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GEORGE THE T H 1 li D. 



NARRATIVE 

OF 

THE EXKRTIOXS AND SUFFERINGS OF 

LIEUT. JAMES 'MOODY, 

IN 

THE CAUSE OF GOVERNMENT SINCE THE YEAR 177G. 

llUittcn bu Ijiinsclf, 

WITH THK author's LAST CORRKCTIOXS. 

Aidheniicated by proper Certificates. 

AVITU 

AN INTRODUCTION ANT) NOTES, 

BV 

CHARLES I. BUSHNELL 





NEW YORK: 
PRIVATELY PRINTED. 

18G5. 



'^Tg 



V\^^^5 



Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1365, by 
CHARLES I. BUSHNELL, 
In tlio Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the 
Southern District of New York. 



INTRODUCTION. 



''if -£;'•*■ IKl'T. JAMES MOdDY, the autliur ..f 

\ ^.v.-. 5.. |.jj^^ fullo\viiii>' iiarrati\(', was one of tlio 




yi must celebrated ])arti.saii leaders of the 
Ivevolutioii. He seems, in fact, to have 
been pe'culiarlv titteil for this species of warfare. 
With a robust constitution and iineommon phy- 
sical strength, he was possessed of li'reat activity 
and power of endurance. His mind was clear 
and energetic, liis spirit tii-ni and determined. 
He was fruitful in expedients, l)ra\e ;uid sclf-pus- 
sesse<l, (lualities which emdilcd him to extricate 



as^- 



[NTIJODLCTION. 



liiiubelf tVoiii many |)eril<>us onKTo-encies in the 
courise of liis career. 

He was originally a fai-mer in Tsew Jersey. At 
tlie coinniencement <>f tlie Revolution, lie remained 
loyal to the king, and hy his zeal in the cause, be- 
came so ol)n(»xious to the Wliigs, that he was at 
length conipelU'd to seek safety in the British lines. 
Being natn rally fond of adventure, and prompted' 
also hy a conviction of right, and also, perhaps, by 
a spirit of I'cvenge, he soon took up arms in the ser- 
vice, and became celebrated as a partisan and a 
spy. 

In connnand of an independent company, he was 
the cause of great sutfcring to the Amei-icans, by 
his predatory incursions. Sometimes he would 
prowl about tlie camp, watching the niovenu'iits 
and noting the plans of the army, and at other times 
he would lurk about the residences of civilians of 
character seeking for an opportunity to carry tliem 
off. 

Tie was a source of great annoyance to Wash- 
ington and other commamU'rs l)y intt'rcejtting and 
st'izing their (lcsi»atclies. On one occasion tliis jn'o- 



i.\TK'oi>r( riov. V 

pensity was turiied to suuie beiielit to tlie Aiiun-ic ni 
cause, for he fell in witli some (locuineuts ^v•Ilicll 
liad l)eeit purposely sent to direct Sir Henry Clin- 
ton to ]S^ew York as tiie point of attack instead of 
Yorktown, the real place of rendezvous. 

On another occasu^n he came very near capturing 
Governor Livingston, of ]*^ew Jersey, and on 
another would have succeeded in carrying off the 
books and <locunients of Congress hut for the 
treachery of one of his party. In this adventure, 
his brother M^as taken and subsequently executed, 
and Moody himself narrowly escaped capture. 

Being exceedingly active, prompt and cunning in 
the execution of his plans, he spread great terror 
among the inhabitants. Rewards were offered for 
his apprehension, and attempts made to take him, 
l)ut for a time, witliout success. 

At lengtli, however, he fell into the hands of 
Gen. Wayne, who sent him, a prisoner, to West 
Point, where he endured for a while a rigorous 
confinement, but he eventually broke his guard, 
effected his escape, and was again -iii service as 
betVn'e. 



\'i ]\n;()i)i(ii(i\. 

JJis coiistitiilitiii. tlioii^li ji-itiir;ill_v stroiiii', tiiiallv 
bccaiiH' impaired hy liardslii]) and exposure, and 
he was {•(itii])elled to seek repose. He went to 
I''n<iland in tlie month of Xoveml)er, 1781. and 
remained there two or three years. He then took 
up his I'esidenee in Weynioutli, Xova Seotia, wliere 
lie l)ecame a cdlomd of a l•e^•iment of niih'tia. He 
lived on half-[)ay until the year 18(l9, wlien lie bid 
adieu to life at tlie aii'e of sixty -tive years. 

Ml". Moody ]'eeei\e<! hut j)o()r eoinpeusation for 
the losses he snstaine(h the hai'dshi]>s lie endui-ed. 
and tlie perils he eneountere(l. 'I'he one hundred 
ii'uineas heohtained foi- the eaptmc of the hrst nniil, 
and the two hundre(l tor the second. toiiX'tluM' with 
tliirl^y more \\lii('li weie ]>aid him hy (General 
Ivohei'tsoii as an outtit for the e.\pe(lition he under- 
took tor the sei/ui'e of (lovei'iioi' Li vini;'ston, make 
the sum total of his emoluments heyond others of 
his rank. 

He had exposed his lite for a yeai". without even 
the ])ay of a (Muiimon soldier, aiul when he letY the 
army, althoiioli deeply in debt hy reason of 
eno-ajrenients incurred for the cause of the ( 'rown. 



IN ruoDrc'i'idX. VII 

serving tVu- mcr lonr veai's witli every satisfaction 
to his sn[)eri(trs, \vitli iiis liealth impaired, and his 
estate forfeited, vet lie was, to the shame of the 
British government, l)iit a mere lieutenant in a 
corps of volunteers. 

About the time when he was soliciting from the 
Government compensation for the losses he had 
sustained in the war, he wrote and published a nar- 
rative of his adventures. 

In consecpience of the incredulitv with which 
it was received, he issued in 1783 a second edition, 
much enlarged, to which he added some cor- 
roborative testimony. The narrative is clear and 
well expressed. It is written with much modesty, 
and liears the impress of candor, impartiality and 
truth. 

The present issue is printed from the author's 
private copy of the second edition, containing his 
manuscript notes and corrections, and is an exact 
reprint of the original. 

In conclusion, we would state that, for the 
convenience of the public, the original foot-notes 
are referred to by marks, and the manuscript 



INTKODrclIOV. 



addition^ liv Icttors. The iiutcs fiiriiislie(l liy tlio 
editor are des^igiuited l)_v imiiil>('i's. and will Ix^. 
found at the end of the nari'ative. 





W I I; L I A M F H A N K I. I X. 

Governor of Xeir Jr-rarfi/. 



N A R R A T I Y E. 




HOICE and phm, it would seem, have sel- 
dom uuieh influcuee in determiuing either 
men's characters, or their conditions. 
These are usually ttie result of circum- 
stances utterly without our controui. Of the truth of 
this position, tiie Writer's own recent history affords 
aijundant proofs. 

Seven years ago, few human events seemed more 
improljable, than that he, a plain, contented farmer, 
settled on a large, fertile, pleasant, and well-improved 
farm of his own, in the best climate and happiest country in 
the world, should ever beat his i)lougli-share into a sworrl. 



10 nai:i:ativf.. 

and coiiimnice a soldier. Nor was it less improbable, tliat 
lie should ever become a writer, and be called upon to print 
a narrative, of his own adventures. Yet necessity and a 
sense of dntv, contrary to his natural inclination, soon 
forced iiim to ap})eMr in the former of the.^e cliaracters ; 
and the importunity of friends ha> now prevailed with him 
to assume the latter. 

"When the present ill-fated Kebellion first broke out, he 
was, as has already been hinted, a ha])py farmer, Avithout a 
wish or an idea of any other enjoyment, than ihat of malting 
liap[iy and l)ein<>' happy wilh, a beloved wife, and three pro- 
mising- children. He loved his neig'hbours, and hopes they 
were not wlmlly without regard for him. Clear of del)t, 
and at ease in his possessions, he had seldom thought much 
of political or state questions ; l»ut he felt and knew he had 
every pcjssible reason to 1)e grateful for, and attached to, 
that glorious Constitution to which he owed his seciu'ily. 
The first great uneasiness he ever felt, on account of the 
J'ublic, was when, after the proceedings of the first Con- 
gress were known, he foresaw the imminent danger lo which 
this Constitution was e.\po>ed ; l)ut he was completi ly 
miserable when, not long- al'ter, he saw it totally over- 
turned. 

The situation of a man who, in such a dilemma, wishes 
to do right, is trying and dillicult. In following the mul- 
titude, he was sure of popular applau.se ; this is always 
pleasing ; and it is too dearly bought only when a man 
gives up for it the approbation of his own conscience. He 
foresaw, in its fullest force, tliat torrent tjf reproach, insult. 



NARRATIVE. 



11 



and injury wliieli lii^ was sure to (li'aw down on liinisclf, iind 
liis family, liy a contrary conduct ; nor does lie wish u> 
deny, tliat, for some time, tliese overawed and staggereo 
liim. For himself he felt but little ; but he had either too 
much or too little of the man aliout him, to l)ear the seeing- 
of Ids nearest and dearest relatives disgraced and ruined. 
Of the points in debate between the parent-state and his 
native country, he pretended not to be a competent judge : 
they were stiidi<insly so puzzled and perplexed, that he 
could come to no other coiichision, than tnat, however real 
or great the grievances of the Americans mig/it be, rebellion 
was not the way to redress them. It required niiireover 
but little skill to know, that rebellion is the foulest of all 
crimes ; and tlnit what was'begun in wickedness must end 
in ruin. With this conviction strong ni»on his mind, he re- 
solved, that there was no diftienlty, danger, or distress, 
which, as an honest vwnw, he ought not to undergo, rather 
than see his comitry thus disgraced and undone. In spite 
therefore of incapacity, in spite of disinclination — nay, in 
spite even of concern for his family — with the most ardent 
love for his country, and the warmest attachment to his 
countrymen, he resolved to do anything, and to be any- 
thing, not inconsistent with integrity — to fight, to bleed, 
to die,— rather than live to see the venerable Constitutidu 
of his country totally lost, and his countrymen eu>laved. 
What the consequences of this resolution have been, it is 
the intention of the following pages to describe. 

The facts now to be related have many of them been 
occasionally i)ublished iu the New York papers, but in a 



12 



N.UillATrV K. 



.Slate so iniitilaU'd and iiDpcrlcct, a* vatlier to I'Xcite ihuu 
gratify curiosity. They are here bfuiiglit togetiier under 
one view, in a eonnectcd narrative ; tiiid set down just as 
they liappened. It is not pretended that all his adventures 
are here; rehited, or that all the eircuiuslances of liiose re- 
lated are fully enuniei-ated. It would lie inipolilie and dan- 
gerous for him to recount, at large, all his various strata- 
gems ; it would be barbarous and base, to divulge all the 
means by which he has sometimes elVected his almost mi- 
raculous esca])es. lint were it otherwise, uuthing can be 
farther from his aim, than to make a pompous display of 
any supposed merit of his own. As to the truth of his 
princii)al fact-, he appeals to sundry certificates and affida- 
vits now in his [)ossession ; nay, he farther appeals to every 
ollicer of every rank, wIkj has either lately served, or is 
still serving, in America. Yet, after all, from the nature of 
the ease, the credit of some parts of this Narrative must 
rest upon his own authoiity, which, he believes, will not lie 
questioned by those who are acquainted with his character. 
Of the true causes that gavi; birth to this unhappy quar- 
rel, Mr. Moody is unwilling to give any opinion. He is no 
])olitician ; and, therefore, by m) means qualified to recon- 
cile the contradictory assertions ami arguments of the con- 
tending parties. Tiiis only, as an individual of that de- 
scription of people of whom the greatest part of every com- 
nninity must consist, he thinks it incundK'ut on him to de- 
clare, that it did not originate w ith the 'pcopk of America, 
})roperly so called. They felt no real grievances, and there- 
fore could have no inducement to risk substantial advan- 



NARRATIVE 



l.'-J 



ta<>-os in tlic pursuit of such us wore only iiuiiiiinary. In 
making- this dcchii-atioii, he is confident lie ?peal<s llie seiiti- 
raents of a jvreat nuijorily of the peasantry of Anieriea. 
But, in every eountry there arc multitudes who, wiili littlr 
property, and perhaps still less prineij»le, are always dis- 
posed, and always eager for a change. Such persons are 
easily wrought upon, and easdy persuaded to enlist umler 
the banners of pretended patriots and forward demagogues • 
of whom also every country is sufficiently prolitic. 

In Aniei'ica, these popular leadei's had a set of men to 
assist them, who inherited, tVom their ancestors, the most 
rooted dislike and antipathy to the constitution of the parent- 
state ; and, by means of Ikclr tViendly eo-operaiion, they 
were able to throw the VN'hole continent into a fermcut in the 
year 1*174, and maddened almost every part of the country 
with Associations^ Committees, and Lilc/iti-polcs^ and all the 
preliminary apjiaratus necessary to a Revolt. The general 
■cry was, Join or die! Air, Moody relished neither of these 
alternatives, ami therefore remained on his farm a silent, 
but not unconcerned, spectator of the black cloud that had 
been gathering, and v/as now ready to burst on his devoted 
head. It was in vain that he took every possible precau- 
tion, consistent with a good conscience, not to give ofteiice. 
Some infatuated associations were very near coD>igning him 
to the latter of these alternatives, only bi'cause neither his 
judgment, nor his conscience, would suffer him to adopt the 
former. He was })ei'petually harassed by these Committees; 
and a party employed by them once actually assaulted his 
person, having lirst flourished Their tomo/nnrks over his head 



] 4 NARRVTIVK. 

ill a iiiijst iiisiiItiiiLi' iiuumcr. FiiKiinii' il iiiijios^ililc citlirr to 
convince these nssociators, or to bo coiivinccd by them, any 
longer stay anionic: tlieiii was usek'ss ; and an attempt nuulo 
upon him soon after, rendered it impossil>le On Sumhiy 
28Lh i\Iai-eh 1777, while lie was walking- in his grounds with 
his iieighl)our Mr. ITiitcheson, he saw a iniraber of armed 
men marchiniL!,- towards ]\U house. He could have no doubt 
of their intention ; and endeavoured to avoid them. They 
iired three different shots at; liim, l)ut happily missed him, 
and lie eseapi-d. From this time, therefore, he souiiht the 
earliest opportunity to take shelter behind the British lines; 
and set out for this purpose in April 1777. Seventy-three 
of his neii:iil)ouis, ad honest men, of the fairest anil most re- 
sp(>etable characters, accompanied him in this retreat. The 
march was long and dangei-ous. They were repeatedly 
annoyed and assaulted ; and once they were under the ne- 
cessity f)f coming to an engagement with a rebel party con- 
siderably superior in number. Men, circumstanced as he 
and his friends were, could want no aignments to animate 
their exertions. The attack was sharj), but the Loyalists 
were successful ; the enemy gave way, leaving them at 
liljerty to pursue their route unmolested. The whole com- 
pany, lour only excepted, arrived safe at ]>ei'geii, where 
lliey joined Lieutenaut-colouel Barton's (i) battalion, in 
(jieiieral Skinner's brigade. "'*' A few, whose profes>ioiis were 
calculated to render lliem uselnl in that department, Joined 
the engineers. 

*Viilo Goneral Skinner's (Vrtilioato. 



NARRATIVE. 



