History of the Royal Regiment of Artillery, Vol. 1

The attack on the fort was too powerful to be resisted; so it capitulated. Lord Cornwallis, with a large body of men immediately crossed the North River, to attack Fort Lee, but it was abandoned by its garrison on the 18th November, and all the guns and stores fell into the hands of the English.

The English now overran the Jerseys, and the following guns were present with the Royal Artillery during the raid: four light 12-pounders, fourteen 6-pounders, eight 3-pounders, and two 5½-inch howitzers. This was a very critical period for the American cause, almost as much so as after the Battle of Long Island. "During these operations, the New York Convention was greatly alarmed lest the numerous forces (i. e. loyalists) of the State should rise in arms, and openly join the British forces. Often obliged by the movements of the armies to change its locality, that body sat successively at Haarlem, King's Bridge, Philip's Manor, Croton River, and Fishkill; some of the time, to guard against surprise, with arms in their hands. A committee was appointed for inquiring into, detecting, and defeating conspiracies. That committee had funds at its disposal, a special armed force, and unlimited powers. Many Tories were seized by its orders and sent into Connecticut for safe-keeping, their personal property being forfeited to the use of the State… Some of the New York Militia (in Washington's camp) refused to do duty. They were offered – they said – peace, liberty, and safety, and what more could they ask."33 While not underrating the energy of a people who could attain their end in spite of such difficulties, it is healthy reading occasionally, in the midst of flabby orations as to the uprising of a united people, to examine passages like that just quoted. A large substratum of loyalty existed yet, which had to be kept down by a sort of reign of terror; and although, as we shall see, the loyal diminished greatly in numbers as the war went on, the fact remains that the rebellion was not a national conception, but a party manœuvre, which secured by dexterous management the assistance of many pure and noble men, and ultimately – assisted by war – received the co-operation of the mass of the people. The war bound the people together by an instinct of self-defence, apart from the reasons which had brought it about; and once committed to a cause, men are as ingenious in inventing, often unconsciously, arguments in its favour, as they are enthusiastic in defending their opinions.

The gloom of the American cause in the end of 1776 was brightened by a surprise of some German troops at Trenton, by Washington, who took the whole prisoners, to the number of about 1000. This success did much to re-animate the rebels, and gave a new life to their prosecution of the war.

The year 1777 was destined to be the most eventful year of the whole campaign. The British had formed a plan, whose aim was as good as its execution was foolish. Prior, however, to its commencement, Washington made an attack on two regiments, the 17th and 55th, near Princeton, which is described in Brigadier Cleaveland's despatch to the Board of Ordnance in the following words: – "The most particular action that has happened since Washington's recrossing the Delaware, was an attack made by him with 4000 men, upon the Battalion of the 17th Regiment at Princeton, in which action the 17th has gained great honour, and their Lieutenant-Colonel, Mawhood, great reputation. The heavy fire of the enemy at the first of the attack obliged the Regiment to retire, under cover of four 6-pounders advantageously posted. Here the Regiment formed, and made a general charge upon the enemy, whom they forced wherever they advanced, leaving a piece of cannon behind them. Colonel Mawhood observing the enemy increasing greatly in their numbers, thought proper to march from Princeton, where we were obliged to leave two 6-pounders, all the horses belonging to the guns being shot, and the axletree of the other carriage broke by firing." At this affair, Lieutenant Desaguliers, and nine men of the Royal Artillery were killed. These active movements of Washington had the effect of making both General Howe and Lord Cornwallis withdraw their forces from Trenton and Princeton, and spend the rest of the winter near New York, – on Long Island, and in the neighbouring parts of New Jersey.

