is often referred to as the “Father of the American Navy.” Jones is known for his daring leadership and victory over HMS Serapis in 1779, and his statement, “I have not yet begun to fight!” 

August 22 — British Troops Land on Long Island

Long Island, New York — General William Howe landed 8,000 troops at Gravesend Bay, Long Island, and advanced inland. General George Washington countered by deploying six additional regiments on Brooklyn Heights, while General William Heath in northern Manhattan made preparations to march south with reinforcements if necessary.

This report of the British landing was printed in the Freeman’s Journal on September 7, 1776:

Tuesday last, a number of ships with troops on board sailed from Staten Island out of the Narrows; next day they were followed by many more, and about ten o’clock Thursday morning, about ten thousand men landed between New Utrecht and Gravesend, on Long Island. 

Friday, a party of them came and took possession of Flatbush, which immediately brought on a very hot fire from the Americans, who are advantageously posted in the woods, and on every eminence round that place.

The advanced party of the regulars are encamped a little to the north-west of Flatbush church, and have a battery somewhat to the westward of Mr. Jeremiah Vanderbilt’s, from whence they continue to fire briskly on our people, who often approach and discharge their rifles within two hundred yards of their works. 

We have had only four men wounded since the enemy landed, but we were certain many of them fell, and a Hessian was killed last Friday. Several dollars were found in his pocket, and he had an excellent rifle. Many of the regulars are in rifle dresses.

August 23 — American forces under Colonel Edward Hand skirmished with Hessian troops commanded by Colonel Karl von Donop at Bedford Pass, Long Island, and were forced to withdraw.

AHC Notes

• Edward Hand (1744–1802) — Hand was a physician and Continental Army officer during the American Revolutionary War. He commanded troops at Long Island, White Plains, and during the New Jersey Campaign, where his delaying action helped make the American victory at Princeton possible. Promoted to Brigadier General in 1777, he later served on the Western Frontier, participated in Sullivan’s Expedition, and became General George Washington’s Adjutant General.

August 24 — General Israel Putnam replaced General John Sullivan as commander of troops on Long Island as the Americans braced for a British attack on Brooklyn Heights. The newly arrived Putnam, unfortunately, knew little about the area’s topography.

AHC Notes

• Israel Putnam (1718–1790) — Putnam was a military veteran who was affectionately known as “Old Put.” He served bravely at the Battle of Bunker Hill, but fell out of favor with George Washington after he failed against British forces in New York and Philadelphia

August 24 — General Benedict Arnold, having assembled a collection of schooners, sloops, and gondolas, sailed from Crown Point to engage a British fleet bearing south on Lake Champlain.

AHC Notes

• Benedict Arnold (1741–1801) — Arnold was an officer who rose to prominence for his bold leadership in battles such as Quebec, Valcour Island, and Saratoga. Despite his military talent, Arnold was driven by personal grievances and ambition that put him at odds with many of his contemporaries. Feeling slighted by the Patriot Cause, Arnold famously committed treason in 1780 when he tried to turn West Point over to the British. After the plot was discovered, Arnold defected, received a commission in the British Army, and led raids in Connecticut and Virginia. Following the war, he moved to England, where he struggled as a merchant.

August 25 — Fishkill Tea Party

Fishkill, New York — Yesterday, a number of women belonging to Fishkill, in Duchess County. New York, collected together in order to purchase some tea of Alderman Lefferts, of New York, as he had a large quantity of it there, which he sent up last fall, to make a prey of the friends of the United States by asking a most exorbitant price for the same. 

Three gentlemen passing by the house where they were assembled, the ladies saw them, sallied out from the house, and entreated them, in the most humble manner, to assist them. The gentlemen, refusing to assist, obliged the ladies to use means of force. 

After confining the gentlemen under guard, they proceeded to the choice of a committee of ladies, and chose three, and then chose a clerk and weigher. They then proceeded to open the boxes, and served out the same, and received six shillings for each pound, which the lady committee intended to remit to the general committee of the county.

The ladies offered for the tea, nine shillings per pound before they made the seizure, but upon Mr. Lefl’erts’ refusing, they told him he must then take up with the continental price. The quantity taken was two boxes. Mrs. L____s hoped that none of the relations would assist in the mob, but the persons she mentioned were the first in fact. — Constitutional Gazette (August 26, 1776).

August 25 — General William Howe landed two Hessian brigades under General Leopold von Heister on Long Island as reinforcements and marched toward Flatbush. General Washington also rushed additional troops, bringing the defenders of Long Island to 19,000 men; however, only 9,000 were in the lines facing Howe.

AHC Notes

• William Howe (1729–1814) — A veteran of the French and Indian War, Howe was a cautious yet skilled British officer. He succeeded Thomas Gage as commander-in-chief of British forces in North America in 1775. He held overall command of forces during the New York Campaign, the New Jersey Campaign, and most of the Philadelphia Campaign, before being replaced by General Henry Clinton. Although he captured Philadelphia in 1777, his cautious strategy and failure to coordinate with General John Burgoyne during the Saratoga Campaign contributed to the survival of General George Washington’s Army and the American war effort. One of his brothers was Admiral Richard Howe.

