HISTORY Books: Events During The Revolutionary War; Kings co., NY

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Book Title: History Of Flatbush

EVENTS DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.

  We would now turn back your attention to the era of the great struggle for
American Independence. As the battle of Long-Island, which was the first contest
in which the two great armies met, occurred in and about Flatbush, and as from
that period it was the scene of more or less interest during the revolutionary
war, it is proper that we should devote a separate space to this part of the
history of the town.

  After the commencement of hostilities in the year 1776, the city of New-York
in consideration of the advantages which from its location it would afford, was
selected by the British as the first grand point to be obtained. The city was
then in the possession of the Americans, under the command of General
Washington, in person. In the latter part of June, 1776, the first division of
the British army landed on Staten-Island, and was followed about the middle of
July, by the grand armament under Lord Howe, consisting of six ships of the
line, thirty frigates with smaller vessels, and a great number of transports,
victuallers and ships with stores of ordnance. Lord Howe at that time, first
attempted by what he conceived to be conciliatory measures, to bring back the
American Colonies to their allegiance to King George. We need not detail these,
as they are not immediately connected with our subject. We cannot, however, omit
to notice, that on the 14th of July, he sent a flag to New-York, with a letter
under the superscription of "George Washington, Esq.," Indignant that Lord Howe
had not recognised his rank and title and his connection with the American
Congress, Washington, very properly, refused to receive the letter, for which he
was applauded by Congress as an act of becoming dignity. On the 20th of July,
Lord Howe attempted a second time to open a correspondence with General
Washington. He sent another letter by the hands of Adjutant General Patterson,
addressed to "George Washington, &c. &c. &c." The General treated the Adjutant
with all politeness, but notwithstanding all he could say, Washington refused to
receive the letter, telling him, "it is true the et ceteras imply every thing,
but it is no less true, they imply any thing." A noble answer to this repeated
insult to himself and his country, and a clear presage of the practical wisdom,
courage and firmness of him to whom America, under God, had committed her cause.

  Not knowing at what point the British might make their first attack,
Washington sought to fortify the city and obstruct the passage into the harbor
of New-York. He also threw up certain fortifications in Brooklyn and Flatbush,
to guard the approach to the city, by Long-Island. His army at this time,
amounted to 17,225, of whom only 10,514, were fit for duty. These too, he says,
in one of his letters, were little other than raw troops, and much scattered,
some being fifteen miles apart. It soon became evident that the British
meditated a landing on Long-Island. Troops were accordingly thrown over from the
city of New-York, and extended in different posts from the highlands near the
Narrows, to Wallaboght Bay. The command of all these posts had been entrusted to
General Greene, who had studiously made himself acquainted with the location of
all the surrounding country, so as to be able to defend the American army not
only, but take all advantages which the various denies would afford to attack
the British. But unfortunately only a few days before the battle, General Greene
was taken very sick, and the command devolved on General Putnam, who although
one of the bravest of the brave, was not sufficiently acquainted with the face
of the country. Putnam had two brigadiers under him, General Sullivan, who had
command of the troops not immediately within the lines, and General Lord
Stirling, who was stationed in and about Gowanus Bay and the Narrows. To prevent
property falling into the hands of the British, an order was issued commanding
the farmers on the west end of Long-Island, to drive away their cattle and take
their grain which had just been harvested, from their barns and stack it in the
fields, that it might be the more readily destroyed. Accordingly, all the cattle
in Flatbush and the towns adjacent, were driven first as far east as the woods,
in and about New-Lots, and subsequently into Queens County. Some of these were
recovered, but great numbers of them were lost; the American Government,
however, made honorable reparation for all such losses. The grain also, in
conformity with the order, was taken out of the barns and put on stacks. Some of
these were subsequently set on fire by the American army on their retreat, to
prevent their falling into the hands of the British; but a few of these stacks
of grain were saved, particularly those in the southern section of the village.

  An entrenchment was thrown up in Flatbush across the road leading through the
village, a little south of the present residence of Judge Martense. It was in
the form of something like a half moon, lying diagonally across the road, and
extending on the land of Lefferts Martense on the west, and of Isaac Cortelyou
on the east—having a ditch of sufficient depth on the north. A small redoubt on
which a few pieces of artillery were mounted, was also put up at the
Valley-Grove, to guard the passage through the port road, and by the direct
route to Brooklyn. Here stood a large white oak tree, mentioned in the patent of
Governor Dongan, as one of the boundary lines of the town of Flatbush. This was
cut down and thrown across the road; and in consequence of the then dense woods
on the south, and the swamp on the north, it formed a very considerable abattis.
The late Mr. Simon Voris assisted in cutting down this tree.