The plan of operations formed by the British Commanders under instructions from home is well and succinctly described by the American writer, Lee: "It contemplated the annihilation of resistance in all the country between the Lakes and Albany; undisturbed possession of the Hudson River (thus severing the Union), and the conquest of Pennsylvania, whose capital (Philadelphia) was the metropolis of the American States." To carry out this plan, it was resolved that one British army should march from Canada, and another from New York, whose meeting would complete the separation of the Eastern from the Western States, north of New York. Two blunders were committed in this scheme. The first was the appointment of General Burgoyne to command the northern force, instead of General Carleton, who was well acquainted with the country; the second was the employment of a northern army at all. New York was in English hands, and the mastery of the sea was as yet undisputed. Had New York been made the base of operations, and an army been sent up the Hudson, with its communications with New York maintained by the navy, the separation of the States would have been assured. But when General Burgoyne with his 7000 men left Canada, and plunged into the American forest, he cut his communications with the base of his operations, and his case became more hopeless every mile he advanced. That it was not want of gallantry, but infamous strategy, which brought on the Sedan-like Convention of Saratoga, may be seen by the most cursory study, and is eloquently acknowledged in the following words by Lee, who, though an enemy, was not blind to the courage of his opponents: – "Where is the General who ever more prodigally risked his life in his country's cause, than the unfortunate Burgoyne? Where the army which more bravely executed its leader's will, than did that which he conducted? What danger was avoided? What effort unessayed? What privation not submitted to? What difficulties not encountered? But all terminated in disaster; and the army, from whose prowess so much was expected, yielded to its equal in courage, to its superior in number." The American army, under General Gates, was a little over 13,000 strong; Burgoyne's force did not exceed 5700|at the date of the capitulation. The interest to the Artilleryman, in the details of this expedition, is unaffected by its disastrous termination. From commencement to termination, order-books,34 despatches, and regimental records, speak in terms of enthusiasm of the courage of the Artillery, and their gallant commander – Major-General Phillips – who, although only a Regimental Major, held the higher Army rank by brevet, and was second in command of the whole force. Of the service of the Artillery at the Battle of Stillwater, Cust, in his 'Annals of the Wars,' writes, "The Artillery did wonders;" – and of the retreat of the 7th October, the same author says, "Phillips and Riedesel were now ordered to cover the retreat, and the troops retired, hard pressed, but in good order; the Artillery, under Major Williams, doing good execution, but all the horses having been disabled, six of the guns were obliged to be abandoned." Stedman, in his account of the Battle of Stillwater, says, "During the action, Major-General Phillips contrived to convey through a thick part of the wood, some British Artillery, which was of essential service. Captain Jones of this corps, who fell in this action, was particularly distinguished." But the most valuable comment is that made by General Phillips himself, after the termination of the campaign; in a report made by him from Albany on the 22nd October, 1777, to Lords Townsend and Amherst. "I have to report to you, my Lords, that the Corps of Artillery which I commanded has acted during the campaign with the greatest spirit, and has received the entire approbation of General Burgoyne, and the applause of the army. In the action of the 19th September, the Artillery was of infinite use; and a brigade commanded by Captain Jones, with Lieutenants Hadden and Reid, was particularly engaged, and maintained their post to the last, although in doing of it every man, except five, was either killed or wounded. Captain Jones was killed.

"In the affair of October 7th, Major Williams kept a battery in action, until the Artillery horses were all destroyed, and his men either killed or wounded; being unable to get off their guns, he was surrounded and taken, with two officers, Lieutenants York and Howorth, the latter wounded. Captain Blomefield, my Major of Brigade, was also wounded on the 7th instant, at Major Williams' battery. I cannot sufficiently commend the activity, zeal, and spirit of the officers. The same gallant spirit remained to the last day, when the Convention was signed. I had the honour to deliver a message to the Lieutenant-General from the Corps of Artillery, that they were as ready as ever to undergo any hardships, or to undertake any difficulties, for the King's service. Under this description, allow me to recommend the corps to your Lordship's protection, and humbly request that you will represent their conduct to His Majesty." The men of the Irish Artillery, who were referred to in a former chapter as having taken part in the American War, formed part of the force under General Phillips, and it was to their conduct during this expedition that allusion was made by the Master-General in the despatch there quoted.

