Michael O. Logusz - With Musket & Tomahawk: The West Point-Hudson Valley Campaign in the Wilderness War of 1777

Copyright 2016 by Michael O. Logusz

All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without the express written consent of the publisher, except in the case of brief excerpts in critical reviews or articles. All inquiries should be addressed to Carrel Books, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018.

Carrel Books may be purchased in bulk at special discounts for sales promotion, corporate gifts, fund-raising, or educational purposes. Special editions can also be created to specifications. For details, contact the Special Sales Department, Carrel Books, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018 or .

Carrel Books is a registered trademark of Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Visit our website at www.carrelbooks.com.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

Cover design by Owen Corrigan

Cover painting by Mead, credit: Fort Montgomery collection

ISBN: 978-1-63144-040-3

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-63144-041-0

Printed in the United States of America

Contents

Introduction

1777. In Americas history, it is the year which secured independence. Though combat activities had commenced many months earlier in April 1775, at Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts, the final outcome of the newly established American nation had truly hung in the balance until late 1777. Saratoga, deep in the North American wilderness in present day upper New York State, ensured the survival of the newly created American nation. That year in the month of October, a major victory was achieved when over 6,000 soldiers from a proud British army emerged out of a wood line and on a huge field surrendered to the forces of the American Northern Army. Saratoga is regarded as being one of the top twenty decisive battles in military history.

In my first two volumes, With Musket & Tomahawk: The Saratoga Campaign in the Wilderness War of 1777 and With Musket & Tomahawk: The Mohawk Valley Campaign in the Wilderness War of 1777, the military, political, social, economic, and psychological events which evolved and occurred within and around the endless forests of the northeast are presented in depth.

But along with the wilderness events far to the north of New York City, there is the story of the events which occurred in the Northern Armys southern sector. Within the environs of New York City and the region to the immediate north, west, and east of this city, a massive conflict was likewise waged. In themselves, these events also played a role in securing the final victory at Saratoga.

The brave men and women who volunteered for service in the Northern Armys southern sector hailed from various ethnicities, races, religions, and professions. Major Thomas Moffat, who directed scouting operations for the Northern Armys entire southern area-of-operations, hailed from the Catskill region. Issac Franks, a poor Jewish inhabitant of New York City but supportive of the American cause, fled northward when the British occupied the city in 1776. In the vicinity of the Highlands, he joined the Northern Army. George Robert Twelve Hewes, affectionately known as R.T. and a former participant of the Boston Tea Party, in its aftermath returned to his home in New York City. Fearing arrest with the arrival of the British in 1775, he also fled northward to enlist in the Northern Army. Another soldier a Colored man born free was William Stewart. Determined to see the newly established nation succeed in establishing itself, Stewart volunteered for military service. Serving alongside those such as Moffat, Franks, R.T., and Stewart was a female soldier named Deborah Sampson. In 1777, she became a recipient of the Purple Heart, a medal awarded to those wounded or injured in a combat activity.

During the Wilderness War of 1777, the Northern Army did not occupy New York City, Long Island, and the citys nearby environs. Yet, this entire region was still officially in the armys operational zone. Via its spies, agents, couriers, saboteurs, and underground fighters, throughout 1777 the Northern Army successfully waged in the dark shadows a triumphant war amidst this populated region.

In this area, the Northern Army was tremendously assisted by the numerous women who resided in British occupied New York City. Agent 355, one of Major Benjamin Tallmadges best agents along with Lydia Darragh, a Quaker woman who likewise spied for the Northern Army, were just two of the numerous females who not only brought forth vital information but fought a highly successful war of assassination, sabotage, arson, and propaganda.

Initially, my intent was to write a separate Fourth Volume about the role which African Americans, women, and those such as the Mennonites undertook to ensure a victory for the patriots in 1777. Included also would be the political events of 1777 which formally established the State of New York, with Governor George Clinton being elected as the states very first governor; however, since the bulk of this information ended up being presented in the pages of the first two volumes, the remainder was largely incorporated in the pages of Volume III. Needing to inform my readers about the vital role females and those of black descent played in 1777 along with a few of the other little known but nevertheless vital events, I also included some of this information in separate chapters and very informative footnotes.

In the following pages of With Musket & Tomahawk: The West Point-Hudson Valley Campaign in the Wilderness War of 1777 , readers will be exposed to the events waged in New York City in conjunction with the military-political events raging to the north of the city such as at West Point in the Highlands, through the Hudson Valley northward to Kingston and Saratoga and into the nearby environs of Danbury, Ridgefield, and other sites in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. As in the previous two volumes, I again tried to capture the importance of the human factor. So in tribute to those who served that crucial year on the southern front during the Wilderness War of 1777, their ideas, goals, hardships, successes, and tragedies are presented.

Chapter 1

The Military Situation on the Southern Front, Late 1777

October, 1777. As General John Burgoynes army was systematically being destroyed within the forests of Saratogas region, many miles to the south in New York City General Sir Henry Clinton was putting together an expedition to assist Burgoyne.

Prior to his arrival to New York City on 5 July 1777 from England, Sir Henrys understanding was that Lieutenant-General Sir William Howe would advance northward from New York City to Albany to rendezvous with Major General John Gentleman Johnny Burgoynes army advancing southward from Canada. Arriving in New York City, Sir Henry learned much to his disappointment that Howe was no longer interested in advancing northward. Instead, Howe was now undertaking preparations to commence operations both against Philadelphiathe capital of the newly created American nationand General Washingtons main Continental Army.