August 26 — General Washington assumed command of American forces on Long Island and reinforced Brooklyn Heights with new troops and fortifications. General Howe observed a gap in the American lines at Valley Grove (Jamaica Pass) and that evening sent 10,000 men under General Henry Clinton and Colonel Hugh Percy to turn the left flank of Washington’s forces. Advancing in the night, they skirmished with a small contingent of troops posted there, killing two and wounding three, but their presence otherwise went unnoticed.

AHC Notes

• Hugh Percy (1742–1817) — Percy was a British officer who is most famous for leading the British expedition from Lexington to Boston during the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775.

August 27 — The Battle of Long Island 

Long Island, New York — The Battle of Long Island commenced as General James Grant launched a large diversionary attack upon the American right. 

The main British column under General Henry Clinton turned the American left at Jamaica Pass and took the division of General John Sullivan from behind. 

• Sullivan was captured while leading a small party of soldiers forward to reconnoiter. 
• His men scattered as the British started rolling up their line. 

A large diversionary attack was launched against the American center by General Leopold von Heister to pin down the remaining troops. 

• General William Alexander fought well and repelled several determined attacks until he was also surprised from behind by a force under Clinton and captured. 

The surviving Americans scampered back to the defenses at Brooklyn Heights and braced for the final assault. General Howe inexplicably stopped pursuing the fleeing Americans and commenced siege operations.

This brief account of the battle was printed in the Pennsylvania Journal on September 11, 1776:

Another account of this action is given as follows: — The great, the important day, big with the fate of America and liberty, seems to draw near. The British troops began to land on Long Island last Thursday, nearly their whole force, supposed to be more than twenty thousand British and foreign troops. They marched through the small town of Utrecht, on their way to Flatbush, another town about five miles from New York, near which they encamped, but were much harassed by our riflemen. Scouting parties were sent from our army to the adjacent woods, but were rather scanty in their numbers, considering the extent of ground they had to guard. The British forces, in three divisions, taking three different roads, and the advantage of the night, almost surrounded the whole of our out parties, who, though encircled with more than treble their numbers, bravely fought their way through the enemy, killing great numbers of them, and brought off some prisoners. The New York first battalion behaved with great bravery. Lord Stirling’s brigade sustained the hottest of the enemy’s fire; it consisted of Colonel Miles’s two battalions. Colonel Atlee’s, Colonel Smallwood’s, and Colonel Hatch’s regiments; they were all surrounded by the enemy and had to fight their way through the blaze of their fire — they fought and fell like Romans! Lieutenant-Colonel Parry, of the Pennsylvania musketry, was shot through the head as he was giving orders to and animating his men. The major part of Colonel Atlee’s and Colonel Piper’s regiments are missing. Doctor Davis and his mate were both taken prisoners as they were dressing a wounded person in the woods. Colonel Miles is missing (a truly amiable character) and supposed to be slain. General Parsons, with seven men, came in yesterday morning much fatigued, being for ten hours in the utmost danger of falling into the enemy’s hands. Our killed, wounded, and missing are imagined to be about one thousand; but for our encouragement, the missing are hourly coming in. Our outguards have retreated to the main body of the army within the lines. The British army have two encampments about a mile from our lines, and by their maneuvers ‘tis plain they mean to attack us by surprise, and storm our intrenchments. Our men show the greatest bravery, and wish them to come to action. The firirg continued yesterday all the day.

AHC Notes

• James Grant (1720–1806) — Grant was a British officer who led troops in the French and Indian War and the American Revolutionary War. He is most well-known for leading a campaign against the Cherokee in 1761, claiming that he could subdue the colonies with only 5,000 soldiers, and for being in command of New Jersey outposts during the American victories at Trenton and Princeton.
• William Alexander (1726–1783) — Alexander was a Major General in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He rose to prominence for his brave defense of the American retreat at the Battle of Long Island and helped expose the Conway Cabal. He referred to himself as the Right Honorable William, Earl of Stirling, or Lord Stirling, because he believed he was the rightful heir to the title.

August 27 — Captain John Paul Jones on the 12-gun sloop Providence captured the British brig Britannia.

August 28 — Battle of Jamaica

Long Island, New York — General William Erskine took 700 British troops and overwhelmed a 100-man detachment of New York militia under General Nathaniel Woodhull at Jamaica, on the east side of Long Island.

AHC Notes

• William Erskine (1728–1795) — Erskine was a British officer who served in the American Revolutionary War. He commanded troops during the Battle of Long Island (1776), the Philadelphia Campaign, and the Operations in the Northern Theater that followed the Battle of Monmouth (1778).
• Nathaniel Woodhull (1722–1776) — Woodhull was an officer in the New York Militia during the early part of the American Revolutionary War. He was also a politician and served as President of the New York Provincial Congress. During the Battle of Long Island (1776), he was surprised by British forces, wounded, and died soon after.

August 28 — Andrew Williamson and General Griffith Rutherford marched with 2,000 North and South Carolina militiamen to engage the Cherokee in the western mountains.