The story of this disastrous expedition is short and simple. Having left his Canadian quarters in June, Burgoyne invested Ticonderoga on the 1st July, captured it on the 6th, pursued the flying garrison with gunboats on the lakes, as well as in forced marches by land, and utterly scattered them. Leaving the lakes in the end of July, he marched for the Hudson; but as he already felt the want of supplies, it was the 13th of September before he crossed that river, and took up his position at Saratoga. On the 19th September, the Battle of Stillwater was fought – in which the English were left masters of the field – the 9th, 20th, 21st, 24th, 47th, and 62nd Regiments being engaged, and behaving with the greatest valour. On the 7th of October, a forward movement made by Burgoyne was defeated, and it was during his retreat on that day that – as stated above – Major Williams' battery behaved so well. Affairs were now desperate: the Indians were deserting, and the enemy increasing in numbers every day; supplies of all sorts were short, nor was there any means of obtaining them; the actually effective British troops did not exceed 3500; and there was an opposing force, said to amount to 16,000 men: there was no appearance of the long-expected army from New York under Sir Henry Clinton; and even if Burgoyne succeeded in retreating to Canada, he might greatly embarrass Clinton, by enabling Gates' and Washington's armies to unite; but retreat became soon impossible. At last, with only three days' provisions left, he opened negotiations with General Gates, and on the 17th the Convention was signed, and this wild, baseless expedition met its natural and disastrous termination.

This was the signal in Europe for action among England's enemies. From this day, France and Spain made no secret of their resolution to join the Americans; and to this extraneous evil was added the indignation of the English people with the Government. Even those who opposed the war were indignant with the authorities: ready critics, although backward in assistance. The affair at Trenton was more valuable, as far as the Americans themselves were concerned: it came at a time of great depression, and reanimated their drooping spirits: but as far as other nations could judge, the surrender of Burgoyne was most important, and decided two at least to take an active instead of a passive share in the war.

But in the mean time what were the troops doing at New York? And in the first place, what were Colonel Cleaveland, and the companies under his command, doing? They were becoming sadly diminished in numbers, and the theme of all Colonel Cleaveland's letters was the same – a cry for more men from England. "The demand for Artillerymen," he wrote "is so great that the smallest body of infantry wish not to move without them. I must therefore entreat your Lordship to give us every possible addition to our Corps… From the small number of Artillerymen in quarters, and no assistance to be had from the army, I am obliged to hire seamen to act as labourers, and find they do more work than any other men I can employ."

At the very time he was writing thus, he was being pressed by the Commander-in-Chief to increase the number of guns for the field during the summer campaign; to form batteries of iron 24-pounders and brass 12-pounders on travelling carriages; and to buy as many horses as he could, instead of trusting to those which were pressed for service as required. His patience and the wants of the army being unable to wait for the deliberate movements of the English Ordnance officials, he at last obtained permission from the Commander-in-Chief to enlist three hundred men in New York, "although," he wrote, "these will be very insufficient to man the cannon for the field, – and we therefore most ardently wish for more Artillery from England." He clothed the recruits with the last year's clothing for the 4th Battalion, demanding an additional supply from England in its room. By the correspondence of this time, it appears that the men had no greatcoats except a few for use on sentry, which were kept in the guard rooms. The severity of the winter made it necessary to demand a supply, as the men were much exposed. This appeal was made in the year 1777, and was granted in the year 1786 – the matter having taken nine years to penetrate the official brain. Even then it was only granted in part – to the extent of ten per company, increased two years later to fifteen, as the idea became more comprehended by the authorities.

By the 1st of June, 1777, an extra supply of four hundred horses was obtained; the batteries were all ready, and by the middle of the month the campaign commenced. The object of Sir William Howe was to draw off Washington from a strong position which he held, enabling him to prevent his opponents from rendering assistance to Burgoyne, and also from advancing on Philadelphia. Every feint was attempted without success; and at last the British General resolved on a genuine invasion of some part south of New York, which would compel Washington to move. During the month of June, only one engagement of any importance took place, at Westfield, between the British under Lord Cornwallis and 3000 Americans under Lord Stirling, in which the latter were defeated with a loss of three guns. At this action, the detachments of Artillery who were present belonged to the 4th Battalion. By the way, a peculiar service for the Royal Artillery to perform is mentioned by Stedman as having been carried out on the 6th July in this year. "The American galleys were destroyed near Skenesborough during Burgoyne's expedition by Captain Carter, of the Artillery, who commanded a Brigade of gunboats. He gave chase, and pursued them with such speed, that he captured several of their largest galleys, and obliged them to set the remainder on fire with a considerable number of their bateaux."

