| 6. | Olney Captain Stephen  (1.Nathan1) was born on 31 Jan 1758 in North Providence, Providence County, RI; died on 20 Mar 1833 in Saratoga, Saratoga County, NY; was buried in Saratoga Baptist Cemetery, Saratoga, Saratoga County, NY. Notes:
Biography of Revolutionary Heros
LIFE OF CAPTAIN STEPHEN OLNEl', OF RHODE-ISLAND. LIFE OF CAPTAIN STEPHEN OLNEY Stephen Olney, the subject of this memoir, was born in the town of North Providence, and Colony^ as it was then called, of Rhode-Island and Pro vidence Plantations, on the 17th of September, 1756, on a farm, which from the first settlement of the State, had been the property of his family, having- been purchased by Thomas Olney, a contemporary of Roger Williams, and a joint proprietor in the " Providence Purchase." From this person, Stephen Olney was a decendant in the fifth generation. It is a circumstance worthy of remark, as being almost unparalleled in New Eng-land, that one family in regular succession continued to occupy the same spot of ground, to till the same soil, for a period of nearly two hundred years. Although the rage of emigration was not in an earlier period of our history what it is now; yet it has often been remarked in this section of the country, that it was rare that one family tenanted the same place for more than three generations. The family of Olneys have been a numerous and scattered one; branches of it are now to be found in the east and west, north and south of our extensive territory; but at the period of the revolutionary war, most of them resided in the vicinity of Providence, and were content to remain where their ancestors had conquered the v/ilderness and reduced the stubborn soil to a state of cultivation. Captain Olney was, as we observed before, the fifth in succession, who had been content to spend his days and be married and buried in the same place with his fathers. The ancestors of Captain Olney were a primitive race, and some of the more remote, of puritanic memory. In Rhode-Island, however, where there was no persecution to keep alive their zeal, gradually the peculiarities of their religion vanished. The real Cameronian spirit could not exist for any length of time without opposition. lu Connecticut alone, where the fierceness of their demeanor, and tyranny of their exactions, stirred lip a perpetual spirit of revolt and resistance, did it survive for any length of time ? In Rhode Island, as every one knows perfect freedom in respect to religious opinions and ordinances was proclaimed from the first : Roger Williams himself, a persecuted and a banished man, on account of his opinions, had laid the foundation broad and deep, for religious liberty ; and from this cause, probably the spirit of puritanism languished from the time it crossed the borders from the neighbor- ing State, as Trumbull says, "They found their zerJ \y\\cn not confined, Soon sink hviow the fVcezinjx point." We are not to suppose however that the spirit of devotion, the essence of piety, fied with the spirit of puritanism in Rhode-Island, or elsewhere. In peace and rural quiet the virtues of our forefathers had leisure to expand. While no longer subjected to restraints and persecutions that in a manner sanctified them in their eyes, their odious peculiarities vanished.
Puritanism however, had its beneficial effects in America; it was the means under Providence of preparing the minds of the people of New Eng- land for the glorious stand they were one day to take in the cause of civil liberty and independence. True that some of their doctrines and practices bordered on the ridiculous. Yet withal, there was a plainness, a simplicity, a spirit of self-renuncia- tion, and self-devotion, that characterized them, long after the more revolting traits had ceased to exist, that paved the way for a government miOre accordant to gospel simplicity than any that had ever been known on the earth, since the days of the Patriarchs. Aside from loyality from that feeling of depend- ence, and the duty of allegiance which they were taught they owed the monarchical government of Great Britain, there was something in the eti- qur^'te of a court, the glare and glitter, and vain paro'^o of royalty excited feelings of loathing and disgust, whenever they were obliged to be specta- tors of it, or to listen to the bombastic descriptions with which the few papers that then found their way to the colony, were sure to be stuffed. The very language in common use in that day, when speaking of these things, had become an abomin- ation; and there was a gradual but a sure change going on, a preparation of heart, as the Quakers term it, from the time that the country first gave the assurance of being populous and prosperous. Of course, no efforts could have been made in the country at an earlier period, for its emancipation, and would not have been as premature as it was, had not the rash and unwise exactions of the Brit- ish government have pushed them on to take up arms when they did. It was in Mw England, be it remembered, where the fire of patriotism first kindled. In Massachusetts the ancient head-quar- 148 LTFE OF STEPHEN OLNEY. ters of Puritanism., where the first blow was struck for liberty. Captain Olney had passed his short and tranquil life, in the peaceful pursuits of agriculture; having no wishes beyond the boundaries of his farm, in plenty and rural quiet; the sound of war, and in- deed of contention of any kind had never disturbed his habitation. He had just married, married the woman of his choice, and though only bordering on his 20ih year, had quietly settled down to pass the residue of his days in cultivating his farm, in rearini^ up a family and walking in the footseps ot his fathers. How vain are the calculations of man! Could some warning angel have suddenly stood at his bed-side and lifted the curtain of futu- rity belbre the eyes of the youthful bridegroom, in those, his days of the greatest felicity, he w^as ever to know on earth; could the scenes of car- nage and bloodshed, he was doomed to witness and to participate in, have been revealed to him then, the nights of wearisome watching in the tented field, the days of harassing fatigue, the pains of hunger, the pinching cold, the "flight in the winter season," and all the woes he was to Vv^itness and to suffer, it is doubtful whether the very prospect would not have overwhelmed him; whether he would not have shrunk from partici- pation in the contest. Yet it was from this his earliest dream of love and happiness that the stern mandate of duty to his country compelled him to awake, and the greatest of all possible tributes we can pay to his memory, is to say, he arose and left all, and fol- lowed it. Our business is not in this place to give a histo- ry of the war, or the immediate or remote causes that produced it. Yet we are obliged to speak of the situation of affairs in the immediate neighbor- LIFE OF STEPHEN OLNEY. 149 hood to which the hero of our story beloiio-ed. Rhode-Island was, at the time our story com- mences, in about as much trouble as any of her sister States, and in fact, the most exposed of all ; and next to her nighest neighbor, the Bay State, in rather the most trying situation. She was not only menaced on her sea board, but divided at home ; and thwarted, and contradicted, and per- plexed, by some of the most contrary, stubborn, disobliging, crabbed, self-sufficient, wavering, and two-sided public officers, that ever one little State was troubled with. Many of them who had v/on- derfully helped to get up the excitement, by ipeeches, remonstrances, and resolves, and who had winked at the teaaffiiir, the destruction of the Gaspee, &c. now that the contest had come to blows, began to back out, and be amazed that the people should think of taking uo arms, and shock- ed beyond expression that such a rebellious spirit should have got abroad, and although lew of these comparatively threw up their possessions, and de- parted from the country, which their shuffling policy impelled them to desert ; yet they found this a rampart behind which to shelter themselves in the coming storm, a fence upon which they continued to seesaw, until towards the close of the Revolution, when ail danger of their getting into hot water being over, many of them suddenly be- gan to be very patriotic, and with great public spirit came in for their share of the spoils. At the time of which we are speakincr, howev- er, these prudent individuals held back, and kept themselves aloof, nor could all the remonstrances of their irritated and aggrieved fellow -citizens bring them forward. . Captain Stephen Olney, the subject of this me- moir, had, as early as the year !774j become i^. 