  During this time, preparations were making by the British, to effect a landing
on Long-Island. They were frequently visited by persons from the shore and
surrounding towns, who no doubt gave them every information concerning the
positions of the American army, and furnished materials for a draft of the whole
adjacent country; for they were well acquainted with the position of the hills,
and the three roads or defiles by which they could be passed. On the 22d day of
August, a landing was effected by the British troops at Bath, under cover of the
guns of their fleet, without opposition. Gen. Howe established his headquarters
at New-Utrecht. The American troops who were stationed along the coast,
consisting of a regiment of Pennsylvanians under Col. Hand, retired to Flatbush,
with the view of guarding the principal pass to Brooklyn. Lord Cornwallis pushed
on immediately with the reserve and some other forces to the same place, but
finding the Americans strongly entrenched, and the pass through by the port or
Valley Grove defended, in compliance with his orders he did not risk any attack.
In the meantime the inhabitants of the town had generally forsaken it. We who
have been so long accustomed to the sweets of peace know but little of the
consternation occasioned by an approaching invading army. The inhabitants had
reason to apprehend that should they remain at home they would be cruelly
treated, and perhaps massacred. They were regarded as rebels, to whom but little
quarter would be shown. Hence as expeditiously as possible after the landing of
the British troops, the inhabitants of the village either sent or carried off
the females and children, providing them with what little furniture and
conveniences they could. Some were sent to New-Jersey, but the greater
proportion took refuge in Queens County. It was a scene of great confusion, and
of no ordinary distress. Compelled to leave their homes and the greater part of
their property, and not knowing what might befal their persons or their
families, they committed themselves to the good providence of their God. Some
had not gone far before they saw the smoke ascending from the neighborhood of
their farms, and knew not but their dwellings were already in flames. With one
family, indeed, this was the case. The American riflemen, on the approach of the
British towards the evening of the 22d, set fire to many of the stacks of grain,
particularly in the northern part of the town, and also fired the house of Peter
Lefferts. Other houses in that section of the village were also burnt, but not
at that time, of which we shall presently speak.

  The main body of the American troops stationed in about Flatbush, then retired
to the woods on the north of the town. The British army then under command of
Lord Cornwallis, took post at Flatbush. They encamped in a diagonal direction
across the village. Their tents extended from the little lane over the farms of
Hendrick Vanderveer, of J. C. Bergen, of Jacobus Vandeventer, and so on, in a
northeasterly line towards the road leading to New-Lots. The main body however,
were on the south of the church and west of the main street. They soon possessed
themselves of the intrenchment which had been thrown up by the Americans, in the
north of the village. To defend themselves against an expected attack from the
American troops, who, from the woods, kept up a scattered firing, they knocked
out large port holes in the house of Adrian Hegeman, which stood on the spot
where Mrs. Cynthia Lefferts is now living. This house was built of stone, and
the object of making the holes in the wall, was to enable them to fire their
cannon at the Americans under cover. The house of Mr. Lefferts Martense, on the
opposite side of the road, was also taken possession of, and prepared as a sort
of fortification. It was built of wood, fronting south, and having a roof on the
north side, which extended to within a few feet of the ground. In this roof they
cut many holes, through which they could discharge their muskets. Still farther
to defend themselves, or rather to render their firing upon the Americans more
effective, they set fire to the houses which stood between them and the woods,
and from behind which, often the American riflemen would discharge their guns,
to the no small annoyance and injury of the British. These houses were those of
Jeremiah Vanderbilt and Leffert Lefferts, on the west, and Evert Hegeman, on the
east side of the road. On what day these were burnt we know not, but they were
destroyed by the British, probably on the second or third day after their
encampment in this place.

  On the first or second evening of their arrival in Flatbush, a drunken revel
took place among the British. In rifling the houses, they were directed by John
Rubel, to a quantity of wine, which had been left in the house of Mr. David
Clarkson, who lived in the dwelling now occupied by Mr. J. C. Bergen. Mr.
Clarkson was a strong whig, and after they had vented their spite at him, and
his principles, by destroying his furniture, and abusing his premises in a
shameful manner, their attention was called, under the direction of their guide,
to his wines. These, the greater part of which were specially imported and were
very choice, Mr. Clarkson had bottled and stored away in an upper apartment, in
the wing of his house, and had built up a partition to conceal them. Rubel had
seen this, and was well acquainted with the store thus concealed, and being
friendly to the British cause, he gave them information of the fact, and
actually guided and assisted them on the occasion. The wine and other liquor was
of course procured, and the officers and men indulged freely in the use of it.
The back piazza and yard of Mr. Clarkson's house, exhibited a complete drunken
frolic. Had the Americans indeed been aware of the situation of the British at
this time, a very serious check might have been put to their advance, if not
their whole plan subverted.

