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THE HUT CAMP ON THE DYCKMAN FARM
Painted by John Ward Dunsmore
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RELICS OF THE REVOLUTION
THE STORY OF THE DISCOVERY
OF THE BURIED REMAINS OF MILITARY LIFE
IN FORTS AND CAMPS ON
MANHATTAN ISLAND
By REGINALD PELHAM BOLTON J
Trustee of
The American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society
Member of
The New York Historical Society
The City History Club, Etc.
Author of
"The Defense and Reduction of Mount Washington "
"The Indians of Washington Heights," Etc.
WITH MILITARY NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS
CONTRIBUTED BY W. L. CALVER AND JOHN WARD DUNSMORE
Published by the Author 55 Liberty Street, New Yorlc
1916
THE NEW YC PUBLIC LIBRARY
733U52
ASTOR, LENOX AMD
TIL-DEN FOUNDA1 IONS
R 1916 L
Copyright, I916 REGINALD PELHAM BOLTON
To my fellow laborers
William L. Calver John Ward Durtsmore Edward Hagaman Hall
PREFACE
The information which has been secured by the explorations which are herein described, has established the character, as well as the location of most of the fortified places and camps of the troops of the contending Armies of the Revolution, on and around the northern portion of the Island of Manhattan, and comparison of the facts and objects disclosed by the work, with historical records, has resulted in some addition to our knowledge of the difficulties and dangers of that interesting period in our country's history.
The work has been conducted for its own reward, the establish- ment of historical fact, the preservation of valuable remains, and the enjoyment and instruction of the public.
The work has been productive, as we have reason to believe, of practical and far-reaching value in the interest it has awakened in the historic past of our city in a large number of our citizens, old and young, an interest which cannot fail of beneficial effects in promoting the growth of patriotism and good citizenship.
The work has attracted hundreds of visitors, has interested and informed numbers of children, has provided a theme for many newspaper articles, and the exhibition of the poor rusted objects in public places has proved a source of keen interest to thousands of visitors from all parts of our country.
In these saddened days of world warfare and misery, it would indeed be a misfortune and one that the circle of workers would greatly deplore, if the results of their labor, and the interest evoked thereby should lead to any increased martial spirit or any approval of war as a means of settlement of even a righteous cause.
To all true Americans we believe the vision that we have helped to open, of some of the events of the strenuous throes of our dear
Preface
country's liberty, will be welcome not only as a reminder of our forefathers' determination and suffering, but as an illustration of the futility of warfare and oppression.
The Kingsbridge road is bright to-day, Bedecked with nature's colors gay, The yellow dust upon the sod Is but the gold of goldenrod.
The hills around once more are green, As when with other eyes were seen Within this steep and narrow gorge The royal banners of King George.
The sleepy tide by Harlem's plain Kbbs southward, but returns again; So came the soldiers, dim and gray, That here made fight one bygone day.
On yonder height, where clings the pine, Was massed the Continental line; 'Twas there with fire and musket crack The armies struggled forth and back.
Perchance by night the battle train Storms, fights, and then retreats again. Perchance the pines hide misty hosts, With sentries wan and picket ghosts.
Long silenced is their warlike shout;
Their drums are stilled, their lights are out;
And few remember those who trod
Above the green and springing sod.
Yet they are here. In trenches deep, Yankee and Hessian soldiers sleep. The kindly earth is their abode; God rest them by the Kingsbridge road!
John James Mhehan.
CONTENTS
T. The Search for Relics 9
TI. Reminders of the Revolution 18
III. The American Army on the Heights 30
IV. The British and Hessian Armies on the Heights 40
V. Washington's Headquarters and the Camp of the 38th Foot Regi- ment 49
VI. Camp of the Musketeer Regiment von Donop 60
VII. The Van Oblienis Farm 64
VIII. Fort Washington, or Fort Knyphausen 74
IX. Barracks of the Fort Washington Garrison 85
X. The Hessian Hut Camp 102
XI. Laurel Hill, later Fort George 109
XII. Fort Tryon, or Forest Hill 121
XIII. The Camp of the Hessian Body Guard 129
XIV. The Hut Camp of the Seventeenth Regiment of Foot 148
XV. The Hut Camp on the Dyckman Farm 167
XVI. Holland's Ferry Camp 185
XVII. The Nagel Homestead, or Century House 196
XVIII. The Exterior Forts and Encampments 202
I
THE SEARCH FOR RELICS
The occupation of the relic hunter is particularly fascinating. The peculiar interest of the study of historical events when con- ducted upon the scene of their occurrence is increased by the possibilities of finding objects connected with them, and some- thing of the passion of the explorer, of the voyager and of the miner is combined in the work of searching for sites, which culmi- nates in the interest of actual excavation for these long hidden reminders. The uncertainty of results is an incentive to effort, and to crown the whole, there is the pleasure of possession of the objects disclosed, which constitutes the reward of the collector.
Above all, the pursuit is not only productive of interest, but is conducive to good health ; even the severe labor of digging under summer sunshine, under such stimulating conditions, has proved to be beneficial to the participants. To all this is added the mental satisfaction, that by means of some personal effort, an addition has been made to the sum of human knowledge, and interest and pleasure are later found in placing the objects where the public may share in their observation and benefit by their study.
Such have been the accompaniments of the work, conducted in the scant intervals that have been available between professional occupation and daily duties, of the tracing, discovering, locating and excavating of aboriginal, colonial and military remains on the upper end of the Island of Manhattan and the vicinity, con- ducted during periods of nearly twenty years by Mr. W. L. Calver and the writer, frequently aided by Dr. Edward Hagaman Hall, by Messrs. John Ward Dunsmore, Jeremiah Hunter, and Percy and Leslie Spier, and at times by other interested, though perhaps somewhat less persistent fellow-workers, such as Dr. Montgomery Schuyler.
To such enthusiasts there is an invigorating incentive, in free- dom to roam together over public lands, on private and vacant
9
Relics of the Revolution
properties, over street excavations, and along the bants of river and brook, eager expectation sharpening the vision, as the surface or broken bank is scanned for signs of one-time occupation , or for abandoned materials of interest.
Or, upon some place of possible interest indicated by a study of topographical condition or by historical records or maps, the work of digging and trenching is commenced, each member of the party taking a turn at the alternate operations of breaking the turf, or of lifting, sorting and sifting the soil, while the exposure of signs of interest concentrates the attention of all upon the selected expert, who with accustomed care, breaks out the layer of debris, or picks away the earthen casing of the half-disclosed relic. Even if actual results arc disappointing, the day is never lost, for community of interest begets discussion of interesting subjects, and conversation, banter, recital and humor lighten the strenuous labor. The work, too, is seldom lacking in attraction to the passer-by, and the eager questioning of visitors has resulted in establishing many a pleasant acquaintance and some long standing friendships. The discussion of the historical events connected with the " finds " has led to a decided increase of interest in the home locality by many residents and visitors.
To children, such work always appeals, their imagination gen- erally begetting extravagant ideas of its possible results.
"What yer lookin' for. Mister?" is a stereotyped enquiry, humorously developed into the searching question by one future humorist, " What d'yer think yer lookin' for? " The commonest demands are whether Captain Kidd's treasure is being sought, or gold, or worms for bait.
~No little aid is given by the willing schoolboy in the lighter work of sorting or searching, and often to equally practical effect, in conveying needed supplies of ginger ale or sarsaparilla, copious draughts of which assuage the heat of labor under the summer sun. With sharpened appetite the mid-day lunch of sandwiches and cake, under the friendly shade of some rock or tree, has a keen enjoyment, though the limited time not infrequently demands
10
The Search for Relics
that the work proceed while the worker eats. Thus it came about that the writer was caught in a photographic snap-shot, with a sandwich in one hand, and a long-deceased Indian's thigh-bone in the other, and may go down to posterity as having been afflicted with cannibalistic tendencies.
Speculation and imagination are brought into play when some new or unusual objecl is found. Often these objects are incased
Relic Huntei-9 at Work
in a mass of caked rust and sand, and ere shape can be determined the crust must be picked away with some hand tool. One worker's expertness in this direction has become a standing joke with his fellows, who maintain that out of a given shapeless block he may fashion the result '* to order." And when the partial disclosure of some buried object has been made, the excitement and interest are communicated to explorers and visitors alike, as with knife and scraper, trowel or gouge the material is dug away and the
11
Relics of the Revolution
whole of it is tenderly lifted to daylight. The little ohjects, such as buttons, are carefully handled and their surfaces cleaned with ancient toothbrushes, the larger "goods" with wire sink-brushes and the coarsest objects with a light hammer or pick. The process of excavation has been developed by practice. The pur- pose is to get beloiv any layer or stratum of material which is encountered and thus ensure the removal of every part of it. For this purpose a hole is sometimes sunk a short distance away and the material is approached by a trenching process. If possible the material is exposed from the south, so as to secure the light of the sun upon the uncovered material. When the material lies deep, as in the case of pits dug by the soldiery of the Revolution, the work of heaving the material up is divided by cutting a step and having a second shoveller receive the soil at half the depth of the excavation. Recent excavations in hut sites have involved the use of a wheelbarrow, at which each explorer takes turn as the motive " mule."
The methods and tools employed in field work have been developed by experience and vary with the character of the material which is sought. Local aboriginal remains are nearly always accompanied by masses of oyster shells, which involve severe labor if excavated from the surface, and therefore, a hole is dug at one side of the debris, and the material is thus exposed and removed sideways. Experience in the rubbish heaps of old Colonial dwellings has led to the method of attack from the lowest point by digging to a depth a little below the bottom of the layer and dropping the frail debris into the sifter.
The casual fire-place, or camp-pit is difficult of definition, and its limits cannot always be traced. The level of debris is then reached by sinking or trenching, the top soil is removed in strips, exposing the layer of rubbish or ashes, which is then pried up by a fork, lifted and placed in a sieve. The camp huts discovered in recent years are located by the floor level to which a hole is dug and then excavating proceeds along this level in all directions till the limit of the floor is reached.
12
The Search for Relics
All kinds of tools have been tried and their respective virtues tested on this work. The most effective is a spade-fork of four tines which is used to cut up turf, and also to disturb layers of shells or of packed debris. A pointed shovel is used to lift the soil so as to ease the labor of penetration. A flat hoe is carried to scrape the layers of material together, and to scrape the face of the excavation occasionally and thus disclose its composition; also to pile up the loose material ready for the shovel. A set of light and short tools is carried on exploring expeditions, and the heavy tools brought into use after a " place " is located. A short flat shovel is most useful in working in narrow holes, such as graves, fireplaces or huts.
The best hand tool for small work and for getting objects out of their place is an asparagus cutter or a small trowel, which may be used to slice away the debris, as it is found sometimes in layers. A small hand-rake or scratcher with wide claws is used for removing shells, and for breaking up hard beds of packed sand or trodden earth.
The sieve or sifter is an apparatus of the highest effectiveness, competing with the trained eye of the explorer; and oftentimes proving itself the better of the two in discovering small objects hidden in the soil. Its effect is to dissect the artificial materials from the soil, and thus to decide the nature and value of the material and decide the value of the place for further exploration. The sieves used for exploring are sometimes the common cheap ash-sifters, which can be used up as required or left on the ground, if found inconvenient for carriage. For regular and heavy work a larger fomi is used, made of galvanized wire, with a mesh of about half an inch square, strongly bound with hoop iron to a wooden box-frame, the shape of which, by preference, is oblong. With such a sieve very rapid sifting may be effected in dry soil, and about a ton of earth may be passed through in a short day's work, provided the stuff is not only dry but free from roots and stones, by which unfavorable adjuncts the labor is often much increased. Where much material has to be handled one shoveler
13
Relics of the Revolution
can keep two sifters busy, each taking turn to sift and shovel at short intervals.
An effective addition to the means of exploration is the sound- ing rod or probe, which was devised by Mr. Calver, a slender and pointed steel rod set into a wooden handle, which can be pressed down into the soil, to locate obstructions and objects hidden below the surface. Practice makes perfect, and the constant use of this
Explorers and Visitors
implement affords the user almost as valuable service as an eye that could see below the sod. An object such as a stone can be determined by prodding its hard surface, and its size can be defined by piercing the soil around it. The feeling of an oyster shell is quite distinct, as it can be pierced by a sudden thrust, while a human bone is quite distinctive to the sense of feeling on the rod, and a tree root has as characteristic a " feel " as a bone or
14
The Search for Relics
a piece of metal. When a Lard floor has been traced by the rod, the work of exploration consists in removing the top soil and heavy material down to a point just above the floor line, which is indi- cated by judgment. The surface of a floor cau be located by the •'sounder" very accurately. Then the layer of soil on the floor is sliced down by a flat shovel so as to avoid breaking the floor whether it be of brick or hard beaten sand or clay. This soil, if of promising appearance, is put through the sifter unless the objects left lying on the floor are readily discernible to- the eye. The floor surface or any unusual object which crops out of the soil is brushed with a wire sink-brush, disclosing the nature of the surface.
Finally, when an object is secured it is often a mis-shapen mass of rusty sand if its composition be of iron or steel, and this is best broken away immediately, while damp, by a few sharp picking blows with a tool such as the asparagus knife. When the coarse coating is removed, which in the case of a cannon ball may be very similar to the casing of a cocoanut, often an inch thick, the finer cleaning is left for later treatment. But the interest attaching to bronze objects and to pewter and silver but- tons is such as to brook no delay, so a well-worn tooth brush is brought into an extension of active service, and removes the thin crust of soil without destroying the characteristic color of the coin or badge, or the delicate design of the button-face. If the latter be evidently very frail as is usually the case with silver or gold faced buttons, the object is not cleaned in the field, but is placed in a little matchbox filled full of sand, and is thus protected from jar or shock on the way home, and also from the effects of too hasty drying, which is destructive to such material as bone or ivory.
Glass, chinaware and pottery are now recognized as of intrinsic value and interest. Its character forms an excellent index of dates of the material it accompanies, and with sufficient care, the bulk, if not all, of the component parts of a vessel or plate may often be collected and the object is restored to its original shape.
15
Relics of the Revolution
In some recent rinds the entire fractured portions of broken plates, bowls, and cups have been secured from the "dump," and reconstructed complete by patient cleaning, matching and cement- ing. The process of restoration of chinaware and particularly of earthenware and more especially still of Indian pottery, is one requiring time, a delicate hand, and unlimited patience.
The matching of such scraps of broken ware, after being
An Interesting Moment
thoroughly washed, beats the game of puzzle pictures by a mile, both in the quality of patience it demands and the interest it creates. The pieces which match are determined by the " clinch " together of the fractured surfaces, and are then marked with India ink so as to be readily identified. In order to build up the structure of the vessel they are strapped together temporarily with strips of " passe-partout " or gummed paper, and gradually
16
The Search for Relics
extended into as complete a condition as the extent of the find admits. Then they are broken apart and all small pieces first united, and later the sections thus made up are joined, till per- haps the whole object comes together, a masterpiece of care and a personal triumph added to the satisfaction of the collector.
The most fruitful fields for new discovery have been the banks or cuts formed by streets or by cellar construction, or by the washing away of hillsides or river banks. The processes of nature, in this direction, can be aided by an occasional dislodging of some of the soil on the crest, so as to expose a fresh surface.
The practiced eye detects old buried surface lines, or the line of any artificial disturbance, the red mark of fire, or the black of decaved debris. On the hill-tops the layers of soil are thin, and any buried debris may be expected to be found lying below it on the rock surface. In the valleys, the processes of farming and of nature have often buried quite deeply the aboriginal or other remains, and the steel sounder must be the guide.
So, by watchful observation, by prodding, scratching, digging, and trenching the soil, by measuring, mapping and comparing the surface indications, the sites of the villages and tepees of the aborigines, of the abandoned homes, barns and out-houses of the colonists, and of the forts, campsites and barracks of the soldiery, who at one period or other during its past, occupied the heights and vales of upper Manhattan, have been located and uncovered, and by patient cleaning, reconstructing, and comparing, a large number of interesting evidences have been secured, ere the advance of brick and mortar and paving had smothered all chance of their further observation and preservation.
17
II
REMINDERS OF THE REVOLUTION
The delay in the development of the upper part of the Borough of Manhattan as a residential district long preserved its ancient character, and its recent opening has disturbed the surface to an unusual extent, on account of the great variety of its topography. Thus an unusual opportunity was afforded to secure a number of long-hidden reminders of the warfare which resulted in the emancipation of our country, in which New Vork occupied the central position and took throughout a strenuous part. These have been found with, and often quite intimately associated with, objects of aboriginal or of colonial character.
The hills of Washington Heights and Inwood were not only the scene of fierce conflicts around Fort Washington in the year of the Declaration of Independence, as well as of several sharp engagments between the forts crowning the hilltops, and squadrons of the British fleet in the Hudson River below, but for seven long years thereafter, these hills and vales formed the camping ground of the British, Hessian and Tory troops which garrisoned the island of New York, and stubbornly blocked its recapture by the American forces.
Relics of these periods of its history therefore include objects left by American military organizations, during their construction and defence of its fortifications, many reminders of the fighting in the shape of missiles and other military objects, and in various places, quantities of debris attest the presence of alien troops including nearly every military corps of the then British army, and of its subsidized aides.
Within the old mansion of Colonel Roger Morris, Washington's Headquarters in the fall of 177G, there have been gathered, as a place of convenient access and appropriate associations, situated as it is immediately within the locality from which they have
18
Reminders of the Revolution
been taken, a considerable collection of these objects showing the military life and warfare of the Revolutionary period.
In times gone by, such objects were so little regarded that they were scattered in careless possession, and given away or sold to junk dealers or sent to be melted down in the foundry. Most of the relics of which local families were possessed have long been lost or scattered. Fortunately greater interest and attention have now been awakened, and from the possession of local residents and from the discarded debris of old houses, the writer has rescued many interesting objects. By the application of assiduous study and labor, the principal positions occupied by the garrisons have been decided, and from them have been extracted by excavation, many curious and some really valuable historical relies.
These objects have all been carefully grouped in the collection in the guard-room of the Headquarters House, in such a way as to preserve their association with the particular locality in which they were found. Their value in this relation seems to be greater than a mere assortment and display of objects of similar char- acter could possess, because they identify the character of the several places in which they were discovered. Thus, a few bullets or musket flints, more or less, added to others, afford no particular information, or instruction, but the fact that such objects were found at a particular place in association with other objects indi- cates their similar purpose and throws light on bygone conditions. If broken buckles, pipes and bayonets indicate the presence of soldiery at one spot, the same objects at another place identify its use by similar occupants. And even such humble objects as broken bottles, cracked crockery, and discarded tobacco pipes, which in themselves may be of small interest, when found closely associated with the numbered buttons of the British troops, are useful indications of historical value. Such sin.ple evidences have in several instances led to explorations which have resulted in the identification of certain sites as military camping grounds, with much advantage to the study of local history.
19
Relics of the Revolution
The value of local antiquities is discounted when they , are loosely combined in a single exhibit, and the comparison of various specimens from different localities seems to be of less educative value and of less civic interest than their display in connection with the locality in which they were discovered, although the value of the comparison of individual specimens is by no means to be ignored, and the collection at Headcpiarters is arranged with some groups of objects for this purpose.
The local centres around which most of such objects have been discovered are chiefly the military positions on the Heights which were fortified, fought over, or garrisoned during the Involution, such as Fort Washington, Fort George, Fort Try on, and a number of garrison camps around the Inwood Vale.
Separate cases in which the relics are grouped in the Guard Room are devoted to such particular localities, and some displays of objects of similar character are brought together in other cases for purposes of comparisons and illustration of bygone habits and methods.
Of the evidences of actual fighting, there are to be seen shot and shell of a variety of sizes, which by dimension and by location can sometimes be traced to the artillery of the defenders, or to that of the assaulters of Mount Washington and its outlvina; works. As the Americans possessed but two guns of sufficient caliber to throw solid shot of a weight of eighteen pounds, and these cannon were mounted to discharge toward the river, such cannon-balls, when found on the Hudson side of the Heights, may be attributed, as well as others of larger dimensions, to the weapons of British frigates. Shot of smaller sizes when found on the known line of advance of the British and Hessian troops toward Fort Washing- ton are presumably American, but others of all sizes and weights can, from their location in the vicinity of the fortifications, be regarded as those which were fired by the field guns and howitzers of the invading forces. Some of these missiles thus tell their own story very clearly.