13* 150 LIFE OF STEPHEN OLNEY. private in a chartered military company, called the North-Providence Rangers ; their object being, as he states in his manuscript, "to learn military tactics, and to be prepared to act in defence of our country's rights." The history and political writings of the day will account for the enthusi- asm with which they engaged in this undertaking. He adds, ''In May, 1775, the Colony of Rhode-Island or- dered three regiments to be raised for the protec- tion of the Colony, and as part of an army of ob- servation, and I," says Captain Olney, " was hon- ored with an Ensign's commission in Captain John AngelTs company, second Rhode-Island regiment, commanded by Colonel Hitchcock. Who recom- mended me I do not know ; but it was not by my own intercession. But perhaps they chose me because they could get no better, so many were deterred from embarking in the cause for fear they might be hanged up for rebels by order of our then gracious sovereign, George III. I accepted this commission with much diffidence as to my qualifi- cations ; my education was but common for that day, and worst of all, what I had learned was mostly wrong." Perhaps a more sensible remark does not occur in the narrative. Besides being very superficial, so many radical errors were then prevalent in the manner and matter of education, in that comparatively dark age, that we look back with astonishment. As to himself, the Captain observes, " I had no fear that our gracious sove- reign would think me worth hanging for a rebel." Too many subsequently found out, that if subal- terns were in no danger of hanging, there were ways of despatch provided for them when taken. Captain Angell, he says, was a very pleasant man, and a real patriot ; Coggeshall Olney, his first Lieutenant, was active and full of fire, jealous that LIFE OF STEPHEN OLNEY. 151 people were apt to slight him, but an honest, faith- ful officer. They were eight or ten years older than myself, and very friendly so I looked on them as my protectors. And we found no difficul- ty in recruiting our company for eight months with good men, at the end of which time it was expect- ed the dispute w^ould be settled, or that our spirits would be settled in another world. The first destination of the company to which Captain Olney now belonged, was Roxbury, to join the forces there, under the command of Gen. Nathaniel Greene, which consisted of three regi- ments, viz. : Colonel Daniel Hitchcock's, Colonel Thnmas Church's and Colonel James M. Varnum's. They were raised, as Captain Olney says, without any trouble, armed and equipped in much better plight, than many of the undisciplined and half- equipped companies forming the motley parade at Roxbury. But now a new difficulty most unexpected and unlooked for intervened to prevent their immedi- ate departure. The patriotic Representatives of Rhode-Island were harassed with opposition from within, as well as from without. In Rhode-Island where the first decisive act of hostility had been perpetrated in the destruction of the Liberty, and the burning of the Gaspee, there were many vio- lent tories, who opposed all the measures of the friends of liberty in every way, until the contest had progressed so far that they themselves were obliged to quit the country and seek safety under the shadow of arbitrary power ; but by far the most difficult to get along with were those who were in favor of half way measures. Those mon- grel patriots, that we have made mention of in a former page of this book many of them in Rhode- fsland, had been very instrumental, as the British had it, " in setting this hurly burly agoing," and 152 LIFE OP STEPHEN OLNEY. either had not. courage to carry it through, or could not give up their preference to hereditary greatness, their love for the pomp and parade of royalty and nobility, or were extremely conscien- tious respecting their oaths of allegiance and duty to the parent country, or it might be, not quite certain of the event, and resolved to keep on the safe side. Numbers of those persons had gone hitherto every step with their patriotic brethren, until the contest was about to come to blows. Persons who in the onset were foremost in re- monstrances and speeches, &c. now that their own measures began to take effect, drew back. Among those who halted at this time, to the as- tonishment of many, and the regret of all, was the Governor, Joseph Wanton, of Newport. He had in the beginning gone with the people, but now that affairs had began to assume a more serious aspect, that the measures they had been agreeing to had had their full effect, that war with all its horrors stared them in the face, that it was no longer a question, should we sit tamely down and be still, while remonstrances and petitions were treated with contemptuous silence, or answered at the point of the bayonet, the Governor discovered that he abhored treason, and protested that while argument or pursuasion or petition were alone re- sorted to, he was as willing as any, to assist in it, but when it came to fighting, it was quite another affair, and positively and obstinately refused to countenance the resort to arms, by signing the commisions of the officers appointed to command in this expedition; it was in vain that reasoning was resorted to, in vain that the indignant mem- bers urged that to have gone thus far and stop now, would be worse, infinitely worse, than to have remained passive before. That the British Lion had nov/ shown them his teeth, and besides LIFE OF STEPHEN OLNEY. 15<3 timt the spirit of liberty (so long fostered by patri- otic speeches and resolutions) was now abroad in the country and had taken possession of all ranks. That blood had been shed, and that the sword that was now leaping from the scabbard, it was evident could not be sheathed until the country was free, or reduced to hopeless and unconditional submis- sion. That the eyes of mankind in this region had become opened now to a divine right of kings \antil it had ceased to become a question; that the Governor was bound by every obligation to take part with his suffering countrymen, and finally hop- ing that patriotic feelings would at length influence him on the morrow, the Legislature ajourned. What was to be done ? Should h refuse, the Oovernor knew the contempt at least, of an irrita- ted people, would pursue him ; the loss of office was certain. But again, should he accede, and put his name to the fatal papers, what might not the con- sequences be ? If the friends of freedom failed ultimately in their enterprise, the cause would be branded as "treasonable rebellion," and the aid- ers and abettors thereof, hung and quartered. It was too fearful an alternative to risk ; and after deliberately weighing the probabilitiesof the case, the Governor resolved to go no further ; and at the next meeting made his protest against " hav- ing any hand in arming and equipping men to fight against his sovereign." Thus saying, in efl^ect, that while talking was all that was required of him, he was as ready to talk as other men, but %hting was another affair ; that five cents upon a pound of tea, and a few shillings upon a stamped paper, used only upon occasions when people might be supposed to be able to pay for it, was a most intolerable grievance, and worthy to throw the v/hole country into confusion, because it took mo- ney from the pockets of the people ; but that the 154 LIJ^'F^ OF STEPHEN OLNEY. shedding of blood wantonly was a trifle, and called for mature deliberation, whether we should resort to it or not. That the great principles of self-gov- ernment, of liberty and independence, were things of doubtful origin and uncertain tendency, but the taking away a few dollars Irom a man's pocket, was a thing that admitted of no manner of doubt, its unavoidable