15 



III June follu\viii<i-, Mr. Mo.nly and Mr. Hntches^on, \i) 
went privatt'ly, about 70 miles into tlie country, to enlist the 
fi-iends of Government. They enlisted ni)\vanls c^f 500 men. 
The Britisli army, tlien at Brunswick, was expected imme- 
diately to march throug-h New Jersey. Mr. Moody and 
his friends had their agents jn-operly i)laced, to give them 
the earliest information of the army's moving ; when their 
plan was, to disarm the disaffected, and generally arm the 
Loyal. Let the Reader then judge of their mortification, 
when, whilst their adherents were high in spirits, and confi- 
dent of their aljility, at one blow, as it were, to have crush- 
ed the Rehf-Uion in New Jersey, they were informed, that 
General Howe (3) had evacuated the province, and was 
gone to the soutliward.* Notwithstanding this discourage- 
ment, Mr. Moody and his party still continued in tlie coun- 
try agreeably to their instructions, in the hope that some 
opportunity would still present itself to annoy the rebelhous, 
and to assist the loyaL But no such opportunity offering 
innnediately, tliey soon received orders to join the army with 
the men they had enlisted, or could enlist. 

In conseq\ience of these instructions, they set forwards 
with al)OUt 100 Loyalists (not more than that number, from 
the change of i)rospects. were tiien to 1)6 prevailed upon to 
leave their own country ; or, if it had been otherwise, the 
time was too scanty, being not more than 48 hours, to col- 
lect them together, which, it must be obvious, was to Ije 
done only with great caution and secrecy), on a march of up- 

*This was to tbe fatal C'hesapeak c.Kpe Jitioii to betray the Loyalists and 
to ruin Burf^oign. (The words in italic were ^(rdcd by the author.— i':r).) 



in XAItRATlVF.. 

wards of *I0 miles, tlirong-li a well inlialjitcd pai't of tlu'i)i-o- 
viiico. Tlic rebels pursued tlieui ; and, al'tci' several skiriii- 
islics, at leiig-th came upon tlieiu in .Midi foree, near Perlli- 
Amboy, that they were oblig'ed to give way and disperse. 
More than sixty of the party were tal<eii prisoners; eight 
oiiiy, besides Mr. Moody, got within the British lines. 
M'hese prisoners, after being confined in Morristciwn jail, 
were ti'ied for what was called high Ireasun ; (a) and altove 
one half of them were sentenced to die. Two, whose names 
wei-e Uiff and Tl/cc, were actually executed ; the rest hav- 
ing been repi'ieved on condition of their serving in the rebel 
army. The love of life prevailed. They ciiiisled ; but so 
strong was their love of loyalty at the same lime, that, three 
or four exeei)tcd, who died nndei- the hands of their captors, 
they all, very soon after, made their escape to the British 
army. 

On comparing the numbei-s who had first set out with 
him, with those who, after being taken, had returned to 
him, Mr. Moody found, that, on the alarm, siuiie had es- 
caped ; and some also, who had been taken and released, 
being still missing, he concluded that they had gone back to 
their respective homes. This indueei' him to return, w ilh- 

A.- Was luit tli(-' taking iniii- asxaiiist tlic Kji.'j.at least a- liiuli Trcax n 
as tilt' righting against tlu'ir new tunncil m^II ncatril states? Yet 
onr Ccncrn'.s suffi'ied tlic.se Execntions nl the Loyalist.-- to go on : 
■without ever attempting to put n stoj) to them liv threatening t<> 
KelaliatP, nay tliey ■wonhl not permit the Assoeiated Loyalists tn 
save their Frieiuls, liy Ihreateniiig to K.vecute any of tliose Keliels. 
whoiii these fioyalists hud taken jirisoiiers, and whom tliey tlion 
licM ill their own Custody. 



XATUIATIVrO. 1 T 

out delay, into tlie country ; and lie came back with nine- 
teen men. Convinced tliat there were still many more, on 
whom good advice and a g-nod example might have their 
proper influence, he again went out, and brought back with 
him forty two young men, as fine soldiers as are in the 
world : some of whom had but just escaped from jails, 
where they had been confined for their loyalty. All these 
he was happy enough to conduct safe to the King's ai'my. 
From this time, he continued with his battalion till 17T8, 
having just before been made an Ensign. 

In the beginning of May IT78, he was again sent into 
the interior parts of the Rebel country, with orders to re- 
main there as long as he could, to render such service to 
Government, and its friends, as he should have an oppor- 
tunity for ; and mon; especially, to obtain precise intelli- 
gence from Colonel BiUhr, then supposed to be at Niagara. 
He eniph)yed a trusty Loyalist to go out to Colonel But- 
ler, (4) wiio lell in with him between Niagara and Wyoming, 
and was with him at the reduction of this hi>t mentioned 
fortress ; and afterwards, along with another of Mr. 
Moody's men, (who, having been driven from him, in the 
disaster just related, had gone back, and staid with Colonel 
Butler, all the winter, as the only place of safety he eonld 
find), he returneil with the necessary iulornuitions ; with 
which they all went back and reported them at liead-qnar- 
ters. In this interval, Mr. Moody took prisoner a Mr. 
Martin, chief Connnissioner in that district, for tiie selling 
of confiscated estates, a man remarkable for his spite and 
cruelty to the Friends of Government. It was very morti- 



18 XAKIJATIVF.. 

fyiiig to Mr. ^[(>0(ly to have this uiaii rescued from liiiii Iiy 
a larg-e body of tlie Militia, after liaviiig- liad liiin in his 
eu>tody about forty-eiyht iioiirs. But he relates with plea- 
sure, that the iucideut had a good effect ou this furious op- 
pressor, inasmuch as bis behaviour to his loyal neighbours 
was ever after luucli more mild and huiuaiie. 

On the 10th of June 11*19, an opportunity of rendering 
some service to his country uow offering, having first re- 
quested Mv. lIutchesoH and six men, and some guides, to be 
of the party, he marched, with sixteeu of his own men, froiu 
Sandy HooU to Shrewsbury. They eluded the vigilauce of 
a Rebel Guard, aud gained a place called T/ic Falls. Here 
they surju'ised aud took prisoners, one Colonel, one Lieuten- 
ant Colonel, one M'ljor, and two Captains, with several 
other prisoners of inferior note ; and without injuring any 
private proj)erty, destroyed a considerable magazine of 
powder aiul arms. "With these prisoners, and such public 
stores as they were al)le to liring off, Mr. Hutcbesoii was 
charged, whilst Mr. Moody brought up the reai', with his 
sixteen men, to defend them. They were, as they had ex- 
pected, soon pursued by double their numl)ei', aud overtaken. 
Mr. Moody ke})t u[) a smart fire on his assailants, checking 
and retarding them, till Mr. Hutchesoii, with their booty, 
had got a head to a considerable distance. He then also 
advanced, making for the next advantageous station : and 
thus proceeded, from one good spot to another, still cover- 
ing the prisoners, till they had gained a situation on the 
shore at Ijlack Point, where the enemy could not tlank 
them. Bui, just at I his tinu>, the pursuers were reiulbrc(d 



NARRATIVE. 



11) 



with loll iiieii : so rlmt tlu'y were now lorty stroiiii'. Mr. 
Hutchesoii, with one man, crossed tlie inlet, behind wliich 
he had taken shelter, and came to Mr. Moody's assistance ; 
and now a warm eno-agement ensued, that lasted for three 
quarters of an hour. By this time all their ainnuiuition, 
ainouiitinu,- to ii})wards of eighty rounds of cartridges, was 
expended ; and ten men only, tliree of whom were wi)und- 
ed, were in any capacity to follow their leader to tlie cliarge. 
The bayonet was their only resource; but tliis the enemy 
could not witiistand : tlipy fled, leaving elevea of their num- 
ber killed or wounded. Unfortunately, Mr. Moody's smaU, 
Vnit gallant party could not follow up their l)low ; ))eiug, 
in a manner, utterly exhausted by a long iiarassed mareli, 
ill weatiu'r intensely hot. They found tiie Rebel Captain 
dead, and their Lieutenant also expiring on the lield. 
There was something j)ecuiiarly shocking and awful in th.' 
death of the former. He was shot liy Mr. Moody, whilst 
with the most bitter oaths and threats of vengeance, after 
having missed once, he was again levelling his piece at him. 
Soon after the engagement, one of the party came forwards, 
with ail handkerchief flying from a stick, and demanded a 
parley. His signal was returned, signifying the willingness 
of the Loyalists to treat with him ; and a truce was speedi- 
ly agreed on ; the conditions of which were, That they 
should have leave to take care of their dead and wounded ; 
whilst Mr. Moody's party was permitted, unmolested, to 
return to the British lines. Happily none of the wounds, 
which any of his men received in this expedition, proved 
mortal. The publick stores which they brought away with 



20 NAHltATUK. 

them, besides those which tliey hfid destroyed, soKl for 
upwards of five hundred pounds sterling ; and every 
?hilling- of this money was given by Mr. Moody to the 
nun, as a small reward for their very meritorious con- » 

dllCt.(r,) 

About the middh; of the October foHowing, Mr. Moody 
was again sent into the interior ])arts of the Rebel 
Couiitr}^ to obtain intelligence respecting Washington's 
army. He succeeded ; and his intelligence was com- 
municated to General Pattison. Again, about the mid- 
dle of November, he was desired to find out the situa- 
tion and circumstances of an army under the Rebel 
General Sullivan, (g) which had lately been on an expe- 
dition to the westward against the Indians. According- 
]y, he went eighty miles into Pennsylvania, close by 
Sullivan's camp ; and obtained an exact account of the 
number of men and horses with which he went out from 
Easton, on this Indiaii expedition; and the number also 
that he returned with. 

From thence, he went to Morris Count}', where Wash- 
ington then lay with his army. And liere he had the 
good fortune to obtain, from their own books, an ac- 
count of the rations which were drawn for th<;m. He 
next went to Pumpton, where (ieneral Gales {-.) then 
was, on his march to the soutliward ; and here also he 
gained the exactest information, not only of the amount 
of tile foi'ce tiien with him, Imt of tlie numbers that 
were expected to join liiu). And now, liaving pretty 
well gone through the business entrusted to iiim, he re- 



NARKATIVE. 



21 



turned to New York, and continued tliere till next 
year. 

In May 1780, he took with him four trusty men, and 
went into the Rebel Country, with the intention of sur- 
prising" Governor Livingston, (s) a man whose conduct 
had been, in tiie most abandoned degree, cruel am', op- 
pressive to the loyal inhabitants of New Jersey. When, 
with all necessary secrecy, Mr. Moody had got inio his 
immediate neighbourhood, information was received, 
that Mr. Livingston was gone to Trenton to meet 
the asseml)ly ; and tiiat, on his return, he was to see 
some persons on business at an appointed place. Tin's 
made it necessary for the Ensign to alter his measures, 
as he did in)mediately. He led his party into Sussex 
County, and there left them ; himself only retiring to a 
proper situation, till his plan should be ripe for execu- 
tion. Being under a necessity of again returning into 
Sussex, before anything could be done, he had the mor- 
tification to find, ihat one of his men had been taken pri- 
soner by a Rebel Major of the name of Hoops, who ex- 
torted a confession from him that Moody was in the 
country, and, as he imagined, in quest of some person of 
note, who lived near Morris Town. (9) This blasted the 
whole project ; tlie intelligence was instantly sent to 
Livingston, who, too justly, concluded himself to be the 
person aimed at ; and, of course, took every precaution 
to prevent a surprise. 

Still, however, Mr. Moody flattered himself he should 
yet be more fortunate, and do something, notwithstand- 



22 XAKRATIVK. 

iiig the iilarin that was now spread through tlie country. 
The first plausible thing tliat offered was, a ])lan to blow 
up tlie magazine at Suckasunna, abt)ut sixteen miles 
back of Morris Town ; hut this also proved abortive : for, 
notwithstanding his having prevailed on some British 
prisoners, t;d\en with General Burg05"ne,(io) to join him 
in the enterprise, the alarm was now become so general, 
and the terror so gi'eat, that they had increased tlieir 
gtiard around this magazine, to the number of an hun- 
dred and u[)\vards ; so that he was under the necessity 
of abandouing his pioject. 

Returning again into Sussex County, he now h(>ard 
that several ])risoners were confined, on various suspie- 
i(Uis and charges of loyalty, in the jail of that county ; 
and that one of them was actually undcn- sentence of 
death. This poor fellow was one of Burgoyne's soldiers, 
charged with crimes of a civil nature, of which, how- 
ever, he was generally believed to be innocent. But 
wMien a clergynian of tin; Church of England interposed 
with his unrelenting prosecutor, and warmly urged this 
]il('a of innocence, he was sharply told, that, tiiough he 
might not ])crliaps deserve to die lor the crime for which 
he had been committed, there could be no doubt of his 
deserving to die, as an enemy to America. 'J'iiere was 
something so piteous, as well as shami'fiil, in the case 
of this ill-fated victim to republican resentment, that it 
was determined if possible, to ridease both him and his 
fellow-prisiuiers. For this purpose, Mr. Moody took 
witli him .<ix men, and, laical night entered the country 



XAIIRATIVE. 



23 



town iibont seventy niilcs from New York. Tlie inliabi- 
tants of the town were but too g'enerallj'- disafFectc^d. 
This sug-g-ested the necessity of stratagx'm. Coming- to 
the jail, the keeper cahed out from the window of an 
upper room, and demanded what their business w;is? 
Tlie Ensign immediately repb'ed, " lie had a prisoner to 
deliver into his custody," " What ! One of Moodt/'s 
fellows ?" said the Jailor. " Yes," said the Ensign. 
On his enquiring; what the name of this suj)posed pri- 
soner was, one of the party, who was well known, by 
the iidiabitants of that place, to be with Mr. Moody, 
personated the character of a prisonei-, and spoke for 
himself. The jailor gave him a little ill lang;aag-e ; but, 
notwithstanding, seemed hig'hly pleased with the iilea of 
his having- so notorious a Tory in his custody. On the 
Ensign's urging- him to come down, and take charge of 
the man, he peremtorily refused ; alleging, that, in con- 
sequence of ^Moody's being out, he had received strict 
orders to open his doors to no man after sun-set ; iind 
that therefore he must wait till m.orning. Finding that 
tiiis tale would not take, the Ensign now changed his 
note ; and, in a stern tone, told him, " Sirrah, the man 
who now speaks to you is Moody : I have a strong party 
witli me; and if you do not this moment deliver up j'our 
keys, I wnll instantly pull down your house about your 
cars." The jailor vanished in a moment. On this, Mr. 
Moody's men, who were well skilled in the Indian war- 
whoop, made the air resound with such a variety of 
hideous veils, as soon left them nothing- to fear from the 



24 NARRATIVP;. 

inl)abitaTits of Now Town, which, tlioug-h the county 
town, consists only of twenty or tliiity houses. "The 
Indians, tlje Indians aie come !" — .said the panic-struck 
people ; and happy were they who could soonest escape 
into the woods. While these things were thus going 
on, the Ensig-n hud made his way through a casement, 
and was met by a prisoner, whom he immediately em- 
ployed to procure him a light. The vanished jailor was 
now again produced ; and most obsequiously conducted 
Afr. Moody to tlie dungeon of the poor wretch under sen- 
tence of death. 

