This is the second in a series.
The events that took place in New Jersey during the last three months of 1776 helped shape the future of America. One of the participants described what happened as “These are that times the try men’s souls,” and as such they should be remembered.
In September the sloop Betsy, “laden with fustic, dying woods, whalebone, spermaceti candles, potash, pearl ash, whale oil and furs” sailed from Boston bound for France. At sea it was captured by the British warship Persia, a prize crew put on board, and the ship was directed to New York City.
On Oct. 14 in a storm, the Betsy was beached at Long Branch, N.J. Continental Army Gen. Hugh Mercer reported, “Colonel George Taylor, who commands the guards of New Jersey militia, is now just arrived from his post on the Shrewsbury shore with intelligence on the 14th a vessel was stranded on that coast which proved to be the schooner Betsy, commanded by Alexander Wilson.”
Taylor, commander of the Monmouth County militia, wrote, “I have orders from General Mercer to take care of this vessel until further orders. As to the vessel’s hull, it lies exposed and is likely to being lost to the first eastwardly storm.”
As was the custom, the capture of an enemy vessel would mean the sale of the cargo with a portion of the profit being divided among the militia members. Unfortunately, New Jersey Gov. William Livingston wrote on Oct. 22 that the “schooner and cargo (were) to be disposed of in the manner of security until the owners in Boston shall make proper application for the recovery of their property.”
The fact the local militia was being robbed of this windfall would have a long-lasting effect on its support for the rebel government.
To the north, George Washington had been driven out of New York City, but still held a stronghold on the Jersey side of the Hudson called Fort Lee. Dispatches from the fort were published in newspapers throughout the colonies.
“November 8th the enemy have not decamped, as was reported, but are still at Dobb’s Ferry. Part of our army have come to this side of the river. General Washington will cross today. Deserters confirm the suspicions of the enemy’s design to pay us a visit in the Jerseys, but the attempt is so dangerous, and too long delayed, that I can scarcely believe it is seriously in agitation. Yesterday Colonel Magaw’s men killed 13 Hessians and an officer, and stripped them, this little enterprise gives spirit to our men and insensibly reduces the number of the enemy.”
One of the men inside of the fort was Thomas Paine, the author of the pamphlet “Common Sense.” After arguing for independence, Paine had decided to back up his words and joined the army. He wrote as they prepared for an attack by Gen. William Howe’s Redcoats, “Our situation there was exceedingly cramped, this being a narrow neck of land between the North River and the Hackensack. Our force was inconsiderable, being not one-quarter so great as Howe could bring against us. We had no army at hand to have relieved the garrison, had we shut ourselves up and stood on our defense. Our ammunition, light artillery and the best part of our stores had been removed on the apprehension that Howe would endeavor to penetrate the Jerseys.”
Paine argued that holding a fort while Howe invaded New Jersey made little sense.
“Fort Lee could be of no use to us for it must occur to every thinking man, whether in the army or not, that these kind of field forts are only for temporary purposes, and last in use no longer then the enemy directs his force against the particular object which such forts are raised to defend.”
On the New York side of the Hudson, the garrison of Fort Washington had tried to hold out and eventually surrendered, making 2,000 men prisoners and losing all of their cannons and supplies. A different decision was made at Fort Lee.
“So was our situation and condition on the morning of the 20th of November, when an officer arrived with information that the enemy with 200 boats had landed about seven miles above. Major General Green, who commanded the garrison, immediately ordered the men under arms, and sent an express to General Washington at the town of Hackensack, distant by way of ferry six miles. … We brought off as much baggage as the wagons could contain, the rest was lost. The simple object was to bring off the garrison and march them on till they could be strengthened by the Jersey or Pennsylvania militia.”
David Freeman Hawke, Paine’s biographer, explained, “He made it appear that the evacuation went smoothly, when actually, as a British soldier reported, ‘The rebels fled like scared rabbits, leaving in their entrenchments not only several valuable heavy cannons but some poor pork, a few greasy proclamations, and some of that scoundrel ‘Common Sense’ man’s letters which we can read at our leisure now that we have one of the impregnable redoubts of Mr. Washington’s to quarter in.”
On Nov. 24, the Pennsylvania Committee of Safety issued a proclamation that panicked many.
“General Howe, having reduced Fort Washington, and obtaining possession of Fort Lee, is now directing his operations against New Jersey. There is much reason to believe that his views extend to the city of Philadelphia. The forces in New Jersey may be sufficient to oppose his progress. It is therefore indefensibly requisite for the preservation of this state, and the support of the general cause, that troops be immediately raised to reinforce General Washington. The measures adopted for this purpose you will learn from the resolutions enclosed. In this time of danger, it is unnecessary to use arguments with freemen, who are determined never to lose that character but with their lives. We have entire confidence, that you and the battalion under your command, will, upon this occasion, give the strongest proofs of vigour and patriotism.”
Could Gen. Howe be stopped in New Jersey, or would many, including the Monmouth militia, use the invasion as a time to change sides?
As Paine wrote, “These are the times that try men’s souls.”
Next Week: Loyalties?