tendency being to make him poor- er, he had therefore felt himself called upon to re- sist such demands ; but the demand of allegiance to an arbitrary and despotic power, not founded upon the choice of the people, but originating in accident, and maintained by brute force, that is, military despotism, was a thing not to be disputed. We do not say that the Governor gave utterance to just such sentiments ; for had he. Governor or no Governor, the Legislature v/ould have hurled him from his seat without the ceremony of voting him out, and the hall would have been cleared of him in less than no time^ as Pat says. Oh no, he very politely, but firmly declined the honor of put- ting his name to a paper (which might hang him,) which his conscience could not approve, and re- newed his protestations that he had been perfectly willing to STO with his suffering" brethren in remon- strance, appeal and petition, to redress their griev- ances, while that alone was resorted to, but he was not prepared for an appeal to arms, and should not, by his name, sanction any such unlawful and rebellious proceedings. It was in vain that the General Assembly en- deavored to reason the case with him; he was as obstinate as a mule. Those who composed the State Legislature, had agreed, almost without a dissenting voice, and they were not now to be baffled by one Governor, or twenty Governors ; Hrue they attempted reason, but they might as w^ell have attempted to reason with the little stub- LIFE OF STEPHEN OLNEY. i;^ born Dutch Governor described in Knickerbocker's history of New-York, who never stood it out with more obstinancy than the redoubtable Governor of Rhode-Island. But the Assembly were not tobe baffled; finding- every thing useless in the way of argument, they proceeded forthwith to call a vote suspending the Governor from his functions. They then offered the command of the Captain- Generalcy to the Deputy Governor, Darius Sessions. This gentleman, from motives of delicacy towards Governor Wanton, declined. Flitherto the two Governors had acted in concert and were firm friends, and to be thus set over Governor Wanton it seems was so repugnant to the feelings of Gov- ernor Sessions that though in a good cause, he declined ; consequently, the Legislature were thrown upon their own resources. It does not appear that Governor Sessions was a tor}^, at any time. He was a man of quiet de- portment, and unfitted for the stormy season in which he was called to act ; and probably aside from feelings of delicacy towards Governor Wan- ton, he disliked the bustle of public life. By another vote they then declared themselves the sovereign powder in the State; elected by the sovereign people; and proceeded forthwith, to sign the commissions themselves, giving the Governors leave to retire until thev could have time to make better ones. Which they very soon did, in the persons of Governors Cook and Bradford, two consistent, firm and unwavering Patriots, who continued to administer until the close of the war. Most prudent and providential was the selection; fearless and faithful they assisted in conjunction with their brethren to steer the ship into the har- bor of independence. Peace to their memories; '' another age," says Emmctt, '' may write my epi- taph." To the firmness, the love of country, the un- 150 LIFE OF STEPHEN OLNEY. tiring" patriotism of Governors Cook and Bradford'^ the State of Rhode-Island owes a lasting- obliga- tion. In tiie most perilous times they dared to stand at the helm and direct the vessel of State through rocks and quicksands ; the fire from ofi^ the altar of liberty had warmed their hearts, and no cold and calculating questions of expediency were for a moment suffered to susrsrest themselves. Months and years have come and gone since the sod has been heaped upon their manly breasts, yet, has not the recollection of their worth, their firmness at the post of duty and of danger, faded from the minds of their grateful countrymen. Governors Wanton and Sessions retired, the one to his farm, and the other to his merchandise; mean- while the war-like preparations in Rhode-Island- went on. CHAPTER n. The commissions being duly signed, sealed and' delivered to the respective commanders, on the first of iMay, 1775, the regiment of Colonel Hitch- cock on that day paraded to the North-Providence meeting-house, to put up prayers before their de- parture, which was to be next day ; for, accord- ing to the pious usages of our forefathers, they re- solved rrot to undertake any thing without first asking a blessing upon it. What feelings must have swelled the bosoms of that simple congrega- tion at such a time ; the mother was there with LIFE OF STEPHEN OLNEV. I57 her babe in her arms, about to take leave of the husband and father; perhaps forever. The aged sire, whose gray hairs had been whitening through three score years, to offer upon the altar of his country, the most acceptable sacrifice that could be offered; even the one that Abraham was com- manded to make. The children went to add the lisping prayers of infancy, for the holy cause in which their fathers were engaged, for the safety of their beloved ones; oh, it was a solemn time, when the aged Elder Ezekiel Angell stood and commended the souls and bodies of these his youth- ful friends and parishioners to the Great Father of mankind; the Protector, Defender and Saviour of men. What heartfelt prayers, what stifled sobs must have agitated the bosoms of the multitude, as he spread forth his hands and blest the depart- ing host. Spirit of the living God, thou Avast not invoked in vain! up to the heaven of heavens, the prayer of the righteous ascended on that day, for the husbands, the fathers, the sons, and broth- ers and neighbors, and fellow citizens, of the as- sembled multitude. The prayer was said, the blessing given, the last fond kiss and fevered shake of the hand exchanged, and the little band for the first time turned their backs upon their hap- py homes, and went forth to meet the enemies of freedom, to dare and to die if necessarj^: the pray- er of that day, says Captain Olney, ^' was for the preparation of our souls, and success in the cause in which we were engaged." The force, now wending its way to Roxbury, consisted as we have stated, of three regiments. The first, from the county of Providence, com- manded by Colonel Daniel Hitchcock ; Ezekiel Cornell, of Scituate, (afterwards General Cornell, and subsequently a member of Concrress,) was 14 158 LIFE OF STEPHEN OLNEY. Lieutenant-Colonel, and Israel Ang-ell, of North- Provide nee, Major. The second, from the counties of Kent and Kings^ (afterwards Washington county,) was commanded by Colonel James Mitchell Varnum, (afterwards Gen. Varnum,) and Christopher Greene, Major; and including Gen. Nathaniel Greene, who was- General of the brigade. The third, from the counties of Bristol and New- port, was commanded by Colonel Thomas Churchy a descendant of the famous Captain Church in the old Indian wars, and Henry Sherburne, of New- port, Major. There was also added a company of artillery, commanded by Major John Crane. Perhaps it is well that melancholy impressions dwell not long on the mind of the soldier. " We marched along in high spirits," says Captain Olney, "though with rather quivering apprehension, on first sight of the British." It seems they had the impression that they should have to fight immedi- ately, an impression common to new soldiers who in the commencement of the first campaign think only of the tumult of a battle, a battle lost or won, without taking into account the long nights of watching and fatigue they may endure. First, the toilsome travel by day, faint often with want of food, and perhaps with want of a resting place to eat it. " They expected," says Captain OIney, "to be called on to pour out their blood as a sac- rifice to their country's cause, or to drive all be- fore them." Neither of those events were in re- serve for them ; they found themselves after a tedious march of forty miles, near Boston, and the red coats in sight, strongly fortified, and in a much better situation than they had imagined. They, the Americans, were encamped on Jamaica Plains, some little distance south-w^est of Roxburv, LIFE OF STEPHEN OLNEY. 