20
Reminders of the Revolution
• The largest shells, of which exploded segments have been found at Fort George, and one complete unexploded example in the Tnwood Valley, were doubtless thrown by the bomb ketches of the British, as were the various sizes of wicked looking double- headed bar-shot, which were distinctly marine missiles, the pur- pose of which was to injure the rigging of opposing vessels, but which were here used to " scour the woods " occupied by the patriotic forces at the time of the assault of Mount Washington. The phrase is used in the log-book of H. B. M. frigate " Pearl " of 30 guns, which on November 16, 1776, took part in the assault on the hills. One of her bar-shot, found at Fort George, in line with her position off Tubby Hook, retained a number of the iron spikes and nails with which it had been filled between the heads.
Of smaller missiles, iron grape-shot and canister balls are prob- ably from foreign guns, while humble buckshot and small-sized bullets are those of the hunting rifles used by many of the provincial forces. Portions of weapons from the scene of actual contest include broken bayonets, sword-blades and pike points, musket locks and flints, rusted ramrods and innumerable leaden bullets.
Among the remains of garrison life, a dumb but definite witness has been found, bearing direct evidence of the character of the participants. This is the metallic military button, which by its distinctive character or design and particularly by an inscribed number, indicates the corps of which its one-time owner was a member. Over the ground on which the hand-to-hand fighting of the assault and defence took place, and in greater numbers around the sites of camps and barracks, have been found many of the numbered buttons of the British regiments which were engaged or encamped, and others, even when lacking such distinc- tive markings, by their character and materials can be traced to the use of their antagonists or prisoners. Buttons of many of the British regiments, known to have been brigaded with, or to have occupied the same quarters as Hessian troops, are found
2\
Relics of the Revolution
associated with buttons of plain patterns, but of distinctive mili- tary character, which are undoubtedly those of the German mer- cenaries.
It is of interest to learn that specimens of many of these biittons are no longer to be found in England, and that all trace of their character would have been lost had it not been for those discovered on Washington Heights. The remarkable collection of these mili- tary buttons, which Mr. W. L. Calver's industry and skill has brought together, includes examples of every military organization of the British forces with the sole exception, at this date, of the Fifty-fifth foot.
Some of the ornamental buttons are of a high order of artistic design, especially those of French origin, and Capitaine Bottet, the author of the interesting work " Le Bouton de l'armee Francaise " has identified some of our local specimens as those worn by officers or men of the army of Bochambeau.
In connection with these objects, several fine specimens of num- bered and engraved belt-plates have been found, notably specimens of those of individual officers or men of the Boyal Fusileers, of the Twenty-eighth and Thirty-eighth Begiments and of the Cold- stream Guards, more details of which are given in the description of the camp sites upon which they were discovered.
A volume might be written upon the subject of such remains, were the purpose of this record that of detailed military history of each of the classes of objects discovered, but it must suffice to say, that a small but earnest band of experts has united in forming an organization known as " the American Buttonist Association," which by comparison of specimens, interchange of information, and correspondence with American and foreign authorities on military history, has established a branch of his- torical study akin to that of numismatics and not only of an inter- esting, but of a distinctly valuable historical character.
While the numbered button has thus earned a place among the materials for the compilation of history, many humbler objects that were found associated with the buttons have gained therebv
22
Reminders of the Revolution
an identification not otherwise possible. Around, and sometimes even in contact with, the numbered witness to the presence of the soldier of the Revolution, have been found the razors, the clasp- knives, bullets and gun flints that once occupied the pockets of the garments of which the buttons formed an essential part.
Royal Badge of a Guard Officer
Worn on the Sabre Taehe
(Now in the collection at the Washington's Headquarters)
With these are found also fragments of characteristic glass and earthenware, sometimes evidently of such character and age as to indicate its rude diversion from its proper ownership to camp usage, alongside the ubiquitous rum-bottle, the frequent medicine phial, and the occasional wine-glass.
23
Relics of the Revolution
If with these are found ornamental cuff buttons and the not unusual accompaniment of a brass pin, we feel sure that some cast-off clothing found its way to the tire or was left with the debris of many a feast, in the ashes of the camp hearth, or the straw that formed the carpet of the barrack room or hut. Xot only the lost or broken table cutlery, the pewter spoons, and the soup kettle tell of the feasts of the camp, but the same story is also told by the sawn bones, the fragments of skulls of sheep, ox and deer, the shells of oyster, clam and crab, and the thick masses of ashes and charcoal that once glowed with the heat that cooked them.
With the evidences of the bygone meals, the tobacco-pipe is always associated, usually broken into innumerable fragments. Occasionally a complete bowl is found, or a part of one tearing some one or other of the trade marks or names of makers which have long puzzled the collector of these htmible but inter- esting examples of the ceramic art. The wonderful state of preservation of many of these frail objects, the evidences of their long usage by their quondam owners, and the identification of those owners as participants in the great struggle for the prin- ciples of liberty, render the humble bowls of very lively interest. Perhaps more than any other of the remains of the period, they bring before us the personality of the actors in the great events of the Revolution, as we may imagine the pungent smoke ascending around the winter fire, or under the welcome shade in summer. to the accompaniment of many a tale of the actions in which their owners had taken part.
Many of the relics of a military character which in the past have been found upon the surface of Washington Heights were probably of as varied a character as those which have been more recently discovered by deliberate methods with spade and sifter. Many, however, were probably the scattered remains of the actual fighting which took place during the defence of the locality, for these more or less bestrew the rocky and wooded surface, and. from time to time became, what explorers term. " surface finds."' That
24
Reminders of the Revolution
such objects became more scarce as time proceeded beyond a cen- tury from tliose stirring events is natural, and yet, such things were still to be found in the earlier years of definite exploration, when the systematic search of its surfaces was begun. But it cannot be doubted that the majority of such objects have now been forever lost, for but little value appears to have been attached to them by the old residents and farmers residing on the fields of warfare. Xearly every old-time household at one time had more or less military relics, partly those of the battle and probably partly those of the camps of the armies of the Revolution.
The late Mr. O'ATara, head-gardener of Trinity Cemetery, was reputed to have gathered quite a collection during his many years of service around the Second line of Defence, which extended across the cemetery. The family of Blazius Ryer had other objects culled from the surface around the old Bluebell Tavern, and by the removal of the family these objects have now left the Heights, probably forever.
The ATorewood family, resident within the actual ramparts of Fort Washington, had an exceptional opportunity for collect- ing military objects, and during the building of their house and the grading away of the south part of the Fort for a garden took out quantities of heavy shot which were carted away to the foundry at Spuyten Duyvil. The late John Haven, long resident in what is now Fort Washington Park, took an interest in the subject and made a collection of historical objects, which accompanied him on his removal from the Heights. The awakening of interest in historical subjects appears to require the lapse of a century before the glamour of romance is thrown over past events, and the same principle is probably applicable to the value placed upon objects connected with history.
About the time of the first opening of avenues and streets on upper Manhattan this period had been reached, and a few of the then newer residents began to devote some attention to the military objects which were disclosed by the disturbance of the surface.
Among these was Captain English of the local police force,
25
Relics of the Revolution
followed by Captain, later Inspector, Moses Cortright, who rescued a number of buttons, badges, weapons and missiles from the excavations around Fort George. Another intelligent collector was the late F. W. Hofele, a Civil War veteran, resident at Fort George, who made the first public exhibition of such objects of local interest in his saloon at Fort George Avenue and 194th Street. It was the material which he preserved that formed the
Buttons of Tory Regiments
Queen's Rangers 2nd American
New York Volunteers Royal Provincials
starting point of the collection now at the Headquarters House. Another contribution was obtained from W. Herlihy, a contractor, who had the work of opening the " Ridge Road," now Fort Wash- ington Avenue, at 181st Street, and partly through the fortifica- tions. His group of objects included a human skull, which led to the identification of the " garrison burial ground " at Fort Washington Avenue and 181st Street.
26
Reminders of the Revolution
From time to time the gradual change of the Heights from a restricted residential district to a city of apartments, has dis- turbed relics, the disposition of which by the finders has been unfortunate. The average workman usually casts aside any object not readily understood, but such things as coins or shot are carried off and either hoarded, given away, or sold to junk dealers or bar- tenders.
An Italian workman usually places an extravagant value on rinds of coins, and is secretive as to what he has found. Prob- ably he assumes that the law relating to such discoveries is the same here as in his native country, and that the object may be taken from him if its discovery becomes known. Thus some inter- esting coins found at 176th Street were lost to sight. A local workingman once showed an unusual Saxon coin found " some- where near 168th Street " which was almost ruined in character by being carried about in his pocket with other coins. It was inscribed "12 Heller. Reichstadt, Sach. B. V." with the date on reverse of 1767.
About a dozen large bar-shot were dislodged by workmen on the site of the Chelsea Methodist Episcopal Church at l78th Street, on Fort Washington Avenue, which were probably from a series of fire hearths of military huts. Of these five were disposed of to a passing junk-wagon before Mr. John Brown, the contractor, learned of the fact and rescued the remainder. Mr. W. Green, another contractor, found what he described as a " chain shot " but which was probably a British bar-shot, in the excavation for a sewer on Fort Washington Avenue at 165th Street, and gave it away to the first interested visitor who examined it. Another such object was found under the site of the Audubon Theatre at 164th Street, near Broadway, which was secured by a tradesman near by, but was rescued by Mr. H. H. Dreyer and added to a small collection he has made in his office at 169th 'Street, where he has gathered several other objects, such as shot, bullets, and other military material. A fine bayonet found on the American
27
Relics of the Revolution
League Ball grounds at 167th Street, found its way to a saloon and its whereabouts is now unknown.
The late Mr. 0. C. Simpson, of the Consolidated Gas Company, was one of those who took care to preserve such relics, which came to his hands from the excavating for the extension of gas mains in the Dyckman tract, out of which he formed quite an interesting- little private collection, which included some military badges of historical value, but this collection is, like those of others, such as that of Inspector Cortright, inaccessible to the general public. Some very interesting objects were found and preserved by Mr. W. C. Muscheuheim, when he resided at Fort Tryon, but were lost in the tire that unfortunately destroyed his picturesque resi- dence. By the dispersion and loss of these and, no doubt, very many other such objects, the available historical material has been greatly reduced, and a greater value is placed upon what is left. Such objects lose much of their value when their association with the locality is lost, and few persons are particular to preserve a record of the exact position in which they were found. Objects such as shot have been attributed to " Fort Washington," a term which in years gone by covered the whole territory from Carmans- ville to Inwood. Therefore it has been a particular satisfaction that such relics as were preserved by the Libbey family, around their old home, Fort Tryon, are available to public view by their loan by Mr. Jonas Libbey to the Collection at the Headquarters House.
Gifts have been made by other persons, of isolated objects which have added materially to the scope of the collection.
With the knowledge gained by comparison of similar objects, and with the experience of direct search for sites and buried material, the collection at the Headquarters House has grown to a substantial group of objects, all of which are carefully connected with their place of discovery.
The result has been to render objects even of the commonest character of value and interest, and to afford to a large circle of
28
Reminders of the Revolution
visitors information which appears to be appreciated, as to the historical associations, not merely of the district, but of the par- ticular portion of it in which they live, sometimes the street and even the site upon which they reside, contributing, it may well be believed, to their interest in their home neighborhood, and through this incentive to the cultivation of a spirit of good citizenship and neiii'hborliness.
29
Ill
THE AMERICAN ARMY ON THE HEIGHTS
The military occupation of the upper part of the Island of Manhattan began in the early part of the eventful year of 1776, when detachments of American regiments commenced the con- struction of some of the defensive earthworks on the Hudson side, the chief purpose of which was to oppose the passage up the Hudson River of vessels of the British fleet. The anticipated arrival of the British army, and his forecast of its purpose of the occupation of New York, led General Washington, after his arrival on the fourteenth of April, to survey the Heights and decide upon the location of a system of defences of its rugged hills, by the construction of Fort Washington and its system of exterior defences.
The Heights at that period were in the condition of partly farmed and partly uncultivated woodlands, to which the industry of its scanty occupants had brought it, since the final division of its common lands in 1715 among the freeholders of ISTew Harlem. The allotments were then made in the form of parallel strips of land, extending east and west of the Albany post-road, reaching respectively to the margin of the Harlem and the Hudson.
The houses of its inhabitants were few and far between, all of the humble character of the Colonial farm dwelling, with the exception of two, which at that time were but recently con- structed.
These were the residences of Colonel John Maunsell and of Lieutenant-Colonel Roger Morris, the former situated on the west side of the post-road at 148th Street, and the latter on what later became the Jumel property east of the same highway between 160th and 162d Streets. At intervals along the post-road between Harlem and the King's Bridge were several taverns, that known as "Day's" at 126th Street, the "Morris White House" near
30
The American Armv on the Heights
160th Street, the well-known "Blue Bell" at IS 1st Street, and Hyatt's tavern at Marble Hill.
Of the fami houses, there were then standing a stone dwelling built by Jan Dyekman at 152d Street, which was occupied by bis widow and children, also the farm-house of Johannes Oblienis at 170th Street, and the humble home of Barney Bowers next to the Blue Bell. In the vale below Fort Washington the dwell- ing of the Kortrights stood at Arden Street and Sherman Avenue, and the farm houses of William Dyekman and of William Xagel faced each other on the bank of the Harlem at 210th and 213th Street-. A second Dyekman dwelling, probably occupied at the time by Jacobus Dyekman and his numerous family, was located at 208th Street, near 9th Avenue.
Into thi« scattered and slender community the advent of even a moderate number of armed soldiery must have introduced com- plications of an unusual character. The problem of food and drink would no doubt have proved easier of solution than that of housing or of providing even the poorest kind of shelter for a large body of men.
The officers were doubtless able to share, to a limited extent, such comforts as the farm houses afforded, but the private soldiers could have had but little beyond the rude shelter of the barns, the out-houses or the stables, and these only as far as their limited number permitted. The relics of military occupation have been found at every farm house site.
It was fortunate that, under such circumstances, the patriotic- forces which first arrived upon the scene, in the spring of 1776. were largely composed of hardy pioneers, farmers and woodsmen, and the number of men at first employed upon the Heights was limited.
There is reason to suppose, from a note upon the British ( Sauthier ) map of 1777. that the farm barn or out-buildings were occupied as barracks by these men. up to the period when the arrival of the main army, in September. 1776. overwhelmed these
31
Relics of the Revolution
restricted accommodations and compelled the large numbers form- ing its several divisions to find what comfort they could among the rocks under the wild brush-wood, and even upon the bare, unculti- vated uplands. It is interesting to find in some of the army orders of the period references to their camp life and conditions, which throw light upon the hardships they underwent in the service of their country.
Little experience existed among these men as to the methods of camp life, and the materials for the construction of barracks or even of huts were evidently scarce and costly. Thus men in search of firewood evidently helped themselves to the cut timber which formed the protective abatis of the earthworks, for an order was issued that "Any soldier detected in so doing, without orders from the Chief Engineer, is to be sent to the Provost Guard and tried by a General Court Martial." It was ordered that the arms and ammunitions were to be protected, in default of proper build- ings, by bell-tents or " painted tents " spread over them. The work of fortification compelled early rising and permitted no easy times, for ''All the troops are every morning to be under arms a little before break of day and continue till sunrise;" but the practice of sending the men out on duty without breakfast was directed to be discontinued.
During the summer of 1776, while the construction of forti- fications was in progress, the work involved the labor of a working party of twelve hundred men, which was paraded at seven o'clock each morning. While small growing timber was, probably, not so scarce, planks and boards were evidently precious. One of the orders issued from Headquarters at the Roger Morris house at this time indicates that most of the troops were living in tents. •• The building up tents with boards is a practice peculiar to this army, and in our present situation, cannot be indulged without the greatest injury to the service. The boards brought into camp are for floors to the tents."
The practices of the American soldiery in camp were the subject
32
The American Army on the Heights
of a number of general and special orders, which afford many details of the life and habits of the troops which have been con- firmed by objects found on the camp sites.
Powder was ordered to be issued 1o each man equal to fifteen or eighteen rounds, '* also lead and cartridge paper that they may make their own cartridges." Thus bullet casting was part of their duty. " The men must account for everv load not used in
The Southwest Bastion of the Fort
action." The quantities of lost bullets found show their careless- ness in this respect. Like volunteers and militiamen the world over, the men were probably independent and reckless, ofteu regardless of the strict routine life of trained soldiery. General Washington wrote that he " in riding through the camps, observed a shameful waste of provision, large pieces of beef not only thrown away, but left above ground to putrefy," and he added that while such practices continue, " troops will be sickly." " Some of the
33
Relics of the Revolution
camps nearest to Headquarters are very faulty in this respect." They were warned that if they did not show improvement, offenders would be named in public. Camp orderlies were then detailed to pick up rubbish and see that decent appearances were maintained. It was probably the work of such orderlies that gathered in the " dumps " or pits some of the camp debris which has recently been brought to light, in which the meat bones and shells of oysters and clams are conspieuoxisly abundant.
The food supplies of the troops were, of course, a matter of great importance. Traders and hucksters, who came into the camps from Westchester County, took advantage of the soldiers' needs, and charged exorbitant prices for fresh food and comforts. They were, therefore, put under regulation. " Various frauds, impositions and abuses being every day committed by traders and hucksters coming to this camp, the Quarter-master General and his assistant " were directed to regulate prices, particularly garden stuff, venison, cheese and butter. A public market was also estab- lished. " For the future, all persons bringing any of above articles immediately for sale, are to carry them to the foot of the glacis of the old fort, where the market is constantly to be held." The location of this camp market is not difficult to identify. The old fort was Tort Washington, its glacis was the slope extending from the fort, and the locality would no doiibt have been near the road and the main barracks. The sloping ground on the south- east covered by 179th to 181st Streets west of the post-road was probably, therefore, the area on which this market was conducted, as it lay near the Blue Bell Tavern, and close to the garrison bar- racks and high road.
The scene must have been an animated one, when the market opened every morning at eight o'clock, " and was allowed to con- tinue till sunset." With the camp cooks and soldiers off duty, there gathered the farmers' sons and daughters, the panniers of their ponies laden with meats and garden truck, while the Quar- ter-master's orderlies stood guard to see fair prices charged. No
34
The American Army on the Heights
" corners " were permitted for " Should any person or persons be detected monopolizing or forestalling the market, they will be punished by a court martial and have all their goods seized for the sick of the hospital."
Notwithstanding every care, many of the men became ill. " The battalion is very sickly," wrote Colonel Ewing of the Mary- land Regiment, " owing to our lying on the cold ground without straw or plank which is not to be had, and medicine very scarce.'' Medicine phials are often found in the debris. The surgeons were short of necessaries, and their mates were ordered to attend at the medicinal store to receive old linen to be torn up and con- verted into lint. There was a local tradition that this hospital was located in Bennett Avenue at about 184th Street.
On September 24th, 1770, a general order was issued that " The Quarter-master and the Chief Engineer are to mark the ground to-morrow on which the barracks and huts are to be built this side King's Bridge ". We believe this led to the selection of the Pres- cott and Seaman Avenue site, and that the camp which afterwards became a great centre for the British and Hessian soldiery was begun by the American troops.
Some information as to the position of the American quarters is found in the map which was prepared immediately upon its occupation by the British troops, and known as the Sauthier map of 1777. On this are marked in some detail buildings, sometimes surrounded by enclosures or fencings, which are referred to as " Rarraeks built by the Americans for their Winter Quarters and which they burnt upon the Movement of the King's Army to Frog's Point."
The position of some of these barracks or quarters coincides with the situation of some of the farm dwellings then existing. Others were evidently tent encampments or perhaps groups of shelters or huts placed near the lines of defensive entrenchments and fortifications.