It may seem incredible, but it is an undoubted fact, 
that, notwithstanding all the horrors and awfulness of 
liis situation, this poor, forlorn, condemned British sol- 
dier was found fast asleep ; and had slept so sound, as 
to have lieard nothing of tiie uproar or alarm. There is 
no possibilit}' of describing tlie agony of this man, 
when, on being thus suddenly aroused, he saw before 
him a man in arms, attended by persons, whom, though 
they were familiarly known to him, so agitated were 
his spirits, he was utterly at a loss then to recognize. 
The first, and the only idea that occurred to him was, 
that, as many of the fiicnds ot' (iovernnient liad beiMi 
y)rivately executed in j)i isDU, the person he saw was his 
executioner. On Mr. Moody's r<'peatedly infiuniing him 
of liis mistake, and that he was come to release him in 
the name of King George, the transition, from such an 
abyss of wretchedness to so extravagant a pitch of joy, 
had well niiih overcome him. Never before had tin; 



NAHKATIVK, 



9f> 



Writer been present at so aff'^ctiiig a scone. The imag'c 
of the poor soldier, alternately ag-itated with the ex- 
tremes of despair and rapture, is, at this moment, pres- 
ent to his imagination, as strong almost as if the object 
were still before liim ; and he has often thought, ther(! 
ai'e few subjects on which a painter of taste and sensi- 
bility could more happily employ his pencil. The man 
looked wild ; and undoubtedly was wild, and hardly in 
his senses : and yet he laboured, and was big with some 
of the noblest sentiments, and most powerful passions 
by which the human mind is ever actuated. In such 
circumstances, it was with some difficulty that tlie En- 
sign got him away. At length, however, his clothes 
were got on ; and he, with all the rest who chose to 
avail themselves of the opportunity, were conducted into 
safety, notwithstanding a warm pursuit of several days. 

The humane reader, Mr. Moody persuades himself, 
will not be less affected than he himself was, at tlie 
mournful sequel of this poor soldier's tale. In the course 
of war he was again taken, and again conducted to the 
dungeon ; and afterwards actually executed on the s;ime 
sentence on which he had been before convicted ; though 
he left the world with the most solemn asseverations of 
his innocence, as to anj' crime of which he had been ac- 
cused, excepting only an unshaken allegiance to his Sov- 
ereign. 

A few other particulars respecting this poor man, who, 
though but a common soldier in a marching regiment, 
was, in all the essential and best parts of the character, 



2() NARIUTIVK. 

an hero, tlic Writer cannot excuse liirnsolf from tlie re- 
lation of. His situation and ciri'iiinstances in tiic Rebel 
Coniitiy being- peculiar, Mr. Mood}-, not thinking- it 
proper liiniseH" to return thither S(; soon, took the earli- 
est means he could to iiave him conveyed safe to New 
York. But no arguments, no entreaties, could ))revail 
with hira to leave his delivtrer, "To you," said he, " I 
owe my life : to you, and in your service, let me devote 
it. You have found me in circumstances of ignominy : 
1 wish for an opportunity to convince you, that you have 
not been mistaken in thinking- me innocent. I am, and 
you shall find me, a g-ood soldier.'' It was to this fatal 
but fixed determination, that he soon after (nved the 
loss of his life. 

When he was brouglit to the i)lace of execution, the 
persons, who had charg-e of him, told him, they had au- 
thority to promise him a rejirieve ; and the}' did most 
solemnly promise it to him, on et)ndition onl}' tliai lie 
would tell them, who the Loyalists in the country were 
that had assisted Moody. His reply was most manly 
and noble ; and proves, that real nobility and dignity 
of sentiment are appropriated to no particular rank or 
condition ot' life. " I love life," he said, "and thine is 
nothing uhich a man al' honour can do, that I Would 
not do to save it; but I cannot pay this price for it. 
The men you wish me to betray must be good men, be- 
cause they have assisted a good man in a g-ood cause. 
Innocent, as I am, I feel this an awful moment: how 
far it l)econies you to tempt me to make it terrible, by 



NAKUATIVE. 



27 



overvvlielmiiig me in the basest guilt, yourselves must 
judge. My life is in your power ; my conscience, I 
tiianlv God, is still my own." 

Another extraordinary circumstance is said to have 
befallen him ; which, as well as the preceding, Mr. 
Moody relates on the testimony of an eye-witness yet 
living. Thouii'h he was a small and light man ; yet 
the rope, with which he was suspended, broke. Even 
still this poor man's admiiable presence of mind and 
dignity of conscious innocence, did not forsake h;m. 
He instantly addressed himself to the surrounding mul- 
titude, in the following words : " Gentlemen, f cannot 
but hope that this very extraordinary event will con- 
vince you, of what I again solemnly protest to you, that 
I am innocent of the crime for whicli you liave adjudged 
me to die." But he still protested in vain. 

The supposed crime for which he suffered was, tiie 
plundering and i-obbing the house of a certain furious 
and powerful Rebel. But it would be unjust to his 
memory not to certify, as Mr. Moody does, that he has 
since learned, from the voluntary confession of a less 
conscientious loyalist, that this honest man was ciiarged 
wrongfully ; inasmuch as he himself, without the know- 
ledge of the other, on the principles of retaliation and 
revenge, had committed the crime. The name of the 
above-mentioned honest soldier and martyr, was Robert 
Maxwfxl, a Scotsman, who had had a good education. 

Not long after, obtaining information of the British 
army's moving towards Springfield, Mr. Moody con- 



£8 NAKKATIVl':. 

eluded, that the ran)puii;ii was u|.('ii. TIkmc ajjpeared 
no way in wliicli, with liis biiiall party of seven men, he 
eciild be nioie useful, than by seeuring as many as he 
eould of the Rebel Militia. Accordingly, it was not 
long- before he contrived to take prisoners, a Major, a 
Captain, two Lieutenants, and sundry Committee Men ; 
in all to the aniomit of eighteen. Some requested to bo 
parolled ; and the Ensign coniplied with their request ; 
because it was not only reasonable and humane, but 
because also it left him at liberty to pursue fresh objects. 
Some requested to take the oath of neutrality ; and it 
was not less willingly administered to them. 

The Rebel part of the cou)itry was now again in au 
alarm, and the Ensign was again pursued and fought, 
according to the strong expression of Scripture, " as a 
partridge in tin? mountains." But " wandering in de-- 
serts, and in mountains, and in dons and caves of the 
earth," by the blessing of God, he still eluded all their 
researches. At length, however, being under a neces- 
sity of returning to New Ycnk, he collected a few more 
of Burgo3'ne's men ; and, having now augmented his 
party to thirteen, he set out for that capital. But his 
former good fortune now forsook him; and he himself 
was soon doomed to feel all those bitter calamities, 
from which it had been the object of his exertions to ex- 
tricate others. 

On the 21st of July 1780, it was his ill hap to fall in 
with an army, which the Rebel General Wny7ie(\i). was 
conducting to the siege of 7%e Blockhouse, commanded by 



XAKRATIVK. 29 

Captain Ward. Resistance was vain, and retreat im- 
practicable. Mr. Moody, and tlie greater part of liis 
men, were now ohliL^'cd to submit to captivity. (12) 

He, and two of his meTi, were immediately sent to a 
place called The S/o/.e ; wlieie they were confined, with 
their hands tied beliind llieir backs On the 22d they 
were removed to Slony-point ; and on the 23d to Colonel 
Robertson's honsc, at Wed Point. The Rebel General 
Hoice,{^i) who commandcHl at this post, treated Mr. 
Moody with great civility ; and pei'mitted his sei-vant 
to attend him. From thence, he was sent to Fish-Mil, to 
t)ie Rel)el Commissnry of prisoners, who passed him on 
to ^sopus. At ^sfipns, he I'cMiiained till the 2dot_An- 
g'ust ; when, in the night, he was put into a strongroom 
guarded by f )ur soldiers, two wirliin the dooi', and two 
without. The Seijeant, in the heiring of the Ensign, 
gave orders to the sentinels wlio were in the room 
with him, to insist on his lying down on a bed, :ind in- 
stantly to shoot him if he attempted to ris(,' from it. On 
this, he requested and insisted to see the Commissary. 
The Commissary came ; and was asked, if these orders 
were from him ? His answer was, "The Serjeant had 
done his duty ; and he hoped the men would obey their 
orders." Mr. Mcjudy remonstrated, and urged, that it 
was no uncommon thing with him to rise from his bed 
in his sleep ; he requested therefore only, that, if he 
yh(juld happen now to be overtaken with such an in- 
firmity, the men n^.ight be ordered to call him by his 
niime, and at least to awake iiim before they fired. All 



30 NARHATIVK. 

the answer hv cuild obtuiii, IVoin this tyiMiit — iniiiion of 
tyrant-masters, was a cool and most cutting- ropetiti-iii 
ot" his former words. 

After liaviiig- twice more cbatig-ed the phice of liis 
confinement, on the lOtli of August he was carried back 
to West-point. And here ids suffering's seemed to be 
but beginning- ; for tlie cruelties lie expiMienced, under 
the immediate eye uf General ArnoldXM) who then com- 
manded there, infinitely exceeded all that he has ever 
met witli before or since. 

Nothing can be further from Mr. Moody's wishes than 
to become any man's accuser ; but no man should be 
afraid either to hear, or to tell the truth, which is of no 
party, and sliould be observed by all. Humanity, more- 
over, is so lovely and necessary a virtue, and especially 
in times of civil war, tliat Mr. Moody owns he is proud, 
and loves, to acknowledge and praise it, even in an 
enemy; of course, he must lament and reprobate the 
want of it, though in his best friend. Under new mas- 
ters, it is hoped. General Arnold has learned new max- 
ims. Compelled by truth, however, Mr. Moody must 
bear him testimony, that he was then faithful to his em- 
ployers, and abated woX an iota in fulfilling botli the 
letter and the spirit of their general orders and instruc- 
tions. (i.^) 

Mr. Motxiy feels this to be an unpleasant part of his 
Narrative. It is with pain he pursues it. May it be 
permitted him then to give the subsetpient part of it m 
the wolds of an alTidavit, taken in the Judo-e-Advocate's 



NARRATIVE. 



;i 



Office at New York, from the mouth of William Buirtis, 
who was coiitiued for his loyalty in the same prison with 
Mr. Moody. 

" JlTnGE-ADVOCATE's OfFICE, 

Netv York, May 11, 1782. 

"This day personally appeared William Buirtis, a Refugee 
from the county of West Chester, in the province of New- 
York, hut now residing on York Island, in the province afore- 
said ; and being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists of Al- 
mighty God, deposeth and saitli : 

"That some time in the month of August 1780, he (the de- 
ponent) was confined in a dungeon at West-Point Fort, under 
sentence of death, having been charged with giving certain 
intelligence and information to General Mathew, (le) one of 
his Britannic Majesty's Generals serving at that time in Ameri- 
ca ; that, about the middle of the month of August aforesaid, 
Lieutenant James Moody, of Brigadier General Skinner's first 
batallion, was brought under guard, and confined in the same 
dungeon with him (the deponent) ; that, the day following, he 
(Lieutenant Moody) was put in irons and hand-cuffed ; that 
the hand-cuffs were of a particular sort and construction, r«<j- 
ged on the inside next the wrist, which raggedness caused his 
wrists to be much cut and scarified ; that soon after he (Lieu- 
tenant Moody) was ironed and hand-cufted, an officer came and 
demanded his money, saying, " //e ivas ordered to take what 
money he had, and should obey his orders punclually f that the 
money was not delivered, as he (Lieutenant Moody) was reso- 
lute in refusing, and determined not to give it up. He (Lieu- 
tenant Moody) then petitioned General l^enedict Arnold, at 
tliat time in the Kebel service, and Commanding Officer at 
West I^)illt, to grant liim relief; in whicli i)etition he set forth 



6Ji NAItKATlVK. 

the miserable situation he was in, as also the torment he suf- 
fered, occasioned b}' the hand-cutfs ; to which petition he re- 
ceived no answer, though lie was told, by two officers in the 
Rebel service, his petition had been delivered to General 
Arnold. 

"That about a week after his first petition had been sent, 
he petitioned a second time for relief from his suffering, re- 
questing moreover to be brought to a trial, observing, that if 
he should be found guilty of death he sliould desire to sufter, 
as death was much preferable to torment, and being murdered 
by inches. Some little time after the delivery of the second 
petition, one of General Arnold's Aids de Camps, whose name 
he (the deponent) cannot recollect, came to the dungeon ; 
and, on seeing him, (Lieutenant Moody,) asked, if that was the 
Moodif whose name was a teri-or to every good man ? On his 
replying tliat his name was Moody, he (the Aid de Camp) re- 
plied in a scoffing mariner, " You. hare <j;ot i/oitrself into n prettij 
sitiiotiov ,■" cm his (Lieutenant Moody'.s) saying the situation 
was disagreeable, but he lioped it would not be of long con- 
tinuance ; he answered, he believed not, as he would soon 
meet witii justice (pointing at the same time to a gallows that 
was erected in the sight and view of the dungeon) ; and also 
added, there is the gallows ready erected which he (meaning 
Moody) had long merited. Lieutenant Moody answered, he 
made no doubt he (the Aid de Camp) M'islied to see every 
i.Dvnl Suhject liaugod, \>vA lie tliaiikL-d (ind, the powcM- was not 
in him ; but if he (Lieutenant Moody) was hanged, it could be 
for no other reason than being a Loyal Subject to one of the 
best of Kings, and under one of tlie best of Governments ; .ind 
added, if he had /t7i lives to lose, he would sooner forfeit the 
till as a Loyal Subject tliaii our as a Eobel ; and also said, he 
lidpcd to live t;) see him ('the Aid de C.iniii). and a thousand 



XAUKATU E. 33 

such other villains hanged for being Rebels. The officer tiiea 
said he was sent to examine his irons, as he (Lieutenant 
Moody) had been frequently troubling General Arnold with 
his petitions. On examining the irons, he said theij were too 
bad; and asked, who put them on? — saying, *■ Irons were in- 
tended for secunty, not for torment : but if any one merited suck 
irons, he (Lieutenant Moody) did in his opinion.'' Lieutenant 
Moody, however, was not relieved at that time from his irons ; 
but, about a week or ten days afterwards, an ofKcer came 
from General Washington, ordered the irons to be taken otf, 
and Lieutenant Moody to be better treated. In consequence 
of General Washington's order, he was better used; that he, 
(the deponent) knows nothing farther that happened, as he 
(Lieutenant Moody,) in a few days afterwards, was removed 
from that place. 

*•' William Buietis.(i7) 
"Sworn befoi-e meat the time and place above mentioned, 
" Richard Porter, 

As. Dy. Judge-Advocate." 

The above-mentioned dungeon was dug out of a rock, 
and covered with a platform of planks badly jointed, 
without any roof to it ; and all the rain which fell upon 
it ininiediately passed through, and lodged in the bot- 
tom of this dismal mansion. It liad no floor but tlie 
natural rock ; and the water, with tiie mud and tilth 
collected, was commonly ankle-deep in every part of it. 
Mr. Moody's bed was an old door, supported by four 
stones, so as just to raise it above the surface of the 
water. Here he continued near four weeks ; and, dur- 
ing most of the time, while he was tormented with 



34 XARRAriVK. 

irons in the manner mentioned above, no food was al- 
lowed him but stinking" beef, and rotten flour, made up 
into balls or dnniplins, which were thrown into a kettle 
and boiled with the meat, and then brought to hun in a 
wooden bowl which was never washed, and which cun- 
tracted a thick crust of dough, grease, and dirt. It is 
a wonder that such air, and such food, to say nothing 
of the wou ds upon his legs and wrists, were not fatal 
to him, especially as the clothes on his back were sel- 
dom dry, and at one time were continually wet for more 
than a week together. .After Mr. Washington interfered 
he was served with wholesome provisions, and he was 
allowed to purchase for himself some milk and vCLzet- 
ables. 