On the 23rd July 1777, Sir William Howe embarked his army – leaving Sir Henry Clinton in command at New York – and sailed for the south. Until the 22nd August he kept his intended destination a secret, and baffled Washington's speculations, but on that day news came that he had entered Chesapeake Bay, so the American General marched to meet him. On the 25th August Howe disembarked his troops, and marched inland. To prevent the English reaching Philadelphia, the Americans who had been within a very few miles of their enemies, fell back, and occupied the heights beyond the Brandywine river. On the 11th, the English attacked the American position, moving in two columns, one under Lord Cornwallis, the other under General Knyphausen. The former column crossed the river at an unexpected point, and mounting the hill under a heavy protecting fire of Artillery drove the Americans into the woods. General Knyphausen had some severe fighting also, and ultimately succeeded in getting across.

This was the Battle of Brandywine, in which the Americans admitted a loss of 300 killed, 600 wounded, and 400 prisoners, besides 11 pieces of Artillery. The English had 8 officers and 74 men killed, and a little over 400 wounded. The Royal Artillery lost 5 killed – Lieutenant Shand, 2 sergeants, and 9 rank and file wounded. A small engagement, equally favourable to the British, and in which the 42nd and 44th Regiments greatly distinguished themselves, took place on the 18th September, and on the 25th Lord Cornwallis took possession of Philadelphia. Writing from that city on the 28th November to Lord Germaine, Sir William Howe said, "Much credit is due to Brigadier-General Cleaveland and to the officers and men of the Corps of Artillery."

While in Philadelphia, Brigadier Cleaveland heard that he was to be superseded by Brigadier Pattison who had been appointed to the 4th Battalion vice Colonel Ord, who had died in the preceding April. The first time that General Pattison is mentioned as having taken active part in the war was on the 22nd October, 1777, when the British troops took possession of the Fort of Red Back – on which occasion he commanded the Artillery: but General Cleaveland had not ceased to do duty, for he commanded the Artillery at the successful attack on Mud Island on the 16th November, an attack which succeeded in "removing all the obstacles to the free navigation of the Delaware by the British fleet."35

After Lord Cornwallis had entered Philadelphia, and while the great body of the British troops were encamped under Sir William Howe, at a village called Germantown, about six miles from Philadelphia, Washington made a sudden attack upon them early in the morning of the 4th October. Although at first successful, it did not long continue so. Failure of punctual co-operation, according to Lee's account, and the brave stand made by the 40th Regiment, soon changed the current of events: and Washington was ultimately obliged to retire with a loss of at least 1000 killed, wounded, and prisoners. In speculating on the causes of this defeat, Lee uses language such as few other American writers would use, and such as few living Americans would care to hear. But it is perhaps all the more valuable. "The defeat must be attributed," he says, "to the yet imperfect discipline of the American army: to the broken spirit of the troops, who, from day to day, and from month to month, had been subjected to the most trying and strength-wasting privations, through the improvidence or inability of Government: to the inexperience of the tribe of generals, and to the complication of the plan of assault – a complication said to have been unavoidable."

It was before superior numbers that the British evacuated Boston: to superior numbers Burgoyne surrendered at Saratoga: and now the superiority of numbers being in the other direction, the Americans were defeated in every action during this part of the campaign. Defeated, but, it must be admitted, not disheartened, for the losses round Philadelphia were forgotten in the blaze of triumph which accompanied the capitulation of Burgoyne's force; and the growing intensity of the American feeling will be realized from a letter, which will be quoted in the next chapter, written in the very place where their losses must have been most palpably real.