The most southerly is at 127th Street, nearest the village of
35
Relics of the Revolution
Harlem, and the next north is on a defined eminence near the Hudson, about the line of 135th Street, probably that conspicuous hillock which has only recently been graded away on the west side of Broadway, between 134th and 136th Streets. The farmhouse and outhouses of the Dyckman homestead at 152d Street and St. Nicholas Avenue is another place indicated, and further north a building upon the east side of the post-road near the Morris house, which was probably the " White House," or Morris tavern, to which the wounded commander of the battle of Harlem Heights had been conveyed a few weeks before, and from which his body had been taken to its burial. On the west side of the high road near 169th Street is a similar group of structures, a place which has been identified as a camp site by the objects found in its vicinity. Near 174th Street on the east side of the present Broadway is a group of buildings, a commanding but exposed position occupying the highest ground which was traversed by the post road. This place was probably afterwards the wagon yard of the British troops.
The home of the Oblienis family, at 176th Street, and lands north of that point, extending to 181st Street, which at that period was in the possession of Blazhis Moore, the tobacco mer- chant, founder of the business and fortunes of the Lorillards, are marked on this map as military quarters. A significant group of several buildings west of Broadway is shown just below the glacis of Fort Washington and directly behind the Blue Bell tavern. These were repeated in greater detail in the British headquarters map of 1782 and from these maps the site of barracks used by the successive garrisons of the Fort was located. Both from their position on the early map and from distinctive objects found there, these buildings would appear to have been originally constructed by the American Army.
That there were others on the mainland, built or occupied for the use of the troops in the forts on the neighboring heights is evident from American reference to them. The construction of
36
The American Arm]} on the Heights
all these quarters formed part, and no small part, of the work of those troops which during the summer of 17TG occupied the upper end of the Island. Some must have been quite extensive struc hires, since in the general council on September 8th it was con- templated that eight thousand men would be kept " for the defence of Mount Washington and its dependencies,'' and for such a body of troops with their necessary stores and materials a large amount of cover must have been provided. Those were not days of ready sawn lumber and wire nails, and the construc- tion involved not merely the erection, but the hewing and sawing of the necessary timber, and perhaps the forging of the nails and spikes, of which so many have been found around the old loca- tions described. Some of the buildings were dismantled and others destroyed at the end of October, 1776.
Button of the Continental Army
At the time of the removal of the army to Westchester County, General Greene wrote to Washington, October 24, 1770, " Our people have had extreme hard duty. The common guards, com- mon fatigue, and the extraordinary guards and extraordinary fatigue for the removal of the stores and forwarding the provi- sions, has kept every man on duty." These labors consisted of the removal that month of the stores and provisions gathered dur- ing the summer on the Island, and then conveyed by way of the King's Bridge to Washington's army in Westchester; and with the shortage of horses and wagons this must have constituted a severe task.
It was that anxious period when the future plans of the British were causing the greatest troubles of the patriot officers, after
37
Relics of the Revolution
Hale's life had been sacrificed to their need for information, and when forebodings of the possible fate of Fort Washington were occupying the minds of the Commander and his trusted assistants, that the question arose as to the disposition of the shelters and barracks which had cost so much labor to erect.
" General Mifflin thinks it not advisable to pull the barracks down vet," continues Greene's letter of October 24th. " He has hopes of our army returning to that ground for winter quarters," a view which Lee had previously ridiculed. Greene expressed fears that " if the enemy should throw in a thousand or fifteen hundred men " at King's Bridge, they could cut off our com- munication effectually, and " as the state of the barracks are, they would find exceeding good cover for the men. But if we were to take the barracks down, (even) if the boards were not removed, it would in a great measure deprive them of that advantage."
Preliminary precautions were thereupon taken by Greene, who wrote, " I have directed all the wagons to be employed in picking up the scattered boards about the encampments. I believe, from what I saw yesterday in riding over the ground, they will amount to many thousands. As soon as we have got these together, I purpose to begin upon the barracks." On the 28th of October he wrote to General Mifflin, " The people have been employed in getting the boards together at Fort Washington and the ferry. Some have been brought from King's Bridge. To-day I sent up to Colonel Lasher, in command at Fort Independence, to know what assistance he could give towards taking down the barracks and bringing off the boards, and had for answer that he had orders to burn the barracks, quit the post, and join the army by way of the North River at the White Plains."
General Greene feared that the effect of this action would be to oblige Colonel Magaw to draw his forces within the fortifica- tions, " as the enemy Avill have a passage open upon his back," which is just what eventually had to be done, the step allowing the Hessians later to establish themselves on the island and repair
38
The American Army on the Heights
the broken King's Bridge. " If the barracks are not burnt in the morning and the enemy don't press too hard upon us, we will try to get away some of the boards.'' But even while he had been writing these words, these buildings on King's Bridge Heights were being reduced to ashes. Three days later the tardy enemy appeared on the scene to find " everything of value gotten away," and the King's and Farmer's bridges cut down.
There is good reason from the foregoing to suppose that the barracks upon Manhattan Island, were not entirely destroyed or removed, as they were in use up to the time of the assault which was made by the combined forces of Howe and von Knyphausen on November the 16th. The possession of such shelters as these barracks afforded, however crude they may have been, proved of immediate value to the captors of Fort Washington at that period of the year, and it is certain that those near by the fort and prob- ably elsewhere were promptly occupied by the British and Hes- sian regulars. Thus the structures which had for several months formed the only shelter of the poor patriots who shivered through the chill autumnal nights during the defence of the heights, and upon which much of their labor and some of their high hopes had been expended, passed into the possession of their opponents.
39
.-
IV THE BRITISH AND HESSIAN ARMIES ON THE HEIGHTS
On ^November the sixteenth, 1770, the newborn banner of free- dom was lowered, to be seen no more in this locality for seven weary years, and the flag of Britain took its place over the Fortress, on the security of which the hopes of its defenders had been placed. Notwithstanding the terms of surrender which were promised, the reputation of the Hessians for brutality was so great that the captured men feared the worst treatment. When Captain von Malsburg, detailed to take possession, entered the lines of the fort he was, he says, " surrounded with officers with fear and anxiety in their faces. They invited him to their bar- racks, pressed punch, wine and cold cakes upon him, complimented him on his affability, and told him they had not been led to expect such from a Hessian officer."
The men were told to fall in, and were marched out to surrender their arms. They must have gone down the lane that led to the fort from the King's Highway, through their abandoned breast- works to some open space near the barracks, where they were mus- tered for their march to captivity. Between a double line formed by the regiments of Colonels Kahl and Lossberg, the patriots " laid down their anus, and gave up their yellow, blue and white banners, on which Knyphausen looked with disdain," and forming into lines the dejected prisoners tramped between a heavy guard to their fate in the City.
Around the slope of Fort Tryon, and the face of the bluff extending thence to 187th Street, were stretched the dead of the Hessian and Waldeck forces, and over on the Hudson side of the Laurel Hill, and around the Morris House, lay a score of British dead and five times that number of wounded men. The Hessian wounded lay thickly around Fort Tryon, many of them cursing their lot, and the dying bewailing the fate which had brought
40
The British and Hessian Armies on the Heights
them into a quarrel in which they had no interest beyond a paltry pittance of pay. Many of their dead were evidently buried where they lay, or where the presence of sufficient earth enabled the body to be concealed, as shown by the remains which several times have been disturbed in the vicinity of the Fort upon the Hays property.
The wounded of the Hessians were ordered to be taken to Mor- risania, and upon their removal and the interment of the dead, some of whom were no doubt buried in what afterwards became the " Garrison Burying ground," at Fort Washington Avenue and 181st Street, and others perhaps in the little Nagel burying plot at 212th Street, the troops settled down into the occupation of the Heights, which lasted for almost exactly seven years.
The troops were promptly assigned to various quarters. The British brigades were divided, part being sent back towards New York, including the troop of the 17th Light Dragoons. Of the Hessians, five regiments were returned to the City, and the rest, under Major General Schmidt, were entrusted with the garrison- ing of the advanced positions so recently held by their opponents, in Fort Independence, and in those upon the hills commanding the creek of "Spiking Devil." The 4th battalion of Hessian Grenadiers, under Colonel Kohler, held Fort Washington itself, and the other German detachments settled into the late quarters of the Americans.
Captured arms were ordered to be delivered to Brigadier Gen- eral Cleaveland, " and no person on any account allowed to buy or sell them," for they would not improbably have found their way to American hands. Had it not been for this order many more discarded weapons might have been found on the Heights.
It was also directed that " all stores, lumber, etc.," taken from the Enemy, Arms, Ammunition and Artillery excepted, are to be taken charge of by Quarter Master General."
The Chief Engineer, Colonel Montresor, was ordered to inspect the works of the Fort and lo report upon their condition, which
41
Relics of the Revolution
he evidently did, and designated some part of them as unnecessary or unsuitable, for some portions were ordered to be demolished, but others were then, or later, strengthened.
General Knyphausen took up his quarters, with his staff, in the abandoned Roger Morris house, and thence sent his reports of this, the most important success of his troops, to his home gov- ernment. In the general orders of Sir William Howe, he was especially thanked for his services in taking the Fort and the compliment was officially paid him, of re-naming the captured fort in his honor, as " Fort Knyphausen," by which title it became pretty generally known for several years, by friend and foe alike.
The autumn was perfectly fine; "the finest weather for the season ever known, and such a Fall as no Man can recollect," and the sounds of actual warfare ceased for a time, but military life swarmed over the Heights in every direction, and the few remain- ing residents must have found themselves in very rough and unde- sirable company if they ventured abroad to attempt any of their one time avocations. The farm houses were all occupied by officers, as shown by .regimental buttons on the sites of the Oblienis, Dyck- man and iSTagel homes. . -
Thus commenced the course of events upon the Heights and in the Inwood .Valley which turned this hitherto peaceful locality into an armed camp, its hilltops into earthworks and forts bristling with cannon, and its humble homes into officers' quarters. The tide of actual conflict swept across the Harlem into the debatable land, but the alarms of war, the thunder of cannon and the march- ing and counter-marching of the bodies of armed men were a con- stant accompaniment of the life of the Heights, from 1776 to 1783.
Bare and uncultivated, stripped of every tree and bush, dusty and sweltering in summer, wind-swept and unsheltered in winter, the hills and vales must have presented a forlorn and desolated appearance, only partly relieved by the buildings, the flags and tents and the gay uniforms of its military occupants.
Of the motley collection of nationalities, English, Irish, Scotch, Tory, Hessian and Hanoverian, which composed the shifting and
42
The British and Hessian Armies on the Heights
kaleidoscopic army of occupation of the Heights, there is most fortunately preserved for our information a description in the diary of a Saxon officer which is full of details of local interest. These have been supplemented and confirmed by the discovery of the camp sites and of the fortified positions, to which his record refers, in the recent explorations and search for relics that are to be described.
Colonial Glassware in the Collection of Relies at Washington's Headquarters
Among the Germans who, during the Revolutionary period, made their military home, or rather occupied uncomfortable quarters, in this locality, was one who had the habit of keeping a diary, which record, owing to the rather unusual circumstances that tho diarist, after the close of the war, returned to America, where he married and settled down for life, was preserved by his descend- ants and has been translated and published by the New York His- torical Society. "With a drum-head as his table, and with an
43
Relics of the Revolution
extreme shortage of writing material, involving the most minute chirography anil laborious draftsmanship, Sergeant John Charles Philip von Krafft wrote memoranda and observations, accom- panied by drawings and maps, dictated by a keen interest in his surroundings, and an intelligent appreciation of military affairs, which together afford an extraordinary and vivid picture of the military life of that period as it existed on Washington Heights.
He was not engaged in the capture of the position, nor did he make his appearance here until nearly two years had elapsed thereafter, but from the year 1778 onwards to the end, he was quartered from time to time in its various forts and camps, and records his impressions, his views and his observations in daily detail.
Having left his home in Dresden, and abandoned his position as a sub-officer in the Saxon service, for a hoped-for career of adventure and advancement, von Krafft drifted first to Russia and thence to England, to France, and even to Canada and back again, ere he reached the scene of conflict then proceeding in the States, and volunteered to Washington, at Valley Forge, his ser- vices in the patriotic cause. Disappointed by the lack of an avail- able commissioned position, he made his way through the lines into Philadelphia, and entered the Hessian service as a " Volun- teer Sergeant " in the Musketeer Regiment of Colonel von Donop, in which capacity he eventually made his appearance upon Wash- ington Heights in the blazing heat of a July day in the year 1778.
His spelling is Saxon in form and amusingly phonetic in respect of our puzzling local nomenclature. " Spaken hill " stands for Spuyten Duyvil Hill and " Spaken Dubbel " for the Creek, while " King's Pritsch " and " Fort Intepentencc " will be more readily recognized than " Forsed hill," or Forest Hill, later Fort Tryon. In erecting, demolishing, remodeling and repairing the military works at these and other points to suit the varying ideas of successive commandants, von Krafft was employed during the five years of his service.
44
The British and Hessian Armies on the Heights
One of his first visits was to friends in the Regiment " Erb- prinz " then camped in the camp on Laurel Hill, or Fort George, where he evidently enjoyed the hospitality of that famous regi- ment's canteen, and in July, 1778, when for a time he had joined the Chasseurs, he was quartered at the Roger Morris house, then the German General's headquarters. While in service with the Chasseurs he marched along the high road across the King's bridge, and later did out-post duty on the Cock-Hill overlooking " Spaken Dubbel," where the Inwood mosquitoes made sleep impossible. With the same corps he took part in foraging expeditions into Westchester County where he was careful to secure his own share of the poor farmers' stock and produce, penetrating as far as " Weit Blane " in such quests. In November, 1778, he was on duty in the Cock-Hill Redoubt, and in December of that year, entered camp near Fort Kuyphausen, alternating turns of duty on the Laurel Hill ramparts, and across the Harlem, with camp jolli- fications, which resulted in bis becoming involved in several broils and fights. From his gossiping notes, we learn much of the cir- cumstances of the garrisons of the forts and the soldiery in camp.
The troops in those days went early into their winter quarters, consisting of huts, nine for each company, ten men to a hut. These we now know to have been the dug-outs discovered in several parts of the Heights. In summer the men cultivated the ground around them with vegetables and even with flowers. In winter time these were not available; fresh food was scarce, and so the men were sick and discontented. The steep ground occupied by the hut camp before Fort Knyphausen, on the line of Bennett Avenue, has some terraced plots, probably the Germans' little truck patches. On Fort George Hill the site of the Laurel Hill camp has been pretty clearly established by debris found in the rich soil which is even at this late date under cultivation at 194:th Street. From the notes in the diary we gain some knowledge as to the condition of the fortifications on the Heights.
Frequent threats of attack upon the exterior forts around King's
45
Relics of the Revolution
Bridge decided the British authorities to abandon and destroy them, so in the fall of 1779 the works of Fort Independence and of Numbers Four to Seven, forming the exterior chain of defences, were dismantled, and the garrisons were withdrawn to Manhattan island. Relics found in these places, therefore, ante- date the year 1779. Fort Prince Charles, on Marble Hill, thus became the most northerly outpost. In order to maintain com- munication with Fort No. 8 on University Heights, a sort of rope or cable ferry known as " Holland's Ferry " was established on the Harlem River from the mouth of Sherman's Creek at 201st Street, where a camp was established. The ferry was assailed by the wily American irregulars, who during the following year crept in at night, cut the cable, drove out a guarding force on the Bronx side, and burned huts which they occupied there.
The threat of attack on the defenses of the island, which in July, 1781, was made by Washington and Rochambeau, was actually witnessed by von Kraft't from Laurel Hill, and their forces were seen by him around Van Courtlandt Park. For ten days the combined American and French brigades, amounting to about four thousand men, were in sight of the troops on the Heights, while the eminent commanders made personal observa- tions of the appearance of the British and German defenses. Wash- ing-ton's diary records several observations of this nature, which are of value to our local history. The discovery of French mili- tary objects in the military debris is thus explainable.
In von Krafft's record is much information as to the number of the troops and the character of the corps which from time to time formed the garrison of the various military works, their rapid changes bringing about the abandonment of some of the service- able materials which have come to light when the sites of their barracks, huts or camps have been explored.
Among several productions of von Krafft's skill as a draftsman is a panoramic sketch which he made in 1779 from Laurel Hill (Fort George Hill), representing the field of view from Inwood Hill on the north to Fort No. 8 (the site of New York University)
46
The British and Hessian Armies on the Heights
on the east, both inclusive. This has been most helpful in identifying many of the military landmarks in this region. The sketch is reproduced in photogravure with von Krafft's diary in the publications of the Xew York Historical Society for the year 1882, but from the nature of the process of reproduction is obscure in some details. With a knowledge of the ground portrayed and the results of the explorations described in these pages, and with the aid of a magnifying glass, Dr. Edward Hagaman Hall has carefully redrawn the sketch with pen and ink, bringing out the distinctive features more clearly than in the photogravure, and it is reproduced on page 48 herewith. Efforts to locate the original sketch by von Kraft't have proved unavailing, and its whereabouts are unknown. Following is a translation of the original German title and explanation of the sketch.
" Situation plan of the Island of New York in North America, but only on the east side in the neighborhood of what had been Fort Washington but was afterwards Knvphausen; which I myself sketched in the month of May, 1779, from Laurel Hill. But this was not drawn until 1781, in the month of January and in the hut camp at Fort Knvphausen.
"Explanation: No. 1, 2, 3, on Speiten Devil, 4, .5, G, 7 and Q, American redoubts. G (script) Kings redoubts. I (script) Independence. V, block- house. Above-named redoubts which were constructed partly by the Ameri- cans, partly by the English, were demolished in the Autumn of 1770 during the construction of the line of circumvallation. in which I was also ordered to assist the English engineer, Lieut. Sproule of the 16th regiment. 0, torn- down houses; also hut camps no longer existing, such as: K, Emmerich's Chasseurs' camp: Z, Hessian Yagers and Chasseurs' camp; S, camp of the 17th English regiment which had been taken prisoners; E, Pontoon bridge then existing: M, Queen's bridge, destroyed: F, storehouse taken down; T. former camp of the regiment of Life Guards; U, orchard cut down for the barricades. B, the Island of New Jersey. A, North or Cox Hill and ita redoubt. C, Charles redoubt and D the guardhouse there. The same from A on are still in existence, as also is G, Upper Courtlandt's and H, Lower Courtlandt's house. N, King's Bridge. L, inhabited house. R, some huts of negroes, plantations and houses called Morisina. No. 8, redoubt. Ex (script) ferry crossing, otherwise called Holland's Ferry. W, Laurel Hill. X, still another place fortified by the Americans and improved by the English, a'a the intrenchments newly constructed in the year '79. a2a, and a% called Fort Clinton. Y, huts subsequently built by the 44th English regiment before the construction of the new intrenchments."
47
V
WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS AND THE CAMP OF THE 38TH FOOT REGIMENT
At the time when the tide of warfare was moving towards the City of A'ew York, the heights of the upper end of the island of Manhattan were in the peaceful occupation of farmers, and in part were in the same condition of wild woodland in which they had existed from time immemorial. The only change that had come about in the ninety years that had elapsed since Jan Kiersen had leased the Indian held in 16S6, consisted in the advent of sev- eral residents of the wealthier class, attracted to the locality, doubtless, by its varied charms of scenery, and its healthful alti- tude.
Two private residences had been erected for residents of this class, the one constnicted near 147th Street and the other, which is still in existence, at 100th Street, both situated on prominent heights, overlooking wide vistas of the low-lying lands of Harlem and the Bronx, to the glistening waters of the Sound.
The pioneer settler had long before transferred his operations from the Indian clearing to a property on the east side of the post-road, extending between 158th and 163rd Streets, and having built thereon a humble dwelling of the usual cottage farmhouse type, had been gathered to his fathers about 1750, at an advanced age. The attractive position of this little farm, above the bold bluffs overhanging the winding Harlem, invited the attention of travellers, and when Major Roger Morris was seeking a suitable site for a summer residence, his choice fell on this place. He pur- chased it and erected thereon about 1763, the handsome Colonial dwelling, which, after many vicissitudes of occupation and owner- ship, is now a treasured possession of the City of New York.
The expense of the building was probably borne by the ample estate of his wife, Mary Philipse, whose rights were afterwards
49
Relics of the Revolution
recognized as superior to the act of forfeiture in spite of her hus- band's attachment to the British cause.
Retiring from active service in the 47th Regiment, in 1764, with the brevet rank of Lieut. Colonel, Morris settled down to enjoy- ment of his home on the Heights, and took up the duties of a mem- ber of the King's Council.
