History of the Loyalists: Rebel Attack on New Jersey Volunteers on Staten Island

HISTORY OF THE LOYALISTS REBEL ATTACK ON NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS ON STATEN ISLAND. The Americans Are Defeated and Driven Off With Heavy Loss—General Campbell’s Official Account of the Affair-A Creditable Loyalist Victory. BY JAMES HANNAY. CHAPTER XXI. REBEL ATTACK ON STATEN ISLAND. On the morning of the 22nd September, the same day that the rebels attacked Colonel Hewlett on Long Island, they made an attempt on the British posts on Staten Island. This attack was intended to be a very serious affair, and was made by upwards of 2,000 men under General John Sullivan, General DeBoore, a French officer serving with the Americans, and General Smallwood. Staten Island was at that time garrisoned by Loyalists, belonging to the New Jersey volunteers, and by the 52nd regiment, the whole being under the command of Brigadier General Campbell, who had also with him some Hessian and Waldeck troops. The American histories, which are so diffuse in regard to the achievements of their troops during the war, have very little to say in regard to the Staten Island affair, which did not end in a manner satisfactory to those who projected it. The landing was made in two places on the Staten Island shore, near Elizabeth Point, and at the old Blazing Star tavern. These points were garrisoned by the first and second battalions of New Jersey volunteers, under Colonels Lawrence and Barton. The landing was made before daylight and all accounts agree that the two New Jersey regiments were completely surprised, Colonel Barton being captured with 25 men by the detachment of Americans which landed in his vicinity. The other party of Americans also succeeded in capturing Colonel Lawrence, with a good many of his corps. American accounts say that the number of prisoners taken by them of the New Jersey volunteers was 11 officers and 130 privates, but if these numbers are correct they certainly did not succeed in retaining them. As seen as the landing was effected at Staten Island a detachment of Americans proceeded to Dicker’s ferry and burnt some bad forage there. Brigadier General Campbell in the meantime heard of the attack and marched with the 52nd regiment, the regiment of Waldeck, and some of the New Jersey volunteers, to Richmond to attack the enemy. The rebels seem to have been promptly notified of his approach and began to retreat, and were finally all driven off Staten Island with severe loss, 257 of them being made prisoners, and a large number killed and wounded, among whom were a lieutenant colonel and 18 other officers. The following is a copy of the letter of Brigadier General Campbell to the general in command at New York, giving an account of this affair. It will be observed that this latter contains a reference to Lieutenant Colonel Allen, the grandfather of Sir John Allen, chief justice of this province:— GERERAL CAMPBELL'S LETTER. "STATEN ISLAND, 23rd August, 1777. SIR: I had the honor of informing you yesterday morning of a descent made by the rebels on Staten Island, and of my being on my march with the 52nd regiment of British, regiment of Waldeck, with two field pieces to each battalion, to reconnoitre and, if possible, to attack them. I am sorry to add that the rebels effected almost a total surprise of two battalions of Jersey provincials, which occasioned nearly the whole loss sustained by his majesty's troops, as will appear by the enclosed return. Soon after I wrote, I had intelligence that the enemy was moving toward Richmond with an intention (as I conjecture) of occupying the adjacent heights and thereby be enabled to cut off the retreat of the Jersey provincial regiments stationed beyond that village; which determined me to move forward to prevent sacrifice Of that corps, but a messenger soon after arrived from Col. Dongan with information that an attack had likewise been made on the west part of the island; that Lieutenant-Colonel Lawrence and a good many of his corps had been made prisoners; but that he, with Lieutenant-Colonel Allan and their battalions with a few of Lawrence’s that had joined them, had taken possession of some works formerly thrown up by the rebels near Prince's Bay, where they should be able to defend themselves until supported, or that boats should arrive to take them off." This strengthening me in my former resolution, I advanced on the footsteps of the enemy and proceeded without the least interruption to the village of Richmond, where I was obliged to halt to bring up the rear and refresh the troops, who were even at this time very much fatigued from the excessive heat. From this place Brigadier General Skinner was directed to send repeated expresses to inform Col. Dongan of my approach, and desire him to endeavor a junction. I had proceeded but a short way beyond Richmond when I was informed the rebels bad reached the old Blazing Star, and were using the greatest diligence in transporting their troops to the Jersey shore. As this very instant an officer arrived from Col. Dongan, that he was little more than a mile distant on his way to join me, whereupon I sent him orders to turn towards the enemy and to attack whatever body he could come up with, and that I was following with all expedition and would support him; he obeyed my orders with spirit, bravery and resolution, and engaged their rear for near half an hour, when the 62nd regiment came up, exchanging shots and moving to take them in flank; and the cannon having by this time began to play upon their boats about 150 surrendered prisoners to lieutenant Colonel Campbell of the 52nd regiment; and the remainder, of about the same number, retreated towards the extremity of the Island, of which last number was Brigadier General De Boore; and reports render it doubtful whether he as yet has made his escape off the island. However, the troops were at this time so much fatigued that I found it altogether impossible to pursue them. I must not forget to mention that Colonel Buskirk’s brigade was early in the day ordered to attack a party left to cover the enemy’s boats, which they did with charge of bayonet and obliged them to retreat to the Jersey shore. The troops lay for that night under arms, and this day I detached the greater part of Skinner’s brigade towards Ambey and proceeded with the regular troops on my return. A party was this day ordered to bring off the enemy’s boats, under cover of a piece of cannon, which was effected without any loss. By prisoners’ reports and from the enclosed order found in General Smallwood's major of brigade’s pockets, it appears that this attack was carried on by select and chosen troops, and formed from three brigades, Sullivan’s, Smallwood’s and DeBoore's and headed by their respective generals, besides Daton’s and Ogden’s battalions. We have taken in all 259 prisoners, among whom are one lieutenant colonel, one major, two captains and 15 inferior officers. Their loss in killed cannot be ascertained but must have been considerable. I cannot do too much justice to the troops, who seemed to be only anxious who should engage the enemy first and be foremost in the race of glory." A LOYALIST VICTORY. This affair was highly creditable to the provincial troops and showed that they were made of the right material for fighting, even though they did not show to much vigilance as regulars would have done. American accounts place the loss of the rebels at 13 killed and 15 wounded, but as they only report 136 made prisoners, whereas Colonel Campbell had 259 in his possession. It may be assumed with safety that their losses in killed and wounded were greatly understated. Colonel Kemble says that the rebels were reported to have nearly 200 killed. The loss of the British on the same authority is given at 6 killed and 25 made prisoners. Colonel Dongan, of the New Jersey volunteers, who behaved with great spirit, was mortally wounded and died a few days later. He was the youngest son of Walter Dongan, of Staten Island, and was a lawyer. He left a widow, but it is a singular fact that his only child died on the very day of his own death. The achievements of the New Jersey volunteers are of great interest to the people of New Brunswick, because all three battalions settled on the river St. John, although some of the officers took up their abode in Nova Scotia. Col. Thomas Barton, whose capture is mentioned, settled in Digby, Nova Scotia, where he received a large grant. Sabine says that after his death in 1790 his family returned to the United States, but it is possible that some of his descendants are still in that province. Capt. Abraham Tan Buskirk settled in Nova Scotia, and in 1784 was mayor of Shelburne. Colonel Lawrence also settled in Nova Scotia, but afterwards went to England where he died. Colonel Allen, as has been already stated, settled in this province, and was one of the first judges of our Supreme court. New Brunswick contains today thousands of persons who can trace their descent from the gallant men who repelled the rebel attack on Staten Island in 1777.