PEACE OVERTURES; DESERTION OF MILITIA. claim and will have, influence the conduct of others; and the aid derived from them is nearly 449 As negotiations failed, military counterbalanced by the disorder, irregularity, and preparations were renewed and hostilconfusion they occasion." * Howe, supposing that the defeat of the Americans on Long Island would depress the minds of the entire population, sent General Sullivan (who it will be remembered had been taken prisoner at Long Island) to Philadelphia for the purpose of renewing overtures for peace. Howe expressed a desire that Congress appoint a committee to meet him as private gentlemen and not in an official capacity. After an exciting debate, Congress concluded to send such a committee upon whom the British commanders might look in whatever light they saw fit. John Adams, Franklin, and Edward Rutledge were the members appointed to receive the communications of Lord Howe." But the conference held on September 11 resulted as might have been expected. The Howes were not authorized by Parliament to do more than receive whatever form of submission the colonists were willing to make, and on the other hand, the committee of Congress would not listen to nor accept any terms which did not positively acknowledge the independence of the colonists.† * 66 Sparks' ed. of Washington's Writings, vol. iv., p. 72; ibid, Life of Washington, pp. 181-182; Carrington, Battles of the Revolution, p. 220; Irving, Life of Washington, vol. ii., pp. 361-362. See also his letter of October 5 to Patrick Henry, in Henry, Life of Patrick Henry, vol. iii., p. 12 et seq. Parton, Life of Franklin, vol. ii., pp. 141 ities were again opened. In the present state of affairs, undoubtedly none save Washington could have persevered in the conflict. He was sagacious enough to see that the struggle would be tedious and painful and that but few brilliant exploits on the part of the Americans would contribute to sustain the enthusiasm of the country. His force was ill-compacted and he could not hope to meet the enemy in a pitched battle with any degree of success. His only hope was to impede the march of the enemy, to prevent supplies from reaching them, and to lay waste the country before them. Until the battle of Long Island the Americans had flattered themselves that they would be continuously successful against the British, but their recent defeat threw them into a slough of despondency. In this disheartened frame of mind large numbers of the militia abandoned their colors and entire regiments departed for their homes.* 151; Morse, Life of Franklin, p. 212 et seq.; Hil dreth, vol. iii., p. 151; Lamb, City of New York, vol. ii., pp. 119-121. See also the report of Lord Howe's secretary, Strachey, in Atlantic Monthly, vol. lxxvii., p. 759; Force, American Archives, 5th series, vol. ii., pp. 398, 1329; Bancroft, vol. v., pp 40-43; Thacher, Military Journal, pp. 57-58; Fiske, American Revolution, vol. i., p. 212 et seq.; Fisher, Struggle for American Independence, vol. i., chap. xiv.; Irving, Life of Washington, vol. ii., pp. 368-372; Sparks' ed. of Franklin's Works, vol. i., p. 412 et seq., vol. v., p. 97 et seq.; Trevelyan, American Revolution, vol. ii., p. 258 et seq.; John Adams, Works, vol. i., pp. 37 et seq., vol. iii., pp. 73-81, vol. ix., pp. 440-441, 442, 443–446. *Johnston, Campaign of 1776, p. 227. See also 450 * NATHAN HALE; BRITISH LAND AT KIP'S BAY. Nevertheless, Washington continued the struggle, using every means in his power to hinder the advance of the British. To do this most effectively, it became necessary that he know the British plans. He accordingly applied to Colonel Thomas Knowlton for a volunteer to go within the British lines and act the part of a spy. Many volunteered for this service, and from among them Nathan Hale was selected. Crossing over to Long Island about the middle of September, he passed through the camp of the enemy and obtained the information desired by Washington, but while attempting to return to the American camp, he was arrested and sent to General Howe. Hale readily acknowledged the nature of his mission, and on September 21 was convicted as a spy and sentenced to be hung the next morning. The British, however, could not rest content with simply hanging Hale but must needs disgrace themselves by adding brutality and harshness. He was denied the attendance of a clergyman, and even his letters to his mother and other members of his family were destroyed, the reason given by the provost marshal for this last act being that "he would not have the rebels to know that they had a man in their army who could die with so much firmness." In accordance with his sentence Hale Knox's letter of September 5 to his wife, quoted in There is a good sketch of Knowlton's life by Ashbel Woodward in the New England Historical and Geneological Reporter (January, 1861). was hung, his last words being: "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."