  The Hessian troops under General de Heister, having landed on the 25th, were
sent forward on the same day to Flatbush, to compose the centre of the army. The
plan of attack was now fixed. The right wing of the English army was committed
to Major General Grant, and was designed to operate against the left wing of the
Americans, under Lord Stirling. The centre was committed to General de Heister,
and was to attempt the pass defended by General Sullivan, at the Port, while the
left wing of the British under General Clinton and Lords Percy and Cornwallis,
were, by a circuitous route to reach the right wing of the American army, which
was under command of Colonel Miles, and stationed a little to the eastward of
Bedford, on the Jamaica road. The principal hope of success was upon this wing.
The plan was well laid, and proved successful. It was, that while General Grant
and the Hessians of General De Heister should disquiet and divert the Americans
on the right and in the centre, the left wing should surprise them by a
circuitous route, and thus fall upon them in the flank and rear. The English
hoped that as this post was the most distant from the centre of the army, the
advanced guards would there be found more feeble, and perhaps more negligent,
and that at all events, they would not be able to defend themselves against a
force so superior, as this right wing of the English, was very numerous and
entirely composed of select troops. Nor did they judge incorrectly. In order to
put this plan thus wisely formed, into execution, on the evening of the 26th, of
August, about 9 o'clock, General Clinton commanding the van guard, which
consisted of light infantry: Lord Percy the centre, where were found the
grenadiers, the artillery and cavalry, and Lord Cornwallis the rear guard,
followed by the baggage, some regiments of infantry and of heavy artillery,
moved from Flatbush, with admirable silence and order towards Flatlands. They
were seen by Captain Cornelius Vanderveer, who stated, that although he was near
the fence fronting his house, on the road, he could scarcely hear them. With
such silence and order did this large body of men move, being covered by the
darkness of the night. They were on this occasion aided by certain guides, who
conducted them till they reached the point of attack. These were N*******
W*********, J**** W******, and J******* R*****. It has been said in defence of
the conduct of these persons, that they were forced to act in this capacity, and
that their lives were at stake. This may all be, hut their agency on this
occasion was most disastrous to the American cause. The British had as we have
intimated, drafts of the country. They marched to Flatlands village, then took
the road leading to Flatlands neck, and came out at Shoemakers Bridge. Here N.
W. their chief guide at this place, was expressly cautioned, that if he led them
wrong he would he shot. He appears to have conducted them from this spot across
the fields to what is now called Howard's. They arrived two hours before day, on
the morning of the 27th, within half a mile of the Jamaica road. Colonel Miles,
of Pennsylvania, who had charge of the right wing of the American army this
night, performed his service with but little exactness, and did not perceive the
approach of the enemy. They had marched several miles, and were now in fact two
miles in the rear of his guard, without his being knowing to the fact. Nor had
General Sullivan, who had charge of all the troops in advance of the camp at
Brooklyn, any advice of what was passing in this quarter. One of his patrols, on
horseback, had been fallen in with by General Clinton during the night, and made
prisoners. But though disappointed in not hearing from this patrol, General
Sullivan neglected to send out fresh scouts, probably expecting that the English
would direct their principal efforts against the right wing, under Lord
Sterling, as that was nearest to their head quarters. Thus he suffered the
American army to be surprised, and almost before the battle commenced, the fate
of the day determined. General Clinton having halted for a few hours, and
refreshed his troops, and. learning from the prisoners whom he took, that the
road to Jamaica was not guarded, hastened to avail himself of the circumstance,
and occupied it by a rapid movement. Without loss of time, he immediately bore
to his left, towards Bedford, and seized an important defile, which the
Americans had left unguarded. From this moment the success of the day was
decided in favor of the English. Lord Percy came up with his corps, and the
entire column descended by the village of Bedford, into the more level ground,
which lay between the hills and the camp of the Americans.

  In the mean time, General Grant, in order to divert the Americans from the
events which took place upon the route through Flatlands, and the attack to be
made on their left wing, endeavored to disquiet them on his right. Accordingly,
about midnight, as if he meant to force his way through, he put himself in
motion and attacked the militia of New-York and Pennsylvania, who were stationed
along the Gowanus road. They at first gave way, but General Parsons, who had
command of them, having arrived, and having occupied an eminence, renewed the
combat, and maintained his position until Brigadier General Lord Stirling came
to his assistance with fifteen hundred men. The action was extremely animated,
and victory favored neither the one side nor the other. But it was all in vain,
as in fact, the choice of the British army were already in the rear of the
American troops on the left. As soon as firing was heard from the right wing of
the English, under General Clinton, who, as we have stated, had now gained
possession of Bedford, which was not long after the break of day, on the 27th,
General De Heister with his Hessian troops, moved forward with the
   
148
centre of the army from Flatbush, and commenced an attack upon the line in
command of General Sullivan. The attack was valiantly sustained by General
Sullivan, in person, but they soon found that their situation was very critical,
for General Clinton fell upon their left flank, and they now discovered to their
great surprise, that they were in fact surrounded by the enemy. As soon as they
were apprised of their danger, they sounded a retreat, and retired in good order
towards their camp, bringing off their artillery. But the royal troops, under
General Clinton, who occupied the ground on their rear, charged them furiously.
They were compelled to throw themselves back into the neighboring woods, lying
between Flatbush and Brooklyn. Here they met again with the Hessians, who
repulsed them upon the English, and thus they were driven several times by the
one against the other, with great loss. They continued for some time in this
desperate situation, till at length, several regiments animated by an heroic
valor, opened their way through the midst of the enemy, and gained the camp of
General Putnam, at Brooklyn: some few escaped through the woods, but the
remainder, together with their commander, General Sullivan, were made prisoners.