The wa^'s of Providence are often mysterious, fre- 
quently bringing about its ends by the most unlikely 
means. To this inhuman treatment in General Arnolds 
camp, Mr. Moody owed his future safety. On the 1st 
of September he was carried to Washington's camp, and 
there confined near their Liberty-pole. Colonel Skam- 
mel,{i6) the Adjutant General, came to see him put in 
irons. When they had hand-cuffed him, he remonstrated 
with the Colonel, desiring that his legs, which were in- 
deed in a worse situation than even his wrists, might 
be examined ; farther adding only, that death would be 
infinitely preferable to a repetition of the torments lie 
had just undergone. The Colonel did examine his legs ; 
and, on seeing them, he also acknowledged, that his 
treatn":cnt had indeed been too bad ; and asked, if Gen- 



NAKKATIVE. 35 

eral Arnuld had been made acquainted with liis situa- 
tion. Mr. Muody feels a sincere pleasure in thus pub- 
licly acknowledging' his obligations and his gratitude 
to Colonel Skaininel, wlio humanely gave orders to liie 
Provost Marshal to take guod care of him, and l)y no 
means to suffer any irons to be put on his legs, till they 
were likely to prove less distressing. 

Mr. Moody attended the rebel army in its march over 
the i^^ew Bridge,; and had an opportunity of observing 
their whole line, and counting their ar.illery. Every- 
thing seemed smooth and fair, and he felt himself much 
at ease, in the prospect of being soon exchanged ; when, 
very unexi)ectedly, he was visited by an old accjuaint- 
ance, one of their Colonels, who informed him, that lie 
was in two days time to be brought to trial ; that 
Livingston was to be his prosecutor, and that the Court 
Martial was carefully pided for the purpose. He sub- 
joined, that he would do well to prepare for Eiernity, 
since, from the evidence which he knew would be pro- 
duced, there '.vas but (Uie issue of the business to be ex- 
pected. .M''- Moody reqneste. to be infVirmed, what it 
was the purpose of this evidence to prove? it was, his 
well wisher told him, that he had assassinated a Cap- 
tain Shaddock, and a Lieutenant Hendrickson. These 
were the two t)fficers who had i'allen fairly in battle near 
Black Point, as has been already related. Tiie Ensign 
replied, that he felt himself much at ease on that ac- 
count, as it could be sufficiently cleared up by their 
own people, who had been in, and had survived, the 



3G -NAKK.VTIVK. 

action, as well us by some oF their officers, wlio were at 
tlie time prisoners to him, and spectators of the whole 
affair. "All this," said his friend, "will be of little 
avail ; you are so obnoxious ; you have been, and are 
likely to be, so mischievous to us, tiiat, be assured, we 
are resolved to g'et rid of you at any rate. Besides, 
you cannot deny, and it can be proved by incontestible 
evidence, that you have enlisted men, in this Slate, fur 
tiie King-'s service, and this, by our laws, is death.'''' 

Ensign Moody affected an air of unconcern at this in- 
formation ; but it was too serious and important to him to 
be really disregarded ; he I'csolved, tlieref )re, from that 
moment, to effect his escape, or to perish in tlie attempt. 

Every precaution had been taken to secure the place 
in which he was confined. It was nearly in the 
centre of the rebel camp. A sentinel was placed with 
in the door of his prison, and another witliout, l)esides 
four others close round, and within a few A'ards of the 
place. The time now came on when he must either 
make his attempt, or lose the opportunity for ever. On 
the night, therefore, of the 17th of September, busy in 
rinninating- on his project, he had, on the pretence of 
being cold, g'ot a watch-coat thrown across his shoulders, 
that he might better conceal, I'rom his unpleasant com- 
panion, the operations which he meditated against his 
hand-cuff's. Wiiile he was racking his invention, to 
fitid some possible means of extricating himself from 
his f('tt<;rs, he providentially east his eye on a post fast- 
ened in the ground, through which an hole had been 



NARRATIVE. 3'7 

bored with an auger ; and it occured to liini that it 
might be post^ible, with tlie aid of this hole, to break 
the bolt of his liandcuffs. Watching the opportunity, 
therefore, from time to time, of the sentinel's looking 
another way, he thrust the point of the bolt into tiie 
above-mentioned hole, and by cauticjusly exerting his 
strength, and gradually bending the in.n backwards 
and forwards, he at length broke it. Let the reader 
imagine what his sensations were, when he found the 
manacles drop from his liands ! He sprung instantly 
past the interior sentinel, and rushing on the next, with 
one hand he seized his musquet, and with the other 
struck iiim to the ground. The sentinel within, and the 
four others who were placed by the fence surrounding 
the place of his confinement, immediately gave the 
alarm ; and, in a moment, the cry was general, — 
"Moody is escaped from the Provost." It is impossible 
to describe the uproar which now look place throughout 
the whole camp. In a few minutes every man was in a 
bustle ; every man was looking for Moody, and multi- 
tudes passed him on all sides — little suspecting, that a 
man whom they saw deliberately marching along, with 
a musket on his shoulder, could be the fugitive they 
were in quest of. The darkness of the night, which 
was also blustering and drizzly, prevented any discrimi- 
nation of his person, and was indeed the great circum- 
stance that rendered his escape possible. 

But no small difficulty still remained to be surmount- 
ed. To prevent desertion, which at that time, was very 



38 NARRATIVK. 

fi'cquoiit, Wasliiiiutoii had surroninlcd liis camp witli jj 
chain of sentinels, posted at about fort,y vr fifty yards 
distance from eacli oilier ; lie was nnacqimiiited with 
their stations ; to pass them nndiscovered was next to 
impossible ; and to be discovered would certainly be 
fatal. In tliis dilemma Providence again befriended 
him. He had gained their station without knowing it, 
when luckily he heard tiie watch-word passed from one 
to another — " Look sharp to the cliain — Moody is e.s- 
caped from the Provost." From the sound of the voices 
he ascertained tlie respective situations of these senti- 
nels ; and, throwing himself on his hands and knees, 
he was happy enough to crawl tlirough the vacant space 
between two of them, unseen by either. Judging that 
their line of pursuit wojild naturally be towards the 
British army, lie made a detour into the woods on the 
opposite side. Through these woods he made as much 
speed as the darkness of the night would permit, steer- 
ing his course, alter the Indian manner, by occasionally 
groping and feeling the whitc-oali. On the south side 
th(! bark of this tree is rough and uii|»leasant to the 
touch, but on the north side it is .--mootli ; hence it serves 
the sagacious traverser of the depart, by night as well 
as by day, for his compass. Through the most distant 
woods and swamps he continued to wander till the 
night of the 21st, a space of more than fifty-six hours, 
during which time, he had no other sustenance than a 
few beach leaves (whicli, of all that the woods afforded, 
Avere the least un|ileasaiit to the taste, and least [)er- 



NARRATIVE. 39 

iiicions to lieallli,) which lie chewed and swallowed, to 
abate the intolerable cravings of his Ining-er. 

In every inhabited district he knew there were friends 
of Government, and he had now learned also where and 
how to find them out, without endangering Iheir safety, 
which was always the first object of his concern. From 
some of these good men he received minute information 
how the pursuit alter him was directed, and where every 
guard was [losted. Thus assisted, he ehided their keen- 
est vigilance ; and, at length, by God's blessing, to his 
unspeakable joy, he arrived safe at Paidus-Hook. 

On the 6th of March 1*181, Colonel Delancey.(i9) the 
Adjutant General, requested Mr. Moody to make an ex- 
pedition into the rebel country, for the purpose of inter- 
cepting Mr. Washington's dispatches. He readily con- 
sented ; and set out on tlie expedition the very next 
night, and travelled about twenty-five miles. The fol- 
lowing day he and his party kept concealed in a swamp. 
The next night, for it was only by night that they could 
venture to stir, they had not gone far, when the man 
who had undertaken to be their guide, refused to ad- 
vance a step farther. No arguments, no promises, no 
threats, could prevail with him to proceed, though it 
was at his own express desire that he was one of the 
party. Incensed at his being so perverse and wrong- 
lieaded, Mr. Moody, in the first transports of indigua- 
tion, had actually cocked his gun in order to shoot him ; 
but hai)[)ily he instantly recollected, that the poor devil 
had a wife and family who depended on him for bread. 



40 NAURATIVi:. 

This restrained liiiii ; and ordering- his arms to be taken 
from liim, lie was under the painful necessity of return- 
ing witli him to New-York. 

This man was remarkably earnest and vehement in 
his resentment ag-ainst the Rebels. He had been mucli 
injui'ed by them in his property ; and they had also put 
both his fatlier and his brother to an ig-nominious death. 
It was natural to suppose, therefore, that such a man 
would be true and firm. But he was loyal only through 
resentment and interest, not from conviction and prin- 
ciple. These Loyalists, from principle, were the men 
on whom he I'elied : and no one of these ever lailed 
him. 

The Adjutant General seemed to be mnch disappoint- 
ed on seeing the part}' return, supposing- the hope of 
obtaining- the disi^itches to be now vain. Mr. Moodv 
informed him of what had liappened ; but added, that 
he had ever since kept his eye on the reneg-ado, and 
had not suffered a soul to speak to him ; and requested 
that this caution should be still continued, and that 
even the sentry, wlio was to guard him, should not be 
permitted to have any intercourse with him. On this 
condUion he promised again to make the attempt, and 
hoped not without success. Accoidingly, he set out a 
second time, and, "U the night of the 10th he reached 
llaverstraw mountains. On his march he was informed, 
that the post had gone by that day. On the 11th the 
weather became \ery inclement, and he, with his pai!), 
suffered exceedingly from a heavy I'all of snow : not- 



NARRATIVE. 41 

witlistandiug, they pushed foi-ward, hoping', by rapid 
marches, to get a-head of the rider. These efforts, 
though excessivel}^ fatiguing, were as yet all in vain ; 
but on the 15th they were successful, and got posses- 
sion of their prize; ; and, after some equally difficult and 
distressing marches on their return, they at length ar- 
rived safe with it in New York. The inexpressible 
hardships which the party underwent in this adventure, 
both from hunger and cold, were fatal to the health of 
most of them. Soon after Mr. Moody was made a 
Lieutenant, having first served more than a year as a 
volunteer without any pay, and almost three years as 
an Ensign. 

About tlie middle of May the Adjutant General again" 
complained of the want of intelligence, and told Lieu- 
tenant Moody, that he could not render the King's 
cause a more essential piece of service than by bringing 
in, if it were possible, another rebel mail. There was 
no declining such a solicitation. Therefoi'e, on the 
night of the 15th, taking four men with him, Mr. Moody 
set out, and travelled twenty-five miles. Hitherto he 
and his associates met with no molestation ; but they 
had not gone far the next night, wlien they perceiv(>d a 
considerable party of men approaching them as secretly 
as possible. Mr. Moody tried to get off by the left, but 
he found himself and his party inclosed on three sides. 
On the right was a high cliff of rocks, so rugged and 
steep that the enemy thought it impossible for them to 
escape on that side. It was obvious, from these cir- 



42 NAKKATIVK. 

curnstaiicos, that an anibiish was laid, and that this 
spot, so peculiarly convenient, was chosen for the pur- 
pose ; in short, that Mr. Moody and his party had been be- 
trayed by intelligence sent foi'ward from New York. 
The ordy alternative left was to surrender and perish, 
or to leap down from the top of these rocks, witliout 
knowing-, with any certainty, either how high they 
were, or what sort of ground was at the bottom. The 
Lieutenant bade his men follow him, and sprang for- 
ward. Providentially the ground at the bottom was 
soft, and everything else just as the}' could have wished 
i-t : they escaped unhurt, and proceeded for some time 
unmolested. But, at no great distance, crossing a 
swamp, just beyond it they fell in witli another party, 
of much the same number as tlie former. Luckily they 
saw, and were not seen. A little hillock was at hand, 
to which the Lieutenant ordered his men quietly to re- 
treat, and fall on their faces ; judging that, in case they 
were discovered, there would be some advantage in 
having to charge from higher ground, by which means, 
if at all, they might cut their way through the party. 
What he and his men felt, when they beheld so superior 
a force marching directly towards them, till at last they 
were within fifty yards ; or, when, in this awful moment, 
they had the happiness to see them, without being dis- 
covered, take another course ; no person of sensibility 
will need be told. A little council of war was now held, 
and it was determined to return whither only the way 
seemed clear. To advance was impracticable, as there 



XAKHAtn'K. 



43 



now cDuld remain not a doubt but that iutellig'ouce of 
the intended route liad been sent from witliiu the British 
h'nes, and tliat the enemy had made a proper use of it. 
They beg-au, therefore, with all possible caution, to 
measure back their steps ; for they were still apprehen- 
sive of other plots and other ainhushes. 

And now, having gained the North River, and being 
witliiu four miles of New York, they flattered themselves 
they were once more out of danger. But, being with- 
in a hundred yards of a eertniu house, how were they 
alarmed when they saw seventy men come out of it, and 
advance directly towards then) ! Lieutennnt Mooiiy was 
convinced they were Rebels ; but the guide insisted that 
they were Loyalists, and that he hiew several of them. On 
this, the latter, with another man, went forward to meet 
them, notwithstanding that the former still j)ersisted in his 
opiuion, A very unpleasant salute soon convinced this 
unfortmuite dmimvimle of their mistaken confidence. The 
main body made for the Lieutenant, who had no other 
means of escape than to climb a steep hill ; but, long before 
he had reached the summit, they had so gained on him as 
to be within fifty yards. He received one general discharge, 
and thought it little short of a miracle that he escaped 
unwounded. The bullets flew like a storm of hail all ai'ound 
him ; iiis clothes were shot through in several places ; one 
ball went tlirongh his hat, and another grazed his arm. 
Without at all slackening his pace he turned round, and 
discharged his musquet, and by this shot killed one of his 
pursuers : still they kept up tlieir fire, each man discharging- 



44 NARRATIVf:. 

his piece as fast as he could load ; but, uaiuiug au oppor- 
tunity of soon doubling upon tlieni, he gave them the slip, 
and in due time arrived, once more, safe in New York. 
One of the two men who had escaped, and got in first, mis- 
taking the screams of the poor fellow who was shot, for 
those of Lieutenant Moody himself, had given out that the 
Lieutenant was killed, for that be had heard liis cries ; but 
the friends of tiie latter were soon happy to see so unequi- 
vocal a proof that the man was mistaken. 

The very first night after his return to New York, as 
above related, riz., on tlie 18tli of May, Lieutenant Moody 
set out again on the business of this expedition. Tiie 
Rebels knew that he had Ijeen driven back, and he thought 
it the properest time to proceed immediately in pursuit of 
his oliject. On that night, with his small party of four 
men, he got as far as Secaucas. The next night they 
crossed the Hackinsack river, by means of a canoe which 
Lieutenant Moody always kept there for such purposes, and 
which, after crossing, lie concealed till his return. He then 
proceeded on, till, coming to the edge of a marsh, he fell in 
with a party of Rebels, who were |)atrolling in tiiat quarter, 
with a view only, it is probable, of intercepting the country 
people who might be carrying provisions to New York. 
This i)arty discovered the Lieutenant lirst, without being 
seen, and suffered him to pass their van, not hailing him till 
some of them were in his rear, as well as some in his front. 
He was ordered instantly to stand, or he and all witli him 
were dead men. This summons the Lieutenant answered 
by an innnediale discharge, which they returned. He then 



NARRATIVE. 