159 where they were drilled to military and camp du- ty until the famous battle of Bunker Hill; when the enemy began to fire shells and shot into Roxbury to draw their attention from Bunker Hill. ''The Rhode-Island troops," says he, " were for some time drawn up just within reach of their shells, and not being acquainted with those sort of mis- siles, it was with great difficulty the men could be kept in the ranks, especially when they imagined a shell was about to light on their heads. It was judged when a shell appeared perpendicular, it would pass over harmless; but if it began to de- scend a little, before it reached that point, it might be dangerous; but fear always makes danger, and in order to prevent fear from warping my judg- ment, I held up my gun by the muzzle as a perpen- dicular, and kept my post, as did also our compa- ny; although it was reported that part of us ran aw -y and I remained collecting their arms." It see.i;^ part of the men only, were sent forward, while the others at the foot of the hill acted as a kind of reserve, though exposed to nearly as mucti danger as those in the forefront of the battle, and v/ithout the excitement of personal contest to keep up their courage ; whether there was not room for all on the hill at once, or whether it was judged necessary they should remain to cover the retreat of the American army, in case they had to retreat, we cannot tell, but their commander, be- fore the battle was over, considering their position unnecessarily hazardous, ordered them to march out of danger. The events of that disastrous day even more disastrous to the British than to the routed army are too well known to need recapit- ulation here, notwithstanding the superiority of numbers, and discipline of the enemy, the Ameri- cans would, it is believed, have achieved a most perfect victory, had their ammunition held out. [GO LIFE OF STEPHEN OLNEY. Their warlike stores being- destroyed at Concord was a most terrible loss to them, and on several occasions beside this, the want of powder and ball was the most serious grievance they had to com- plain of. From this time the Rhode-Island regiment was stationed at Prospect Hill, doing fatigue and gar- rison duty, and oftentimes exposed to the fire of the enemy's artillery, though but few lives were lost, and by degrees they became inured to dan- ger : it must have added much to their trials, the weather beinsr so extremelv sultry. The battle of Bunker's Hill, it will be recollected was fought on one of the hottest davs ever known in the country. Thus, and in skirmishing parties sent out to in- tercept the foraging parties of the enemy in the neighborhood of Boston, passed the winter of 1775 and '76, a winter never to be forgotten by the im- prisoned inhabitants of Boston, suffering from cold and famine, debarred from all communication with friends without, and constantly dreading treache- ry and violence within, what must their sufferings have been ? afraid to stir out of their houses for fear of the petty insults of hireling soldiers, whose jibes and taunts were the least insults dreaded from them. But if the situation of the American part of the population was trying, that of the enemy was not without its trials. Their army was not sufficient to guard conveniently all the exposed posts of the city and peninsula of Charlestov/n, which by the event of the battle of Bunker Hill, had now come into their possession. The fatigue of their soldiers had multiplied to an excessive degree, the heat of the summer being so extreme, had debilitated them, and generated diseases which had materially thinned their ranks, LIFE OF STEPHEN OLNEY. 161 and paralized their movements. Their wounded, a great part had died from the influence of climate and want of proper food, and no doubt of proper care; so that besides the name of winning the bat- tle, they derived no real advantage from the vic- tory, if such it could be called, of Bunker Hill. Thus proving what ought to be obvious, that a people cotriing from one country to fight another, have on the whole much the worst of it. On the contrary, in the American camp provision was plenty, the greater part of the v/ounded being ac- customed 10 the climate were easily cured, and their minds animated with new views, new ardor, altogether new feelings. It takes one battle, at least, to bring people to the right temperament ; and added to this, the American forces in that re- gion had something continually in view to inflame their patriotism. The lately flourishing and beau- tiful village of Charlestown lay before them, a heap of blackened ruins. How was it possible to look on it and reflect upon the destitute iamilies turned adrift upon the world, through the wanton cruelty of the British conuiianders, without a thrill of horror and a desire of retaliation ? Perhaps the most painful duty which the Amer- icans were condemned to during the interval of the battle of Bunker Hill and the succeeding March, when the British evacuated Boston, was the throw- ing up entrenchments at Roxbury, continually ex- posed to the fire of the enemy, often a house burnt by their shells, and some dead to carry off* the field daily. This must have been a service irk- some in the extreme. Great sympathy for their suffering countrymen, penned up in Boston, was continually felt ; but no means of relief occurred, except by starving out the garrison. Sometimes, to disburthen them- 14 162 LIFE OF STEPHEN OLNEY. selves of so many useless mouths, a pass was given by General Gage to families to quit the city; but when they did, they were not permitted to bring away any, even the least of their effects; even their persons were often rigorously searched. The writer of these sheets is acquainted with sev- eral aged females now living, who were among those permitted to escape ; and who succeeded in burying some of their valuables in the cellar, where they afterwards found them, although the house had been nearly demolished, and one or two who brought off a number of gold pieces hemmed into their garments, but in some cases the search was so rigid that even this could not be done. Boston was however at length released from its thraldom, and the suffering, starving, and pillaged inhabitants once more at liberty. Gen. Washington marched into it with the American forces tlie same day, carrying provisions and com- forts in abundance. Nothing could surpass the enthusiasm with which the inhabitants greeted them ; and "thus ended the contest at that place." Arrangements were now to be made for a re- moval to the interior, and in anticipation of this event a new army had been organized on the pre- ceding January. Colonel Daniel Hitchcock, hi. Colonel Cornell, and Major Israel Angell, were the field officers in the regiment to which Captain 01- ny was attached. Captain Angell returned to his home sick, and resigned his commission. Cogges- hall Olney was promoted to Captain, and the sub- ject of this memoir, Stephen Olney, promoted to first Lieutenant. James Bridges, a very respect- able young man from Andover, Mass. was ap- pointed 2d Lieutenant. Paper money at this time was in good repute. It had not began to depreciate, as it afterwards did ; but it now began to be more difficult about LIFE OF STEPHEN OLNEY. 