  The left wing and centre of the Americans being discomfited, the English, to
secure a complete victory, made a rapid movement against the rear of the right
wing, which in ignorance of what had befallen the other corps, was engaged with
General Grant. As soon as they received the intelligence of this disaster, they
retired. But now they encountered the English, who had cut off their retreat.
They had been engaged from 8 o'clock in the morning, until 2 o'clock in the
afternoon, in maintaining their post and charging the enemy. On ascertaining
their perilous situation, they were greatly disconcerted. Some of these brave
men betook themselves to the woods. But a large number of them endeavored to
make their way to the camp at Brooklyn, through the marshes and mill-ponds of
Gowanus Cove. Unfortunately many of them were here drowned or perished in the
mud: a very small number only escaped the hot pursuit of the victors, and
reached the camp in safety. Lord Stirling himself, who had charge of this wing,
was taken prisoner. Almost the entire regiment of Maryland, under Colonel
Smallwood, consisting of young men of the best families in that province, was
cut to pieces. No less than two hundred and fifty nine men of this regiment were
destroyed.

  The fate of the battle was now decided. The total loss of the Americans in
killed, wounded and prisoners, according to Dr. Gordon, was about fifteen
hundred, but some have estimated the loss as high as three thousand. Among the
prisoners, besides the two Generals whom we have mentioned, were many officers
of high rank. The unfortunate issue of this battle, was doubtless to be ascribed
in part to the illness of General Greene. He had superintended the erection of
the works, and was thoroughly acquainted with the ground. In hope of his
recovery, General Washington had deferred sending over a successor, till the
urgency of affairs rendered it absolutely necessary, and then General Putnam
took the command, without any previous knowledge of the posts beyond the lines
which had been fortified, or of the passes by which the enemy could make their
approach. Nor had he the time to acquire this knowledge before the action. Had
General Greene been on the ground, all the roads or passes would have been so
secured and defended as that the royal army in attempting or gaining them, would
have been so crippled as to have been arrested with regard to all future
successful operations. General Sullivan was also too inattentive and confident.
He exercised no watchfulness over the tories and royalists, who were around him,
but suffered them to go back and forth as they pleased. One of the American
Chaplains, fearing that the British would make a circuitous march and take to
the Jamaica road, asked him whether he had sufficiently guarded that pass, when
Sullivan replied, in his vain confidence, "Yes: so that an angel cannot force
it;" and yet to his neglect in this particular, the whole disasters of the day
are to be attributed.

  The British after this victory encamped in front of the American lines, and on
the 28th, and 29th, frequent skirmishes occurred between the two armies. At
length, on the 29th, Washington, at the suggestion of General Mifflin, who had
been on Long-Island, and knew the situation of the troops, called a council of
war, and a retreat was agreed upon, General Mifflin offering to command the
rear. This was a wise council, inasmuch, as in front of the army was a numerous
and victorious enemy, with a formidable train of artillery. The British fleet
indicated an intention to pass up the East River, and cut off all hope of a
retreat. The troops at Brooklyn were lying without shelter from heavy rains, and
were moreover, fatigued and dispirited. This difficult movement was effected
with great skill and judgment, and with complete success. We should be glad had
we time, to narrate all the circumstances connected with it. But we can only
give a very general account of it. After dark, on the evening of the 29th,
orders were received and communicated to the several regiments, to hold
themselves in readiness for an attack upon the enemy, to take place in the
course of the night. This excited much speculation among the officers, who knew
not the immediate design, and no little concern among the soldiers, whose arms
were much injured from exposure to the rain. The embarkation of the troops was
committed to General Mc Dougal. It was to commence at 8 o'clock, in the evening,
but a strong north east wind and a rapid tide, caused a delay of several hours.
At 11 o'clock, the wind sprung up from the south west, which greatly favoured
the enterprize, as it enabled them to use the sail boats, which they had, as
well as the barges. Providence further interposed in favor of the retreating
army, by sending a thick fog about 2 o'clock in the morning, (August 30th,)
which hung over Long-Island, while on New-York side, it was clear. The fog and
wind continued to favor the retreat till the whole army, nine thousand in
number, with all the field artillery, such heavy ordnance as was of most value,
ammunition, provisions, horses, cattle, &c, were safely over. The water was so
remarkably smooth as to admit of the row boats being loaded within a few inches
of the gunnel. General Washington, though often entreated, would not leave the
Island till General Mifflin with his covering party, left the lines at about 6
o'clock on the morning of the 30th. The secrecy and skill, with which the whole
movement was effected, may be conceived, from the fact that the enemy were so
nigh, that the sound of their pickaxes and shovels were distinctly heard by the
Americans. Only about half an hour after the lines were finally abandoned, the
fog cleared off, and the British were seen taking possession of the American
works. Four boats were on the river, three half way over, full of troops: the
fourth, within reach of the enemies fire from the shore, was compelled to
return. But she had only three men in her, who had tarried behind to plunder.
The whole army was safely landed on the north side of the river, and never was
there a retreat better conducted, or a more signal interposition of a kind
providence. Had not the wind changed, not more than half of the army could
possibly have crossed, and the remainder must have fallen, with all the
artillery and stores, into the hands of the English. And had it not been for the
fog, their movements would all have been discovered in time, greatly to have
discomfited them.