45 



calling on liis rear to adviuice, as if he liad a largo body in 
reserve, and giving a second fire, they soon dispersed. He 
was informed the next day, tliat this rebel pnrty consisted 
of twelve men. 

Marching on about four miles farthi-r, lie came to Snddle 
River, wliicli it wns necessary to cross • but iip})rehensive 
that there might be a guard stationed at the bridge, though 
the night was. disniidly diuk and rainy, and the river h:id 
greatly overflowed its bnnks, he waded, for several yards, 
through a considerable depth of water, till he got close to 
the bridge, where he saw, as he had feared, a regular guard. 
On this he retreated with all possible speed and caution ; 
and was obliged to wade through the river, about half a 
mile farther up, not without much difiieulty and danger. 

The country being now niueli alarmed with rumors of 
Moody's being out, occasioned by this little rencontre, the 
mail, instead of being sent by Pomi)ton, as it usually had 
been, and where it was expected to be met with, was now 
sent l)y the back road, with a guard to secure it. On dis- 
covering this, the Lievitenant dispatched a trusty Loyalist 
to a distant part of the province, with letters to his friends ; 
and particularly directing one of them, whose person, 
figure and voice most resembled his own, to pass for him but 
a single hour ; which he readily did. In this friend's neigh- 
bourhood lived a pompous and important Justice of a Peace, 
who was a cowardly fellow, and of course had been cruel. 
At this man's house, early in the evening, the person 
employed raised an alarm. The Justice came out, and 
espying, as it was intended he should, a tall maii, his fears 



46 NARKATIVE. 

(.•oiiviiioed him it was Moody ; and lie instantly lK't<)t)k hiiii- 
self to tlio woods. Tiie next day tlie rumour was general, 
that Moody was in that part of the eonntry ; and the 
militia was brought down from tiie part where lie I'eally 
was, to pursue him where he was not. This facihlated the 
capture of the mail, which he waylaid for fiv'e days before 
the opportunity presented. This mail contained all the dis- 
patches that were sent in consequence of tiie interview 
between General Wasiiington and the count Rocham- 
beau (20) in Connecticut." 

Lieutenant Moody caused two other mails to be taken 
by the pe<t])le under his direction. In one of these little 
expeditions his brother commanded, a young man, whose 
fearless courage, iu the very teeth of danger, he had re- 
peatedly witnessed. The younger Moody succeeded in his 
attempt, so far as to intercept tiie mail ; but, after seizing- 
it, lie was attacked by a superior party, and two of his men 
were taken ; yet he iiiniself had the good fortune to escape, 
with that part of the papers wliich was in his own custody. 
Pennsylvania was the scene of tliis enterprise. 

A tale far more melancholy than any yet related conies 
now to be told ; the recollection of which (and it is impos- 
sible he should ever forget it) will forever wring with anguish 

(b) a few daj's after this Genl. Clinton told liiui, tliat the Letters were 
of great couaequence, that the taking of them was a most important 
service. But that he had now done enough; that he would not suffer 
him to venture himself in anj' more of such hazardous enterprises ; and 
that he would take care to provide for him. Mr. Moody does not doubt 
but tliat he then intended it ; but these and his other Intentions seldom 
lasted longer than the day. 



NARRATIVE. 



4t 



the heart of the Writer of this Narrative. In tlie end of 
October 1781, Major Beckwith, Aid de Camp to General 
Knipliausen.(.!i) came and informed Lieutenant Moody, that 
one Addison had been with liim, on a project of liigh 
moment. It was nothing- less tliaii to bring- off the most 
important books and papers of Congi'ess. Tliis Addison 
was an EngUsliman, and had been employed in some 
hiferior department, under Mr. Thompson, the Secretary to 
the Congress. (22) He was tlien a prisoner ; and the phui 
was, that he sliould be immediately exchangeil, return in 
the usual manner to Philadelphia, and there resume liis old 
employment. The Lieutenant was abundantly careful, and 
even sci'upulous, in his inquiries concerning the man's 
character ; on which head Major Beck with expressed the 
most entire confidence ; and observed, that Addison was 
equally cautious respecting the characters of those who 
were to attend him. 

The matter was of importance ; and Lieutenant Mootly 
was coniident that, though it might be difficult to i)erform 
his part of the business, yet it was not impracticable. He 
resolved, however, as Addison might think him an object 
worth betraying, that he should not be informed of his con- 
senting to be of the party. If any other person did inform 
him of it, he was, to say the least, very imprudent. Tiie 
Lieutenant pitched upon his only brother, of whom some 
mention has already been made, and another faithful Ameri- 
can soldier, for tiiis arduous enterprise. Their first instruc- 
tions were to wait on Addison, and to bind him, as they 
themselvt'S had just been bound, to mutual secrecy and 



48 NARRATIVE. 

fidelity, Ity an oath, wliich the Lieutenant lind alw;iys 
administered to his followers in all liis expeditions, when the 
importance of the object rendei-ed siicli an additional tie 
necessary ; and which, as it cleai-ly shews the priiicijjles of 
honour and humanity on which it was his uniform pride and 
purpose to act, he heg's leave here to sultjoin, and it is as 
follows ; viz. 

*■' I, the undersigned A.B. do solemnly swear, on the Holy 
Evangelists of Almighty God, that I will stand by and be true 
to the persons joined with me in this expedition, and do every 
thing in my power to accomjjlish the purposes of it : and I do 
farther swear, that, in case of our taking any prisoners, I w'ill 
do my endeavour to treat them as well as our situation will 
admit of: and I do farther swear, that, in case any accident 
should happen to me, and that I should be taken, I will not, 
even to save life, discover or betray any person joined with 
me, or any Loyalist who may befriend us with any information, 
advice, or other assistance : and I do farther swear, that I will 
not injure nor destroy any property even of a rebel, unless it 
be arms or ammunition, but faithtully pay the full price of 
anything we take from them, if they refuse to sell it; and I 
do farther swear, that I will not wound nor take away the life 
of any person whatever, unless they should attempt an escape 
when in our custody, or it shall otiierwise be absolutely neces- 
sary for our own defence. So help me God.'''' 

After takiiiiT this oath, a certain nunil)ei- of niuiils was 
•agreed on in wiiich Addison was to exi)ect them ; and a 
certain place also appointed, where he was to meet them. 
In such aTi adventure, it was impossible to be exact to any 



NARKATIVE. 49 

time ; but it was agreed, that if tliey failed of being at the 
place in any of the specified nights, he should no longer 
expect them ; and they farther promised, by proper means, 
to apprise liim, if possil)le, if any accident should befal 
them, so as either to delay, or wholly put an end to their 
project. 

Things being thus settled, Addison left New York in doe 
form and manner, as was generally supposed, in order to 
return to his former friends and employment ; and, at the 
proper time, Lieutenant Moody and his friends followed 
him. The manner and circumstances of their marcli, it is 
not material nor proper here to relate : suffice it to say, 
that, on the night of the *Ith of November, the first iu the 
order of those that had been appointed, they arrived in the 
neighbourhood of Philadelphia, but ou the opposite side of 
the river. They found Addison ah'eady on the spot, wait- 
ing for them, acccording to appointment. Lieutenant 
Moody kept a little back, at such a distance as not to have 
his person distinguished, yet so as to be within hearing of 
the conversation that passed. His brother, and Marr liis 
associate, on going up to Addison, found him apparently 
full of confidence, and in liigh spirits ; and everything 
seemed to promise success. He told them, that their plot 
was perfectly ripe for execution ; that he had secured the 
means of admission into the most private recesses of the 
State-house, so that he should be able the next evening to 
deliver to them the papers they were in quest of. They, on 
their parts, assured him, that every necessary precaution had 
been taken to secm'e and expedite their retreat ; and that 



50 NAKHATin^. 

they liii<l with tlK^in a sure friend, \vliii would w;)it for tliciii 
on that side of the river, vvlio, as well as themselves, would 
die by his side, nither than desert him, should any disaster 
befal them, lie rei)lied, that they should find km as true 
and faitlifid to them and their cause, as they themselves 
could possibly be. Soon after they crossed the river 
together to Philadelphia ; and it is probable that, on the 
passage, Addison was for the first time informed, that this 
friend was Lieutenant Moody. Whether it was this dis- 
covery that put it first into his head, or whether he had all 
along intended it, and had already taken the necessary pre- 
vious steps, the Lieutenant cannot certainly say ; but he 
assures himself, that every generous-minded man will be 
shocked when he reads, that this perfidious wreteli had 
either sold, or was about to sell them to the Congress. 

As the precise time in which they should be able to 
execute their plan could not be ascertained, it was agreed 
that Lieutenant Moody should remain at the Ferry-house, 
opposite to Philadelphia, till they returned. On going into 
the house, he told the mistress of it, by a convenient equivo- 
cation, that lie was an officer of the Jersey Brigade, as he 
really was, though of that Jersey Brigade which was in the 
King's service. The wouum understood him as speaking of 
a rel)el corps, whicli was also called the Jersey Bi'igade. 
To avoid notice, he pretended to be indisposed ; and, going 
up stairs, he threw himself upon a bed, and here continued 
to keep his room, but always awake, and always on the 
watch. Next morning, about 11 o'clock, he saw a man 
walk hastily up to the house, and overheard him telling 



XARUATIVE. 



51 



some person he met at the door, that " there was the devil 
to pay in Philadelphia ; that there had been a plot to 
break into the State-house, but that one of the party had 
betrayed the others ; that two were already taken ; and 
that a party of soldiers had just crossed the river with him, 
to seize their leader, who was said to be thereabouts." The 
Lieutenant felt himself to be too nearly interested in this 
intelliiience, any longer to keep up the appearance of a sick 
man ; and, seizing his pistols, he instantly ran down stairs, 
and made his escape. 

He had not got a Innnlred yards from the house when he 
saw the soldiers enter it. A small i)iece of wood lay before 
him, in which he hoped at least to be out of sight ; and he 
had sprung the fence in order to enter it. But it was 
already lined by a party of horse, with a view of cutting off 
his retreat. Thus surrounded, all ho{)es ot flight were in 
vain ; and to seek for a hiding place, in a clear, open field, 
seemed equally useless. Drowning persons are said to catch 
at straws ; with hardly a hope of escaping so much as a 
moment longer undiscovered, he threw himself flat on his 
face in a ditch, which yet seemed of all places the least cal- 
culated for concealment, for it was without weeds or shrubs, 
and so shallow, that a quail might be seen in it. Once 
more he had reason to moralize on the vanity of all human 
contrivance and confidence ; yet, as Providence ordered it, 
the improbaljility of the place proved the means of his 
security. He had lain there but a few minutes, when six of 
his pursuers passed within ten feet of him, and very dili- 
gently examined a thickety part of the ditch that was but a 



52 XAKUATIVK. 

Il'W paces fri)iii Iiiiii. "With liis pistols rocked, lie kept his 
eye constantly on them, deterniiiiiiig-, that, as soon as he 
saw himself to be discovered by any one of them, he would 
instantly spring up, and sell his life as dearly as might be ; 
and, refusing to be taken alive, provoke, and, if possible, 
force them to kill him. Once or twice he thought he saw 
one of the soldiers look at him, and he was on the point of 
shooting the man ; but reflecting that possibly though tlie 
soldier did see, yet he might have the humanity not to 
discover him, as ho wonld fain hope was really the case, 
his heart smote him for his rash resolution ; and he 
thanks God that he was restrained from putting it in 
execution. 

From the ditch they went all round the adjacent field ; 
and, as Lieutenant Moody sometimes a little raised up his 
head, he saw them frequently running their bayonets into 
some small stacks of Indian corn-fodder. This suggested to 
him an idea, that if he could escape till night, a place they 
had already explored would be the securest shelter for him. 
When night came, he got into one of those stacks. The 
wind was high, which prevented the rustling of the leaves 
of the fodder, as he entered, from being heard by the people 
who were at that time passing close by him into the country, 
in quest of him. His position in this retreat was very un- 
comfortable, for he could neither sit nor lie down. In this 
erect posture, however, he remained two nights and two 
days, without a morsel of food, for there was no corn on the 
stacks, and, which was infinitely more intolerable, without 
drink. He must not relate, for reasons which may be easily 



XAUIIATIVK. 



53 



imagined, what Ijccame of liim iiiiniediately after his cuuiiiiii^ 
out of this uneasy prison ; but lie will venture to inform the 
I'eader, that, ou the fifth night after his elopement from the 
Ferry-house, he searched the banks of the Delaware till he. 
had the good fortune to meet with a small boat. Into this 
he jumped ; and having waited a little for the tide of flood, 
which was near, he pushed off, and rowed a considerable 
way up the river, (c) During this voyage he was several 
times accosted by people ou the water 5 but, having ofteu 
found the benefit of putting on a fearless air, he endeavoured 
to answer them in their own way ; and recollecting some of 
the less polished phrases of the gentlemen of the oar, he 
used them pretty liberally .; and thus was suffered to pass 
on unsuspected. In due time he left his boat ; and, relying 
ou the aid of Loyalists, some of whom he knew were every- 
where to be found, he went into a part of the country least 
known to him, and the least likelj fur him to have thought 
of ; and at length, after many circuitous marches, all in the 
night, and through pathless courses, in about five days, lie 
once more arrived safe in New York, 

All these efforts for life were dictated, it would seem, 
rather by instinct than reason ; for, occupied as his mind 
had been with his own danger, and his own sufferings, he 
can truly say, his greatest uneasiness was on account of his 
brother. There was not a ray of hope that he ctnild escape, 
and less, if possible, that he would be pardoned. He was 

(c) He rowed up to Philatlelpbia : The place from which Ws pursuers 
first sate out in search of him ; anil which he coucluded would therefore 
be the last in which they would loolv for him. 



54 XARRATIVK. 

the son of his old ag-e to a most wortli}' and beloved fallier, 
who had liiniself been a soldier, and who loTed and honoured 
the profession. Indeed he was a most amial)le young- man, 
as remarkable for the sweetness of his disposition as for his 
undaunted intrepidity. Excellent youth ! Every feeling 
heart will forgive the tear which is now dropped to thy 
memory, by thy sorrowing brother ! He perished by an 
ignominious death, in the 23d year of his age ; the news of 
which, as may naturally be supposed, well nigh brought the 
grey hairs of a venerable father with sorrow to the grave. 
It did not indeed immediately cost him his life, but it cost 
him, what is more valuable — his reason ! (23) 

His fellow-prisoner was also sentenced to death ; but, on 
making some pretended discoveries, of no considerable 
moment, he was reprieved. Lieutenant Moody is sensible it 
contains no information that can interest the reader ; yet, 
as he preserves it as a precious yellc, he persuades himself 
every man who is a brother will forgive his inserting an ex- 
tract or two trom his brother's last letter, dated November 
12, 1781, from the New Gaol Dmrgeon, Philaddjjhia. 