103 procuring enlistments. The prospect of an end of the war now became distant, and, alas ! the suc- cess was doubtful, and the patriotism of many had began to wax cold. A part of the soldiers, how- ever, belonging to the first corps, re-enlisted, so that, as Captain Olney says, "they kept up the name of an army." Soon after the evacuation of Boston, they were ordered to New-York. At Providence, they halted, and Captain Olney obtained leave to visit and stay one night wiih his family. This he says "was the first favor of the kind since I engaged in the army, and previous to this, I had never been from home more than 24 hours at a time in my life. ^ After a tedious march overland to New-York, the Rhode-Island regiment was stationed on Long Island, at Brooklyn Heights, half a mile from the city, just across the river. Here they were stead- ily employed in erecting fortifications on the isl- and, destined to be of no service. The island was often annoyed by small parties of British, scouting about and* robbing the luckless inhabitants of whatever they could lay hands upon. Captain Olney was one of a party despatched one night to look after some of these fellows, and had the good fortune to apprehend some seven or eight of them. A part of them got intelligence and made off* quick enough to save themselves. Captain Olney's prisoners proved to be persons of " ma- ture age, good sense, and very considerable infor- mation," and he expressed his amazement that. '^ such persons should doubt the justice of the patriot cause, and still more astonishing that they avowed their belief that the States had not the means of supporting their independence." In af- ter life, he says it appeared no wonder they should 164 LIFE OF STEPHEN OLNEY. have doubted the latter, so perfectly unprepared were the undisciplined forces of the Stales. A nriost interesting" event occurred while on this station the reading of the Declaration of Inde- pendence. How many thousands listened to this soul-reviving appeal on that day ! In the shire towns and cities it was read irom the balconies of the State-houses. On Long-Island the army was called out and it was read to them on the Beach. It was in fact America's proudest day the day to her ''for which all other days were made." How beat the loyal hearts ! How swelled the patriotic bosoms, when America, for the first time, avowed her determination before the whole world, " never to lay down lir arms until these United States should be free, sovereign, and independent !" Hear, oh heaven ! and be astonished, oh earth ! A nation in its infancy dares to throw off the yoke of bondage ! A nation that has only a [ew raw and undisciplined soldiers, offers to cope with the most powerful kingdom in Europe with a war- like and a war trained people a people of old, mighty in arms, great in arts, and seeking to ex- tend her dominion from sea to sea and from shore to shore ! America, with a line of seacoast alto- gether undefended, against a mighty naval arma- ment, and a huge and impenetrable forest in her rear filled with avaricious and blood-thirsty sava- ges, whom the least bribe would at once turn up- on her with the merciless scalping knife and the exterminating tomahawk; without the alliance or countenance of any other nation, the solemn ap- peal was made, relying wholly on the justice and righteousness of her cause. What shout is that, that seems to rend the sky .'' that comes booming over the waters, swelling on the waves, and sweep- ing over the shores of iManhattan, until all the lit- tle islands around seem to catch the glad tidings, LIFE OF STEPHEN OLNEY. 165 and echo back the joyful notes? What motley as- i^emblage is that collected on the beach, who throw their hats high in air, and brandish their gleaming blades? It is liberty's last hope. It is the little band of heroes, who have commenced the regen- eration of a world. The first who have dared to assert the dignity of man; who have scorned the worship of the golden calf; and have determined to call no man master on earth; none lord but the Lord Jehovah. The shout that they send up this day, shall be heard through all the earth; the dis- tant hills shall prolong the echo on every side ; the waves of the ocean shall bear it to every land; and nations yet unborn, shall arise and call them blessed ; the captive in his dungeon shall think on them and all the oppressed of the earth shall *'pray, looking towards this place." CHAPTER III. The tide of joy, like all other tides, has an ebb. So elated were the little band on Long-Island, that they lay down with lisjht hearts that night, and Captain Olney records that he dreamed, after com- ing off guard, that night, and falling asleep in his marquee, that a British vessel came into the har- bor of New- York, and struck her sails in honor of General Washington. He awoke, he says, and ^'considered it was but a dream, but beheld in about two hours a British frigate, the first that had ver made the attempt, set sail, and ran by New- 166 LIFE OF STEPHEN OLNEY. York, up to Tarytown Cove, notwithstanding' the fire from all our batteries, and received but little damage," to the great mortification of the compa- ny who found themselves much deceived about the strength of their batteries. But this was nothing to what followed. Never perhaps during the whole war of the revolution, was there an American force on any station, that ought to have watched with greater vigilance the movements of the enemy than that now encamped on Long-Island; unfortunately Gen- eral Greene, who had been put in command there was taken sick, and had to return home, so that the command devolved upon General Sullivan, or rather he was succeeded bv him. General Sulli- van was a man of undoubted honor and trust, and his character was beyond the reach of suspicion, but it must be evident to every one who reads that there was a terrible mismanagement somewhere. An army said to be 23,000 strong, was lying just without Sandy Hook, and waiting only for an un- guarded moment to land their forces. The frigate that Captain Olney mentions, which run by the guns of so many forts, ought to have been a suffic- ient warning, if they had no other. A small de- -tachment was stationed on Governor's Island, and another at Paulus Hook, in front of New-York, and upon the right bank of the Hudson. The American troops (the main body of the army) were in the city commanded by General Washington in person. General Putnam was on Long-Island, his head quarters on Brooklyn Heights, and Brigadier General Sterling, Lord Sterling as he was general- ly called, and nmny other officers of inferior rank, who afterwards distinguished themselves highly in the war for independence, were (here. Whether the British thought to divert attention from their movements, by keeping up the show of LIFE OF STEPHEN OLNEY. 1(57 negotiation, is uncertain, but it is certain it had some eflect in lulling attention. It was at this time that a letter from Lord Howe to George Washington^ Esq.^ caused so much indignation in the American camp. General Washington himself returned it wiih scorn, and refused to receive any letter in which his rank was not specified, very properly observing, " that in his private capacity, he could not treat with them." To this point, then, their high mightinesses were obliged to come, or drop the negotiation at once ; accordingly, Adjutant- Gen. Patterson, was sent in due form with another letter. Washington observed in the first place, he was not authorized to nefrotiate with the British in any way ; and secondly, he could not see that the commisioners were clothed with any authority except to grant pardons, and " the United States having committed no offence, required no pardon at their hands; that she had only been defending her unquestionable rights," an answear that ought to be recorded in letters of gold, for the benefit of every people in succeeding ages, strugsfling for lib- erty. Patterson, after expressing much regret, withdrew. Here then was an end to even the shoic of negotiation^ and all eyes ought to have been di- rected to their movements. But it is useless to look back or mourn over the 3000 Americans who fell or were taken prisoners, in that disasterous night and day, when the British surprised the forces at Brooklyn. It is useless, as it was then, to stop to mourn over the flower of Maryland, the entire regiment of whom consisting of brave and educated young men, of some of the most patriot- ic and best families in the province, which were totally cut to pieces from the misiakes of a night. In silence and security the British made their dispositions of attack, and soon after dark, suc- ceeded in effecting a landing between the villages I6S LIFE OF STEPHEN OLNEY. of Gravesend and New Utrecht, unseen and unop- posed. This place is directly on the west coast of Long Island, and opposite Staten Island, and near the narrows, and was only three miles from the American encampment. General Sullivan had been in New- York on the preceding day, but had returned on that evening, Captain Olney states, bringing over 3000 men; and this 3000 by his ac- count took their station somewhat in advance of the fort. The two armies were separated by a chain of