* Howe feared to bombard New York, because such a course would destroy a large amount of Loyalist property; instead he determined to make New York the headquarters for the army. Accordingly, he sent the ships up the North and East rivers, stationing them so that they would be able to sweep the whole Island with their fire. On September 15, under cover of a cannonade, he began to land his troops (including the Hessians under Carl Emil Kurt von Donop) at Kip's Bay about three miles above the city.† At this place the Americans had thrown up intrenchments and other works which were sufficiently strong to enable them to stoutly resist until further reinforcements could arrive. But hardly had the British troops landed when the American troops in the works were seized with panic and fled, in fled, in their flight communicating their terror to two Connecticut brigades, (those of Samuel H. Parsons * See I. W. Stewart, Life of Captain Nathan Hale, the Martyr Spy of the American Revolution; Holloway, Nathan Hale, the Martyr Hero (1899); Johnston, Life of Nathan Hale (1901); C. W. Brown, Nathan Hale; Partridge, Nathan Hale (1902); Lossing, Two Spies; the article by Stevens in the New York Herald, November 26, 1893. See also the ballad entitled Hale in the Bush, in F. Moore, Songs and Ballads of the Revolution, pp. 130-133, and in Tyler, Literary History of the American Revolution, vol. ii., pp. 184-186. Carrington, Battles of the Revolution, p. 225; Heath's Memoirs, p. 52 (Abbatt's ed.); Lowell, Hessians in the Revolution, p. 72. See the description of the various forts in Johnston, Campaign of 1776, p. 84 et seq. BATTLE OF KIP'S BAY; RETREAT FROM NEW YORK. and John Fellows), who had been sent to support the troops in the intrenchments.* At this point Washington and Putnam rode forward, and, ashamed and mortified by the disorder and confusion which met their eyes, both generals put forth their utmost exertions to rally the retreating militia, but in vain.† The latter were thoroughly panic-stricken and could not be stopped-a situation which a situation which aroused the indignation of Washington. Dashing his hat upon the ground, he said, "Are these the men with which I am to defend America!"‡ In an effort to check the headlong flight, Washington became utterly regardless of his own safety and advanced to within 80 paces of the British troops. Realizing that he might easily be captured, one of his aides seized the reins of his horse, and, despite his remonstrance, hurried him away from his place of danger.|| Such moments as these reveal the depth and vehemence of Washington's spirit when it was thoroughly aroused.§ * Johnston, Campaign of 1776, pp. 232-236; Trevelyan, American Revolution, vol. ii., pp. 297298; Johnston, Battle of Harlem Heights, pp. 3136; Lossing, Field-Book of the Revolution, vol. ii., pp. 610-611; Brooks, Life of Knox, pp. 66-67; Lamb, City or New York, vol. ii., p. 123. Livingston, Life of Putnam, pp. 308-309; Sparks, Life of Washington, p. 186. Heath's Memoirs, p. 52 (Abbatt's ed.); Irving, Life of Washington, vol. ii., p. 379. Hildreth, vol. iii., pp. 152-153; Carrington, Battles of the Revolution, pp. 225-226; Jones, New York in the Revolution, vol. i., p. 604; Ford's ed. of Washington's Writings, vol. iv., p. 407; Lodge, George Washington, vol. i., p. 164. General Greene says: "We made a miserable, 451 In consequence of this disaster, orders were given to evacuate New York immediately, but the retreat was not effected without loss, as it was found impossible to carry away a large portion of the baggage, provisions and military stores. In addition, all the heavy artillery was abandoned. Moreover, had not the British army been delayed at Murray Hill for refreshments, the entire force under Putnam, at this time marching from the lower end of the island, would have been entirely cut off. It may truthfully be said that "Mrs. Murray saved the American army."† After disorderly retreat from New York, owing to the conduct of the militia, who ran at the appearance of the enemy's advanced guard. Fellows' and Parsons' brigades ran away from about fifty men, and left his Excellency on the ground, within eighty yards of the enemy, so vexed at the infamous conduct of his troops, that he sought death rather than life."