Lieutenant Burt
Perhaps the most severe chastisement ever meted out to the Tories and their Indian allies in the region of which we write, was on an occasion in which Lieutenant James Burt took an active part. Lieutenant Burt was a resident of the town of Warwick, Orange county; and was an active Whig, bold, aggressive, and vigilant in defending the neighborhood against the attacks of the Tory outlaws.
In the village of Warwick resided a silversmith by the name of Johnson. He lived in a stone house, and from the nature of his business, having at times considerable silver plate and money about him, he kept his apartments carefully secured and guarded. The promise of so much rich booty excited the cupidity of his Tory neighbors, and they resolved to attack and rob the house on the first favorable opportunity. Accordingly, one dark, rainy night, a party of eleven Tories surrounded his house, some of Johnson's nearest neighbors being with the gang.
Johnson. He lived in a stone house, and from the nature of his business, having at times considerable silver plate and money about him, he kept his apartments carefully secured and guarded. The promise of so much rich booty excited the cupidity of his Tory neighbors, and they resolved to attack and rob the house on the first favorable opportunity. Accordingly, one dark, rainy night, a party of eleven Tories surrounded his house, some of Johnson's nearest neighbors being with the gang. Johnson's household consisted of two sisters and two negro boys, none of them being of any assistance in defending the place. He made a stubborn resistance; but the robbers broke open the house, and one or them dealing a heavy sword-cut on Johnson's shoulder, which disabled him, the ruffians were free to ransack the house at their will.
One of the negro boys and a Mr. Coe had been out that night eeling. Coming home just as the Tories were at the height of their pillaging, the latter, supposing the settlers had mustered to attack them, became frightened and fled, taking with them all the valuables of the house.
Mr. Coe had been out that night eeling. Coming home just as the Tories were at the height of their pillaging, the latter, supposing the settlers had mustered to attack them, became frightened and fled, taking with them all the valuables of the house. Lieutenant Burt was immediately apprised of the occurrence; and though the night was dark, and the rain falling in torrents, he immediately started to warn out his company. His way led him through a piece of woods; and while passing through he thought he heard three guns snap. Burt drew up his musket to fire, proposing to shoot at random in the direction of the sound; but as he feared the flash of his gun would expose his position, he refrained and passed on.
He warned out his company, and before morning they were in full pursuit of the Tory gang. Coming upon some Continental troops in the mountains, the latter were induced to join in the pursuit, the regular troops following one side of the range and the volunteers the other.
Lieutenant Burt's company suddenly came upon the robbers while the latter were encamped and eating their breakfast. They at once opened fire upon the robbers, and killed five out of the eleven. The other six started to run, when another of the gang was brought down by a shot in the leg, and secured. The other five made their escape and fled toward New Jersey, closely followed by their pursuers. A number of stolen articles were found at this place.
The whole population along the route of retreat was alarmed and every body joined in the pursuit of the fugitives. Three more were shot during the chase; the other two made their way to Hackensack, where each stole a horse and continued their flight. They were again pursued, the farmers tendering the troops the use of their horses for the purpose; at last one was shot and killed, and the other wounded and captured.
Lieutenant Burt had told the story of his hearing the snapping of guns in the woods, but his companions were inclined to discredit his story, and jeered him not a little at his groundless alarm. To convince them he was not mistaken, Burt led them to the spot where he heard the guns snap. It was found the robbers had been seated on a log within a few yards where the Lieutenant passed, as was shown by a number of stolen articles they had left there. The rain had wet the priming of their guns, to which circumstance he probably owed his providential escape.
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