Attack of the new post
lately taken by the Refugees who distinguished themselves in defending their
Block-House upon Hudson’s River, on the 21st of last July.
Last Monday morning, the
14th instant, a party of about 70 Loyal Refugees, (who had
evacuated the post at Bergen-Point) under the command of Captain Ward, being
joined by an equal number from this place, under the command of Captain George
Harden, landed at Bull’s Ferry, on the Jersey shore, from whence they
proceeded by the way of Fort Lee to the English Neighbourhood, from which
place they returned to Fort Lee at evening of the same day; soon after which a
party of about 100 rebels made their appearance and took possession of a stone
house at the distance of about an hundred yards from Fort Lee, from whence
they kept up a constant fire, for near an hour, when it was determined to
dispossess them by storming the house, which they perceiving, very prudently
took to their heels, leaving one man killed, and the Refugees made two more
prisoners. But they having received a reinforcement of 300 militia, and one
years men, made their appearance again, the next morning, in three divisions,
meditating an attack, which those brave Loyalists being apprized of,
immediately marched out, and commenced the attack, the enemy at the same time
faced to the right about, and fled in great confusion, (many of them throwing
away their arms) leaving on the field wounded their Colonel Cooper, who is
also a Judge and Commissioner for selling the estates of the Loyalists, also
two men killed.
May 16th and 17th
they were busily employed in erecting works for the establishment of a post on
the ground where Fort Lee stood. May 18th, This morning, just
after sun-rise, as they were proceeding in order to continue the work they had
begun to erect, the advanced party, consisting of about ten men, had nearly
got within the works, when they perceived them to be in the possession of the
enemy, who made two of the party prisoners; the rest gave their fire, and ran
off down the hill; the rebels pursuing, Captain Harden ordered a field piece
to be placed in such a position which, with the fire from a gun boat, and the
musquetry, obliged them to return up the hill. Captain Harden advanced thro’
a valley that led up the hill, and gained the right flank of the enemy, whom
he instantly charged, and obliged to quit the works they were in possession
of, retreating in great confusion, and leaving behind them 1 man killed and 1
wounded; they also took off with them several who were badly wounded; Captain
Harden pursued the enemy to the heights of the English Neighbourhood, but was
not able to come up with them; the Refugees have only had one man slightly
wounded, and two captured. The rebel party consisted of militia and one years
men, and amounted to upwards of four hundred men.
[the identical article
appeared in the May 19th edition of James Rivington’s Royal
Gazette.]
The New York Gazette and the
Weekly Mercury, May 21, 1781.