hills, then covered with wood, called the Heights of Guan, and which running from east and west, divide the island into two parts. There were three grand passes through these hills, one of which, near the narrows, and passing by the vil- lage of Flatbush, seemed to have been tlie most dangerous, and in the event the most fatal to the Americans. Upon the summit of these hills there is a road leading the whole length of the range, from Bedford to Jamaica. All along upon this road posts had been stationed, and within such a distance from each other, that the most prompt intelligence could be conveyed of what was pass- ing on these routes. Stephen Olney, who was sent on with a detach- ment in advance, lay all night within a mile of this force of 23,000 men, and knew not that they were in the neighborhood. Two hours before day. Gen. Clinton commenced his attack ; he led the vanguard of the enemy, which consisted of light infantry; Lord Percy the centre, consisting of grenadiers, tiie artillery, and cavalry; and Cornwallis, the rearguard, regiments of infantry and heavy artillery. Colonel Miles who commanded the foremost post, did not perceive or know of their approach until they were withia half a mile; and thev were warned bv one of the LIFE OF STEPHEN OLNEY. i^O patriots being seized and made prisoner by the advance guard under General Clinton; in fact the three passes were at once in their power. Gen- eral Clinton learning from his prisoner that the road of Jamaica was not guarded, occupied it without loss of time, and on his left bore towards Bedford, and seized an important defile which the Americans had incautiously left unguarded. His- tory says, '' from this moment the success of the day was decided in favor of the English." In short, by marching and countermarching, the Americans were at length almost completely sur- rounded; prodigies of valor were enacted by the enraged and betrayed patriots of America; many were wounded on the enemy's side, and about 400 killed. General Washinsrton himself came over from New-York in the height of the engagement, i and seeing some of his best troops slaughtered or taken, is said to have wrung his hands, and ut- tered an expression of anguish, never heard from him before. The sun of the 27th of August rose 4^ with that red and angry glare, which is the sure precusorof a violent storm, which quickly followed the battle; but to the superstitions, a dismal fore- boding of the events of the day. Alas! it rose and set in blood. In another part of this immense field of battle, the militia of New-York and Pennsylvania was making a brave stand against the forces under Lord Percy, and were about giving way at length, when General Parsons arrived to their relief, and renewed the combat, maintaining his position against fearful odds, until General Sterling came to his relief with 1500 men ; the action in that quarter became extremely warm, and neither would give way. While the Hessians on their post were fighting the main body in the centre, 15 170 LIFE OF STEPHEN OLNEY. commanded by General Sullivan, the Americans defended themselves with the greatest gallantry, not knowing that all their efforts must prove una- vailing, until the approach of" the English light infantry assured them of it. They then endeav- ored to effect a retreat to the camp of Putnam; but attacked front and rear, it was no easy task; several regiments at length animated by heroic valor, cut their way through the midst of the Brit- ish army and gained the camp in safety; others threw themselves into the wood, and escaped that way. And where was the hero of our story, all this time ? Why, he was with the regiment that was ordered on picquet guard, and lay that night preceding the battle, on their arms, in a wood within one mile of the enemy. " The ground being covered with wood, we were not exactly apprized of our situation," says he. Between him and the forts, on the right and left, the ground was occupied by Lord Sterling. It was not until day light that this division was attacked, and the first they knew, the firing commenced simultane- ously in their front and rear. The firing at first, was from left to right. " We perceived," he says, "we were surrounded, but as yet saw no enemy; Lieutenant Colonel Cornell (I believe Colonel Hitchcock was not present) ordered Capt. Tew's platoon, to which I belonged, to move in front, to protect our sentries, and marched the regiment towards our forts where the firing continued. When they came in sight of the enemy, they were necessiated to fight or run their way through." The latter it seems was decided on, and these brave fellows, with some killed and others wound- ed, o-allantly forced their way through and gained the fort of Gen. Putnam. " Many who hid in the woods came into camp after night," but to returo LIFE OF STEPHEN OLNEY. 17[ to Capt. Tew's platoon : " he marched a little dis- tance in front, but as the firing* continued in our rear, he thought proper to detach me, with about 20 men, in front, to protect the sentries, and he marched after, and shared the fate of his regi- ment, the fate of those who fell on the sword of the enemy. I marched forward, and found the ' enemy firing their field pieces, and some small arms, into the woods, where our sentries were placed, but the balls seemed to make the most havoc in the tops of the trees. I placed my men behind the trees, to be in readiness, if the enemy advanced, believing we were too far off for small arms, but my men thought they could kill, and kept up a deliberate fire. We had been thus situated about half an hour, when the firing ceased in the rear, and I discov- ered a party of the enemy coming towards us in thDt direction; I formed my men, and marched off in \cvy quick time towards our home, (fort,) be- lieving the enemy were between us and the forts. I cautioned my men not to hurry, as the greatest exertion would be necessary at the end of the race; in about two miles, we came out of the woods in- to a field beside the road which led by a school house, by which we must pass to get over the mill-dam to our fort ; at this place Lieutenant Thomas Hughes joined me with a small party; on getting over the fence into the road, I saw the en- emy as near the school house as Ave were, drew up in line ever so long, deliberately viewing our works; I told my Sergeant Pollin to fix his bayo- net, as we must go through here, or die. At this instant, the enemy saw us, and ran ahead, and fired, and more ran before them and fired to pre- vent our passage. Nevertheless, I made out to get nearly all my men past the school house, and part of Hughes's; after passing the enemy, about ]72 LIFE OF STEPHEN OLNEY. one hundred yards, they had huddled together in the road. I ordered my men to face about, and give them one well-directed fire, which I saw from the staggering, had taken good effect." They then continued this running fight toFIatbush, and finally got into the fort in safety. I remark,-' Captain Olney continues, " about 2400 were taken prisoners, and 500 killed and wounded," making it 100 less than the official account of the battle states. 'At the time, I did not, he says, pretend to know or examine the generalship of posting Sul- livan's and Sterling's forces, as they were, leav- ing the forts but poorly manned with sick and in- valids. It must be on the supposition that the enemy would come on the direct road, and if our troops were overpowered, they might retreat to and defend the fort. But the enemy took a cir- cuitous route, and where it was said Colonel (Hitchcock probably,) had neglected to guard, and arrived in our rear without notice. Had it been left to the British Generals to make a dispo- sition of our troops, it is a chance if they would have made it more advantageous to themselves, and but from their tardiness they might have tak- en our main Ibrt. All that seemed to prevent it was a scarecrow row of palisades from the fort to low water in the cove, which Major Box had or- dered set up that morning. After we got into our fort, hungry, tired and sleepy, to augment our dis- tress, there came on a dreadful heavy storm, with thunder and licrhtnino-, and the rain fell in such torrents that the water was soon ancle deep in the fort. Yet with all these inconveniences, and a powerful enemy just without musket shot, our men could not be kept awake. They would sit down and fall asleep, although Lieut. Cornell, a faithful and vigilant officer, whom they used to LIFE OF STEPHEN OLNEY. 