[Extracts from the Journal of
Lieutenant Henry Stirke, Light Infantry Company, 10th Regiment of
Foot.]
November 20th 1776
We landed in the
Jerseys’, after passing a very disagreeable night in the Flat boats, under a
thick heavy Rain. The Guards, with ye Brittish and Hessian Grenadiers; and
the Cannon succeeded us; which were oblig’d to be drawn up almost a Precipice,
above a half mile in length, by men, as it was impassable for Horses [in
margin- The 10th and 17th Companys were to make the 1st
landg. with orders to push up the hill, with as much expedition as possible to
take post; and maintain it, ‘till sustain’d.] Our landing was not oposs’d (‘tho
under so many disadvantages) certainly owing to their not expecting us in that
Quarter. On our march to Fort Lee, we took some prisoners; the Fort is about
ten miles from where we landed, which ye Rebels abandon’d on our approach, and
in Such Confusion as to leave their Cannon, Stores, &c., with their Tents
Standing near the Fort, all which fell into our hands. The military Stores &c
taken this day is suppos’d to be worth £ 3000 Sterg.
November 21st 1776
We push’d on to
New-Bridge, where the Rebels (on our appearance) began to set fire to their
Stores, and some houses; but on Our Advancing to the bridge, the[y] fled
without effecting as much Mischief as intended; as a good part of the Stores
fell into Our hands. On the march one of our flanking partys, fell in with a
Rebel advanc’d Guard and kill’d 2, or three of them. This day a body of Light
Dragoons landed, and join’d us. At night we took post at Old Bridge, which ye
Dastardly Rebels, had broke down, to stop the pursuit. 22 miles from
New-York.
November 22nd 1776
Number of the
Inhabitants came in to take the Oaths of Allegiance.
November 26th 1776
The Light
Infantry, Grenadiers, and Guards; with Hessian Chasseurs, and Light Dragoons,
march’d at 3 O’Clock in the morning to the Village of Hackquackinack [Acquackanonk],
but the Rebels breaking down the Bridge, oblig’d us to ford the River about a
mile above the Village. Our field pieces play’d into the Woods above the
ford, to prevent ye lurking Scoundrels, from annoying us in Crossing the
River. This Village is 14 miles from New-York.
November 27th 1776
March’d about 5
miles towards Newark, and took post on some heights, by Second River. We saw
a few Rebels at a great distance.
“A British Officer's
Revolutionary War Journal, 1776-1778”, Maryland Historical Magazine.
56:2 (June, 1961), pp. 164-165. Original in Lloyd W. Smith Collection,
Morristown National Historical Park.
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