" Dear brotlier, 

Let me intreat you not to grieve at my fate, and 
the fate of my brother-soldier. Betrayed by the man on whom 
we de[)ended 10 execute the i)]au proposed by Captain Beck- 
with, we were taken \\\^ as spies ; and have been tried and con- 
demned, and are to die to morrow. I l)ray you to forgive him, 
as I do, and J>aurence Marr also, as freely as we liope to be 
forgiven by our Maker.— One more request 1 have to make to 



XAKUATIVE. 



55 



you is, that, taking warning by my fate, you will not hereafter 
so often venture yourself out of the British lines. I am in 
irons ; but, thanks to the Almighty, I still have the liberty of 
thought and speech. O ! may 1 make a good use of them, and 
be prepared, as I ought to be, for eternity ! Sentence has not 
been passed on us above two hours, all which time I have 
employed in prayer, as I will continue to do to the last 
moment ; and, I bless God, I feel quite cheertul !" 

Lieutenant Moody cannot in justice close this plain and 
artless narrative, already spun out to too great a length, 
without bearing his public testimony, feeble as it may be, in 
favour of, and returning his thanks, as he now most cor- 
dially does, to those brave, loyal Americans, whom, though 
in the ranks only, he shall always think it the greatest 
honour of his life to have commanded in these expeditions. 
They were, in general, men of some property; and, without 
a single exception, men of principle. They fought for what 
appeared to be tlie true interest of their country, as well as 
to regain their little plantations, and to live in peace under 
a constitution, which they knew by experience to be aus- 
picious to their happiness. Tlieir conduct in their new pro- 
fession, as soldiers, verifies their character ; they have been 
brave, and they have been humane. Their honesty and 
honour have been uniformly conspicuous. It was a first 
principle, in all their excursions, never to make war against 
private property ; and this has been religiously observed. 
Some striking instances of their forbearance might be given, 
if necessary, even when they have been provoked to retaliate 
by [iiivatc wrongs and personal insults. 



56 NAKRATIVE. 

And liei'e it ought to be nieiitioned, with tlio utmost 
gratitude lUid {)leasure, tliat, though Mr. Moody, in the 
course of liis adventures, was often obhged to put his life 
into the hands of the Loyalists, in different parts of the 
country, he never was disappointed or deceived by any of 
them. In tlie year 1777, lie continued among them more 
than three nn^nths at a time, and near as long in 1778. 
He knew their characters, and could safely confide in them. 
They were men of such inflexible attachment to Government, 
that no temptations could induce them to betray their trust, 
'l^hough many of them were reduced to indigence and dis- 
tress, and they knew that almost any price might be obtained 
for giving up so obnoxious a person, yet they were so far 
from betraying him, that they often ran great hazards in 
giving him assistance. Surely such merit as this is worthy 
of esteem and admiration ; and it is humbly hoped, that the 
many thousands in the colonies who possess it, will not be 
deserted by Govcnunent, and consigned over to ruin and 
wretchedness, without an ahsohUe nccessily. 

It is with the utmost concern Mr. Moody has heard of 
tlie douljts and debates that have been agitated in England 
concerning the number and the zeal of the Loyalists in 
America. It might be uncharitable, and possibly unjust, 
to say, that every man who has entei'tained such doubts, 
has some sinister purposes to serve by them ; but it would 
1k' blindness in the extreme not to see, that they were first 
raised by mm vvho had other objects at heart than the 
interests of their country. Men who have performed their 
own duty feebly or falsely, naturally seek to excuse them- 



NARKATIVE. O I 

selves by throwing the blame upon others. It would ill 
become an obscure individual to obtrude his opinion upon 
others ; but any honest man may, and when lie thinks it 
would serve his country, should relate what he lias seen. 
The writer of this narrative has already disclaimed all pre- 
tensions to any extraordinary share of political sagacity ; 
but he has common sense — he can sec, and he can hear. 
He has had more opportunities than most men of seehig, 
and hearing the true state of loyalty in the middle colonies ; 
and he most solemnly declares it to be his opinion, that a 
very great majority of the people there are at this time 
loyal, and would still do and sufifer ahiiost anything, rather 
than remain under the tyranny of their present rulers. Let 
but the war be undertaken and conducted on some pla7i, and 
with some spirit ; let but commanders be employed who 
will encourage their services, and leave them under no ap- 
prehensions of being deserted and betrayed ; and then, if 
they do not exert themselves, and very effectually, let 
every advocate they have had, or may have, be reprobated 
as a fool or a knave, or both together — and let the Ame- 
ricaus continue to feel the worst punishment their worst 
enemies can wish them — nominal independency, but real 
slavery. 

Perhaps the honest indignation of the Writer may have 
carried him too far ; but on such a subject, who, in his cir- 
cumstances, could speak coolly, and with any temper ? That 
he speaks only what he really thinks, no man, who is 
acquainted with him, will doubt ; and if, after all, he is 
mistaken, he errs with more and better opportunities of being 



58 XAKRATIVE. 

right, than almost any other person has ever liad. He lias 
given the strongest proofs oF his sincerity ; he has sacrificed 
his all ; and, little as it may be thought by others, it was 
enough for him, and he was contented with it. He made 
this sacrifice, because he sincerely believed wliat he declares 
and professes. If the same were to do over again, he would 
again as cheerfully make the same sacrifice. He trusts, 
therefore, it will not be deemed presumptuous in him to say, 
that he cannot decently be contradicted in these matters 
by any man, who has neither had such opportunities of 
informing his judgment, nor given such unequivocal proofs 
of his sincerity. Tlie Writer has certainly no bye-ends to 
serve ; he is not an ambitious man, nor avaricious. The 
profession of arms is foreign from the habits of one who has 
lived, and wishes only to live, in quiet, under his own vine 
and his own fig-tree ; and he can truly say, that, if his 
Sovereign should be graciously pleased to confer on him 
the highest military holiours, he would most gladly forego 
them all to be once more re-instated in his own farm, witli 
his wife and children around him, as he was seven years 
ago. 

He has hitherto received but a very trifling compensation* 



* During the first year he served for uothing, not having the least 
thought of becoming a soldier, or the least doubt of General Howe's 
suppressing the rebellion long before the end of it. In the second, third 
and fourth, he received pay as Ensign; and in the fifth, as Lieutenant. 
Beside his pay, upon his taking the first mail, he received one hundred 
guineas, which he divided equally with his three associates. Upon his 
taking the second mail, he received two hundred guineas, one hundred 



NAKKATIVK 



59 



for bis services and sufferings ; and lie looks for no more 
than will free him from indigence, and enable him more 
efifectually to serve his country. In enlisting- and paying 
men for public services, he has expended what was saved 
from the wreck of his own fortune to a considerable 
omouut, and he was reduced to the necessity of borrowing 
from those, whose better circumstances enabled them, and 
whose generous spirits disposed them, to liaznrd something 
in tlie cause of tlieir country. This may be called 
enthusiasm; be it so. — Mr. Moody will not conceal his 
wish, that tlie world abounded with such enthusiasts. Not 
his fortune only, but his constitution, has been greatly 
impaired by the exertions he has made. His physicians 
recommended a sea-voyage, a change of air, and a respite 
of his fatigues and anxiety of mind, as the only remedies 
left him ; and the late Commander in Chief, Sir Henry 
Clinton, [^i*) was pleased to second their recommendation, 
by politely inviting him to England. He acknowledges, 
with gratitude, tliat theiv kind intentions with regard to his 
health have not been wholly frustrated. He trusts he 
shall soon be able, and he would rejoice to be called 
by the service, to return to America. He would go witii 
recruited spirits, and unabated ardour ; for, rather than 

of which was for himself. And tliis was tlie whole of what he ever 
received— except thirty guineas advanced to him by General Robert.-on, 
in order to fit him out for the expedition for the taking of Governor 
Livingston. He does not mention twenty two guineas lie has received 
here in England, because that was merely to pay a bill of charges 
incurred in one of his expeditions. 



60 



KAKRATIVE. 



outlive the freedom of his country, it is his resolution, with 
King William of glorious memory, even to die in the 
last ditch. 

JAMES MOODY. 

fVardour-street, No. 9T. 
Kov. 1782. 




immmmm^mMm 



•>r-xV'',i 



APPENDIX 



The following Certificates^ selected from a great number of 
others in the Author's Possession, are presumed to be sufficient 
to establisli the trutli of his Narrative. 



No. I. 

The Events related in the following Narrative are so very 
extraordinary, that many Gentlemen, who are miacqnainted 
with the country, and with the several circumstances, might 
doubt of the truth of them. I think it tlierefore a piece of 
justice due to the merit of Mr. Moody's services, to declare, 
that I believe this Narrative to be a true account of his 
proceedings. 

WM. FRANKLIN, (=..) 
late Governor of New Jersey. 



62 AITKXnTX. 



No. TI. 



T do hereby certify, that Mr. James Moody cnrae witliiii 
tlie British lines in April 17*77, and bronglit in witli liim 
upwards of seventy men, all of whom, except four, entered 
into my brigade : That in June following, he was sent into 
the rebel country, for the purpose of enlisting men for his 
Majesty's service, with orders to continue there until a 
favourable opportunity offered for him to disarm the rebels, 
and arm tlie loyalists, and, with what men he could collect, 
to join the Royal army; but he was prevented from putting 
that plan into execution, by our army's taking a different 
route from what was expected : That Mr. Moody, being 
thus disappointed, assisted by two of his neighbours, soon 
after embodied about an hundred men, wiili whom he 
attempted to join the Bi'itish army, but was unsuccessful : 
That afterwards he made two successful excursions into the 
rebel country, and broiiglit with him from Sussex County 
about sixty able-bodied recruits, nearly all of whom entered 
into my brigade : That, after this time, he made many iri])S 
into New Jei'sey and rennsylvania, and brought in with 
him many good men, and gained many articles of important 
intelligence, coneerning the movements of Colonel Bntlcr, 
the real state of the rebel country, the situation and con- 
dition of the rebel armies under the eonunand of their 
Generals Washington, Sullivan, A:c.: And, that while Mr. 
jVIoodv \\as under my innncdiate dircetiiMi, he also destroyed 
a cou.-iderablc mauazine of stores near Hlack Poiut, taking 



APPENIUX. 63 

prisoners two Colonels, one ^fajor, and several otlier officers, 
and broke open the Sussex County jail, rescuing a number 
of loyalists that were iniprisdiied in it, one of whom was 
under sentence of death : besides performing many other 
important services. 

I do also certify, tiiat, in the niontli of October 1777, the 
said Mr. Moody was mustered as an P^nsign, but received 
no pay as snch till April 1778 : That he continued his ex- 
ertions under my direction till 1780, about which time he 
was taken from the regiment, which prevented his being 
appointed to a company in ii, as it was in general believed 
the Commander in Chief intended doing something better 
for him : That I have every reason to believe Mr, Moody 
received nothing from government to reward him for his 
extraordinary services, or to indemnify him for his extra- 
ordinary expences, till 1780 : That from the time of his 
joining the army in April 1777, till his departure for Europe 
in May 1782, he did, upon every occasion, exert himself 
with the utmost zeal in support of his Mnjesty's cause in 
America : And, on the whole, that I believe all that is 
related in his printed Jsarrative to be true, without exag- 
geration. 

London, January 30th, 1783. 

CORTLAND SKINNER, {■:,) 
Brigr. General, &c. 



64 APPEXDIX. 



No. III. 



I do hereby certify, that during the time I was Com- 
mandant of New York, Mr. James Moody went sundry 
times into the rebel country, to gain intelHgence of tiie 
situation and circumstances of the rebels : Tliat at one time 
lie was absent five weeks in different parts of Pennsylvania 
and New Jersey ; and brought authentic and full informa- 
tion of the situation and resources of the several detach- 
ments of the rebel army under the command of the Generals 
Washington and Gates, in the year 1179, and the prospect 
tlie rebels had at that time of procuring a loan from 
France. 

That in each of his excursions he obtained, and regularly 
reported to me, very accurate information of the rebel 
country, and appeared to be very zealous and attentive in 
promoting his Majesty's service ; and from the knowledge I 
have of his services and sufferings, I cannot but recommend 
him as a person who merits encouragement and support 
from the British Goverument. 

JAS. PATTISON, (.7) 

Major General. 



APPENDIX. 65 



No. IV. 



New York, May 11th, 1782. 

Lieutenant James Moody, of the first batalliou of Briga- 
dier General Skinner's Brigade of Provincial troops, Laving 
applied to me for a Certificate of some particular services 
which he has rendered in America ; and which, from tlieir 
having been attempted and in a great measure executed 
during General Knyphausen's having the command within 
this district, I feel much satisfaction in complying with the 
request of this Gentleman, and in expressing that Lieutenant 
Moody, in two instances in particular, conducted two small 
parties, one to Jersey and the other to Pliiladelphia, with 
much personal risk, great spirit, and good conduct : and I 
ever found him desirous of manifesting his zeal for the good 
of the King's service. 

GEO. BECKWITH, (=h) 
Major in the Army, 
Aid-de-Camp to his Excellency, 

General Knyphausen. 



66 AJPENDIX. 



No. V. 



New York, May 10th, 1782. 

By serving in different public departments in the army in 
North America, under the command of liis Elxcellency Sir 
Henry Clinton, I iiave had opportunities of knowing of 
several military exploits, very essential and contributory to 
his Majesty's service, being performed by Lieutenant James 
Moody, of the Provincial corps, called the First JBatallion 
of New Jersey Volunteers, in the execution of which, he 
not only underwent the most severe hardships, but encoun- 
tered almost every possible risque of his life, as well from 
these hardships (which naturally affected his constitution), 
as from the enemy. He however persevered, in defiance of 
every obstacle, with such an ardour and resolution, as 
plainly evinced an uncommon zeal and attachment to his 
King and Country. 

STEP. P. AD YE, 

D. Judffe Advocate. 



fit 



Xo. VI. 

Now York, 11th M;iy 1782. 

I, the Subscriber, do hereby certify, That shortly ai'ter 
Major General Paltison was appointed Coiuinandaiit of New 
York, and I was emi)loyed as iiis Secretai-y, Lieutenant 
James Moody, of the First Batallion, New Jersey Volun- 
teers, having returned from rlie country, where he had been 
engaged in collecting intelligence, &c., appeared at the 
Connnaudant's Office, and communicated to me, for the in- 
formation of Genei'al Fattison, a variety of accounts rela- 
tive to the situation of the rebel army, &c., which I laid 
before the General. 

From this time an intimacy commenced between us ; and 
Mr. Moody afterwards, previously and confidentially con- 
sulted me on the practicability of several excursions, he 
intended to make in the reliel country ; and particularly 
with respect to his intention to make Governor Livingston 
a prisoner. Mentioning his want of cmsIi to carry into ex'c- 
cution so esscntiiil a service, I offircd tu supply him with 
twenty-five guinoiis for this pui'pose, and to be his secui'ily, 
or to borrow at interest a larger sum, it being out of my 
jiower to advance more : l»nt being supplied with money by 
his Excellency Lieutenant (xeneral Robertson, (■.-9) he was 
enabled to go out without my assistiince. Mr. Moody's 
failing in this attempt was owing to one of his parly l)eiiiii- 
taken ; by which means Mr. Livingston ( ao ) disenvei-i'd Mi'. 
Moody's i)eing out, \oiA\ the alarm, and raiseil the country; 



08 



and witli difficulty Mr. Moody escaped falling into his 
hands : but was afterwards unfortunately taken by a party 
of rebels, and carried to the provost-guard at Mr. Wash- 
ington's Head Quarters, where lie was confined, and from 
whence he made his escape, and returned to New York. 

