|
Beginnings 1774 1775 1776 1777 1778 1779 1780 1781
1778
Summer – Marched out of Philadelphia and returned to New York under command of the new Commander-in-Chief Sir Henry Clinton.
April - Major-General (Colonel) Richard Prescott is exchanged for the rebel General Charles Lee
28 June – Battle of Monmouth Courthouse with Gen Alexander Leslie’s Fifth Brigade
“June
“In consequence of the determination taken to evacuate Philadelphia, the 5th Brigade (26th, 63d , 7th) 46th and 55th Regiments, [Lt Col John G.] Simco's and Stirn's Brigade, were passed over the Delaware at Cooper's Ferry and wagons with provision and stores for the march packed there under their cover.”
“22d The Army was under arms at 4 o'clock in the morning, and marched soon after through Slab Town to the Black Horse. General Leslie with the 5th Brigade took an intermediate road between that of the Column and Burlington, where it was supposed there might be some Rebel Troops; by that means flanking the baggage. The 5th Brigade afterwards fell into the Black Horse Road and brought up the rear. We learnt at the Black Horse that Maxwell, with a large body of men, had quitted that place at 2 in the morning. Several papers were found warning us to beware of being Burgoyned. A deserter was executed on the march.
“23d The Army marched in two Columns, the 5th Brigade under General Leslie forming the advance of that on the left. …
“General Leslie with the 5th Brigade masked the Bordentown Road when the [Cornwallis’] Column turned off at the Rising Sun. He afterward proceeded to Bordentown, where he lay on his arms all night. The Rebels cannonaded his Corps from a wood on the opposite side of a creek which enters the Delaware there, but without effect.
28th General Knyphausen marched from Freehold at 4. The baggage joined and followed his Division. Simco's Corps and the 5th Brigade took post on the Cranberry Road. …
The 1st Light Infantry were fronted about to the advancing Enemy, the Guards, Hessian and British Grenadiers were halted and faced to the left, and Orders being sent to the 3d, 4th and 5th Brigades to return and be ready to support, the whole began moving back. …
The Hessian Grenadiers and 4th Brigade remained in a second line, and the 5th Brigade kept in the rear as a reserve. …
30th Lieutenant General Lord Cornwallis marched at 3 in the morning and joined the other Division at Middletown. The 1st, 2d , 5th and Stirn's Brigade were sent forward to occupy the heights of Neversink, and the baggage received Orders to follow. At 10 in the evening the remainder of the Troops marched to the heights. …
The 3d, 4th and 5th Brigades were landed on Long Island; the 1st and 2d on Staten Island and the Guards, Hessians and Cavalry on York Island.
Thus was completed a March of many miles thro' the Enemy's country, in defiance of every obstacle they threatened or attempted to throw in our way; nor was it only by repelling and pursuing them at Freehold that a superiority both of skill and powers was shewn; but throughout the whole march they were perplexed in their conjectures by t he secrecy observed respecting our route and by false movements made to deceive them; neither could their Militia or Light Troops with their boasted knowledge of the country and dexterity in hovering round us, find an opportunity to give the least annoyance to a Column of eight or ten miles in length.
(Major John Andre Journal excerpt, Found on RevList, Message #52697)
Previous (1777) - Next (1779)
|