Washington's Headquarters
When the course of events indicated the probability of the advent of actual warfare to the vicinity, the Morris family left their inter- esting home in the care of servants, and upon the arrival of the American forces, following the evacuation of New York, the vacated building was promptly utilized as the most suitable place for the establishment of the headquarters, and for the temporary residence of General Washington and his staff.
50
Washington's Headquarters and Camp of 38th Regiment
The construction of the defenses of Fort Washington had, prior to that time, involved visits from the General and his aides, dur- ing which the house had doubtless been observed and marked for the purpose to which it was put in September, 1770.
The building is partly brick and partly frame, is of two stories and an attic in height, and has a basement extending under its entire space, lighted by small windows. The kitchen was in the basement and probably some of the servants' offices. The wide fireplace in the southwest corner of the basement is evidently part of its original construction, though the flooring and other wood- work has doubtless been subjected to much replacement. A tra- dition, as in the case of other buildings, alleges the existence of a secret, passage from the basement to the Harlem River, a not very reasonable requirement in a Colonial gentleman's summer resi- dence, and a most impracticable accompaniment in view of the rock on which the house is planted.
Within the wide parlors of the residence were doubtless enacted many scenes of supreme interest, while the building was in mili- tary occupation.
The military map of 1777 indicates that at the time of the cap- ture of Fort Washington, a double row of military huts had been erected during the American occupation, which extended nearly parallel with the driveway from the high road to the house, or practically on the line of the present private alley known as Sylvan Place. These were probably the quarters of the guard, and per- haps of some of the staff.
Hard by, alongside the high road, there was then standing a building, which was several times referred to in orders as the " White House," or " Morris' White House," which, in all prob- ability, was the one-time dwelling of the Kiersen family It was utilized on several occasions for holding courts-martial, and was also the place to which the head of the leaden statue of King George was taken after the destruction of the monument at the Bowling
51
Relics of the Revolution
Green, arid from which it was stolen by Cox, the Tory innkeeper of Kingsbridge.
The little dwelling appears to have stood at a point about 125 feet south of the south side of West 160th Street, now beneath an apartment house known as Morton Court. Its position here was indicated by the presence of old bricks and plaster, disclosed when the excavations for that building were made. It had probably been razed before the Jumels purchased the estate, for it occupied a part of the space which formed the fish pond constructed after 1812, and round which were planted the Egyptian cypress trees, which, until recent years, were a conspicuous feature of the locality.
Immediately to the rear of this site, in the bank far below the margin of the fish pond, was a deposit or " dump " of household rubbish, in which was a pewter button of a private soldier of the 57th or West Middlesex regiment, a mute evidence of the presence of the military at the place.
It is probable that other "dumps" must have existed in the vicinity of the Mansion, in which, after the fashion of the times, household debris was buried. In the deposit above described there was found a number of brass pins of old form, some broken china, glass, bones and other domestic debris. The haste with which the place was cleared precluded more extended search, and much more was doubtless lost to view forever.
A search was made at several points in the present grounds on the east side of the mansion, and a quantity of household rubbish was found around the roots of one of the old trees which still cling to the edge of the rocks where Edgecombe Avenue was cut across the property. The material which was found- at the place proved to lie uninteresting, consisting only of masses of charcoal, broken brick and plaster, with oyster and clam shells and broken bottles.
At several places east of the house under the present grass lawn and flower beds, there is more or less broken or scattered debris, some of which consists of crockery and chinaware. So far, there- fore, the vicinity of the Headquarters House has not proven as fruitful in the discovery of relics as have the sites of older though
52
Washington's Headquarters and Canlp of 38th Regiment
much humbler dwellings, such as those of Van Oblienis, of Kort- right and Nagel.
If is natural to suppose that, at all times during the military occupation of the Heights, some troops were encamped in the
Reminders of Warfare
immediate vicinity of the Roger Morris Mansion, which was used as headquarters by the successive commanders of Fort Wash- ington.
The development of the neighborhood has wiped out all traces of such occupation, and the only records are, therefore, those rather
53
Relics of the Revolution
scanty descriptions which exist in the diary of von Kxafft, and a reference to the place in the writings of General Washington.
In 1778, von Krafft, then quartered at the hut camp at 181st Street, was on picket duty, on the 9th of December " with six privates in Xo. 1, back of what, was called General Knyphauseu's quarters, Morris House, at the water's edge, and not far from our regiment's camp," and on December 22, records an unpleasant experience. "At daybreak this morning, after leaving the picket with my six men from Xo. 1, it had been snowing all night so that one coidd not find any foot path — I fell several times into large snow-covered pools of water, and finally into what had been a cess-pool, but fortunately only a little above the knee of my left leg. Both of my big toes were almost frozen in my linen stock- ings."
In 1781, Washington made a reconnoissance of the positions on the Heights, from the Morrisania side of the Harlem, and wrote in his diary under date of July 18 : " On the Heights opposite the Morris White House, there appears to be another regiment, sup- posed to be the 38th British."
The following month von Krafft notes that " the 54th English Regiment came here from Paul's Hook and pitched their camp in front of the 38th Regiment near Xew York," that is. nearer than he was at the time. Later he says that his regiment, then at Fort Washington. " gave a watch " with the 38th Regiment as far down as the Fourth mile-stone, when the 54th Regiment moved away.
On September 1, the "38th received unexpected orders to march. They left their tents standing and all the women and children and disabled remained behind as hut and camp watch." On the Oth the mounted Yagers " Took possession of the tent camp at Morris House." and on the 11th " the 38th Regiment had their tents taken down and their baggage sent after them."
Of this regiment, several buttons and a fine belt plate have been found at the barracks site at Fort Washington, but none near the vicinity of l.r>0th Street, where, as previously stated, few relics
54
Washington's Headquarters and Camp of 38th Regiment
have been found, as it was cut up and built over even earlier than other parts of the Heights. Opposite the residence of Mr. E. B. Treat. — 942 Avenue Saint Nicholas — a camp fire-place was dis- turbed upon the widening of the old highway, which contained a couple of the double-headed bar-shot frequently used as fire-dogs. When the old cypress trees were cut down which surrounded the pond on the one time Jumel estate, there was found below the original soil, above which the bank of the pond had been formed, with the debris, broken china, glass, pipe stems and bottles, and a number of brass pins, as previously described, and a single num- bered military button of the 57th Begiment or West Middlesex. Near this was a smaller button with a spiral design on its face, similar to those which were worn at that period by French officers. The latter does not, of course, indicate the actual presence of such a foreign officer on this ground, but the proximity of the French Army in 1781 renders it probable that the button was secured by some person and brought to this vicinity after the French had retired, leaving behind them, on their line of march or places of bivouac, such souvenirs of their presence.
The room in the Mansion which has been set aside for the exhi- bition of the military relics of the locality is that on the west side, at the rear of the main entrance hall, generally known as the Guard Room. Like the other principal rooms of the building, it has windows on two sides, the north and west, light being very well suited to the purpose of exhibition.
The room has doubtless been repaired in modern times as the flooring appears to be more recent than that of the attic, where the chestnut planking is more than a foot in width. In the south- east corner, a doorway once existed, which apparently communi- cated by a steep stairway or ladder, with the basement, the space enclosing which is offset in walls of the main hallway. This formed a short cut to the kitchen : so the room may have served as a servants' living room and would, therefore, have naturally answered for the purpose of having the military guard in attend- ance on the staff.
55
Relics of the Revolution
The wall spaces on either side of the mantel have heen utilized to mount under glass part of the old French wall paper, which was probably the original decoration of the walls of the large par- lor, used as a Council Chamber at the rear of the house.
Within the Guard room are now arranged several cases pro- vided by the Department of Parks, in which are placed most of
The Guard Room at Washington's Headquarters
the military objects which have been found around the Heights in the searches to be later described.
The collection consists exclusively of those objects of a mili- tary character with others found in the same places, which have been discovered on Washington Heights. The collection has been carefully arranged as a locality exhibit, the various things found in and near each military site being grouped together. Some repetition of objects of a similar character necessarily results, but
56
Washington's Headquarters and Camp of 38th Regiment
this fact contributes evidence of their general use in military life at that period, and identifies other objects as of similar character.
The method which has been followed in the display has been to arrange the large objects in the lower spaces of the cases, and the smallest objects in flat frames in an upper space. The middle part of each case affords a flat space upon which objects of medium size can be well seen, and such interesting things as coins and buttons, deserving very close observation, are set on glass trays supported on inverted wine glasses so as to bring them close to the underside of the glass cover of the case. The materials being rather unusual, a number of experiments had to be made to secure the best results in their arrangement and display, which may lie of value to other collectors.
In fixing the smaller objects in place, use has been made of modeling clay, by which they can be supported at any angle best suited to their examination.
The large objects, such as shot, are supported by wooden and brass curtain rings which are excellent means to prevent their rolling about if the case be moved.
The coloring of the interior of these cases was a matter of many experiments, various tints being tried with coloi-ed cards. It was found that for such objects, most of which are rusty, a brownish cream color was far the best for contrast and light, and the entire interior of the cases was thus painted in 191", when the contents were re-arranged, numbered and indexed.
The labeling of the exhibits was no small task, and involved a study of type and color, as well as proportions. To avoid the appearance of rigidity and tanieness, the labels are not made of uniform size, but all sire hand drawn on cream colored card, which is cut and sand-papered to a white beveled edge. They are sup- ported at a suitable angle on wire stands bent out of paper clips, as no other suitable support could be found.
The angle at which the card must stand varies with position, those in the lower part of the case and in the front of the upper part, being set at a flatter angle than those at the rear.
57
Relics of the Revolution
Use has been made of some photographs in order to show loca- tions of the finds and more should he done in this direction, if space were available.
The objects have all been numbered by placing a printed num- ber alongside of each, mounted on a small colored card. This has been done with a view to the eventual preparation of a complete catalogue. At present, only a temporary typed catalogue has been prepared and is placed in the room for reference. The large num- ber of children who visit the exhibit and demonstrate their interest by reading the labels, show the value of the latter system, rather than that of a catalogue. It has been strikingly apparent that the interest of young people especially is aroused by this exhibit, and that they will spend more time in its observation than upon other collections.
An increase of interest in the locality is a result, both with the
younger and the older visitors.
Upon the mantel a case has been arranged in which samples of glass and china ware are displayed to advantage, some of the most complete objects discovered being placed there for better observa- tion, including several whole liquor bottles, schnapps flasks, plates and cups.
Upon the hearth of the fireplace there has been reconstructed the rude stone fireplace of the 1ml ( numbered 10) of the camp of the Body Regiment, which was measured, photographed ami removed to this place in 1913, On the ashes of this fireplace are arranged examples of the crude pot hooks, tongs and other utensils made by the soldiery out of barrel-hoops.
The large cases are numbered, and devoted to the exhibition <>t' objects from the following localities :
(1) Fort Washington and vicinity of 181st Street.
(2) Fort Tryon and the Body Guard Camp.
(3) Fort George, and the 201st Street Camp Site.
(4) In three sections:
A. 17th Regiment Camp — Prescott Avenue and vicinity.
58
Washington's Headquarters and Camp of 38th Regiment
B. Temporary displays of recent finds.
C. The Musketeer Camp and region round 16Sth
Street.
In the center of the room are two tahle cases in which grouped objects are exhibited. A, tray contains mutilated lead bullets of various kinds: another the samples of cut lead sheet, and another, leaden pencils of the camps.
Some grouped exhibits are mounted in wall frames. One con- tains objects of the nature of cavalry belongings found near the old Century house, at which buttons of the 1 7th Light Dragoons were discovered. Another is a group of the soldiers' pot hooks from various fireplaces, and another, the table cutlery of the Centurv House.
59
VI CAMP OF THE MUSKETEER REGIMENT VON DONOP
On the evening of November 15, 1778, just two years after the fall of Fort Washington, von Krafft " arrived at the camp of our regiment at the Eleventh mile-stone below Fort Knyphausen." His corps was the Musketeer regiment von Donop, which, like other Hessian regiments, took its name from its " Chef " or titular Col- onel, who in this case was Colonel William Henry Augustus von Donop.
The Eleventh mile-stone, one of those which had been placed on the high road about nine years before this date, stood in those days near the line of 173rd Street on the old King's Bridge Road, which is now re-named Broadway. The high roan, at this point reached the summit of a hill, whence Fort Washington was in view on still higher ground half a mile to the north. The Sauthier map of 1777 indicates some sort of a building occupied as quarters by the American troops, and others, on the west side of the high road, at about the line of IGOth Street.
On the military map of 1782, which is in much greater detail, there is a considerable enclosure at about 1 74th Street on the easterly side of the high-road, having several building within it, which may be assumed to have been stables and barrack huts. This space appears to have been on the site of the present Fort Wash- ington Presbyterian Church. The sloping side of the hill towards flic south, although very exposed to the winds from the west, formed a not altogether unfavorable position for a camp, particu- larly as there were several small springs of water in the vicinity. One of these is still to be seen in vacant land between 170th and 171st Streets, near Fort Washington Avenue; another, which was locally known as " the Washington Spring," is now buried below the intersection of 168th Street and Haven A.venue, and still another was about 200 feet west of Broadway, on the line of 167th
60
Camp of the Musketeer Regiment Von Donop
Street, which provided the water supply of the Murray farm, and overflowed into a marshy area which used to form a pond in win- ter, along the west side of the King's Bridge Road between 166th and 169th Streets.
Over this area and as far west as Haven Avenue, various traces of one time military occupation have been found. The troops which first occupied the place were not the Hessians of von Donop's corps, as it appears from further references by von Krafft that they were quartered in huts already constructed. " Our camp,"
Bayonets of the War of the Eevoluti
he says, under date of 18th November, 1T7S, " was very poor, because many of the huts which lay around the foot of the hill, among them mine, got full of water whenever it rained.''
" The drinking water was also very bad, and in every respect matters were in such a state, that if no change is made, diseases must unavoidably arise."
These complaints, though perhaps partly due to the discontent of the writer on his return to routine duty, were doubtless justified to some extent by the unfavorable conditions of the camp-site,
61
Relics of the Revolution
which in rainy weather probably presented several wet and boggy areas such as those above referred to, which existed until the filling in of Broadway and the construction of apartment houses on the west side.
The von Donop regiment remained only until December 1, 1778, possibly because of the exposed condition of the camp. Von Krafft says that in November " Tent coverings, iron pegs, axes, saws and divers other articles were furnished which were very serviceable to protect us against the cold."
The opening of 168th Street, between Broadway and Fort Washington Avenue, followed by that of 170th Street, and later, 169th Street, with the grading that ensued, disclosed a number of evidences of military occupation of this area. On the line of the former street, about 500 feet west of Broadway, there were found a number of large stones which had evidently formed the base of some building, and within and around the area enclosed were quantities of fragments of animal bones, which had been sawn into slabs, many being perforated by a circular cutting tool forming the bone buttons, some of which have been found on nearly every camp site on the Heights. Several pocket clasp-knives were also found there, with the usual pot-hooks, nails and broken bottles, indicative of the camp life of that period.
There were scattered pits that had been dug in the sandy soil, in which fires had burned, but no numbered buttons were discov- ered. Workmen reported finding a belt-plate, and stated that it was marked " IT. J." which may have been the initials of the Hes- sian Jagers, but the object was taken away by a teamster and no opportunity for its examination was afforded.
While the grading of the present ball grounds was proceeding, no opportunity could be found to follow up the material so hastily disturbed, and only a few objects were preserved by the workmen. Those secured included a few bullets and fragments of an exploded shell. A couple of cannon balls and a good sample of a bayonet fell into the possession of a local saloon keeper and were exhibited
62
Camp of the Musketeer Regiment Von Donop
for a time in a window in Amsterdam Avenue but are now removed.
On the sloping bank facing Broadway just south of 16!)th Street, we found large stones which had formed the fireplaces of a row of lints, with much ash and charcoal, but little in the way of other objects. Above these fireplaces on the side of the mound was the buried skeleton of a horse. A similar find was made behind Hessian huts at Thayer Street.
Further south, on the line of 167th Street, there used to he a line of boulders set in the bank extending about 100 feet parallel with Broadway which may have formed the base or backing of a similar line of buildings.
West of Fort Washington Avenue, on the grounds of the one- time Lespinasse residence or " French Academy," at 171st Street, to Haven Avenue, were found several fire-places, and some indica- tions of a small angular earthwork or redoubt, in one fire pit, with the inevitable pot hooks, was the greater part of a square black glass schnapps flask, some broken china and glass, and a part of a bayonet.
Over much of the area, occasional finds have been made of bul- lets and other small objects. The general character of these dis- coveries seems to fit in well with the description of the camp by von Krafft. The location of the huts close to the bog, the scattered fire pits, and the scanty material left indicate comparatively lim- ited occupation. The only button found was of plain form and was probably Hessian. A Saxon coin of the value of 12 Heller of the year 17.V7 was found by a workman somewhere in the vicin- ity. This was spoiled in appearance by being carried around with other coins in the finder's pocket, and was finally given awav by him to a chance acquaintance.
63
VII THE VAN OBLIENIS FARM
The opening of 176th Street across vacant property, between Broadway and Fort Washington Avenue, brought to light evi- dence of the one-time dwelling of the Van Oblienis family, pioneer settlers of the Heights. The discovery became of special interest, because of the prominence of that family in the affairs of the township of New Haerlem in its early days, and because the Oblienis farm was a direct successor of the aboriginal cultivation of the same area, known to the settlers as the " Indian field."
Joost van Oblienis, one of the earliest settlers in jS'ew Haerlem, after frequent and long continued service in its various offices, was at one time the most important personage in the township, in which his advice was sought on all matters of public interest.
When the decision was reached, in 1691, to allot among the freeholders the common lands of Jochem Pieters hills, now Wash- ington Heights, and the Round Meadow, now the Dyckman tract, one of the first allotments made was that in favor of van Oblienis, being number 10, comprising 22-')4 Hutch acres, " upon Ihe south end of the Hill," which eminence later became known as Mount Washington. This, the northerly boundary of this tract, was the present 181st Street, and the further acquisitions of the family brought its southerly line to 170th Street, where it extended from the Post road to the Hudson. Within this area there had existed, long prior to these divisions, the " Great Maize land " or planting ground of the local Indians, which had been temporarily occupied on a dubious sort of town lease by Jan Kiersen and his father- in-law. Captain van Dalsen, on an agreement to " be allowed to make an orchard."' and for rental to give a fat capon yearly, and " a fourth part of two hundred guilders in good wheat, rye, peas or barley, to he given to Ood the Lord."
Hpon this allotment, which thus included the land already ren- dered cultivable by the labors of the Weck-quas-keeks, Hendrick,
64
The Van Oblienis Farm
the son of Joost, took up his abode, and at the time of the death of the latter, in the year 1700, had already erected a dwelling, the remains of which and the evidences of its long time occupation have recently come to light.
The precise position of this building had been for a number of years, a subject of discussion by those interested in local history, because no signs of such a dwelling could be traced on the surface of the grassy upland, where it has since been found, in spite of the very definite assertion made by the historian, James Iiiker, in his " History of Harlem," that the dwelling stood " at the inter- section of 12th Avenue and 176th Street, on the tract since Arden's." It was thought, by a study of the title to the Haven properties forming the north part of the old Oblienis tract, that the " messuage," which was sold with 100 acres of the property in 1769, might have been the old farm dwelling, and if so, it would have occupied a site near that of the old Perkins home on the knoll at 179th Street, west of Broadway, around which were found traces of Revolutionary fireplaces and huts.
The position of this residence was upon that part of the Oblienis farm conveyed in 1769 to Blazius Moore, who resided thereon after the war, and therefore probably built his home on this site. The building walls were of unusually massive construction and of materials which were of the age or character of Colonial times. Its interior was closely examined when it was razed in 1908.
While its shell was probably much older, its interior structural details were of comparatively recent date, and so renewed efforts were made to locate the old home of the Dutch colonist. Permis- sion was obtained from the estate of the late Edwin Corning Clark, to make explorations over the area of the property at 17 6th Street, and in 1911 and 1912, various trial holes were sunk which resulted in exposing some remains of modern green-houses on the southerly portion of the property, which has since been loaned by Mrs. Potter to the City for a children's playground.