  But we must now return to Flatbush. Here, after the battle, were many American
prisoners. Lord Cornwallis appears to have established himself for a little
while at least, in the place. Among the prisoners taken previous to, and during
the battle, was Cornelius Vanderveer, the father of the present John C.
Vanderveer, Esq. He was the captain of the militia of the town of Flatbush.
Having sent off his family to New-Jersey, he attempted to secure his furniture,
while he remained in and about his premises. He had hid his arms and
accoutrements in a thicket, near the house, and having observed on a certain
evening how the guards and pickets of the British were placed, he went in the
dead of the night, accompanied by a faithful servant, called Adam, to regain
them. They approached the place where they were concealed, by a circuitous
route, and having possessed himself of his arms, he put them on, the more easily
to carry them. He then proposed to his colored man, to take a nearer and more
direct route back. But in doing so, he came unexpectedly upon a guard, which had
been placed after dark, in a position of which he was not aware. The consequence
was, that he was made a prisoner, and being taken with his accoutrements on, and
his arms in his hands, he had not much mercy to expect. He was carried to the
captain of the guard. Here he was told by several, that there was no hope for
him, he must be hung, and they actually put the rope around his neck. In the
morning he was taken to the church, before Lord Cornwallis, who sent him with
some others, under guard to New-Utrecht, where he was confined in a barn, with a
number of other prisoners. Here he was in various ways basely treated and
insulted. But while there, a Captain Miller, with whom he had been on terms of
intimacy, happened to pass by, and inquired of him how he came there, and after
being informed of his case, he said he would try and effect his release. A few
minutes after, a file of soldiers came and took him before one of General Howe's
Aids, by the name of Cuyler, who was from Albany, who inquired and questioned
him about his situation. He asked him if he would take a protection and go home
on his farm. Captain Vanderveer answered that he would, provided they would not
compel him to fight against his country. Cuyler replied, with an oath, that they
had fighting men enough, but as he had promised him a protection, he would give
him one. He presented it to him accordingly, and said he might go to the rebels
again, for what he cared. Captain Vanderveer took the protection and remained on
his farm, but was abused and robbed by the Hessians, who paid no respect to his
protection, and took the last shirt he had from his back, so that he was
compelled to walk about with an old great coat, which he found, to cover his
nakedness, until he could get other clothes. His faithful colored man Adam,
continued with him all the while.

  Flatbush was now in the hands of the British, and continued within their lines
until the close of the war. During the short tarry of the army in the village,
they committed many depredations. They pillaged the houses and destroyed as much
property as they well could. It was sad indeed to the inhabitants to witness
this on re-visiting their homes. As soon as the British had taken possession of
New-York, and the army had left the Island, the inhabitants of Flatbush began to
return. Some were absent only a few days, but others did not reach their homes
until nearly mid-winter. The scene presented to the view of those who came back
soon after the battle, was distressing indeed. The place where the encampment
had been, was strewed with feathers, straw, papers and pieces of furniture,
which had been taken from the houses. In the street, which was grown over with
high grass, in consequence of the frequent rains, which occurred at that time,
and the interruption of nearly all travelling, were to be seen, in addition
other things, skins of hogs, which had been slain, and heads of cattle, with
their horns on them, presenting a frightful picture of the haste and waste which
had characterized the army. On visiting their houses, they found the greater
part of their furniture broken and almost every thing valuable about their
premises injured. So wanton had been the waste, that feather beds had not only
been ripped up, and the contents scattered, but in some instances the feathers
had been emptied into wells. The best rooms in the houses had been used as
stables for the horses, while the drawers in their cupboards and bureaus had
served as mangers and feeding troughs. As we may well suppose, the whole town
exhibited a scene of wide spread desolation.

  On their return the males were obliged to take the oath of allegiance to the
British crown. This most of them did. It was administered in the church. It may
be here asked, why did they not join the American army and fight in behalf of
the country. The answer to this question is found in the fact, that all their
property—their families and their homes were in the hands of the British. By
returning and submitting to their authority, they would be able to preserve
these from destruction; whereas, had they connected themselves with the American
army, no doubt every thing they had on the earth would have been swept from
them, a sacrifice which we believe few, if any, made during that eventful
struggle. But we are not to suppose that there were no friends of the American
cause at that time, and during the war, in Flatbush. We shall presently see that
in a most important way they aided in achieving our national independence.

