Page 27

Towns of Bloominggrove, Cornwall and Monroe

Page 27

As these spots are of patriot interest, alike to the young and aged of the county, it may be well to refresh the memory of

the one and instruct the other by a short statement of some incidents which properly belong to them, and with which they were associated during the time we speak of, lest we omit to place an offering upon the altar of our common country, when our assumed position demands it at our hands.

In executing this object we direct the attention of the reader in the first place, to the attack, defence and reduction of Forts Clinton and Montgomery. The former was a small affair, and could only accommodate a garrison of 300 or 400 men. Fort Montgomery was as large again, and could hold a garrison of 600 or 800. When these forts were assaulted by the English, the troops in Fort Clinton were principally militia men, and full half of those in Fort Montgomery were of the same description, under the command of Gov. George Clinton, Gen. James Clinton also being there in a command. The regular troops, shortly before this time, had principally been withdrawn from the Highlands by the orders of Gen. Washington, which left these forts almost defenceless, except by the militia called out from Ulster, Orange, Dutchess and Westchester, to the number of 600 or 700.

The English came up the river from New York in ships and transports, with 5,000 troops, under the command of Sir Henry Clinton, who intended to land his forces in the Highlands below the forts, and proceed up by land. The whole of that assault, defence and capture, are best set forth in the dispatches of Gov. Clinton, and which we copy.

NEW WINDSOR, 7th Oct., 1777.

“GENTLEMEN-The extreme fatigue I have undergone the three days past, and the want of rest for an equal number of nights, renders me unfit to write you on matters of so serious consequences to this State, as I have to communicate. I am able only briefly to inform you, that yesterday about 10 o'-clock, A. M. our advanced party was attacked by the enemy at Doodle Town, about two and a half miles from Fort Montgomery: they consisted of but 30 men; the enemy by appearance and accounts, so far received, of 5,000. They received the enemy's fire and returned it, and retreated to Fort Clinton; soon after, we received intelligence that the enemy were advancing on the west side of the mountain, with design to attack us in rear. Upon this I ordered out Lieut. Cols. Bruyn and McClaghry, with upwards of 100 men, towards Doodle Town, and a brass field piece, with a detachment of 60 men on every advantageous post on the road lo the furnace. They were not long out, before they were both attacked by the enemy with their whole force; our people behaved with spirit, and must have made great slaughter of the enemy. I strengthened the party on the furnace road to upwards of 100, but they were obliged to give way to so superior a force as the enemy brought against them. They kept their field piece in full play at them, till the men who worked it were drove off with fixed bayonets, then spiked it, and retreated with great good order to a 12 pounder, which I had ordered to cover them, and from thence in the fort. I immediately posted my men in the most advantageous manner for the defence of the post, and it was not many minutes before, as well our post as Fort Clinton was invested on all sides, and a most incessant fire kept up till night; and soon after dusk, when the enemy forced our lines and redoubts at both posts, and the garrisons were obliged to fight their way out, as many as could, as we were determined not to surrender, and many have escaped.

“I was summoned, sun an hour high, to surrender in five minutes and thereby prevent the effusion of blood. I sent Lieut. Col. Livingston to receive the flag, who informed them that he had no orders to treat with them, except to receive their proposals, if they meant to surrender themselves prisoners of war, in which case be was empowered to assure them good usage. About ten minutes after, they made a general and desperate attack on both pests, which was resisted with great spirit, but we were at length overpowered by numbers, and they gained the possession of both posts.- Officers and men behaved with great spirit, as well Continental troops as militia. Our loss in slain can not be great, considering the length of the action. My brother, General Clinton, is wounded, and I believe made prisoner. This is the case with Major Logan. The number of missing I can not ascertain. The ships are both burnt and Fort Constitution demolished, by our people, without my orders; but I can not, as yet, condemn the measure. The officers all say it was right. I am clear it was as to the fort, after removing artillery and stores, which has not been done. The ships I hoped might have been saved. Genl. Putnam will retreat to near Capt. Height's, about three miles from Mrs. Van Wyck's, and I mean to rally my broken but brave forces, and advance tomorrow on Butter Hill. Genl. Putnam is to send Cols. Webb's regiment to join me.