If those examinations had been made a little further to the north, they would very likely have located the old house materials
3 65
Relics of the Revolution
lying below the sods at that time. But the ground was hard, and the steel probe would not give good indications, and as other places were demanding attention, it was not until the cut was made for 170th Street, across the field from Broadway to Fort Washington Avenue, that the site of the house was exposed. The work was done with such haste that the workmen tore away most of the stones forming the foundations before any measurements could lie made. The line of this foundation on the south front of the building was, however, pretty well defined, and it located the house within 20 yards of the spot indicated by Biker.
The property was occupied by Hendrick and his wife Jannetje Tibout, until 1745, when their son, Johannes Oblienis, Constable of New Harlem in 1736, succeeded to the estate. In May, 1769, before the approach of the troubles of the Bevolution, he sold one hundred acres, the northerly portion, to Blazius Moore, tobacco merchant of New York, and conveyed the lower half of the farm to his own son, Hendrick, removing then with his family to the Manor of Cortlandt, where he died in 1775. in this and other parts of the State, descendants of the family are still to be found.
At the time when the tide of warfare invaded the Heights, Hen- drick was living in the old farmhouse with his wife, Maria Hevoe, and his son John and daughter Helen. At some time during that troublous period, the record of which is not available, the farm and dwelling passed to Jacob Arden, who acquired seA'eral pieces of property on the Heights about that time, and Hendrick probably joined his parents in their home up State.
Jacob Arden was a butcher, brother of James Arden, who was a tallow chandler, both being in business in New York City. Jacob removed during the war to Kakeat in Kockland County, where Beter Oblienis, the brother of Johannes, was already settled. There lie made his will in 1778 and died in 1781. leaving a widow Catherine, a son Jacob, and three daughters. Jacob Arden, butcher of New York, probably the son of the above, and sitccessor in his business, died 1798, leaving a widow Anne.
66
The Van Oblienis Farm
Several members of the Oblienis family took active part in the war in the service of their country, and thus evidenced their patriotic character.
The old house thus vacated was doubtless utilized by the officers of the armies on the Heights, a fact of which plentiful evidences were found during the exploration of the site. It is probable also that the house was left by the soldiery in a more or less dilapidated condition, even if it did not become wholly ruined, or share the fate of the Dyckman home by fire. Around the summit of the knoll which it occupied were quantities of broken red bricks, such as would have formed a chimney, though not enough to indicate that the building had been wholly constructed of such materials. It was probably of heavy frame construction on the stone founda- tion, having the brick chimney extending out from the east end of the building, as was the case with the Dyckman and other farm houses in this locality, Below the house on the south-east is the curb of a well constructed of stone, and tilled to the surface with recently deposited rubbish from a nearby cottage on the Clark estate.
A study of the British headquarters map of 1782 indicates the existence of several buildings between the site of the Oblienis dwelling and the high road, which is at this point now buried under Broadway.
This led to a search which at various points was rewarded by the disclosure of scattered debris below the grass. At one point there were indications of a fireplace constructed of stone, which may have been the remains of a hut, which was probably of the character of the buildings shown on the map of 1782.
Experience gained at other old dwellings soon located the de- posits of household rubbish near the house site. A small pit at the southeast corner of the house, conveniently near the porch, had been used to deposit a surprising quantity of broken china and earthenware. As fragment after fragment of similar character came to hand, all or nearly all the portions of several \itensils were secured. Among those which were complete and were entirely
67
Relics of the Revolution
restored were a pie plate of glazed eartherware, countless frag- ments of which have been found elsewhere, but never sufficient to make a complete plate ; a fine hand-painted plate ; nearly all of a hand decorated saucer and tea cup of English Delft-ware; and a green-edged Leeds cream-ware plate. Several articles of black glazed earthenware, including an egg cup, were found, with en- graved and cut glass objects, indicating some refinement in the table furnishing of the family. (See page 69.)
Above these peaceful remains were distinctly military objects, such as an iron grape shot and a leaden bullet, which afforded a clue to the military occupation of tbe place.
At the rear of the site the principal rubbish deposit of the house was found, where a tangle of coarse weeds grew in the enriched soil. A mass of household rubbish and ashes was found at a depth of from a foot to two feet belowT, the upper layers of which soon proved to be of military character. These included nearly two dozen of pike-butt points, which have been found on every soldiers' camp, and several of the little rectangular iron plates perforated with a keyed opening, the use of which is not known. Two large square sockets having a handle on a chain, were found, of which another specimen was taken out of the bar- rack site on Bennett Avenue. These were followed by more deter- minate evidence in the shape of a pewter button of the American Continental army, and a silver button of the 54th British foot regiment. The latter corps was that in which Major Andre held his commission, and which was, according to von Krafl't, encamped upon the Heights in August, 1781. " The 54th English Regi- ment came here," he writes, " from Paul's hook, and pitched their camp in front of the 38th Regiment near New York."
The pit containing the rubbish descended to about three feet depth at the lowest point, and eventually extended to ten or more feet diameter. It contained, besides the military objects, quantities of bones, shells, large and small forged nails, spikes, hinges, pad- locks, broken bottles and scraps of earthenware, and a few house- hold articles such as knives and forks, evidencing the usual house-
68
Relics of the Revolution
hold waste. Masses of red Colonial brick lay at the end of the pit nearest the dwelling.
A careful examination of the great cherry trees was made; one of these was between 10 and 11 feet in circumference, and though perhaps successors of the orchard of Kiersen and van Dalsen, they were all less than a hundred years of age, and probably were planted along the course of a driveway that led from the old high road to the farmhouse.
Connected as it is with the history of the leading family of the little old township, and occupying land the history and use of which extends back beyond the advent of the white man, it may be regarded as a very fortunate occurrence that it was possible to secure so much evidence, identifying for future record the site of the home of the old Dutch family of van Oblieuis.
After the sale of the northerly part of the Oldienis farm in J 709, the property passed from Blazius Moore through several hands to the late Hosea B. Perkins. His residence was a two- story stone building with two large square wings and standing surroiinded by beautiful lawns and shade trees, facing Broadway at 179th Street. Its "rounds extended to Fort Washington Ave- nue from l7Sth to 180th Street.
While the work of grading away the grounds around the dwell- ing was being hastily carried out, some significant traces of the past use of the place by the military came to light. Two small bar-shot were found on a fireplace near Broadway, which had evidently been used in the fireplace of one of the huts, of which there were traces at several points along the road. Xortheast of tlic house, on the edge of the elevated terrace which extended across its front, there was a pit in which were very many frag- ments of old bottles, a case bottle or flask, some china ware, pottery, a shoe-buckle, and old unmarked clay pipes. Southeast of the house, about the same level, was a bricked hearth with ashes, in which a musket bullet was found. Further to the northeast was another " dump," with large oyster shells and much charcoal, and
70
The Van Oblienis Farm
in this was found a very large clumsy iron lock operated with a screw.
This curious screw-lock consists of an iron box or frame about three inches deep and ten inches square. Through the center there passes the bolt, which is secured to a screw, set parallel and pro- vided with a hand-wheel or nut, by which it can be turned. There has evidently been a worm-wheel or screw lever, which has been
pivoted on the bolt, but was not found with it. There is a guide or trough on the inside of the bolt plate. The method of opera- tion is not quite clear, but it is ingenious and in its construction is an excellent piece of smith's workmanship.
This was found near the three old underground vaults which were uncovered under the terrace of the old mansion, and may have belonged to one of their doors. Close to Broadway the re-
71
Relics of the Revolution
mains of a building were found, which consisted of rough stones, with a brick hearth, on and around which were broken bottles, china, wine-glasses and pipes. One of the bottle-necks bore traces of wire which had secured the cork. Near the rear of the house was buried an old bill-hook and a spade of the old narrow form of Colonial times.
The haste with which the clearance of the soil and rock was made precluded any careful excavation, or even any opportunity of watching the process, as practically every part of the surface soil of this large area was cleared away within a period of two weeks, and at a season of the year unsuited to outdoor exploration. The soil was carried away and used to fill in West 173rd Street, between Broadway and Fort Washington Avenue, where, no doubt, some of the materials lost to sight in the process of clearing the site may some day be turned up. The huts along the west side of the King's Bridge road in the Revolution probably extended from the Oblienis farm to this point and in view of their con- venient proximity to the Blue Bell tavern and to the Garrison Barracks, it seems possible that such huts would be those occupied by officers. Reference to huts near the Blue Bell was made by Washington, who saw them during his reconnoissance in 1781, from Spuyten Duyvil hill top, but thought they looked more like stables than quarters.
Directly in the rear of this property, across Fort Washington Avenue, an excavation for the Chelsea Methodist Episcopal Church brought to light other evidences of military life. The site, at the north-west corner of 178th Street, was cleared in 1909, in great haste, and a number of fireplaces were disturbed around rocks, about one hundred feet from the Avenue, from which Mr. John Brown, the contractor, rescued a bayonet and seven of the largest size of double-headed bar-shot, weighing upwards of twenty-five pounds apiece. Others were disposed of by the workmen to a junkman at 10 cents apiece. He also secured the blade of a lance, which he presented, with two of the shot,
72
The Van Oblienis Farm
to the collection at the Headquarters House and one to the City College. In clearing out one fire-pit, there were afterwards found an iron canteen of the type used by Hessian soldiers, and a large brass buckle, both lying in the ashes of the fire pit.
Part of the garrison was probably camped out on this spot, and upon hastily vacating their quarters, left behind them such heavy impedimenta as these weighty shot, evidently used as fire-dogs on the hearths, as shown by the envelope of wood ashes in which they were encased.
When Fort Washington Avenue was opened years ago through the rear of the grounds of the Perkins residence, a fine bayonet was found, which is preserved by Mr. Pobert Perkins. The excavators also disturbed what they reported to be a brick-lined grave, said to have contained human remains, supposed to be those of a British officer, but no details of any objects accompany- ing the discovery were recorded.
73
VIII
FORT WASHINGTON OR FORT KNYPHAUSEN
The defence of so important a fortification as Fort Washington involved the quartering of a force within the citadel. The British map of 1777 indicates that there were four buildings within the bastions of the fort. Judging from experience in excavating other forts, such as Number Four at King's Bridge, it would seem that these would probably have been guarddrouses in which a number of men would be housed when off duty, with some sort of separate rooms or space for the officers in charge. As we know of no water supply within the fort, and as the position was very exposed to heat in summer and to cold winds in winter, the life inside the fort may well have been unpleasant as von Krafft states he at one time found it to be.
A British military map of 1782, in greater detail, also shows four buildings inside the fort, the main entrance to which is indicated on the south side in the centre. N"o traces of these buildings have been found, nor have sundry excavations at various points throughout the interior space yielded any results in the form of relics of past occupancy, save that the soil appeared to be more or less mixed with broken brick. This disappointint; result has been due probably to the extensive re-grading in past times within the fort, by which the remains of the buildings were either removed or buried very deeply.
The outlines of the earthworks, which must have been quite extensive, are now only faintly visible on the north side, and cannot be traced on the south. The western bastions are well preserved but those at the east side have entirely disappeared. The monument erected by "Mr. dames Gordon Bennett occupies the center of the northeast bastion.
When the rock at this point was being cleared for the monu- ment, a penny of King George III was found by John Crowley,
74
Fort Washington or Fort Knyphausen
just below the sod. It seems probable, therefore, that the interior of the fort has been leveled over with the material from the ram- parts, and that any debris which exists may be below a consider- able depth of soil. In 1010. a number of attempts wrere made to locate traces of buildings by measuring off space at regular inter- vals and digging short holes. There is an old cellar and fire-place almost in the center of the fort, but its construction appears to be more modern than the Revolutionary period. There is a well or rain water tank sunk in the rock which formed the north or center bastion of the fort, and which seems to be about twenty feet deep. Graydon. in his Memoirs, speaks very slightingly of the Fort and refers in particular to the lack of water as a large error on the part of the designers. It seems most probable that some such provision must have been made for the occupants of the fort, yet there is nothing about it that proclaims its antiquity except its rude shape. The remains of short shot holes used in blasting are more modern.
The history of the occupation of the Fort, after its capture, is scanty. We know that its charge was at first committed to the grenadier battalion of von Koehler, which corps under Rahl's personal direction had overcome the resistance of the American force at Fort Tryon, and thus practically brought about the sur- render of Fort Washington. After the event, it was officially re-named Fort Knyphausen, in honor of the Hessian General who had demanded and had received its surrender.
The first reference to its occupation thereafter is by von Krafft, from whom we learn that the Trunibaeh Regiment was ordered into the barracks within the fort in November, 1778; and he adds that "the workmen on the barracks'' had not completed their work, and thus delayed the arrival of the regiment. Prob- ably the work consisted of enlargement or rebuilding of the accommodation, so as to receive a whole regiment inside the fort.
In August, 1779, the powder magazine in the fort was torn down and the woodwork used in constructing additional defenses at Fort Tryon.
75
Relics of the Revolution
August 25, 1779, the 57th English Musketeers Regiment left the barracks to go to New York and their place was taken by two companies of the Prinz Carl Regiment. The 57th, in March, 1781, returned there and were accompanied by the " Composi- tion " battalion of returned prisoners of Knyphausen's and Lossberg's regiments and some men of the Trumbach or von Bose.
In duly, 1781, von Krafft himself, with his company of the von Donop Regiment, was ordered into the Fort, and was quartered " in tents on the right side," because an attack by the Rebels was expected. He tells us that " it was an execrable life there in the fort."
In August, 1781, von Krafft says:
" In the tents in the Fort, we, the two named companies, had much to put up with ; we were almost burnt up by the sun and almost swimming in the rain."
Among the few objects found in the past within the Fort, and secured from those who have scattered them, were a large key, a ramrod, and a pair of old, scissors.
The exterior part of the Fort consisted of earthworks, extending completely around the central fortification or citadel. Within this area the excavation for Fort Washington Avenue brought to sight a number of objects of military character. Several speci- mens of heavy missiles were discovered, and a double head bar- shot about sixteen pounds in weight. That the garrison from time to time camped out beyond the ramparts on the glacis and along the breastworks extending south of the fort, is evident from fire- places discovered in various places as far south as 17Sth Street.
On the northeast corner of 181st Street and Fort Washington Avenue, just beyond the line of earthworks, but on the glacis, there was found a human skeleton, only part of which was pre- served. The skull was for some time in the possession of William ITerlihy, a local contractor and saloon keeper, from whom the writer secured a fragmentary portion, together with a number
76
Fort Washington or Fort Knyphausen
of shot and other objects found near the same place. These included a pike or " Spontoon " blade of crude form and some British coins. The sewering of Fort Washington Avenue, just south of 181st Street, at a later date disturbed a number of human remains, which the contractor Green stated were at least forty- five in number. The location was traditionally that of the " Garrison burying ground,"' and of the remains, one skull was secured. Inspector Cortright stated that some of these or similar remains had previously been disturbed at the time of the con- struction of the Avenue itself, and that he had secured a large brass button from one burial and also a bullet taken out of the skull of another.
In 1910, an excavation was made on the north side of 181st Street for the construction of the Reformed (Dutch) Church, which cut deeply into the hillside, extending into the line of the breastworks. A search along the cut disclosed a few indications of military character, a gun-flint, a bullet or so, and then led to a fire pit at the northwest corner of the Church in which were found buttons of the 38th Foot, and one of a private soldier of the 82nd Scotch Regiment. This was one of the corps raised by the special efforts of the Scottish nobility for service in America, and was known as the Duke of Hamilton's regiment. It is inter- esting to note that no more than a single company was in New York at any time. Von Krafft records, March 6, 1780, that the 82nd with other corps went from New York to Long Island, and he again refers to the presence of the 82nd on the heights in August, 1783.
In May, 1913, an exploration was undertaken of the interior space in the outer earthworks of Fort Washington, as it had been noted that trees which once lined the old Bennett lane, between 181st Street and Fort Washington Avenue, were being cut down and, therefore, grading operations for the opening of Magaw Street might soon be anticipated.
77
Relics of the Revolution
It was found that the surface had been disturbed in several places, the turf being removed, offering an opportunity of exam- ining the soil which had never before been available. The steel sounding rod was used freely, and at a point about forty feet east of Fort Washington Avenue and about forty feet north of the Bennett boundary fence, a place was struck which gave an even resistance to penetration, indicating a level surface about a foot and a half to two feet below the sods. A small hole was dug and disclosed some old red bricks lying flat and close together at this depth, which at once indicated the existence of a floor, and some active work soon uncovered a brick-laid space extending west and north, floored evenly with old-style red and blue bricks, mostly in halves, or " bats," a fair indication of a revolutionary hut, but of superior character.
The location was admirably suited for an officer's quarters as it was sheltered by the ramparts of the fortification on level ground within the outer breastwork. It lay about in line with the south front of the fort, and overlooked a wide expanse of landscape, embracing Fort George, Fort Number Eight, and a broad sweep over Westchester County, miles beyond the present City line.
Only a short distance along this floor, old ironwork was found consisting of barrel hoops, old hinges, spikes, and a narrow shovel. Broken pipes, one of unmistakably Colonial style, and some scraps of china were also discovered, and the back of a button, similar in manufacture to officers' buttons of the Revolutionary period. Following the brick floor, it was found to extend about nine or ten feet across ; and after reaching its westerly limit, it was con- cluded that, if a fireplace existed, it would be to the north, and efforts in that direction were soon rewarded by finding large stones which formed a well-made fireplace, the hearth being carefully laid in half-bricks, with a rather limited amount of ashes on the surface, but with the customary presence of nails and spikes and charcoal. On the west side of the little space two large bar-shot were uncovered, which lay at right angles to each other, one in
78
Fort W ashington or Fori Knyphausen
its original position, as a fire dog, on the hearth, the other lying outside. The bricks of the hearth were grooved across, where the edges of the shot had worn them. This gave a clear decision as to the character of the place, and some good photographs were secured. The shot weighed fully fifty pounds apiece, each being more than two feet in length. Some boy visitors volunteered to procure paper and string, and at the same time some much-needed
Fireplace and Brick Floor of Officers' Hut Reconstructed at Washington'!
Headquarters
ginger ale and, with their help, the shot were "packed" over to the Broadway street-car line and taken to the Headquarters House. The discovery opened up new possibilities as regards further finds in the immediate vicinity of the Fort, and indicated that the officers of the garrison had found the interior of the fortifications itself too confined for comfort, as indeed is evident from von Krafft's remarks. The following Sunday the work of clearing out the hnt site was continued, with the aid of several friends, Leslie
79
Relics of the Revolution
Spier, Walter Neumuller, and John Ward Dunsmore, the his- torical artist; the latter taking photographs of the cleared space. Little more was found on the floor save an iron grape shot, a bullet, and part of a brass brooch or pin.
While the work was in active progress, a couple of moving picture photographers appeared and asked to be permitted to cap- ture a scene, to be used in a series of historical pictures, arranged by the City History Club, which was designed to include scenes from the historical sites on Washington Heights. The party was, therefore, " placed " and the various processes put in motion of digging, sounding, cleaning the floor and sifting the debris, with a boy engaged in pouring out sarsaparilla in a cup, and a baby and its parents as eye-witnesses, and also the inevitable dog, which appears on all such occasions.
The floor of the hut was carefully cleaned and measured, and was found to cover a space in front of the fireplace twelve feet in width and extending back nine feet to the south. The south- west corner, for a space of about six feet by four feet, was unpaved, of beaten sand. This portion was probably under a bed or table. On the east side was a depressed space which was probably the entrance, and the bricks had become wet and sunken at this point. Close by this doorway were scraps of window glass, and two wrought iron hinges, such as would be suited to window frames or screens. These were near an old type of shovel, which lay nearer the fireplace. On the eastern part of the floor was a large camp axe-head, broken at the back, having been used probably as a maul. One of the ubiquitous iron grape shot was found near by, and close to the fireplace lay a small brass object, which, on closer examination, looked like the top of a wooden snuff-box, brass-mounted, with some of the wood adhering. A few scraps of a cream-ware tea-cup and of a blue-edged plate lay on the floor, and various fragments of clay pipes, of which one bore a trade mark, " J. W." in a cartouche design.
The bricks forming the floor were of varying sizes and shapes, mostly in halves, but quite a number were whole, as were those
80
Fori Washington or Fort Knvphausen
lying' loose on the floor, which had evidently fallen into the tire- place from the chimney. Some of the bricks were glazed by the action of tire, and all were of Colonial proportions. The hearth measured 30 inches wide by 20 inches deep, and was constructed outside the hut floor. The two bar-shot were found to be not quite the same size.