Mr. Moody afterwards made various excui'sions into the 
country, and many miles without the British lines ; took 
several reljel mails, containing intelligence of great import- 
ance, and brough.t them safe to New York. In these ex- 
cursions he run great risques of falling into the hands of the 
rel)els, and his health was much exposed from lying many 
nights and days in woods and swamps to avoid a discovery. 
In these excursions, Mr. Moody disregarded eitiier the 
seasons, the fatigue, or the risques he run. 

And on tlie whole of his conduct, I have every reason to 
believe him entirely disinterested, and actuated only by that 
zeal for his Majesty's service which he has on every occasion 
<'xlii))ited — From Mr. Moody's declaration, and other evi- 
dence, I have every reason to believe, that the compensa- 
tions he has from time to time received, were by no means, 
adequate to the exi)ences incurred on these occasions. And 
1 know that Mr. Moody has, at his own expencc and credit, 
sn])ported those, whose health from a pai'ticipation of toil 
i;ii(l fatigue with him, on these excursions, have l)een ini- 
[liiii'cd. 

JOHN L. C. IIOOME, 
Secretary to Major General Pattison, 
lale CoiiiUiandaut (if Xew^'iirk. \'c. 



APPEXItlX. fiy 



No. VII. 

" Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Mr. Brown, (a very 
respectable Clerg-ymaii of New Jer^^ey, now in New York) 
to the Rev. Dr. Chandler, dated May 10th, 1182. 

" You will receive Mr. Moody as my particular friend, 
and as one most fiiinly attached to his Majesty, and the 
constitution both in church and state. He has both done 
and suffered great things from a principle of loyalty. You 
may give full credit to all he says, and if he tells you some 
things seemingly incredible, still yon are to believe him. 
He is honest, sober and firm — never intimidated by danger, 
and of undeviating probity and honour." 



" Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Dr. IngUs,i si) Rector 
of New York, to the same person, dated May 11th, 1782. 

" Mr. Moody is one of the most active partizans we 
have, and perhaps has run more risque than any other man 
during the war. He has brought in three rebel mails, and 
has often been in the greatest perils among false brethren. 
The history of liis adventures will entertain and astonish 
you. He goes home at Sir Henry Clinton's desire, who 



70 



has promised to do soiuetliiiig lor him adequate to his 
services." 

Ill justice to Mr, Moody, I tliiiik it m\' duty to furnish 
him witli the above extracts. 



August 23d, 1182. 



T. B. CHANDLER, (s.) 




^^^'^-- 




WILLIAM LIVINGSTON, 

GOVEnNOR OF NEW JERSEY. 



X O TE S. 



(,). Tills w its perluips the Vol. Barton who iu 1777 w/is 
ciiptured on Statea IsLiud with iibout forty of his inen, ami 
sent to N^ew Jersey, and who retired to Nova Scotia after the 
war, wliere lie died alumt the year 1790. 

(...). William Hutci(i>'sox was, in 1782, Captain-Lieutenant of 
tlie First Battalion of New Jersey Volunteers. After the war 
he received half pay, and lived for a while in Xew Brunswick. 
He subse<]ueutly moved to Upper Canada, and died there. 



(3). Sir William Howe was born about the year 1729. He 
was appointed Lieut.-Colonel in 1757. He served in the expe- 
dition against Louisbourii-, and was subsequently at tlie siege 



72 NOTES. 

of Quebec. Tii rliu year 17(>1 lie wms in the exi)editi(>n iiiraiiist 
Belle-Isle, on tlie Coast of Frauci-, vvliere he held the rank of 
Brig.-Geueral. In the year 1702 he was Adjutant-General of 
the Army against Havana. He became Colonel of the 2:3d or 
Royal Welsh Fuzileers on the 11th of May, 1775, about which 
time he arrived in Boston as Commander-in-Chief of the 
Army in America. He commanded at the battle of Bunker 
Hill, and in August of the year following landed at Staten Is- 
land and participated in the operations of the army that year. 
He became Lieut.-General August 27, 1777; defeated the 
Americans at Germantow-n in October, and was superseded 
by Sir Henry Clinton in 1778. On his return to England he 
published a defence of his conduct while in America. He was 
promoted to the rank of General in 1793, and in the year 1808 
became Governor of Plymouth. lie died without issue in 
1814, at tlie aiie of about 8-5. 



(4). Coi,. JouN Bi'TLEK, of Tryon, now Montgoiiiery County, 
N. Y., was before the Revolution in close connection with 
Sir John, Sir William, and Col. Guy Johnson, and followed 
their political fortunes. At the breaking out of hostilities in 
the Colonies, he commanded a regiment of Xew York militia, 
and took at once an active part for the King. He made him- 
self infamous for the deeds of rapine and murder committed 
by him and his corps. He was at the Massacre of Wyoming, 
where he commanded KiOO incarnate fiends, whose brutality 
and bloodthirstiness was almost unparalleled. At the restora- 
tion of peace, he went to Upper Canada, where he still re- 
sided in 1796. He Avas well rewarded by the King for his 
services, receiving the Agency of Indian Atiairs, besides a 



73 



li:in<ls()ir.e' pecimiiiry provision for himself uiul children. The 
time of his deatli we have been unable to learn. 



(:-,)■ The following account of this expedition appears in the 
Tory papers of tlie day: 

"Xew-Yout, June 16 

On the 0th day of June instant, a party of volunteers went 
down to Sandy Tlook, where they were joined by a small de- 
tachment of Col. Barton's regiment of "Hew Jersey Volunteers, 
from whence they proceeded to the Gut, about four miles dis- 
tant ; l)nt as the wind blew very hard, the boats that were 
pi-ovided did not come ui), and they were obliged to return to 
the Light House. On the 10th, being ready to cross the (int, 
it was agreed by the party, that Lieut. Okerson, who was per- 
fectly acquainted with the country, should give tliem direc- 
tio.is. They advanced undiscovered with fifty-six men so far 
as Fenton Falls, about ten miles from the landing, where they 
halted just as the day broke, near the rebel headquarters at 
the back of the town ; but not knowing the house where their 
main guard was kept, they determined to surround three 
houses at the same time. Captain Hayden, of General Skin- 
ner's, proceeded to the house of Mr. IMcKnight, a Rebel Cap- 
tain; Ensign Moody to the house of Mr. Ilendrickson, a Colo- 
nel ; and Lieut. Throgmorton to one Shadwick's, a rebel Cap- 
tain. The three parties came nearly at the same time to the 
l)lace where the main guard of the Rebels was kept, but miss- 
ed them, they being on a scout. They made Col. Ilendrickson, 
Lient.-Col. Wikotf, Capts. Shadwick and McKnight. with 
several ])rivates. prisoners; and after proceeding one mile 
further, took a Major Van Brunt. They collected about three 
hundred siieep and horses belonging to the rebels. .\ warm 



74 



eiigno-oiiioiit ensiled at Jniiipin^- Inlet, and <-oiiiiinie(l an liotii-, 
Avheii lliey heard the Captain of tlie Rebels dechire, tliat lie 
would aive them no quiirter, and .suun after lie reeeived two 
balls ; upon his tailing the volimteers charged with their bavo- 
nets, vancjuished the rebels, and took possession of the grtnuid 
where the dead and wounded lay. "When they had crossed 
tiie river, they observed a man with a flag riding down from 
the rebels, who asked permission to carry off the dead and 
wounded, which was immediately granted. The man with 
the flag informed them that the whole of their party who 
were engaged, were killed or wounded. They retnrne<l to 
Sandy-Hook the sajne evening with tlieir prisoners, and a 
quantity of live stock, &c. The names of the fifteen who en- 
gaged the rebels are as follows: 

Ca])tain Samuel Haydui, Lieul. 

Tliomas Okerson, Tieutenant llutcdiinson. Ensign Moody, lir.-t 
battallioa General Skinner's; Lieut, -lohii Buskirk, of Colonel 
Eitzenia's ; five privates of (Jen. Skinner's; two sailors and 
a coxswain of one of the boats; Marphet Taylor, "Williani 
(iillian, J<din AVorthley. volunteers. 

In the engagement, one ofKeer and two pi-ivates of tlie 
volunteers were Avounded."' 

Rivingion's Royal Gazette. Wednesday, .finie HI. lT71t. 



(e). Ma.tok-Gkx. .Tokx Sult.ivan, the eldest son of .■m Iri-h 
emigrant, who settled in Massachusetts about the year 172:!. 
was born in the yeai- 1741. and was at first a farmer, and after- 
wards studied law in New IlamiJshire. In 1774- he was a 

nicmlier of the 1st Congress, was appointed Rrigadier-Cieneral 
in 177o, and commanded at \\'inler Hill, near Boston, after 
the battle of r>uid<er Hill. In -luiie. ! 77i'i, he superseded Ar- 



XOTRS. 1 

liuld ill cununaud in Caiuuia, and on tlie lutli of August follow- 
ing was promoted to the rank of Major-General. He succeed- 
ed Gen. (ireene in command of tlie division of the American 
Army on Long Island, and was taken prisoner in the battle of 
the 27th of August following. In November he was exchanged 
for the English General Prescott, and in August, 1777, he exe- 
cuted an expedition against Staten Island. In September and 
(October he took part in the battles of Brandy wine and Ger- 
mantown, and in 1776 was detached to Rhode Island. In 
1779 he was sent to Western New York to chastise the Six 
Nations, a duty which he successfully accomplished, and then 
resigned his command. He resumed the practice of the law, 
and was a member of the convention that formed the State 
Constitution of New Hampshire. In 1785 he was a member 
of Congress, for the three years following; was President of 
the State, and in October. 178!>, was api)ointed District Judge. 
He died at liis seat in Dui-ham. N. 11., -Tannary 23, 1795, at 
tlie ase of 54 vears. 



(7). Gen. Uokatio Gates was a native of England, and was 
born in 1727. He entered the Britisli service in early life, and 
rose to the rank of Major. He was nid to C!en. Monckton at 
the capture of Martinico, and was with IJr; ddock at his defeat 
in 1755. At the close of tiiat war lie settled in Virginia, 
where he resided till the commencement of the revolution in 
1775, when he received from Congress the appointment of 
Adjutant-General, and accompanied General Washington to 
Gambridge. In June, 1776, he was advanced to the conimaiid 
of the Army in Canada. General Schuyler succeeded him a 
few months in 1777. but in August he resumed his station, and 
in the following October revived the hopes of his country, and 



TO 



o\ ertlirew tliose of the Brittsli by tlie ('a])tnre of Burijoyiie ami 
his army. In June, 1780, he was appointed to the ooiniuand 
of the Southern department, but being soon after defeated by 
Cornwallis at Camden, was in consequence superseded by 
General Greene. lie was restored to his command in 1782. 
After the termination of the war he resided on his farm in 
Virginia until 1790, wlien he moved to New York, and died 
there in 180(5 at the aL'e of 77. 



(f). William Livixgston was the son of Philip Livingston, 
and was descended from a Scotch family, and born in Albany, 
N. Y., in November, 1723. At the age of 14 he entered Yale 
College, and gradnated at that institution in 1741, with the 
highest honors. After leaving college he commenced the 
study of the law, in 1748 was admitted to the bar, and soon 
rose to eminence in his profession. After his removal to New 
Jersey, he was ciiosen a meml)er of the first Congress in 1774, 
having previously signalized himself by his writings against 
the encroachments of Britain. On the deposition of William 
Franklin and the formation of a new Oonstitntiou, he was 
elected Governor of New Jersey, and continued in the office 
till his death. He was a delegate to the convention which 
formed the Constitution of the United States, and was one of 
its most able members. He was plain and simple in his habits, 
and unostentatious in his manners. Besides his political 
writings, he was the author of some essays upon miscellaneous 
topics, and a poem on the " Choice of a Rural Life."' He died 
at his seat in Elizabetlitown, N. J., July 2oth, 17;h», at the age 
of 67. 



NOTES. 77 



u). " Tkenton, June 14. 



The following extract is taken from a letter received by a gentleman 
in Morris Town from his friend in Sussex Coimtj-. 

"On Sunday niornino; tlie 4th [June] instant, about one 
o'clock, Major Hoops havinij: reason to believe that disatt'ected 
persons \yere in his neighbourhood, discovered a fellow in 
cora])any with a woman near his house; lie immediately ipies- 
tioned them ; the woman prevaricated, and the man hesitating 
in his answers, gave him susi)icions ; upon which he desired 
them to walk into tlie house, that he might be fully assured 
of what tliey told him. Major Hoops on his way to the house 
looking round, found the man running away; he purstied and 
took him, not without wounding the fellow through the arm, 
with a small sword, upon seeing a cwked pistol in his hand- 
He was discovered to be a Levy soldier in his regimentals, 
belonging to the corps of Jersey Volunteers; on bringing him 
to the liglit, the Major presented one of the pistols he had 
taken from him to his head, and resohitely declared he would 
])ut him to death if he did not inform him of his designs in 
coming to this part of the country. He said that about three 
weeks ago he came out with Lieut. Moody, and another, from 
New York, who had received instructions from General Kny- 
l)hausen, but he kept them secret ; only hinting that he was 
to take some person otf within two miles of Morris-Town, but 
finding that he was not at home, nor would be before the 15th 
of this month, they came up here in order to pass their time 
away till the person returned : That lie had left Moody in the 
road near the Moravian Mills ; that he had liberty to go to his 
uncle's, one Matthew Lowrey, where he Avas tlien going bad 
not Major Hoops disappointed him : and tiiat he was to meet 
Moody and his compaiuon on the top of Jenny Jumi) mountain 



(S 



oil Tluirsdiiv iiiiilit, wlieii tliey were to prooeed on their iti- 
teiuied expedition. 

'' After leaving- iiini nnder guai'd, and collecting his own 
people, and a tew of his neighbours, ])ursuit was given to 
Moody, but unfortunately could not make any discoveries." 
Nno Jersey Gazette. June 14. 1780. 

(lu) Lieut. -Gex. Joiix BiR(iOY.\E was the luitural son of 
Lord Bingley. He entered the Britisb army at an early age. 
"While quartered Avith his regiment at Preston, lie married 
Lady Cliarlotte Stanley, whose father, the Earl of Derby, was 
so incensed at the match, that he threatened utterly to discard 
her. A reconciliation, iiov.ever, took ])lace, and the Earl al- 
lowed him £300 a year during his life, and hx his will be- 
queathed her a legacy of £25,000. The influence of the family 
to wliicli Burgoyne had thus become allied, tended materially 
to accelerate his professional advancement. lu 17(i2 he acted 
as a Brigadier-General of the British forces, which were sent 
for the defense of Portugal against France and Spain, where 
he show'ed considerable military skill. In 1775 lie was ap- 
pointed to a command in America, whence he retui'ued the 
following year. Tn 1777 he resumed his post and issued a 
proclamation to the Indians, in which he invited them to his 
standard, but deprecated with due severity the cruel practice 
of scalping. The |)onipous turgidity of style in which this ad- 
dress was couched, excited the ridicule of the Americans, and 
procured for him the soubriquet of "■ C/irononliofoiit/iolog'o^." 
His first operations were successful; he dislodged the Americans 
from Ticonderoga and Mount Independence, and took 128 
pieces of cannon, all their armed vessels and batteries, as well 
as a considerable part of their baggage, ammunition, provis- 
ions, and military stores. His subsequent career was truly 



NOTES, 



10 



(lisnstrmi- : ]tU troop.^ snffi'i'cd innrli from bad ronds, inclciiiet't 
weutlier ami a scarcity of iirovisioiis : the Indians who iiad 
])i-evi<Misly assisted liim, deserted, and tlie Americans under 
Gen. Gates surrounded liim with a superior force, to which, 
though victorious in two engagements, he was at length com- 
pelled to capitulate at Saratoga, with the whole of his army. 
This event, which rendered him equally oditms to the British 
Government and the people at large, was for some time the 
leading topic of the press, and numberless lampoons appeared 
in which the General's conduct was most severely satirized. 
The punsters of the day, taking advantage of the American 
General's name, amused themselves unmercifully at Burgoyne's 
expense, but of all their etfusions, which for the most part 
were more virulent than pointed, the following harmless epi- 
gram, poor as it is, appears to have been the best : 

" Burgoyne, unconscious of th' impending fates, 
Could cut his way thro' ivoods, but not thro' Gates.'' 