AHC Notes

• Griffith Rutherford (c. 1721–1805) — Rutherford was an Irish-born North Carolina Patriot who served as a Captain of Militia, Colonel of the Rowan County Militia, and Brigadier General of State Troops during the American Revolutionary War. He led forces against Backcountry Loyalists, commanded troops in the Cherokee War of 1776, supported efforts to defend Georgia, and fought at Camden. Rutherford also served in North Carolina politics and later moved to Tennessee.

August 29–30 — Overnight, American forces evacuated Brooklyn Heights, crossed the East River, and landed on Manhattan Island. They were transported in vessels piloted by Colonel John Glover and his Marblehead Regiment. In six hours, a total of 9,500 men, including horses, artillery, and equipment, were ferried across without detection and under cover of a thick fog.

AHC Notes

• John Glover (1732–1797) — Glover was a Massachusetts merchant, soldier, and politician who served as a Continental Army officer during the American Revolutionary War. He commanded the Marblehead Regiment, helped evacuate Washington’s Army from Long Island, and played a major role in the Crossing of the Delaware River and the Battle of Trenton. Afterward, he served in the Saratoga Campaign and the Battle of Rhode Island.

August 29–30 — Captain Abraham Whipple and the 24-gun frigate Columbus seized four British merchantmen while cruising off the New England coast.

AHC Notes

• Abraham Whipple (1733–1819) — Whipple was a Rhode Island sailor and Continental Navy officer during the American Revolutionary War. He served as a privateer during the Seven Years’ War and gained fame after capturing 23 French vessels in 1759–1760. In 1772, he led the Sons of Liberty in the attack on the British schooner Gaspée. During the war, he commanded American vessels, captured major British prizes, defended Charleston, and was taken as a prisoner after the city surrendered in 1780.

August 31 — The Treason of Herman Zedtwitz

New York City, New York — Lieutenant Colonel Herman Zedtwitz was a Prussian-born officer who was serving in the Continental Army and had fought in the Canada Campaign. Zedtwitz was heavily in debt and wrote a letter to William Tryon, indicating he would provide information on American defenses in New York in exchange for money. The letter was intercepted, and his plot was exposed. Zedtwitz was court-martialed and given an honorable discharge. The following account was printed in the Pennsylvania Journal on September 4, 1776.

A few days ago, a most infamous letter from Colonel Zedwitz to Tryon, the late governor of New York, was intercepted and fell into our hands. After presenting his compliments in a formal manner to Lord Howe, and begging the contents of his letter to be explained to him, Zedwitz proceeds to profess a consciousness that the world will censure him for his treachery in corresponding with the enemy of those in whose service he had engaged; but he apologizes for himself by appealing to the governor as a person who knew he had been forced to accept his commission for fear of ruin to himself and family; and as he had engaged through compulsion {a most villainous lie, for he solicited for it) from a rebellious mob, he infers that he can be under no obligation to conform to his engagements. Besides this, he observes that previous to his entrance in the continental army, he took the governor’s advice on the occasion, and promised to do all he could in his new capacity, for his Majesty’s service.

He next declares that ever since his return from Canada, he had been laying plans for the performance of his promise, and was in a fair way of doing something, when Forbes and the mayor were detected in their conspiracy, which obliged him to lay aside his schemes; as Forbes had indiscreetly mentioned to the court on his trial a message from Governor Try on to him, to wit: “that he would make his fortune if he would execute a certain commission.” This, he says, rendered him suspected, and for the present frustrated his designs. However, as an instance that he was returning into favor, he informs the governor that General Washington had lately employed him to translate a paper into high German, which was to be printed and distributed among the Hessian troops. He advises to keep a good look-out.

In his next paragraph, he invents this abominable falsehood, that he had lately seen four villains at General W.’s house, with fourteen bottles of a mixture as black as ink„ with which they were to poison the watering place on Staten Island, and were to receive a recompense of one thousand pounds each from the general.

He then informs, that a person always near the general, who was a friend to the King, though an interested one, had offered to furnish him with weekly returns of the strength and detail of the army till December, for the sum of four thousand pounds sterling, to be paid beforehand in hard gold; that he had proposed a reward of two thousand pounds sterling, which was agreed to, and he therefore desires (if the plan be agreeable) that the money might be immediately conveyed to him. He concluded with informing them that he shortly expected a full colonel’s commission, with the command of the three forts up the North River.

The wickedness of this despicable man was discovered by the person whom he engaged to convey his letter. He endeavored to debauch one Steen, who, being a German, in but indifferent circumstances, and unemployed in our service, he imagined would be a proper instrument for his purpose. But Steen, perceiving his intention, and being an honest man and a friend to the country, only amused him with a seeming compliance till he got his letter into his hands, and then, without delay, had it laid before the general.

Zedwitz, on his trial, acknowledged the letter to be his own, but pleaded that it was intended merely as a trick upon the enemy, to extract from them two thousand pounds sterling, in lieu of certain expenses he had put himself to in raising a regiment in Germany, at the request of the Marquis of Granby, for which he had never been reimbursed. The verdict of the court-martial is not yet known, but ‘tis supposed he will suffer according to the merit of his crime.