173 nickname " Old Snarl," was threatening to make daylight shine through them all the time." Thus ended the melancholy tragedy of the bat- tle of Long-Island; through all its beautifall vallies from Bedford to Jamaica, the turf was strewed with the dead and the dying : imagination paints the scene, redolent of horrors. The dying warrior alone and unattended, sighing for some friendly hand to close his eyes, or place the cup of water to his parched lips, while his life is slowly ebbing from the ghastly wound. The frantic maiden, search- ing through the cold and drenching shower for the body of a husband or a father, unconscious of the thunder's roll, or lightning's flash, the wail of the dvino" mingled with the hoarse voice of the storm, or the roar of the ocean lashed into fury by the tempest. Alas, how many who hailed with enthusiasm the opportunity of distinguishing them- selves in the cause of their country at the rising of that day's sun, lived not to see its setting; low in the dust, the lofty plume of the warrior is trod- den, dimmed is the eagle eye, and pale the once glowing cheek, powerless the arm, that perchance mowed down the ranks of the enemies of his coun- try, at the battle of Bunker Hill, or on the shores of Virginia. How are the mighty fallen. But they fell in the sacred cause of freedom. They were martyrs, who came up to the help of the Lord against the mighty. Their blood has conse- crated the cause, and the soil. In after ages the voyager as he passes the Narrows, shall point to the place where the Lord commanded a sacrifice on the altar of Liberty. Henceforth shall this be a chosen spot ; the dews of heaven shall fall gen- tly on the sod, and the sweetest flowers of the for- est shall blossom on the turf that covers the *' Flower of Maryland. ^^ 15* 174 I-IFE OF STEPHEN OLNEY 1?.K f 1 CHAPTER IV. .....^^'^^ ^ History says that the " rain continued to fall / in torrents for two days and two nights without^ intermission, by which the arms and ammunition of the soldiers was materially damaged," but prov- identially by this means the British ships could not come up to the assistance of their army, and the Americans had time to commence their retreat from the Island. A council of war being called, they decided it was best to evacuate their position without delay, as the Btitish, once masters of the east river, they would be completely hemmed in. The dispositions therefore for removal having been made in silence, as far as practicable, they conunenced their march at 8 o'clock in the evening. The greatest caution had to be used for too surely they knew, that notwithstanding their own mis- takes in the affair of the battle, treachery was at the bottom of it; that there were many loyalists on the Island, how rtiany they did not know, who had probably acted as spies and informers, and even guides on that occasion. In managing the retreat, Colonel Glover com- manded the vessels and fleet and transport boats, General M'Dougal was charged with the embark- ation, and Colonel Mifflin was to cover the rear guard. The current was exceedingly rough, and the wind contrary, and indeed in a direction (north east) calculated to blow them right into the hands of their enemies, but providentially, just as they embarked, the wind changed to north west, and they got safely off', under the protection of a thick fog, which covered Long-Island, and singularly LIFE OF STEPHEN OLNEY. I75 enough reached not to New-York. Washington, notwithstanding the entreaties of his officers, re- mained last upon the shore ; he would not embark until he saw the last man on board. They amount- ed in all to 9000. It was not until the sun was high in the heav- ens, on the next morning, that the British per- ceived their prey had escaped, and with all their stores, munitions of war, &c., were safe from pur- suit; a [ew boats of the rear guard were alone to be seen, retreating from the Island, where they had returned to take av/ay some articles which had been left the night before : they were out of their reach. Never was a retreat better timed or conducted with more ability and prudence. " We had to take our baggage, camp equipage. &c. on our shoulders, says Captain Olney, and car- ry them to the boats," and tedious indeed was the operation, through mud and mire, and not a ray of light visible, for this indulgence would at once have betrayed them, and through a fog so intense, you might almost grasp it. The Captain and his company were soon hov/ever in more com- fortable quarters, and where they could venture to breathe freely, though not eating the bread of idleness : a great operation was yet to be perform- ed ; that was to remove the forces on Govern- or's Island, and get them 1;0 the same place of safety. Tv/o regiments occupied that Island, and with abundance of munitions of war, and a nu- merous artillery. The Americans had fortified it to defend the east river, but it could not be expect- ed to be of any avail, after the loss of Long-Island; the object was effected, and the whole safely re- moved to New-York. Dreadful for the time, was the effect of this bat- tle to the patriot cause ; they had hitherto labored under a great mistake, in supposing that personal 176 J^IFE OF STEPHEN OLNEY. valor alone would supply the want of discipline. Upon this they wholly relied, and now by a very natural reaction, fell into the other extreme, and supposed that courage would do nothing- ; besides they began to be apprehensive of treachery, and dreaded an ambuscade at every step. The mil- itia, armed suddenly in emergency, became every day more intractable, and deserted by hundreds; their example became every day more fatal to the regular troops, who at the most were only enlisted for one year, and who now took the liberty to sup- pose they might return to their homes just when they pleased. But there is no trial without a salutary use, if rightly improved. Hitherto the Congress had re- sisted all intreaties for a regular army, so great was the jealousy of the nation of a standing army.. but now the remonstrances of Washington were seconded by all the military officers of distinction, and they at length yielded, and decreed that a regular army should be immediately raised, to consist of eight battalions, in which the soldiers should be enlisted to serve through the war, with a promise of a grant of land of one hundred acres at the end of it, and a bounty of twenty dollars at enlisting. They were afterwards obliged to mod- ify it and allow enlistments for three years, but no land, if they served less than through the vv^ar. With much exertion Washington made out to keep his little army together, until proper measures could be taken to organize a new one. Advice, persuasion, and exhortation were necessarily used, and, seconded by the other officers, the greater part yielded to his authority and consented to re- main. Personal affection for that great command- er (for ever blessed be his memory) was thought to have had great inffiience. It was at this time that General Howe, pre- LIFE OF STEPHEN OLNEY. I77 soniing upon the events of the late battle, sent to Congress a request to treat with them, in order to put an end to the war, as he said. The request was sent by General Sullivan, and Congress de- ;puted three of their body to hear what Howe had to say, and to examine his pov/ers. Nothing could have proved his hollow and hypocritical intentions more than the language made use of at this inter- view did. They demanded " first that the colonies should return to their allegiance," with the assur- ance assurance forsooth, " that it was the earnest desire of the King to make his government easy ^nd agreeable to them, and that the laws of Par- liament, which were so obnoxious to them, should undergo a revisal^ and the instructions to Govern- ors should be reconsidered" reconszV/eref/ probably, as the Constitution of Lower Canada has been. If nothing had ever chanced to inform us of what our favor would have been, had we trusted to