- Irving, Life of Washington, vol. ii., p. 380 note. See also the letters of John Adams regarding the cowardice of the New England troops, Works, vol. i., pp. 254–257. Mary Lindley, the wife of Robert Murray, invited Howe and his officers to lunch, and served them with so plentiful and excellent a repast that Howe whiled away two hours or more at the table and thus gave the American troops time to escape. See Bancroft, vol. v., p. 45; Thacher, Military Journal, pp. 59-60; Fisher, Struggle for American Independence, vol. i., pp. 517-518; Johnston, Battle of Harlem Heights, p. 39 et seq.; Lamb, City of New York, vol. ii., pp. 125–127. Johnston says that while the incident may have occurred, it is a poor explanation of Howe's failure to cut off the American troops from the lower part of the island. Johnston thinks that it was more probable that Howe knew nothing about the troops which were trying to escape, believing that his early morning movements had cleared the city of all the Americans. See also Livingston, Life of Putnam, pp. 310-311. and, because of the dryness of the season and a high south wind, a large part of the city was destroyed, more than 500 buildings, including Trinity Church, being consumed.* Had it not been for the exertions of the soldiers and sailors, the whole city might have been de of seeing some troops act in an entirely different manner. On the 16th, the day after the British occupied New York, a detachment under Col * Trevelyan, American Revolution, vol. ii., p. 309 et seq.; Hildreth, vol. iii., p. 153; Gordon, American Revolution, vol. ii., p. 330 (ed. 1788); Jones, New York in the Revolution, vol. i., p. 611; Force, American Archives, 5th series, vol. ii., pp. 462-463, 466, 524, 548, 820; Stedman, American War, vol. i., p. 209; Lamb, City of New York, vol. ii., pp. 135-136. BATTLE OF HARLEM HEIGHTS; SUFFERING AMONG AMERICANS. 453 onel Knowlton, supported by troops under Major Andrew Leitch, was attacked by the British. The Americans, throwing themselves into the conflict with great spirit, succeeded in repulsing the British, being recalled from the pursuit only with the greatest difficulty. This affair was known as the Battle of Harlem Heights.* Unfortunately for the Americans, however, both Major Leitch and Colonel Knowlton received mortal wounds in the conflict.† Washington highly praised Colonel Knowlton for his bravery, saying that "he would have done honor to any country." The effect upon the Americans of this action with the British was wonderful, as it reanimated the spirits of the whole army. The British loss was 70 killed and 200 wounded while the Americans lost but 80 in both killed and wounded. § *For details see Johnston, Campaign of 1776, pp. 246–262. See also the same author's Battle of Harlem Heights, pp. 44-91 and the chapters in 'Previous Versions" and "Additional References to the Site of the Battlefield;" Carrington, Battles of the Revolution, pp. 228–231; Trevelyan, American Revolution, vol. ii., pp. 300-305; William R. Shepherd, The Battle of Harlem Heights, in HalfMoon series; Livingston, Life of Putnam, pp. 312-317; F. V. Greene, Life of Greene, p. 46 et seq.; E. C. Benedict, The Battle of Harlem Heights; Lamb, City of New York, vol. ii., pp. 128-132. Heath's Memoirs, p. 53 (Abbatt's ed.); Lossing, Field-Book of the Revolution, vol. ii., p. 612; Sparks, Life of Washington, pp. 187-188. Irving, Life of Washington, vol. ii., p. 388. || Bancroft, vol. v., pp. 46-47; F. V. Greene, Life of Greene, p. 48. § Johnston, Campaign of 1776, pp. 259-261; Fisher, Struggle for American Independence, vol. i., p. 520. As Washington was strongly entrenched at Harlem Heights, Howe deemed it imprudent to make an attack, and for the next three weeks remained inactive on the plains below.* He wrote to the ministry that "the enemy is too strongly posted to be attacked in front and innumerable difficulties are in the way of turning him upon either side." At this time the American army was considerably weakened by sickness among the soldiers, and as there were no suitable hospital arrangements, the suffering soldiers were under the necessity of securing such accommodations tions as could be found in the neighborhood — barns, barns, stables, or even the roadside. Consequently, desertions became frequent, and as there was little discipline in the army, there was a general tendency to disobey orders and to engage in plundering and various other scandalous actions. In addition, the enlistments of a great portion of the troops were now about to expire. If allowed to go into effect, this would result in the practical dissolution of the whole army. Washington had always remonstrated against these short enlistments as being a ruinous policy, and on September 24, borrowing * On the 19th of September, Lord and General Howe issued a Declaration addressed to the people, requesting them to abandon the struggle and return to their allegiance. See Lamb, City of New York, vol. ii., p. 138. Lamb, City of New York, vol. ii., p. 137; Sparks, Life of Washington, pp. 188-189. Carrington, Battles of the Revolution, pp. 231– 233; Reed, Life of Joseph Reed, vol. i., p. 240. |