It may be concluded that the upper part of the hut was of wood, and was probably burnt down after its furnishings had been removed, and only the cumbersome shot and axe and broken shovel and debris were left to lend character to its discovery.
The hut having developed such an interesting character, the pos- sibilities of its immediate surroundings were earnestly discussed. It was possible that it was one of a series and if so, others might be located at even distances on the same level or grade. The ground was hard and the work of inserting the steel " sounder " proved laborious.
A, week later the conditions became more favorable, for very heavy rains had softened the soil, and the rod was vigorously and systematically plied, in the hope of striking some nearby place where the debris of the occupants might have been dumped. Such a procedure seemed most probable, and it was thought to be most likely to be found on the slope lielow the hut, and probably near the point which appeared to have been its entrance. General interest among the workers was excited when at a point about 2.1 feet from the hut doorway, the steel rod passed through shells at a depth of about two and a half feet below the sod. Oyster shells in such a position are readily discerned by piercing them with the " sounder," and their presence at such a depth indicated the situation of other rubbish in a " dump." Such it proved to be on removing the soil, exposing a mass of debris lying at a depth of about three feet.
The " sifter" was brought into play, and soon caught a plenti- ful supply of small military objects. These were mixed with many meat hones, shells, charcoal and ash, bullets, ironwork, hoops and broken pottery. Pewter buttons found were mostly of the small
81
Relics of the Revolution
size used on gaiters, but by-and-by a 57th Regiment button showed up and gave the first definite information as to the military his- tory of the place.
A button of the 38th, of unusual design, soon rewarded the sifters, and two bone buttons, used on underwear, were followed by several cuff-links, one of which bore a design of a female figure bending over an anchor. These excited much interest in the group of explorers and numerous visitors, and were followed by three fine silver buckles in almost perfect condition, save that their steel hinge-pins are rusted away. They appear to be such as were used on the high stocks and collars of that period. Tlie broken china included part of a handpainted Chinese porcelain cup, and some English cream ware, forming part of a bowl and saucer, also
Officers' Lace Cuff-Links
a hand-painted English Delft saucer. The glass included part of a drinking tumbler decorated with an engraved design, probably Stiegel glass, from Pennsylvania, and parts of a large square black schnapps flask. The superior character of these objects indi- cated their possession by officers.
There were many bullets of several sizes, a buckshot, and some musket flints, all lending a military character to the rest of the material. Of course, there were barrel hoops and nails, and another much abused axe head. A broken knife and pipe bowls were mixed with oyster shells and quantities of scraps of bono.
When this place was exhausted, the soil in the neighborhood was tested with the steel rod, and a sort of rubbish pit was found near the " dump," in which was abundant charcoal, ash, and signs of
82
Fort Washington or Fort Knyphau&en
tire. Only a bullet and a musket Hint gave character to the place, but it was probably a pit in which some material had been buried.
On the north side of the hut, on Decoration Day, another hut site was found of much humbler character, the floor being of beaten sand, and the area only about eight feet square. Although the customary pot-hook lay on the floor, there was no distinct fire- place, and it was concluded that it may have been removed in some old time regrading. There were signs of a driveway of broken stones, below the soil at the north end of the hut site. This was the drive that at one time led to the Morewood house, which was built about sixty years ago within the ramparts of the Fort. One of the ladies of that family informed the writer some years ago, that when the grounds were laid out around the house, quantities of shot and iron work were found and carted away to the foundry. The cellar walls of this house still remain, but the structure was razed about the year 1897. This smaller hut is taken to have been some sort of annex to the officers' quarters, probably a cooking room, or hut for the orderlies.
The work on Decoration Day was aided by the Rev. Livingston R. Schuyler, of the City ( 'ollege, who doffed his clerical coat and took an active share in the hard shovelling, that showed him to be a man of brawn as well as brain.
The final search of the surrounding soil, contiguous to the hut, rewarded the explorers with several interesting additions to the store of relics. These included a button of the 80th Royal Edin- burgh Volunteers, and also one of the Cheshire Regiment or 22nd Foot. A frail cord of silver thread was found, which may have supported some keepsake around a soldier's neck.
All these evidences and their situation lead to the conclusion that this hut was occupied by officers of rank, whose orderlies were provided from various regiments, of which the 57th was in garri- son duty in August, 1779, and again in 1781, and the 38th was in service here in 1782.
It seemed to be well worth while to preserve the old bricks form- ing the floor of the officers' hut. and so permission for their removal
83
Relics of the Revolution
was sought of Mr. Bennett's representatives, and kindly accorded. The Park Department loaned a wagon, and with the aid of two park laborers, we removed the old bricks from the floor and trans- ferred them to Washington's Headquarters. Later the removal of the fireplace was effected, and after measuring and marking, it was completely re-erected within the grounds of the Mansion.
The bar-shot are secured on the hearth by steel straps and the other objects are placed in the guard room, together with photo- graphs of the scene.
The discovery added another interesting item to the Revolution- ary history of the Heights and has contributed to our knowledge of the life and habits of tho officers of that period.
84
IX BARRACKS OF THE FORT WASHINGTON GARRISON
The ground upon which, as we now know, the garrison of the central fortification of the Kevolution on upper Manhattan Island was camped and housed, has heen at all times available only to a limited extent for cultivation, by reason of its steepness, and in part by its inaccessible character. Most of its area was probably pasture and woodland long before, and has so remained since the Revolution. For the same reason, the operations of the modern 1 milder have been diverted, and the opening of streets has been deferred, so that only in recent years has any disturbance been made of the natural features of the locality.
The old highway or King's Bridge Road, which ran irregularly the length of Washington Heights, reached at Fort Washing-ton its highest level, and passing the crest of the hill, commenced its descent to the Tnwood Valley. Less than a hundred feet north of what is now 181st Street, the well-known Blue Bell Tavern stood on the westerly margin of the high road, sheltered at the rear by an abrupt hillock, behind which ran a little brook known as " the run " which bounded downwards through the vale between the highway and the " Long Hill " or Mount Washington.
The hollow between the hillside which extends up towards Fort Washington, and the Post Road, which is now Broadway, is crossed near 184th Street line by some great rocks which made a part of the defenses or " glacis " of Fort Washington on its easterly side, and these rocks were known to the old residents of the vicinity as " The Death Cap." At the foot of the largest mass of rock, prior to the construction of Bennett Avenue, there bubbled out a little spring of clear water, which tradition had connected with the Revolution under the name of the " Hessian Spring." Its waters joined those of a little brook which had its source in higher springs on lands once cleared by the aborigines and known to the early
85
Relics of the Revolution
settlers as " The Indian Field," which later became the farm of Hendrick van Oblienis, and at the time of the Revolution, was in the ownership of Blazius Moore, the tobacco merchant of Broad- way at Fulton Street. North of bis boundary, which ran near the centre lino of 181st Street, the land west of Broadway was occupied at the time of the Revolution by a picturesque local char- acter of the name of John Bernard Bauer, a German preacher known as " Barney Bowers,'' whose descendants tell of their occu- pation of the old building, once the Blue Bell Tavern, as their home, and of the death of their ancestor as a result of injuries sustained in lifting guns within Fort Washington.
All the physical features surrounding this charming vale indi- cated a natural and most desirable site for a camp. The little stream passing through the hollow, the bubbling spring at the foot of the great rocks, the shelter of the steep hill on the west, the vicinity of the Tavern, and its easy access from the King's Highway together with its proximity to the Fort and the protec- tion of its gun fire sweeping overhead, all formed more or less desirable features for the lodgment of the soldiery comprising the garrison of that important military work.
The ground itself was in past time, and is still to some extent, terraced; particularly just northeast of the boundary of the Ben- nett property, or 182nd Street, and here and there a few scrubby cedar trees still cling to the out-cropping rocks, descendants of those which in early Colonial times sheltered the Huguenots of New Rochelle on their dusty tramp on Sabbath days to the Church du Sainte Esprit on Pine Street.
Part of the slope of the hillside, immediately east of the lane which led to the Bennett residence, was occupied until quite recently by a little cottage, within the garden of which there were turned up by the spade from time to time a number of objects connected with military life, such as brass buttons, a cannon ball or two, and a British bronze coin of the reign of William and Mary, all of which were at one time in the possession of the Cmiklin or Leavcraft family.
86
Barracks of the Fori Washington Garrison
At the intersection of 181st Street with Broadway, other objects were discovered from time to time such as a small iron shot, a large old key. perhaps that of the old Tun, and the point of a sword scahbard.
Such objects are, however, by no means unusual on Washing- ton Heights, a locality in which it is natural to expect evidences of Colonial or military life to come to light from time to time, and so when Mr. W. L. Calver found, on the north side of 181st Street, about fifty feet east of Broadway, a pewter button bearing the number of the 38th British Regiment, and when another button of the same corps was found at a little later date in the Bennett Lane, leading from 181st Street to Fort Washington Avenue, although these objects clearly indicated the presence of soldiery around the vicinity, they gave no special indication of the par- ticular spot upon which the barracks of the military corps had been situated.
The historical references to the vicinity, some of which have been previously described, indicated that somewhere in this vicin- ity there had been a camp of the American troops, prior to and at the time of the capture of Fort Washington. The Hessian account of the capture of the Fort refers to barracks into which the Amer- ican officers of the captured garrison led their captors and enter- tained them with wine and cake.
Among Washington's military orders were several references to a camp market to be established on the glacis of the Fort which, by reason of the topography, was doubtless in the imme- diate neighborhood of the locality here described.
An interesting reference to the American occupation of this site is contained in a letter written in October, 1776, by an officer in the patriotic army. The writer, Dr. Eleazur Woodruff, says that he with others, " is encamped on the east side of Mount Wash- ington " and he writes in enthusiastic terms of the comfort of his quarters. He was probably surgeon to one of the American corps. He adds " we would not change places with any regiment in the service."
87
Relics of the Revolution
The construction of Bennett Avenue, in September, 1906, cut deeply into the grassy hill-side, and exposed the rocky surfaces, disturbing quantities of bricks, broken glass and meat bones, at a point nearly opposite the line of 183rd Street. The haste with which this work was done precluded any close examination of the disclosures, but the presence of some sort of building with fire- places of a substantial character was established by the character and quantity of the debris.
The picturesque Hessian spring lay, unfortunately, in the very line of the future avenue, and preparations were made to drain the water off into sewer pipes, prior to filling it into a height of about fifteen feet. The old local tradition of fighting around the " Death Gap," received an interesting confirmation when the con- tractor's men found at the base of the rocks, inbedded deep in the ground, some solid shot and an unexploded shelj, one of which bore the broad arrow mark of the British Army Stores. These relics were taken away by contractors and probably lost. The tradition was thus confirmed, and later some British pennies bearing dates of 1738 and of 1 77*'. were found by the writer, and gave further indication of the occupation of the locality. These scattered evi- dences led to an effort to decide the exact position of the huts or barracks which bad evidently existed somewhere at this point. A copy of the British military headquarters map of 1782, which sonic years ago was discovered to be in existence in London, was obtained, and a close examination of that portion of the map which included Fort Washington and its vicinity showed, at a point between the Fort and the highroad, indications of buildings of a somewhat extensive character, as compared with other and smaller dwellings and farmhouses along the line of the old Fost Road. This part of the map was enlarged on tracing paper to a scale of one hundred feet to one inch, including the buildings referred to, and was then laid over another map of that part of the City and adjusted by the original known location of the mile- stones on the old King's Bridge Road, which has been widened
S8
Barracks of the Fort Washington Garrison
only in recent years into the present Broadway. It became appar- ent that the long buildings marked upon the old map must have stood on the line of Bennett Avenue, at or very near the inter- section of 182nd Street, and therefore that the debris disturbed in cutting the hillside for the construction of the Avenue was in all
prol
iliilih
part of such buildings.
Excavating .Military Relics on the Barracks Site, Hessian Hut Camp
AVith this information as a guide, a careful search was made, by raking and digging along the edges of the cut which had been made into the hillsides. The search had almost been given up, when a fortunate scratch by the hoe, a little deeper than before, brought forth a piece of iron chain with a handle or crossbar which was attached to a square socket of iron, of similar shape to one which had been found some years before in an excavation near
89
Relics of the Revolution
Dyckman Street and is iu the collection of the late Mr. C. C. Simpson. This indicated the probable existence of other objects of military character.
With heavier tools a space was cleared, and only a foot below the original level of the turf, ground was found which bore evi- dence of having been beaten or trodden in layers, indicating suc- cessive periods or seasons of usage. These layers extended along a line, which, after months of intermittent work in exploration, was found to extend for about three hundred feet north and south along the present east sidewalk of Bennett Avenue.
Tn and below this hard-packed material and especially on its easterly side lay numerous evidences of military occupation, more or less broken, indicating the use of the space as a pathway or perhaps the trodden space in front of the line of barrack build- ings. East of the path much debris was found scattered in the soft sandy soil of the sloping bank which, when excavated and put through the analysis of the sieve, afforded unmistakable evi- dences of the military occupation of the place by a number of the British regiments engaged in the War of the Revolution.
Among the first military buttons to be found which lay in close proximity to each other, were a number of those of the 74th or Argyle Highland Regiment.* These were followed by the familiar buttons of the 57th Regiment of Foot, and later, by an interesting button of the 3d Guards, Scotch. f
Among these was found a button of the 28th Foot Regiment, of which a small specimen had previously been found at Fort
* Two companies of the Argyle Highlanders came to New York. The 74th embarked at Greenock in Aug. 1778, for Halifax, where they were garrisoned. The 80th and S2nd were under the command of Brig. Gen. Francis McLean. In the spring of 1770, the Grenadier Co. commanded by Capt. Ludoviek, and the Light Co.. commanded by Capt. Campbell of Balnahie. were sent to New York.
t The Third Guards was one of three Battalions, consisting of the First, Coldstream, and Third or Scots Guards, all under the command of Colonel Edward Mathew of the Coldstream. These battalions took part in a number of engagements, including the assault on Fort Washington in 1776. The Third Guards arc not to be confused with the Third Foot Regiment or The Buffs.
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Barracks of the Fort Washington Garrison
[George.* in close association with these buttons were found various kinds of missiles, such as musket bullets and pistol bullets, uck-shot and iron grape-shot. A penny of George II, of the year .1744, lay alongside a broken sword-blade, and all around the space was the debris of the camp-fire and soup-kettle — the pot-hooks, burnt stones and charcoal, broken bottles and china, meat bones, oyster and clam shells.
The fascination of these discoveries prompted the explorers to prolong their work into the winter season, and as late as the middle of December, a plain gold button with ivory back, apparently that of an officer, was found close to a pewter button of the Seventy- Sixth Highland Regiment. f With these came to light numerous clay pipe bowls, some bearing the mark " W. (!.'' — a familiar sign of the presence of soldiery of that period, many black gun- flints, numerous bullets, buck-shot, two pistol ram-rod guides of brass, close to the latter of which was found a penny bearing the familiar superscription and visage of George III.
Some interesting groups of objects were found, which afforded some indication that the broken or lost objects had been cast out from the doors or windows of the buildings. In such groups there was much broken chinaware, some of excellent quality and inter- esting design. One curious object of this kind was a legless Dres- den china lamb, possibly the toy of some child of the camp. Quantities of broken clay pipes, both bowls and stems, were found in such places, and these proved of interest, some bearing trade- marks previously unknown, even to that veteran collector, Mr. Calver. One stem was found, bearing the full name and address of a manufacturer " W. Hutchinson. Liverpool." in close prox- imity to a button of the 33d Eegiment. Some of the pipes were
* The Twenty-Eighth Regiment was commanded liv Colonel Erie ami it took a prominent part in the Battle of White Plain's. The buttons of the regiment have been found in several places on Washington Heights.
+ The 7<>th or McDonald's Highlanders was a corps which was raised in Scotland in 177s by the Laird of McDonald especially for service in the War for Independence. The Regiment was at this place, according to von Krafft in October, 1 7S0.
91
Relics of ihe Revolution
so complete as to be of particular value in comparison of shapes and sizes.
In some places the buttons of various corps lay quite close together, as if old uniforms had been buried or thrown away in one place, with a number of buttons upon them, and on one pleas- ant and particularly fortunate Sunday afternoon, no less than twenty-five numbered buttons were found, the majority being those of the 76th McDonald Highlanders, with others of the 33d Foot."
Among the unnumbered buttons were some of similar patterns to others which have been found on sites in which the presence of the Hessian troops was known, thus confirming the presumption of the locality including the site of the Hut Camp of the von Donop and other Hessian corps. That it had also been occupied by American troops was indicated by one of the ornamental pewter buttons, which was identical with specimens which have been discovered on the site of the American quarters known as the Hempstead Huts, situated near the Continental Village in the Highlands of the Hudson.
Tn June, 1009, the work of trenching was extended along the easterly side of the line of Bennett Avenue southwards towards 181st Street, and at a depth of about one and one-half feet below the surface, among the military debris, a fine bronze belt-plate of the 7th Regiment, or Royal Fusiliersf was found lying face down, the inscription being thus perfectly preserved. The face is engraved with a monogram " R. F." in elaborate script.
Tn 1910, the results of the work along the edge of the street grading indicated that the limit of the deposits of debris had been reached. The extent of this line of material had been about three hundred feet, running north and south from a point between 181st and 182nd Streets to a point between 183rd Street and 184th
* The Thirty-Third Foot Regiment was commanded by Earl Cornwallis. The regiment had a reputation for its smart appearance, the Grenadiers heing known as " Macaroni's" on account of their particularly dapper appearance.
t The Royal Fusiliers, as the Seventh Regiment was known, was com- manded by Colonel Beartie. It was most unfortunate during the Revolution, losing part of its number and its colors at Chamlile, and having a similar experience at Cowpens and it also lost many men by disease during the War.
92
Barracks of the Fort Washington Garrison
Street, which may therefore be assumed to have been about the space along which the barrack buildings once extended.
Attention was then naturally directed to the vicinity, and the surface of the rocks around the " Death Gap " was explored. On the summit just to the east of the avenue were found the remaius of some wooden building, which had evidently been destroyed by hre, as much burnt debris lay over the surface including nails, bricks and stones, broken bottles, oyster shells and meat bones, all more or less exhibiting the effects of hre. A British half-penny of 1774, a hue ornamental brass button, and a small Spanish silver coin'" indicated the presence of soldiery. The Hessians were paid in this class of coinage for their unwilling service.
The position on the summit of this rock commands a tine view of the valley to Spuyten Duyvil, and would most likely have been occupied by some sort of watch house.
Interesting as were all these objects, it was still evident that so large a body of soldiery, as to the character and extent of which the numbered buttons had now given positive assurance, could not have disposed of all their waste materials by the limited amount of such debris as had already been discovered. The results so far had indicated the presence of nineteen British regiments, and had afforded strong indications of American and Hessian occupation.
Attention was directed to the sloping ground extending from the site of the barracks, eastward of Bennett Avenue, to the bed of the one time brook which used to flow down across the line of IS 1st Street, west of Broadway to the Harlem Biver. It had by this time become dry, as a result of the diversion of the water into the sewer in 181st Street. The vacant property of the Beek- man family includes about three hundred feet of the line of the brook, most of which had been a receptacle for all kinds of rubbish from the rear of the buildings along Broadway for years past, probably from the old Blue Bell tavern, among others. The semi-
* The Spanish silver coinage, being lighter than that of the British, became the main silver in circulation at the period.
93
Relics of the Revolution
dried bed of the brook was now covered with a dense growth of rank weeds. It was a subject of discussion as to whether any hap- hazard excavation upon this unpromising looking site would result in more than severe labor in heavy wet soil. But it cer- tainly appeared to be more than probable that the larger and heavier camp debris, under the old unsanitary methods, had either been pitched into the brook, or would have been under proper military methods, disposed of by burial in pits, and that the ground was naturally favorable for such a purpose. But the absence of any indications made it difficult to decide where to make an attempt to pierce the weedy covering that might possibly be concealing such interesting possibilities. The steel sounding rod had not at that time become an aid in such work, or it would have demonstrated the facts.