  After the battle on Long-Island, the church and the old school-house were used
for the accommodation of the prisoners and the sick. Three private houses were
also employed as hospitals. The house now occupied by Mr. J. C. Bergen, the
house belonging to the heirs of Cornelius Antonides, and the dwelling of Mr. Rem
Vanderbilt. In this latter house, in which Mr. Seymour now resides, and which
then stood on the opposite side of the road, the wounded American officers were
brought. The principal hospital for the soldiers was the old school-house. Many
of these wounded prisoners appear soon to have died; for when one individual
returned, who was absent but thirteen days, she counted twenty-eight new graves
in the churchyard, and it is probable that most of these contained more than one
body.

  After the capture of Fort Washington, which took place in November of this
same year, (1776,) a great number more prisoners were brought to Flatbush, and
billetted on the inhabitants. It is supposed that no less than four hundred were
kept in the southern towns of Kings County.

  The only regiment left in Flatbush after the battle, was 42d Regiment of
Highlanders. They however soon removed, and were succeeded by a guard of fifty
men under Lieut. Dalrymple. These continued for some time, when upon their
removal, Col. Axtell, who resided in the house now owned by Mr. Mowatt, and who
was a violent Tory, collected a company called the Nassau Blues. The command of
this was committed to his nephew Capt. Depeyster. They appear to have been taken
from the lowest ranks, and were mostly persons of bad moral character. Col.
Axtell wished that they should be united with the militia of the town, but the
militia opposed it, and would by no means give their consent to such a measure.
These Nassau Blues, from their low and generally miserable appearance, were
nicknamed by the inhabitants the "Nasty Blues." They were not billetted upon the
town, but had possession chiefly of the court-house. Of so bad a character were
they, that in their blasphemy, they called themselves "the Holy Ghosters."

  After the return of the inhabitants of Flatbush to their houses, in the fall
of 1776, an epidemic broke out among them, arising as was supposed from the
effluvia connected with the Hessian and British encampment, and which in
consequence was called the camp-fever. It seized great numbers, and proved fatal
to many; and among others, to some of the most respectable and influential
persons in the town.

  We should be glad to furnish a list of all the American prisoners who were
billetted in Flatbush during the war, particularly the names of the officers,
but this is impossible. Among the latter were Gen. Silliman, Col. Rawlings, Col.
Magaw, Col. Miles, Col. Atlee, Col. (afterwards Gen.) Williams, Col. Barby,
Capts. Fitzhugh Randolph, Bailey, Biles, Patton, the subsequent Postmaster of
Philadelphia, and a number of others. But we cannot forbear a special notice of
Major David Lenox. He was billetted upon Mr. Bateman Lloyd. During his residence
as a prisoner, he was visited by his brothers Robert and William, with a view to
bring him to abandon the American cause. They tried every motive, and pressed
him by considerations the most tender. The interview was had under the large
linden-tree near the house. On their leaving him, he was met by the present Mrs.
Lloyd, who observing him to be bathed in tears, asked what was the cause of his
distress. He told her that his brothers had been endeavoring to prevail with him
to forsake the Americans and join the British. But said he with Roman firmness,
"I will never do it."

  The circumstances which led to the removal of Major Lenox from Flatbush, show
his noble daring and firmness, and at the same time the spirit of oppression
which distinguished the officers of the British army. The news of the capture of
Burgoyne in 1777, having reached the American prisoners paroled on Long-Island,
Major James Hamilton and Dr. Stewart repaired to Flatbush to celebrate together
with Major Lenox an event so propitious to the cause of their country, and so
congenial to their best hopes and most sanguine wishes. The night was passed at
the festive board, but their conduct was in no way calculated to offend; no
extravagant symptom of exultation was shown, for bolstering mirth would have
degraded a feeling of delight, silent but sincere. In the morning, a fish-car
filled with shad, passing through the village, Major Lenox asked the proprietor
if he would sell a part of his load: "not to a rebel scoundrel," he replied,
"though he be starving." The offensive answer was no sooner given than resented.
Major Lenox struck the speaker to the earth. A fray was the immediate
consequence, in which the American officers, as might have been expected, were
overpowered and severely beaten. But this was not the last of their sufferings.
Charged with an assault and conducted upon the testimony of their adversary,
before General Pigot, Major Lenox, in a plain unvarnished representation of
facts, stated the provocation, and asked "if it were possible to have withheld
punishment from a rascal, who so wantonly sought and so richly deserved it." "It
is our business," replied the General, "to protect and cherish such of your
countrymen as seek our protection. You must submit therefore to ask pardon for
the outrage committed, or take the consequences that must inevitably follow."
"Ask pardon of that scoundrel," said Lenox, "never"! "Will you, sir," said the
General to Hamilton: "May I perish if I do," was the reply. The question was
then put to Dr. Stewart, and answered with equal indignation. "You must be
introduced then," said the irritated General, "to the Provost Marshall. Mr.
Cunningham, they are your prisoners, you know your duty." Six months of close
and rigorous confinement in the Provost, (a place of misery, second only to the
celebrated prison ship, Jersey,) was the consequence of an act, that a generous
enemy would not only have thought just, but commendable.