It was necessary to throw up field-works round the British camp, which after the battle of Germantown was brought nearer Philadelphia, and also to erect works to secure the command of the river. The Artillerymen were largely employed in building and arming these; and one of them was the scene of a gallant action on the part of a detachment, which is mentioned both by Stedman and Lee, and also appears in the MS. Record Book of the 4th Battalion. According to the last-mentioned authority, some detachments of Nos. 4, 5, and 8 Companies were employed in constructing batteries on Provence Island, in the Delaware, for the reduction of an American post on Mud Island, when a party of the 10th Regiment, under Major Vatap, which covered the works, abandoned them on the advance of the enemy, and the whole of the guns fell into their hands, but owing to the gallantry of the detachment of Artillery, the enemy was obliged to retire, the guns were retaken, and the batteries again occupied. Stedman in telling this circumstance mentions that the Artillerymen were under the command of a subaltern, to whose gallantry the recapture of the batteries was due: and Lee adds, "I believe this conduct of Major Vatap (who abandoned most shamefully the Artillery) is the single instance of dastardly conduct among the British officers during the war."

Sir William Howe spent the winter at Philadelphia with his army – of which eight companies of the Royal Artillery formed part. The same hesitation or dilatory disposition which prevented him following up his successes on Long Island induced him to spend many valuable months in idleness now. France and America had now formed an alliance, and it was very important that energetic action should be taken by the British troops in America before the arrival of the French fleet. But the opportunity was lost by the supineness of Sir William Howe; and although he was a man who had endeared himself to his troops, there can be no doubt that when he resigned the command in May, 1778, and was succeeded by Sir Henry Clinton, he was replaced by one who was equal to him as a soldier, and far superior in energy and activity. The first step taken by the new commander was to evacuate Philadelphia, and withdraw the army to New York. Every difficulty was thrown in his way by Washington, and a severe and indecisive engagement was fought during his retreat, which is known as the Battle of Monmouth or of Freehold Court-house. Both sides claimed the victory, but as Clinton's movement towards New York was not interrupted by it, it may be inferred that he had not the worst of the encounter. Four companies of the Artillery were engaged, and their fire was true and severe: one officer, Lieutenant T. L. Vaughan, was killed. On the 30th June, the English army reached Sandyhook, where they found Lord Howe's fleet; and early in July they passed over to New York. The conduct of the Artillery during the return from Philadelphia to New York may be learnt from the following order, issued by General Pattison: – "The very handsome and obliging terms in which the General Officers and others have repeatedly spoken of the appearance, discipline, and good order of the Corps of Artillery, and particularly of the conduct, care and attention of all the officers who have been detached with the several Brigades and Battalion guns, cannot fail to be highly pleasing and satisfactory to the Brigadier-General. He therefore takes this occasion to give them his best thanks, and to express further his entire approbation of the regularity and observance of duties that have been shown by all ranks during the late march, and of the cheerfulness and alacrity with which they have undergone the great fatigue of it."

During this retreat from Philadelphia, the Artillerymen were for the first time relieved of carrying their knapsacks and ammunition pouches, which were carried for them on the waggons. They carried their arms, except when actually fighting their guns, and had six cartridges in a small bag in their pockets.

A short summary of the occasions in 1778, after the evacuation of Philadelphia, when individual Artillerymen distinguished themselves, may be extracted from the pages of that most conscientiously and laboriously written work, Browne's 'England's Artillerymen;' with any requisite additions from other sources.

In July, 1778, Rhode Island was attacked by the American General Sullivan, supported by the French fleet. The island was garrisoned by 5000 British troops under Sir Robert Pigott, including a company of the Royal Artillery under the command of Lieut. – Colonel John Innes, an officer who, as has already been mentioned, commenced his career as a matross in 1736, and died in 1783, in command of the Invalid Battalion. The severe labour and exposure cheerfully undergone by the Artillery on this occasion were specially mentioned by Sir Robert in his despatches announcing the total defeat of the American scheme. The loss of the Artillery amounted to thirty-three killed and wounded. In September, 1778, General Grey sailed for Bedford, to destroy a nest of privateers, and was accompanied by some Artillery under Captain Scott, who blew up the American fort. In November a body of troops, with a detachment of Artillery under Lieutenant Ralph Wilson, sailed for Savannah in Georgia, a place which was speedily taken. From General Pattison's letter-books, it is easy to see that this operation gave great satisfaction in New York: considerable stores were taken; and the province of Georgia reduced. An officer of the Royal Artillery bearing the same surname as he who commanded at Rhode Island, Lieut. – Colonel Alexander Innes, was made Governor of Savannah, and afterwards sent home to the King with despatches. He had greatly distinguished himself during the attack.