On a blazing hot Sunday afternoon in August, 1910, the prob- abilities or possibilities of the unpromising looking site were dis- cussed. The thick growth of weeds waist high offered a dis- couraging appearance to active operations, but a start was made haphazard in the middle of the swampy ground, and a hole sunk through the weeds and turf. The heat was great, and the labor was severe, but when the ground was taken out to a depth of a couple of feet, the spade entered a layer of debris of unmistakably old character lying on the wet black clay which had once formed the bottom of the brook. It took no more than a sight of the first bullet to indicate its military character, and within a space about six feet square many military objects were found such as bullets, three gun-flints, a brass knee-buckle, an iron horseshoe, a camp broad axe the cutting edge of which is nearly eight inches wide, a sapper's pick, and part of an oval iron canteen of Hessian pat- tern. With these were found, without sifting, several pewter but- tons, greatly decayed, and a gold-plated officer's button, which upon examination proved to be of great interest. So frail was this object that a mere film of the metal was left on the face, and the bone back was a rotted paste. Expert care proved suc- cessful in diving and restoring it, and it was found to be of
94
Barracks of the Fort W ashinglon Garrison
pattern identical with one shown in the work " Le Bouton de l'Armee Francaise," by Capitainc Bottet, which was that used by officers of the French Army as early as 1775.
These iinds confirmed the disposal by the occupants of the bar- racks of waste material along the line of the brook, and from that time on, we steadily dug and trenched in the moist material which
Leaden Seals Securing Packages of English and French Cloth and Linen
had at one time formed the marshy borders of the brook, north- wards towards the boundary of the Beelcman property, and parallel with the Barrack site.
The next definite military object was a pewter button of the 14th Foot Regiment, which corps, after service in Virginia, took part in the engagements around New York in 1776, but returned to England in the year 1777, thus showing the occupation of this place in the early part of the war. The button was of particular
95
Relics of the Revolution
interest, as it has a milled border, the first of this pattern so far discovered. Near this and other buttons were found flat pieces of lead, bent so as to form a hold for gun-flints in the locks of mus- kets, and also a pencil of soft lead about two and one-half inches long, one of a number which eventually decided the character of these objects as the lead pencils of the Army, a number of which have since been found.
The layer of debris and ashes developed considerably in area as we worked towards the north in the fall of 1910, and Mr. Jeremiah Hunter, ('. E., of the Department of Finance, aided in the heavy work of lifting and sifting all the material as it was brought up from the bottom of the trench, which was then about one and one-half yards wide and some three feet deep.
In one afternoon's work as many as sixteen bullets and an equal number of gun-flints, were taken out, some being found per- fect and unused. Among other objects, a number of scraps of thin sheet lead were found, which had been cut iuto various shapes by knife or scissors. From their quantity and appearance they are assumed to have been used for padding the lapels of uniforms, or to have been sewn into the lower edges of coats and were prob- ably in the discarded garments thrown into " the dump." Quan- tities of fragments of rum bottles, china, pottery and porcelain, medicine bottles and wine glasses were found, and numerous forged nails and iron spikes up to eight inches in length with here and there the butt end of a pike staff. With these, we began to find other military buttons, several of which proved to be those of the 45th Foot Regiment, a corps which was actively engaged in most of the events of the Revolution, up to the battle of Germantown. but which lost so many men by sickness and battle, that it was returned in 177S, barely one hundred strong, to England. So that these buttons were probably thrown or lost in this place at that date.
The presence of Scotch soldiers was indicated by a heart- shaped blue glass jewel, evidently from the clasp used by some Scotsman to secure his shawl at the shoulder.
%
Barracks of the Fort Washington Garrison
We found an iron socket lVi inches in diameter by 3 inches long, not pointed, but rounded, which may have been the butt end of a regimental color-staff.
Deepening the trench towards the course of the brook, we struck a cannon ball buried below the layer of debris. Jt was thickly cased in rusted clay, but it was found to weigh five and a half pounds, and was probably originally of a weight of six pounds and thus shows a loss in weight of nine per cent, in one hundred and thirty years of underground residence. Very near to this were bullets and gun-flints, broken files and part of a saw. ( 'lose to these we found a most interesting button of the Continental Amer- ican artillery, which lay close to the cannon ball and the tools. The design of the button is similar to another which was found on Constitution Island, and to others found at the American camp known as Hempstead Huts, in Putnam County, Xew York.
A small glass jewel was found, possibly from a set of cuff links, which was cut in intaglio with a rose, and hard by was a button of the Sixth Regiment,* this having a pewter loop, an unusual feature in a British military button. Contiguous to this button were other British buttons, such as those of the 4th. 10th, 38th, 57th and S2d Regiments. A curious find close to tlic^«' objects was a hair pin which lay with a large plain silver button among many fragments of porcelain and scratched and salt-glazed earthenware. Perhaps the sex of the cook that broke the ware and wore the button is indicated by the hair pin.
Where the layer of debris ended it was found that it had cov- ered so far an area of about forty feet by teu feet wide.
Still working downstream and only six feet further on, a larger layer was encountered but at a greater depth from the sur- face. Here was found a vein of material having the appearance of burnt straw, which proved to be rich in a number of objects connected with the use of horses, such as horse-shoes, harness
'" The Sixth Regiment of foot was commanded by Colonel Gisborrie, and was in America only until 1777. The presence of this button near American relics indicates the deposit of both very soon after the surrender of Fort Washington.
97
Relics of the Revolution
buckles, shoe buckles, spurs, the bale of a pail, and a complete snaffle bit.
By this time our occupation had attracted the curiosity and attention of an increasing number of the public on 181st Street, from the elevated portion of which our work was in full view, and we experienced considerable interruption from boys swarming into the excavation and interfering with the operation of digging and sifting. In our absence during the week, some of these boys would attempt similar excavation, tearing down the material with- out any knowledge or system, and then boasting of extravagant finds. In this way we were informed that the barrel of a musket, bullets, buttons and some kind of a badge were taken out, but any identification of course was entirely absent. We found the ground very much disturbed on several occasions, and had to excavate to considerable depth, in order to get below the surface material piled up by boys and some men who had joined them. In October, one such visitor stated that he had taken out part of a barrel and part of the lock of a musket, and a button of the Fourth and one of the Forty -fifth Regiments, but of the accuracy of these assertions we could learn nothing definite.
Along part, of the bed of the brook there was a pile of broken bricks and large boulders, about three feet under the ground, which had apparently formed the easterly edge of a one-time pit or excavation, but even below these bricks we found in the wet clay of the brook bed broken bottles, bullets, flints, broken china, and pieces of brass buckles, and with these were some buttons of the Thirty-eighth and the Fifty-seventh Regiments. The bricks appeared to have fallen together, and were all broken Colonial red bricks of good shape and appearance. Their position indicated their use as part of a bricked-in sink or cess-pit.
At this point, we were rewarded by finding, among the debris of the 38th Regiment,* as indicated by their buttons, a bronze
* The Thirty-eighth Regiment was commanded by Colonel Pigot and saw service at Bunker's Hill and elsewhere. Buttons have been found at several places on the Heights.
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Barracks of the Fort Washington Garrison
belt-plate bearing the royal initials " G. R." with the number of the regiment in Roman numerals, close to which lay a silver but- ton of an officer of the same corps, having the figure of a Hon over a crown surmounting the regimental number, a feature unique among the British military buttons of the locality. With this regiment's debris, which all appeared to have been cast near the same spot, we found a number of broken clay pipes, one of which had been broken off short and then re-cut, so as to be used as a "' dudeen " or "cuddy." It had a trademark "T" within a wreath.
We next found a button of the 35th Regiment lying close to part of a sword-blade. The objects connected with these two regi- ments indicated the use of this part of the camp deposit or '"dump"' during the years 1777 and 1778. One little object which was at first supposed to be a button turned out on close examination to be a coin of one of the German States, which bore the words " Fennig Scheidemunze," the little coin being pierced with a hole, and probably having been used as a charm by some Hessian soldier, or perhaps a keepsake of the girl he left behind him in far Cassel.
By this time the over-attentions of our numerous visitors had become annoying, and a party of young boys, after rendering themselves very obstreperous, on being driven away, retaliated by stoning us, and came near ending the career of one of our num- ber, who was struck at the base of the skull with a large stone, aud for the time being, put out of the exploring business.
The work was extended at the end of the season with gradually increasing difficulty, owing to the depth at which the debris lay towards the north and to the moisture in the soil. Finally the work had to stop on account of the weather, and when restarted, it was found that the water which had accumulated in the pit lay around the line of the debris, so that a new start had to be made in another place.
In the late fall of 1910, several attempts at different points resulted in no further finds, and trials were made at various point?
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Relics of the Revolution
about half-way up the bank, between the line of the original finds on Bennett Avenue and the excavation which had just been aban- doned. By good fortune, this opened up for the next season's work a new collection of waste material which had evidently been buried in a pit, which on later development proved to have been about twenty feet in length, and about eight feet in width, being dug down from the two ends to a depth of about six feet in the center.
The material in this pit proved to be of considerable interest, although the numbered buttons found therein were few, and those that were discovered were mostly too far decayed for preserva- tion. At the lowest part of the pit was what remained of a walnut plank, about five feet long. On this lay a broken bayonet, adher- ing to the rust around the blade of which was a leaden bullet.
Dr. Edward Hagaman Hall aided during 1912 in the explora- tion of this place, and quite a number of objects were found which were worth preservation; among which was a double-headed bar- shot of the smallest size yet discovered, being only eleven inches long, with heads of three and a half inches diameter, weighing complete, after cleaning, only four pounds seven ounces. An offi- cer's silver button in very good condition of the 45th Regiment * was found, and at a point nearest to the original excavation, a button of the 7dth Highlanders, thus evidencing the use of the dumping places by the regiments in the Barracks. An object of rather unusual character was a brass stock-plate of a musket, bearing the rack-number 278.
This pit yielded a number of complete bowls of English clay pipes, several of which have interesting varieties of the recog- nized trade-marks, such as one with the familiar initials " T. IV but placed in a cartouche design. These pipes, from their prox- imity to the two regimental buttons referred to, were most likely
* The Forty-fifth regiment of Foot was commanded by Colonel Haviland, and after service in Boston, and at the Battle of Brooklyn and the Phila- delphia campaign, it was returned in 1778 to England in a truly decimated condition, barely 100 strong. From the number of these buttons found at this place, it is most probable they were disposed of not later than 177S.
inn
Barracks of the Fort Washington Garrison
used by soldiers of those regiments, and a small brownish colored pipe, having about four inches of the stem intact, bearing on one side an unusual trade-mark "I>. G." was thought to have been Hessian, as were undoubtedly several of the plain buttons which were found in the pit.
A one-pound cannon ball, (the size used in the little field gun known as the •"Amusette" used by the Hessian Jagers, ) with many bullets, buck-shot, musket flints, pike butt points and belt buckles, contributed to the military character of the rest of the debris with which the pit was liberally filled, such as the layers of wood ash, in which were many large meat bones, the skulls of cattle and of sheep, broken bottles, table glass and chinaware.
One of the interesting objects discovered was a little oval seal, which under the magnifying glass disclosed the word " Liberty " engraved across its face, in reverse. Xear this was another small blue glass seal, or perhaps an ornament from a cuff link, which bears in part the words " Bill of Rights." These inscriptions rather pointedly indicate objects cast away or Inst by the Ameri- can occupants of the Barracks. After this pit was cleared out, some further attempts were made to excavate further at the north end of the deep trench in the middle of the Beekman property. The depth to which it was necessary to dig was about five feet, and the difficulty of clearing the surface was increased by a large collection of modern rubbish. The line of bricks and stones was found to continue, and below it broken bottles and barrel hoops, many bricks and some signs of burnt materials. The ground was very wet and the ironwork heavily coated with rust. A lump of rusty clay of undistinguishable shape, on being broken open, dis- closed the pointed end of a bayonet, and another similar lump contained a fragment of a musket barrel. Bullets and gun-flints were comparatively scarce, though several were found near a large plain copper button, and such pewter buttons as were discovered were too far decayed for identification. There was, however, quite a variety of pipe bowls, one having the head and antlers of a deer embossed on it.
101
THE HESSIAN HUT CAMP
The high bank of the west side of Bennett Avenue cut by the street grading was later examined, and on its upper margin, about two feet below the surface, a fireplace was found, over the hearth of which numerous red bricks were piled, which had evidently formed part of the construction of a chimney. The floor was the usual packed and discolored dirt. In front of the hearth lay the greater part of a bowl of Leeds creamwarc, also a couple of bullets, fragments of coarse pottery, some forged nails, and strange to say, a small Indian arrow-point of war pattern.
The fireplace was constructed in a rather' unusual form, being quite rectangular. It was 30 inches square, made of large stones, accurately set in sand beds ; and the hearth itself and an equal space in front of it were floored with flat stones. It was so good a piece of construction work that a drawing was made of its details, and the whole of the stones were marked and removed to the Headquarters House, in the hope that some opportunity of its reconstruction in the grounds might be found as a reminder of the hut camp of the Hessian garrison.
Due north, and about 25 feet from this hut, was another, tin1 floor of which was of hard beaten sand, extending about 12 feet north and south. Only a small fireplace was found in it, formed nf rude stones, with ashes on the hearth, and a pot hook and a few bullets and plain buttons on the floor surface. It appeared to be Hessian, and to have been occupied by common soldiers.
With such objective information now before us, we can the better appreciate the record of life in the Hut Camp which is graphically portrayed in the diary of von Kraft't. One of his earliest notes records the interesting fact that the Hut Camp was in 17TS occupied by men of the regiments of von Knvphausen.
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The Hessian Hut Camp
of von Lossberg, and. of Rail, who had been at tbat time exchanged from the captivity into which a majority of them fell at Trenton. It was those three regiments with the Wutgenau, that had borne the heaviest share of the figbting in the assault and capture of Fort Washington in November, 1770, and the men of the two latter corps bad formed the line between which the American garrison gave up their colors and laid down their arms. It is
The Hessian Spring
nut improbable, moreover, that the Hessians were the first to occupy the barracks or huts when these were vacated by tbe American forces, and thus gave to the camp the designation by which von Krafft described it, a connection wdiich local tradition has also preserved in the name of tbe " Hessian Spring," by which their necessary supply of drinking water was provided.
On July 9, 1778, these regiments removed from tbe camp, and it was occupied by British troops until November of that year,
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Relics of the Revolution
when the von Trumbach and von Donop Regiments again marched to the Heights.
Some idea of the extent of the hut camp is gained from the fact that the accommodation in the huts was found to be insuffi- cient for both regiments, so that the von Donop Regiment was retired to another place until December 1. 1778, when the von Trumbach Regiment having vacated the huts, they marched in to their occupancy for the winter season. In von Eelking's his- tory we are told the Hessian huts were nine in number for each company.
Von Kraft tells us that the huts turned out to afford but poor shelter for wintry weather and " so small that they had to be enlarged. "
On December 10 there came on a storm, '' a cruel rain and wind,'" and " the water leaked in through everywhere " into the frail shelters to the discomfort of the wretched occupants. " Be- sides it was very cold, but one could not keep a fire on account of the smoke from the wind and water, nor was it possible to sleep dry under our blankets." It was so bitter an experience that he adds: "May a special mercy of God keep me amidst so many evils, and all the others too in good health." After another storm three days later " some of the huts caved in, owing to the bad ground " and the " astonishing wind and rain."
To add to their sufferings the unfortunate fellows were short of food. It was a fact rare enough to be noted when they got bread in place of rice and the allowance of spruce beer was doled out only at distant intervals, and " Rations were supplied with great irregularity." The commissariat appears to have been de- ranged by the non-arrival of supplies from England and fresh meat was scarce, and if served out at all, an equivalent was deducted in the butter, peas and rum which were supposed to form the rest of the ration.
The river was at this time so frozen over that no supplies could be brought that way from Xew York, and no wagons were sent
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The Hessian Hut Camp
" no one knowing the reason." So the Christinas of 1778 dawned upon hungry soldiers, and to get even a little loaf of bread to eat the Sergeant had to get an orderly to go beyond the King's Redoubt on Fordham Heights " to the English Bakery " where he purchased a loaf of white bread weighing " a German pound for one English shilling, r>|/> pence, and also some potatoes." The straits to which the men were put is demonstrated by this little episode, in which the orderly, out of devotion to his superior, risked the danger of being caught by the American outposts.
This appears to have been the only cheer of his first Christmas Eve on the Heights and as he says, "anyone can easily imagine what meditations this caused."
At dawn on Christmas Day, while going around the hut camp to wake his men, he stepped upon a loose barrel-hoop, fell over a log, and cut his shin with the hoop. Evidently the hoops lay scattered around the camp, as the many samples which have been found on this and other camp sites go to show. They answered all sorts of purposes, being used for making hooks to hang the pots over the camp tires, and others to form fire tongs, broilers and kettle handles. Tn spite of his painful injury the Sergeant persisted in going on duty to Tnwood Hill, and doctored his leg- by putting rum and soap on the wound. This curious amateur remedy resulted in inflammation which gradually increased until he was finally obliged to go on the sick list, so that he spent a whole month in the hut camp without doing any active duty. Here he experienced privations due to the continued shortage of provi- sions. Flour, mixed with oaten groats, was all that was available with a few peas and a gill of rum at distant intervals. The very appearance of " the miserable bread" scared the hungry soldiers. " How frightened we all were when we saw it, and what terrible stomach-aches we had after eating only a little of it, for it was nothing: but oat jn-its which it was impossible to bake through. It weighed very heavy and with the same weight it lay in our stomachs. Great as our delight had been to get it, equally great
10;
Relics of the Revolution
were our pains and curses after eating it." Three measures of the groats went to one measure of corn meal, "the stuff being already half spoiled and hardly fit to eat." The excuse was made that the fleet with the money and provisions for the army had been captured by the French, but it was stated, for their assurance, that the bakers in the city had been commanded to stop baking and to keep their flour for the army.
Though the last day of that year dawned on the Hut Camp " as beautiful a day as ever it could be in spring " the hungry Ser- geant could not enjoy it. "All the worse, however," he says, " for the stomach, because there was little to be procured for it."
But just as he made his last entry for the year, news arrived that some of the provision fleet had got into the harbor, so the hungry men of the von I)onop spent the last hours of the old year in the Hut < 'amp discussing the " joyful news."
The men of this regiment were moved into tents in -Tune, 177'.'. on account of the outbreak of camp fever, but came back to their quarters a couple of months later, only to suffer more severely than ever from the "veritable epidemic," which they communi- cated to such of the unfortunate residents as still clung to their homes in the vicinity. The tents were pitched to the north of the Fort probably on the line of Elwood Street, east of Broadway. The Hut Camp was in October, 1779, occupied by the Erb Prinz Regiment, one of the crack Hessian corps. After their removal, it is probable that some of the British corps of whose occupancy traces have now been found, occupied the camp until October, 1780, when the von Donop Regiment again returned to the huts, and von Krafft's records of events again related to life on the Heights. During the particularly severe winter season of 1779, there is no doubt the men of all the camps must have suffered severely from lack of sufficient firewood.
The appearance of the locality in 1780 is described by the Hessian officer as having greatly changed. " The whole neigh- borhood was, in comparison with last year, quite unrecognizable,
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The Hessian Hut Camp
the woods and bushes having been cut away." So completely had the military demand for fire-wood the previous winter used up all available timber on the Heights, that not a tree or bush remained, and all necessary firewood, with lumber for constructive purposes, had to be obtained with much difficulty from Morrisania.
On their arrival at the Hut Camp on this occasion, several companies of the regiment drew lots for their occupancy of the shelters, and the Lieutenant Colonel's Company, which was that in which von Krafft served, was allotted huts " on a different hill from last year." This reference is significant, indicating that other huts may have been located on the terraced spaces, which mark the hillside to the present time.
The garrison of Fort Washington was at that time composed of the 57th, the 76th, and 80th British regiments, a statement confirmed by the presence of the buttons of those corps found at this place, as well as several of the " R. P." or Royal Provincials, a Tory corps which also did service there at the same time and the buttons of which have been found on every camp site in the vicinity."