  The American prisoners had the liberty of all the southern towns. They were
required to report themselves at certain times and places. When the French
fleet, under Count De Estaing was expected, and when after their arrival they
laid off the shore, these prisoners went daily to the top of Vanderbilts hill,
to view them. And with regard to this hill, we may remark, in passing, that
General Clinton, once rode down it so rapidly, that his Aids could not follow him.

  Among the prisoners in the county was Capt. William Marriner. He was quartered
on parole, at Mr. Rem Van Pelt's, at New-Utrecht. In the exercise of his
privilege, he often visited Flatbush. Dr. Van Buren's tavern, the house now
occupied by Duryee Wiggins, was a place of great resort. Here he met among
others, with the leading tories in the place. These were Colonel Axtell, Colonel
Matthews, the Mayor of New-York, Major Sherbrook, Mr. Beach and Major Moncrief.
On one occasion, probably in consequence of the too free use of his sarcastic
wit, he was insulted and ill treated by this clan, particularly by Major
Moncrief. After Captain Marriner's exchange, in 1780, he determined to visit
Flatbush, and capture, if possible, all these abusive tories, who were very
obnoxious to the American officers. He was a brave and daring man. For the
purpose of carrying his design into execution, he repaired to New-Brunswick, and
procured a whaleboat, which he manned with twenty two volunteers. With this he
crossed the bay, and landed at Bath, about half-past nine o'clock in the
evening. He made prisoners of three black men, who were fishing, and then
leaving two persons in charge of his boat, he marched off with the rest of his
party towards Flatbush. On his way, he stopped at the house of Bern Van Pelt,
his old quarters, and also at his father's, in consequence of which, these
persons were afterwards apprehended and confined in Provost, in New-York, on
suspicion of being concerned with him. Marriner reached the Flatbush church
without molestation. Here he divided his men into four squads, assigning a house
to each. Each party had a heavy post, for the purpose of breaking in the doors.
The village was all silence. The houses were all known, and it was agreed, that
when the party detached for Colonel Axtell, whose dwelling was farthest from the
church, struck his door, each party should do the same at the other houses.
Captain Marriner selected the house of George Martense, the father of the
present Mrs. Catin, where his friend Major Moncrief quartered for himself. Time
was given for the parties to arrive at their several houses, and then, at the
concerted signal, the doors were all burst open, nearly at the same time. The
first stroke at the door where Major Moncrief resided, alarmed him, and he fled
to the garret, and hid himself behind the chimney. "I entered his room," says
Marriner, "and finding his bed warm, I ordered aunt Jannetie to bring a candle.
We ran to the garret and found our prize shivering behind the large Dutch
chimney, with his breeches in his hands. We took him to the church, our place of
rendezvous, where we put on his small clothes." Mr. or Major Beach, who resided
in the house lately vacated by Mr. Michael Schoonmaker, was also seized, as well
as Colonel Sherbrook, who lived in the old house belonging to Garret Martense,
Esq. which stood in front of Mr. Seymour's, and has been divided as we have
heretofore stated, and made into two small barns. But Colonel Axtell and Colonel
Matthews, the mayor of New-York, who resided in the house belonging to Jacobus
Vandeventer, which stood where the dwelling of Judge Lott now stands, escaped,
in consequence of their being that night in New-York. The several parties having
assembled again at the church, they marched off with their prisoners, unmolested
to their boat, although it was a fine moon-light night, in the middle of summer.
In his account of the matter, Captain Marriner says, that Dom. Rubell rung the
alarm bell, before we were half a mile from the church, and Dr. Van Samper, who
lived at Mr. Martense's, sung out, "Goedt luck, Goedt luck: not me, not me." The
spirits called from their sleep by the alarm bell, did not pursue Captain
Marriner, and he arrived safe at his boat, and carried his distinguished
prisoners to New-Brunswick. Time will not permit us to pursue this affair
farther, and give an account of the taking up and imprisoning of certain persons
in New-Utrecht, on suspicion of being connected with Marriner in the enterprize.*

  * In the account heretofore published of this incident, the name of Major
Moncrief does not appear, while Colonel Sherbrook is represented as the
principal object of capture by Marriner. But this is incorrect. It was Major
Moncrief who had principally insulted him, and he was the person whom he desired
chiefly to take. The account given above, contains the true statement of the
whole affair.