these assurances^ the groaning prisons of Toronto and Montreal could answer us now. Whether the gallows formed a part of the camip equipage of the British commanders of those days, as it is said to of some at the north nov7, is not known, but we have no reason to suppose that we should have fared any better than those unfortunate men who have recently laid down their arms in Canada, up- on the assurances of British clemency. The three Commissioners, Franklin, Rutledge, and Adams, saw through their hollow assurancps^ and made the conference short. During this time however a fortnight of rest had been allowed the troops at New-York, except in the little skirmishes that would naturally take place from the near contiguity of the enemy. By degrees they got pos- session of most of the little islands in the neigh- borhood, and General Washington thought it most prudent to evacuate New-York. In this he was 178 LIFE OF STEPHEN OLNEY. opposed in a council of war by the other officers, who thought that "if they could hold out a show of resistance there it would divert the attention of the enemy from any other point, as the season was so far advanced it might prevent their ob- taining a foothold until winter should set in, which would oblige them to withdraw for one season at least. Circumstances afterwards demonstrated that the plan of Washington was best. At length, however, seeing the enemy reinforced from so many quarters, they unanimously decided it was^ best. The sick, the baggage, and munitions of war were safely carried over to Jersey, far up tlie river, and the soldiers marched out of the city, when, behold, information came that the British had landed on the island at Kip's Bay, only three miles from the city. This caused them to decamp with so much haste as to leave part of their hea- vy artillery in the hands of the enemy. At King's bridge they had a strong force, and hither they retreated. From their near neighborhood to the enemy, frequent skirmishes ensued, in which the American army became accustomed to face the foe. At Harlem, they had quite a hot engage- ment, in which Lieut. Stephen Olney fought and behaved with much gallantry. The particulars of this engagement have been given in history, ex- cept, that the Americans contrived an ambuscade, into which many British and Hessians fell, and numbers of them were killed or taken prisoners. It was while they were at Harlem, and only a few days after the capture of New- York, that the great fire occurred at that city. One fourth of New-York was consumed. The British accused the Americans of setting fire to the city them- selves, in order to deprive them of its spoils. It was in vain that they protested their entire inno- cence. Their protestations were not regarded. LIFE OF STEPHEN OLNEY. I79 and humanity weeps over the recital, they seized upon many whom they pretended to believe were instrumental in it, and plunged them headlong in- to the flames ! Yes, in the verv faces of their imprisoned families, in view of the destruction of all their property ! What must have been the feelings of those bereaved and houseless beings to see their last props torn away ; and still more horrible, hurried by a death of excruciating tor- ture, without a moment for preparation, into the presence of their God. Oh, England ! thy day of retribution has not yet come. That thou art a christian nation will only aggravate thy doom. In the Judgment, Turks and infidels shall stand guilt- less at thy side, and the time may come when it shall be said, " Blessed is he that taketh thy chil- dren, and dasheth them against the stones." Captain Olney saw not this, he was at this time near King's bridge, skirmishing with the outposts of the enemy, and lending his aid to help keep the men together, and to inspire them with courage. He says that " when they retreated from New- York city, they had a running fight, very similar to that at Flatbush." The regiment to which he belonged, after some days was obliged to go over to fort Lee, on the Jersey side; and here, he re- lates a conversation between two Captains of his regiment which certainly was very singular ; to say nothing more of it in presence of witnesses, too. They held an argument it seems, upon the probability of the country's success in gaining their independence, and very gravely decided that it was impossible, and that they never could effect it. Captain Olney says it was true they were older and had more experience than himself, but he did not h'fesitate to avow a contrary opinion; he speaks of a Mr. Bridges, who likewise spoke on the occa- ISO LIFE OF STEPHEN OLNEY. sion, and boldly asserted his full belief in the fu- ture independence of his country. The stay of Captain Olney was short at fort Lee; he with the regiment, was ordered to recross it, and encamp at Harlem Heights, near Hellgate. The enemy erected a battery on the opposite side of the east river, and a regular connonade was kept up every day. It was now judged best to send the sick off to a place of safety; and Captain Olney was despatched to conduct them to Tappan, which was safely performed. During his absence he says their regiment had another skirmish with the enemy, but being outflanked, retreated with- out much loss ; and as the enemy advanced on Long Island side, the American army made retro- grade movements on the north river side, to keep from being outflanked. The object of the British now, was to surround the American army, and being at this time reinforced by an Irish regiment, after various manoeuvres they determined to effect an encampment on White Plains, on the other side of Kingsbridge. Washington penetrated the designs of the ene- my, and resolved to frustrate them by extending" his own army to that place; and finally encamped the main body at White Plains; separated from the English only by a narrow river (Brunx). Here for some days, they had frequent skirmishes, until the whole Britisfi army had concentrated them- selves on the opposite bank of the river; a cannon- ade commenced, but with little eflect. The right wing of the army was severely attacked by the British, and defended with much bravery, partic- ularly, by a regiment from Maryland, and one Ironi New-York, who came out of the lines after the ene- my had crossed over and fought them at the foot of the mountain until overpowered by numbers : they were forced to retire behind the redoubts- LIFE OF STEPHEN OLNEY. 181 Night coming on, the main body imder Washing- ton was not attacked; he took advantage of the night to strenghen his position, and it was a night of hard work; but so formidable did they appear in the morning, that General Howe decided on not attackinsr them until he could ^et some battalions from New-York, under the conunand of Lord Per- cy. These reinforcements did not arrive until evening, and he had to wait another day for the assault. It seemed the fate of Captain Olney, to be wherever danger was and much work to do, and he was not to repose in idleness ; a more busy or anxious time perhaps did not occur during the campaign. Captain Olney thought there was about twenty two thousand on each side, before Percy's force joined the enemy; but history records that the forces of the enemy were much superior, and regular troops; wliile the force of the Ameri- cans were mostly raw militia. Another nisfht of excessive rain which continued all through the next day, obliged both sides to remain quiet. It was now the 30th of October, and the morning of the 1st of November was decided by the British, for a general engagement. With such an im- mense reinforcement as they had now received, it was well understood the Americans would be unable to resist. Washington, who saw and understood al
Captain married Irish SarahPawling, Dutchess County, NY. Sarah was born about 1760 in Pawling, Dutchess County, NY; died on 03 Sep 1808 in Saratoga, Saratoga County, NY; was buried in Babtist Church Cemetery, Saratoga, Saratoga County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
Children:
- 40. Olney James K. P. was born about 1845; died on 19 May 1847; was buried in Cemetery of old Baptist Church at Cramer's Corner in Saratoga, Saratoga County, NY.
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1720 - 1788 (67 years)