It was at this time that von Krafft gave to his Colonel the " perspective situation plan," the sketches for which he had made at Fort George in 177!), and which he says lie drew in the month of January, 1 78 1 , " in the Hut Camp at Fort Knyphausen." ( See page 48 preceding. )
We set some insight into the rough manners and habits of the life which went on in the Hut Camp in that period from further entries in his diary. On the Feast of St. John, the 24th of June, 1781. the men in the camp made merry and had music, and von Krafft stood by and laughed at their dances and antics, and moralized between times over their recklessness.
* The Royal Provincial ( 'orps was flip last relic of provincialism in the United States. The regiment was raised by Colonel Robinson and is some- times referred to as " Robinson's Provincial Corps," and was also known as the " Loyal Americans." it is most probable that the " R. TV' buttons stand for the " Royal Provincials " or Robinson's Provincials. Von Krafft refers to them as the " R. P. Corps."
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Relics of the Revolution
The immoral character of the women about the camp was con- spicuous, and the men to whom they were nominally married were in many cases the husbands of others. As an instance, he tells of a soldier of the 38th British regiment, a corps whose buttons have been found at this site, who had deceived the chaplain of the von Donop Regiment into performing a marriage ceremony between him and a woman whose acquaintance he had made on the streets only a few hours before, and whom he had, by similar misrepresentations to his officers, received permission to marry.
He tells of one of the sergeants of the same corps, a reckless and handsome young fellow who had been through no less than sixteen such false ceremonies by hoodwinking his officers, and by deceiving- various English and German chaplains into performance of the ceremonies, and that the rascal told the narrator that " he hoped to do so often again before making up his mind to take the last one in real earnest."
The Hessian occupants of the Hut Camp, with characteristic German industry, cultivated the ground between their rows of huts, and von Krafft says he had two patches near his hut in which he raised -- almost all the necessary vegetables from seeds procured in the city."' So great was the demand for such products that they could have been sold for " a handsome sum in Thalers," if their owners had been willing to part with them.
On a second occasion the camp became the headquarters of returned prisoners, when it sheltered the men of the Hanau corps, a regiment wbieb had taken part in the ill-fated expedition of Burgoyne, and was gradually reformed out of exchanged men.
in these and other records of the period, aided by the traditions of the old residents, a partial storv of life in the Hut Camp was already available, but defmiteness has been added to the tale, and the historical character of the locality has been determined by the discoveries of military objects and other indications, simple in character though they be, which have been described, establishing beyond a doubt the site and occupancy of the Hut Camp and the Barracks of the garrisons of Fort Washington.
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XI
LAUREL HILL, LATER FORT GEORGE
Few of those who frequent the resorts which of recent years have sprung into existence around the summit of the conspicuous headland locally known as Fort George, have any realization that they are upon the ground which at one time formed one of the most formidable fortifications of the period of the Revolution; and was also the scene of one of the most severe hand to hand fights of that very interesting period.
The once beautiful and still interesting hillside, which in the days of the early Dutch occupation was called the Ronde-Vly-Berg, or Round meadow hill, had become known at the time of the Revolution as Laurel Hill, apparently from the growth of ever- green bushes which fringed the steep and wooded slopes. It was natural, therefore, that this name should be applied to the works of defense constructed upon the summit by the Pennsylvania troops, in the fall of the year 1776, and that the name should thereafter be continued in general use until the construction of the commanding fortifications in 17S1-2 led to their designation under the more imposing title, which, strange to say, has clung to the locality to this late date.
The American fortifications consisted of a series of small redoubts following the natural lines of the rocky summit, prac- tically upon the contour of the present Fort George Avenue, and (■(insisting merely of developments of the natural defensive features of the hill, the base of which was bathed by the waters of the Half-Creek and of the Harlem river.
In the early hours of the day on which the momentous assault was made upon the position of Fort Washington, the men com- posing the force known as the " Flying Camp of Pennsylvania Volunteers'' were aroused to the defense of this part of the Heights by a heavy fire from the British field artillery placed on the site
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Relics of the Revolution
of what afterwards became known as " Fort Xo. 8 " on University Heights, and a short time thereafter, through the misty rain of that raw November morning, they saw the advance, from the direction of Fordham upon the Harlem river, of a flotilla of flat boats loaded to the gunwales with the picked and active men of the British Brigade of Light Infantry.
Landing in the Half-Creek, near the present Durando's Hotel on the Speedway, the advancing parties of the attacking troops charged up the hill, and met in hand-to-hand conflict the men of Chester, Cumberland and Bucks Counties, under the command of William Baxter. The fighting was fierce if brief, and the bayonel won the day. Some of those whose lives were sacrificed in its defense received a hasty burial at the bands of their opponents, upon the ground which they had defended, and the burying place of Baxter was recalled at the time of the construction of the Schultheis Casino, on the crest of the hill on Fort George Avenue, at 196th Street, where a number of human bones were disturbed by the workmen at a point where two rough head-stones marked a grave. Of these remains only one Leg bone was preserved by V. W. Hofele, and is now in the museum at the Headquarters House.
The commanding position of Laurel Hill evidently attracted the attention of the British military authorities thereafter, and the little fortification of Laurel Hill was extended and strengthened. Flanked by deep valleys and fringed by the marshes of the Dyck- man tract, by the Sherman Creek and the winding river. Laurel Hill became a central position for defense against anticipated attacks from Westchester County, and a vast amount of labor was evidently expended upon the construction of a series of fortifica- tions during the succeeding and final years of the Revolutionary period.
On the northerly margin of the hilltop there was erected, prior to 1779, a block-house, which stood apparently just where the
110
Laurel Hill, later Fort George
present Casino building is perched. This was a construction of the form familiar in those days, composed of heavy timbers with an upper chamber overhanging the lower portion, pierced with open- ings through which muskets could lie discharged upon an enemy below.
The building is shown upon the drawing made by von Krafft in 1779,'"' and was hastily dismantled in July of that year and shipped off to Stony Point, after the capture of the latter position bv the American forces.
Ice Creepers
A considerable fortification took its place which temporarily received the name of Fort Clinton, a title which alternated with the original name of the hill. The works of Fort Clinton were eventually extended around the upper portion of the hill, approxi- mately on the line of Fort George and Amsterdam Avenues, about 1780.
The next constructive step undertaken was the connection of the fort by a chain of breastworks and redoubts, extending down into the valley on the west and up to the Mount Washington hillside to a connection with Fort Tryon. The chain of works was known as the " Line of Circumvallation " or Barrier. The point at which
* Page 49.
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Relics of the Revolution
this line crossed King's Bridge Road was provided with an entrance known as the " Barrier Gate/' which stood on Broadway near the line of the present Sowerby cottage, just south of Hill- view Avenue.
This elaborate system of military construction was a result of the abandonment of the outlying fortifications on Spuyten Duyvil and King's Bridge Hills. Within the line of defense thus formed, a great camp, frequently referred to as the '* Laurel Hill Camp," was formed and was certainly occupied during the rest of the Revolution, as shown by numerous relics of military life which have been found upon its area, and which have afforded practical evidence of its extent and its importance.
The encampment appears to have been located with particular reference to a water supply capable of providing, at any rate to some extent, the needs of the large body of men who must from time to time have occupied the place, the center of which was approximately the line of 191st Street and Audubon Avenue. Here a spring of water, traces of which existed until a very recent date, emerged in a hollow in the hilltop, and flooding an area of marshy ground in the vicinity of 190th Street, overflowed east and west in the form of small brooks to the valleys below.
The marshy space, which has now been tilled into a fruitful truck garden, has yielded a considerable number of military objects evidencing the occupation of the immediate vicinity by a large garrison, some of whom were frequently set to labor upon erecting the earthworks already described, and during the years 1781 to 1783 that still more extensive fortification which formed the great Fort George, fragmentary remains of which may still be traced in part of the ground, just north of the Isabella Tleimath Institu- tion.
One of the interesting remains of the work of the soldiery may still be seen in a well-preserved angular redoubt upon the hillside a little to the east of Amsterdam Avenue on the line of 191st Street, within full view of the many thousands of pleasure-seekers
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Laurel Hill, later Fori George
who pass upon the Avenue to and from the modern Fort George resorts.
It is probable that the camp extended from about the line of 188th Street between Audubon and Eleventh Avenues to 190th Street, upon the margin of the marsh or pond, and that another encampment was placed upon the high ground north of 191st Street. Very recent observations have located some signs of occupation, such as English copper halfpence, on the line of 189th Street, and more may yet be discovered.
Von Krafft's sketch, drawn at a time when he was personally engaged in the work upon the hill, gives a very good idea of its then condition. West and south of Fort Clinton he indicates the spot where he notes that the huts were built and occupied by the Forty-fourth Regiment of Foot, whose discarded and lost buttons have been found in greater numbers than those of any other corps within the area described.
In the grading of Eleventh Avenue in the year 1880, and of Audubon Avenue in 1902, and in the cultivation of the farm lands between the two, a variety of military buttons has come to light, indicating the character of the corps which from time to time occupied this locality, and confirming the references of von Krafft in every instance. Some of these may be objects lost during the fierce if short fight which took place in the assault of the hill on November 16, 1776, in which were engaged the men of the Light Infantry and some grenadier companies of a number of regiments. But inasmuch as this encounter must have taken place more upon the sides and brow of the hill than upon the level upper portion, the discovery of the buttons upon the latter place can in general be taken to indicate the presence in camp of the regiments indicated between 1776 and 17S3. An exception may be probably in the case of a few of such buttons found en the hillsides to the east of the fortification, such as some of the buttons now in the collection of Inspector Cortright, which include those of the King's Own or the Fourth, the ^Northumberland Fusiliers, the Welsh Fusiliers or Twenty-third, and several others. But
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Relics of the Revolution
inasmuch as the Lincolnshire or Tenth, the Thirty-third and the Forty-second Royal Highlanders, whose buttons have also been discovered around this area, were engaged in another part of the Heights during the assault, we may in general regard these indications of the presence of the troops as having been lost during the camp life, rather than during the actual engagements.
Von Krafft's references to the locality are somewhat numerous, and his information as to the engineers who designed the fortifica- tions and his personal work thereon render the few remaining traces of military work upon the hill particularly interesting.
The chief engineer charged with the construction of Fort Clinton and its related works was a Lieutenant named Marshall, of the 60th Royal American Regiment, and his active assistant was Lieutenant Sprotile of the 16th Regiment of Foot, which latter corps was camped on the hill sometime prior to the month of March, 1781, and vacated their quarters there on the fourth of that month.
It is evident that the 44th Foot Regiment was for a consider- able period in occupation of the camp, and undoubtedly took a large part in the construction of the works as early as 1778. On the 23d of August in this year it marched out of the huts and was replaced by three companies of the Hessian Regiment of Prinz Carl, which had been temporarily encamped near, probably to the south of 190th Street.
In the year 1778, the 44th provided working parties consisting of a sub-officer and twenty-five men, who worked with larger
details from the 57th (West Middlesex) Regiment, upon the line of " Circumvallation.'' The history of the 44th is interesting inasmuch as the regiment saw considerable service and received its full share of hard luck. Sailing for North America in May, 1775, the 44th Regiment arrived in Boston in time to participate in the Battle of Bunker Hill. After its arrival in New York, it was engaged in the Battles of Long Island, White Plains and Fort Washington. The regiment was thereafter stationed in Harlem, and at one time was so scattered that it had one company at New
114
Laurel Hill, later Fort George
York, seven at Hell Gate, and two at New Brunswick. It took part in the Philadelphia Campaign at the Brandywine, at Ger- mantown and at Monmouth, and at the end of 1778 was again at New York, having one company at Fort Knyphausen, seven at Laurel Hill and another at Jamaica, Long Island. It was embarked in September, 1779, for Quebec and the fleet of which its transports were a part, was scattered by a hurricane and a number of vessels were lost with all hands or captured by priva- teers. One of the latter was the " Empress,'' upon which were several of the officers of the regiment. On the return of the un- fortunate expedition, the regiment. " very much injured," was placed at Paulus Hook, and at that time had been reduced to 539 rank and tile, with thirty sergeants and eighteen drummers. These figures appear in a return which the writer found among General Robertson's papers in the Record Office in London, under date " 15 May, 1780.''
The regimental buttons of this corps are pewter of two sizes, coat and sleeve. The buttons have an elaborate design, consist- ing of the number " 4+ " surmounted by the nival crown and surrounded by a floral border. The pattern on the face of the " 4-1 " button is the most neatly executed amongst the great variety of designs shown on the military buttons of the period.
The Laurel Hill camp also sheltered, among other corps, the 57th Regiment of Foot, or the West Middlesex Regiment, whose buttons have so frequently been discovered in the vicinity. It is possible that the encampments of the different corps extended as far south as 184th Street and Wadsworth Avenue, at which point an officer's button of this corps was found by Mr. Calver.
Under date of July, 1781, General Washington noted as one of his observations upon his reconnoitering expedition, that there was an encampment near Laurel Hill, comprising about forty-five tents and huts, " which appear," he says, " to be inhabited by, it is said, the ' Fifty-seventh Regiment.' ' In August of the same year, this regiment was encamped on Laurel Hill, and on leaving at that time, was replaced by two companies of the Hessian
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Relics of the Revolution
Regiment, the Jung Lossberg, which had previously been known as the Mirbach. On Thursday, 17th May, 1781, during a terrific thunder storm, a soldier of the 57tli, while doing sentry duty on the east side of Laurel Hill, was struck dead by lightning, and another man at the same time fell a victim, while fishing in the river below.
The 57th provided men in May, 1779,. for work upon the earth- works extending up to Fort Tryon, on the site of which a gold button of an officer of this regiment was discovered.
The buttons of this corps are large and carry the old-fashioned script number surrounded by a thin loop open at the top, with a point or dot above the opening.
A list of the regiments of which buttons have been found around the Laurel Hill camp site and which are now included in the col- lection of Mr. W. L. Calver, Inspector Cortright and other minor collections, comprises a large proportion of the British army:
2nd Foot, Coldstream Guards
3d, or the Buffs
•4th, or King's Own Regiment of Foot
10th, or Lincolnshire Regiment of Foot
14th, or Buckinghamshire Regiment of Foot
16th Regiment of Foot
22d, or Manchester Volunteers ( The Cheshire Regiment after 1782).
23d, or Royal Welsh Fusiliers
28 th Regiment of Foot
33d — Cornwallis' Regiment.
3Cth — This regiment was not here, but the button indicates the presence of a detached officer.
37th — Colonel Coote
38th — Colonel Bigot
40th — Colonel John Hamilton — camped here in August, 1783
42d — Highlanders (Black Watch)
43d — Colonel Cary
44th — Colonel James Abercrombie
46th, or South Devonshire
49th, now the Royal Berks
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Laurel Hill, later Fort George
Regimental Buttons found at Fort George
117
Relics of the Revolution
52d — Colonel (Havering
57th — Colonel Irwine
63d — Colonel (General) Thos. Grant
64th Musketeers
70th, or Surrey Regiment
74th Highland Regiment
76th Highland Regiment
80th Royal Edinburgh Volunteers
R. P., or Royal Provincial Regiment
2d Americans, or Lord Rawdon's corps of Volunteers of Ireland
The ~New York Volunteers — Lt. Col. Turnbnll
The Royal Marines
In addition to the numbered military buttons a variety of plain and ornamental buttons, many having a pewter loop, distinguish- ing them from those of the British troops, indicate the presence of the regiments of the Hessian Army.
Of the military relics other than buttons found in this locality, a number can be directly associated with the assault on Fort Washington, as they consist of missiles evidently fired and exploded during the engagement. Of this character, perhaps the most interesting is the double-headed navy bar-shot found by the late P. W. Hofele, with which some of the spikes and nails with which it was filled between its heads, were still in contact, exhibit- ing in a definite form the character of those terrible missiles of destruction, and by comparison enabling the use to be established of some of very similar spikes and nails found scattered over many parts of the Heights. Portions of large exploded shells have also been found upon the hilltop, of size such as fifty pounds weight, of which one complete specimen was discovered in the neighborhood of Dyckman Street below the hill, and these with the bar-shot were in all probability thrown from the guns of the frigate " Pearl " during the engagement of November 16, 1776 ; that vessel having been in action in the early part of that day on the Hudson river, whence a clear view is obtainable of the north- erly end of Laurel Hill between Mount Washington and Inwood Hill.
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Laurel Hill, later Fort George
Of smaller missiles found in this vicinity, there are several sizes of grape and canister shot, cast balls of one pound and upwards; some bearing signs of impact. Quantities of leaden bullets have been found, associated as usual with the broken and lost gun flints, and portions of ironwork of muskets, ramrod guides and bayonet scabbard hooks.
The camp tools are of interest. Among these are several used by blacksmiths, and a small swage or block of the type used for splitting gun-flints. Part of a sword-blade was found by Mr. Calver, and some of the old-style ramrod sockets, indicating a breakage or destruction of muskets. The large spikes and nails, some of which have been found associated with wood ashes, may have formed part of the construction of the huts of the troops.
Of personal relics, many curious objects have been recovered, such as cuff-links of officers, adorned with glass crystals mounted in rather flimsy gilt and silver settings; shoe and knee buckles, ornamented and plain, and many belt and harness buckles, chains and horseshoes, the latter particularly around the spot near 190th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue, where possibly the horses of the artillery were stabled.
It was a curious coincidence that one of the glass cuff-links was matched by a mate found in the valley below, among the ruins of the first house of the Dyckman family, at 210th Street on the bank of the Harlem river.
Broken earthenware, china and bottles were distributed through- out the soil, and two scraps of wine bottles are of special interest, as one bears a seal with the name " Geo. Errington " and the other the initials " R. M.," possibly indicating the abstraction of the bottle, and its contents, from the cellar of the mansion of Colonel Roger Morris.
From every point of view of the conspicuous summit of the hill, on which Fort George was built, a large exposed boulder can still be seen, upon the east side of Audubon Avenue, on the line of 191st Street. Its surface was much scored and cracked by the action of fire, and from its base sprang and sprawled over it
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Relics of the Revolution
an ancient apple tree forming a favorite shelter for many of the couples who roam over the hill during the summer season. This rock must have stood very close to the south line of the earthwork of the embankment of Fort George, probably at the entrance to that fortification. On an attempt being made to ascertain whether the rock had been used as a shelter for the fires of the soldiery, the discovery was made of a fireplace at the south end of this boulder, the hearth of which was laid carefully with red bricks, the back composed of large stones. Around this hearth a number of ob- jects, familiar as evidences of camp life, were found, such as charcoal, meat bones, broken bottles, pot hooks and nails. And within a few feet lay a button of the 70th or Surrey Regiment of Foot, evidencing the presence of this regiment, at a date prob- ably later than the completion of the fort.
Another fireplace was exposed and destroyed by workmen grad- ing for Hillside Avenue, at a point almost in the center of Fort George. This was constructed entirely of stones, and faced south- west as in the other instance, but was at a level about three feet below the surrounding surface and was presumed to have been the fireplace of a dug-out or sunken gnard-house or hut.
One of the most interesting objects found on this camp site is a fine bronze belt-plate bearing the embossed design of two cannons crossed above a pile of round shot, which was that of one of the artillerymen of the Hessian Anspach Regiment. The Hes- sian Regiments were each equipped with their own artillery. The Anspachs were taken at Yorktown, and their regimental flag is in the Chapel at West Point.
120
XII FORT TRYON, OR FOREST HILL
Xot less interesting than those of the main position, are the remains of the northern outwork or battery, known as Fort Tryon, now to be found existing only in part, but some of it in excellent preservation, on private grounds on the Hudson side of the valley, about on the line of 190th Street.
Its title, given to it by the British after its capture, still strangely clings to it, and perpetuates the memory of the last British or Colonial Governor of New York, Sir William Tryon, whose appointment dated only from 1771. He was, during the
Button of the 1st Maryland Battalion
earlier part of his tenure of office, extremely popular, but later his conduct, brought on him the detestation of the patriotic ele- ment, and his resignation in 1778 was regretted by none but vehement loyalists.
It is certainly strange that among the enforced changes of nomenclature which swept away from the City nearly every title of street or locality that smacked of royalty or officialism, the memory of this last Governor should have been perpetuated in the title of this little fort, around and in which so much patriotic blood was shed.
The fort was ingeniously designed, as were all these fortifica- tions, to take advantage of the ground. A survey, made in 1819, shows three breastworks of which only one is still traceable.
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Relics of the Revolution
At the time of the attack the defenses