  The inhabitants of Flatbush during the war, particularly those who were
supposed to be in favor of the American cause were subject to a variety of
exactions from the British authorities. Their property too was often stolen,
cattle were taken from the fields, hogs from their pens, and horses from their
stalls. The hen roosts were frequently robbed, and almost every kind of
plundering and thieving committed. When horses were wanted by the British for
any service, they were seized without ceremony. On one occasion, Colonel L***,
of Flatlands, attempted to take the horses of Captain Vanderveer, while he was
ploughing with them in the field. The Captain refused to give up his horses, and
showed his protection, and orders from Captain Dalrymple. This so disconcerted
the Colonel, that he was quite enraged, and in a violent manner exclaimed, "You,
Flatbushers are always meddling." He went then and seized the horses of Judge
Lott and of Judge Vanderbilt, who had no protection.

  During the greater part of the war, a guard was kept up in the village. For a
considerable time this was done by the militia of the town. The object was, not
so much to watch the prisoners, as to detect sailors and stragglers, who would
leave their vessels off the beach and come through the village, on their way to
New-York, for the purpose of escaping being taken by the press-gang, who were
coasting on the waters, in and about the city. The guard detailed for duty
consisted usually of seven, of whom two were sent out on patrol. Several amusing
anecdotes occurred relative to this guard, but we have not room to narrate them.

  In 1781, a regiment of new recruits, under Colonel Hewlett, raised chiefly in
Queens County, came to Flatbush and were billetted on the inhabitants. After
these, a regiment who had been taken prisoners in the West-Indies, from Waldeck
in Germany, commanded by Colonel De Horn, were sent to the place, and billetted
upon the inhabitants to a certain extent. They were obliged to find them
quarters, but not provisions. The officers had their own rooms, and the soldiers
generally occupied the kitchens of the houses. This regiment behaved well; no
depredations were committed by them. We cannot refrain from giving an account of
one of them. His name was Raymond. He was desirous of joining the American army;
for this purpose he deserted, and at great risk, got on board of an American
merchant ship,—unfortunately for poor Raymond, this ship was soon captured by
the British, and the deserter was sent back to Flatbush to his regiment. A
court-martial was held upon his case, and he was sentenced to pass through the
gantlet, as it was called, ten times, and each time to be whipped. He was
prepared with bare back accordingly, and the regiment being arranged in open
file, poor Raymond passed with a file of soldiers before him to prevent his
going faster than such a gait, through the long line, while every man on either
side was required to give him a cut with a whip. At the end of each turn, a
sergeant passed through the line with a fresh supply of whips, and every soldier
drew from the bunch a new rod, with which more severely to punish Raymond. This
was enacted ten times—and one would have supposed that at the end of it, Raymond
would have fallen down dead. His back, as might have been supposed, was
dreadfully lacerated, almost every whip drawing blood; but as if by a miracle,
the poor fellow, survived, and eventually got well. But all this whipping did
not drive out of him a love to the American cause. He determined again to
desert; but before doing so, wished to revenge himself by killing his Colonel.
But his associates would not agree with him in this undertaking. He however,
with some few others, eventually deserted and got safely within the American
lines, and on visiting Philadelphia and making his story known, he was treated
with such signal attention, as almost to compensate him for his past trials and
sufferings.

  Among others who were billetted in Flatbush, were the soldiers who had fought
in Canada, in the French war. Of these nothing particular is told. For
accommodating these, as well as the regiment of the Waldeckers, no compensation
was allowed to the inhabitants. Among the many troops belonging to the British,
who from time to time were in Flatbush, many were desirous of going over to the
American army, and several desertions took place. Among others, a Captain Lyman
of Boston. He became involved in debt and sold his commission in the British
service. He was soon greatly reduced in his circumstances, and had to sleep in
the open air under the stacks. The American prisoners hearing of his situation,
made a collection for him—had a suit of coating made for him at the house of
Captain Cornelius Vanderveer, and furnished him with means to escape beyond the
British lines. He travelled safely towards the east end of the island, passed
over to Connecticut, and eventually joined the Americans. -Near the close of the
war, a Saxon regiment, who were dressed in French clothing, came to Flatbush,
and were quartered upon the inhabitants. Many of these, and in fact the whole
regiment, was desirous of going over to the American army. One of the soldiers
who was billetted at Captain Vanderveer's, came to the present J. C. Vanderveer,
Esq. one morning very early, before he had left his bed, and told him their
wishes, and offered him money if he would pilot them. Mr. Vanderveer told him of
the entire impracticability of the enterprize, on account of the distance of the
American lines, and the waters which they would have to cross. He was induced in
consequence of this, to leave him. But next morning he brought one of his
officers to Mr. Vanderveer, who told the same story —that the whole regiment
were ready to join the Americans, and pressed him to guide them. He told them
again that the matter was utterly impossible; that if they attempted it, there
was no escaping detection and death, and accordingly they desisted. But the
soldier and some others did attempt to desert, and were taken and put on board a
man-of-war. After a short time, the whole regiment was removed. The incident is
interesting and important, as showing how popular the cause of the Americans
was, even with many who were brought here to fight against them.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

1908 Reprint of Thomas M. Strong's "The History of the Town of Flatbush in Kings
County, Long Island" originally published in 1842.