In May, 1778, he returned to England on his parole, but was 
denied an audience by the King, and he in vain solicited a 
court-martial. In 1779 he was dismissed the service, but was 
restored three years afterwards, and api)ointed Oonmiander- 
in-Chief in Ireland, and sworn in one of the privy council of 
tiiat kingdom. He died at his house in Hertford Street, sud- 
denly, of a fit of the gout, August 4, 1794. 



(n). Maj.-Gen. xVxthon y Wayne was born in Chester County, 
Penn., on the 1st January, 1745, and was educated as a Sur- 
veyor. In 1773 he was chosen to a seat in the Legislature of 
his State, and took an active part in opposing the injustice of 
(rreat Britain. In 1775 he entered the army as a Colonel, and 



80 



iiccoinpanied General Thompson to Canada. He was after- 
wards under Gen. Gates, at Ticonderoga, and was subsequently 
advanced to the rank of Brig.- General. In the campaign of 
1 777 he acted an important part. At the battle of Brandy- 
wine he made a brave defense at the ford against tlie attack 
of Gen. Kny])hausen, but a few days after, being detached with 
loUO men to hang on the British rear, he was surprised and 
defeated. He afterwards fought at Germantown and Mon- 
mouth, and in 1779 commanded the troops at the successful 
storming of Stony Point, where he acquired great honor. In 
17''^1 lie served in Georgia, wliore he was victorious in several 
battles with the French and Indians. In 1787 he was a mem- 
ber of the Convention of Pennsylvania which ratified the Con- 
stitution of the United States. In 1792 he was appointed to 
tlie command of the western army as successor of St. Clair, 
and at the battle of Miami, in 1794, he gained a complete 
victory over the Indians, compelling them to sue for peace. 
He remained in that region till the 15th Dec. 1796, when he 
died at Presque Isle in his 52d year. His remains were after- 
wards brought to his native State, where they were interred, 
and a handsome monument erected to his memory. He was 
one of the most brilliant officers of the revolution, and one of 
{]\<j most popular. 

'Pile following account of the capture of Mr. Moody we tind in the 
jiapers of tlio day : 

(li). "Chatham, August 2. 

We have the pleasure to assure our readers, 
tliat Ensign Moody, a refugee from Sussex to the British army, 
.•111(1 will) was lately sent from New York with a paity of ruf- 
iiiins for tin.' ]iurpose of burning Sussex gaol, of taking or 



81 



assassinating Governor Livingston and the persons who were 
active in apprehending tlie three spies latel)' execnted, and of 
inlisting our inliahitants in tlie service of the British tyrant, 
was Lately captured himself by the vigorous exertions of Cai)t. 
Lawrence of the New York State levies, near the English 
Neighbourhood. The instructions found upon Moody, in order 
to give the better colour to his private directions for iidisting 
and assassinating, and to prevent his being treated as a spy 
from the military stile, what he was to produce, in. case of his 
being taken prisoner, was in the following terms : 

' Head-Quarters, May tenth, New York, 1780. 
' Sir : 

You are hereby directed and authorized to proceed 
without loss of time, with a small detachment, into the Jer- 
seys, by the most convenient route, in order to carry otf the 
person of Governor Livingston, or any other acting in public 
station, whom you may fall in with in the course of your 
march, or any person whom you may meet with, and whom it 
may be necessary to secure for your own security, and that of 
the party under your command. 

' Should you succeed in taking Governor Livingston, you 
are to treat him according to his station, as far as lies in your 
power ; nor are you, upon any account, to offer any violence 
to his person. You will use your endeavour to get possession 
of his papers, which you will take care of, and, upon your 
return, deliver at head-quarters. 

By order of his Excellency Lieutenant-General Knyphausen. 

GE<^. BECKWITIT, 

Aid-de-Camp. 
To Ensign Moody, 1st battalion 
Xew-.Jersey Volunteers.' 



82 N'UTKS. 

"It is said tluit all Moodv's party, except one, whu atteiuptetl 
to svviin the Xortli river iu liis tligbt, and is supposed to l)e 
drowned, have been either captured or killed by the activity 
of our iidiabitants; and as to the tainous or infamous Ensign 
himself, the great taker of Governors and general gaol deliverer 
of Sussex, he is at present safely lodged at West-Point; and if 
he has justice done him, it is generally supposed, as our cor- 
respondent observes, that he will be hanged for a spy. for 
inlisting our citizens iu the Britisli army, and coming with a 
party so small as nine, and with weapons concealed, either of 
which are, according to the present construction t)f all the 
nations of Europe, characteristic of a Spy. 

It is reported that another ])arty was sent from Stateu- 
Island last Aveek for the express i)urpose of assassinating his 
Excellency our Governor. Ought not such bloody measures 
to lie retaliated upon the enemy ?' 

N. Jersey Journal. Wed. Augt. 2, 178(1. 



(13). Maj.-Gex. Robert Howe Avas born in ]>runswick. 
North Carolina. On the breaking out of the Revolution, he 
espoused the American cause, and was appointed Colonel of 
the 1st North Carolina regiment, and at once took the field. 
In December 1775 he joined Col. Woodford at Norfolk, and 
was engaged with him in the contest with Lord Dunmore and 
his party. On the 29th January 1776. he was appointed a 
Brig.-Gen. of the Continental Army, and ordered to Virginia. 
In the year 1778 he was i)laced in chief command of the 
Southern troops, and was engaged in the expedition against 
Florida and also in the defense of Savannah, in both of which 
he was unsuccessful. In consequence of his failure, be was 
sevp'-f^lv coiisiu-pd nt the time. In 1780 he was for a time 



NOTES. 83 

Coinmaiidei- at West Point. The time of his deatli is unknown 
to us. 



(14). Maj.-Gen. Benedict Arnold was born in Norwich, Con- 
necticut, January 3, 1741, and was brought up as a surgeon. He 
(juitted his profession for the sea, and was for some years en- 
gaged as master of a trading vessel. At the commencement of 
the Eevolution, he espoused the cause of the colonies, and took 
command of a company of volunteers at New Haven. He was 
afterwards at the siege of Quebec, where he received a woiind 
in the leg, and upon the failure of the expedition, he withdrew 
the remains of his forces to Crown Point. He was afterwards 
employed on Lake Champlain, where he greatly distinguished 
himself, as he did also subsequently at the battle of Saratoga, 
where his services contributed not a little to the success of the 
American, over Burgoyiie. Some time after tliis he was placed 
in command of West Point, and then began to .^,oncert the 
means of putting this strong fort in the hands of the enemy. 
In the attem])t to carry out tlie nefarious plot, poor Andre 
was sacriticed, and Arnold with difficulty escajjed on board a 
Britisii sloop-of-war. He was made a Brig.-General by tlie 
British, and employed by them in several enterprises, particu- 
larly at New London, Conn., and Norfolk, Va. On the return 
of peace, he went to England, and died in London, -June 14, LSul- 
His remains were interred at Broniptiu. 

(ir,). The reader will recollect that at this very time, Arnold 
was executing the treason which has made his name infamous. 
His barbarous treatment of Mr. Moody was exercised for no 
other purpose than as a subterfuge to lull suspicion and cover 
the villainy of tiie traitor. 



84 



(is), (te.v. Edwapi) Mathew eiiterefl tlie Britisli finny as an 
Ensign in tlie Cold Stream Guards, January 24, 1746, received 
his Lieutenancy December 17, 1751, and became Ca])tain and 
Lieut. -Colonel March 20, 1762. He was appointed Colonel in 
the array Marcli 20, 1775, and eight days after, Aid-de-Camp 
to the King. He came to America in 1776, in command of a 
brigade ot the (guards, with the rank of Brigadier-Gen., and 
in 1778 he coniiuauded the party sent to destroy Gosport, Vir- 
ginia. In February, 177'J, he was advanced to the rank of 
Major-Gen. He became Colonel of the 62d regiment the same 
year, and was stationed at or near New York in 1780, in whicii 
year he returned home. He was appointed Commander-in- 
Chief of the forces in the West Indies, with the local rank of 
Lieut.-Gen., Nov. 20, 1782, and in 1783 became Governor- 
General of Grenada and the Southern Carribee Islands. In 
the year 1797 he was advanced to tlie rank of General in the 
army, and died at Clanvil]e-h)dgt', Hants, December 26, 1805, 
after a few days' IHiiess, in the 78th year of his age. 



(17). William Burtls, of Westchester County, N. Y.. u 
refugee, was sent in 1779 a prisoner from Wliite Plains by Col. 
Burr, who wrote Malcolm that Burtis wished to secure the 
favor of the Whigs by giving them information. In 1780, 
Burtis was confined at West Point under sentence of death, for 
communication with the British General Mathew. At the 
restoration of peace, he went to New Bi-tuiswick, and died at 
St. John, in 1835, aged 75 years. 



(is). Col. Alkxani)E1£ Scammel was born in Mendou, now 
Miltord, in the State of Massachusetts, alxjut the year 174s, 



85 



and grtidnated at Harvard College in 1769. He was subse- 
(juently employed for some time as a teacher of a school, and 
also as a surveyor of lands, assisting Capt. Holland in surveys 
for his map of Xew Hampshire. He also studied law for a 
while in tlie office of General Sullivan, In 1775, he was ap- 
pointed Brigade Ma,ior, and in 17Y6, Colonel of the third bat- 
talion of continentjil troops raised in New Hampshire. In 
1771, Colonel Scanimel commanded the third regiment of that 
State, and was wounded in the desperate battle of Saratoga. 
In 1780, the levy of New Hampshire was reduced to two regi- 
ments, when he conmianded the first. He was afterwards 
ai)pointed Adjutant-General of the Ameriean armies, in which 
office he was deservedly popular, and secured the esteem of the 
officers of the array generally. With this situation he finally 
became dissatisfied, because it often excused him from those 
dangers to w^hich others were exposed ; and preferring a more 
active command, Jje was pnt at the head of a regiment of light 
iiifaiiti'v. On the 30tli of September, 1781, at the memorable 
and successful siege of Yorktown, he was officer of the day; 
and while reconnoitering the situation of tlie enemy, he was 
surprised by a party of their horse; and after being taken 
prisoner, was inhumanly wounded by them. He was conveyed 
to the city of Williamsburgh, Virginia, where he died Oct. 0, 
1781, at the age of 33. Col. Scammel was an officer of uncom- 
mon merit. He was amiable and winning in his manners, and 
his loss was deeply regretted. 



(ib). Gex. Oliver De Lancey, of the British Regular Army, 
the youngest of tlie two sons of Brig.-Gen. Oliver De Lancey, 
of New York, by his wife Piiihi, daughter of David Franks, 
of Philadelphia, was born in 1753, in the city of New York. 



i^(\ 



He was e:lucftte<l for the army, and was ('(irDiuissioned a Cor- 
iR't ill the 14th J)i-airoons in 17T(i, whiK' imrsniiig mihtary 
studies ill Eimluiul. he being at that time in his thirteeiitii 
year. In May, 1773, he was made <a Captain in the 17th Liii'iit 
I)ra<2,'()oiis — a regiment in wiiich he remained for the hnii? 
period of forty-nine years, holding successively every rank in 
it, und dying as its Colonel, when a full General in the Uritish 
army. Previous to the outbreak of hostilities in America, he 
wrote and puldished in New York, a pamphlet entitled •'Con- 
siderations on the propriety of imposing Taxes on the Ijritisli 
Colonies," which met with favor, and passed through several 
editions in London. During tlie American war, he served 
with distinction on Long Island, in New York, New Jersey, 
Pennsylvania, and also in the Oarolinas, w^liere he participated 
in tiie operations at the siege of Charleston. At the battle of 
Brooklyn, he led tlie advance of the Jiritish forces, seizing and 
holding the pass tlirough which Clinton's army advanced 
against and forced the American lines, thereby obtaining the 
victory. He was the intimate personal friend of Major Andre, 
and succeeded him as Adjutant Cieneral of the British army in 
America. In 1781 he was promoted to the Lieut. -Colonelcy 
of the 17th Light Dragoons. In 1790 he was appointed 
Deputy-Ailjutant-General of the entire English forces, with 
the rank of C'olonel. Four years afterwards he was made a 
Major- (Teiieral, and at the same time appointed by Mr. Pitt, 
Barrack-Master-General of the British empire, an office which 
he held for ten years. In May, 1795, he was promoted to tlie 
Colonelcy of the I7th Light Dragoons, in 1801 he attained the 
rank of Lieut, (ieiieral, and in 1812 became a full General of 
tiie British ai-iiiy. He sat for in.nny years in the British Par- 
liament at the time when Pitt, Fox and Burke graced tiie 
House of Conimoii.s. Gen. De Lancey died at Edinburgh, in 



81 



Sci tlaiid, S(.'[/t. ;j, 1S2"2, and li'.s remains were interred In St. 
•Tdlin's Cluipel in tluit eity. 

(20). Jean Baptiste Donatien de Vimeui;, Count de Ko- 
cnAMBEAXT, Marshal of France, was born at Vend6nie in 1725, 
and entered the army at the age of sixteen. In 1740 lie 
became Aid-de-Camp to Louis Pliiliipe, Duke of Orleans, and 
afterwards, obtaining tlie command of the regiment of La 
Marche, distinguished himself at tlie battle of Lafeldt, where 
he was wounded. He afterwards obtained fresh laurels at 
Creveldt, Minden, Oorbach, and Clostercamp; and liaving 
been nnide Lient.-General, was in 1780 sent with an army of 
6,000 men to the assistance of the Americans. He acted in 
concert with Washington, first against Gen. Clinton in New 
York, and tlien against Cornwallis in Virginia. He was raised 
to the rank of Marshal by Louis XVI, and after the revolution, 
was a[)pointed to tlie command of the army of the North, but 
he was superseded by more active officers, and being calum- 
niated by the popular journalists, he addressed to the Legisla- 
tive Assembly a vindication of his conduct. A decree of 
approbation was consequently passed in May 1792, and he 
retired to his estate near Vend6me, with a determination to 
interfere no more with public attairs. He was subsequently 
ari'ested, and narrowly escaped suffering death under the 
tyranny of Robespierre. In 1808 he was presented to Buona- 
parte, who granted him a i)ension and the cross of grand officer 
of the legion of honor. His death took place in 1807, at the 
age of 61. His "Memoirs" were published in 1809. 

(■21). Baron, William Von Knyphausen, Lieut.-General in 
the British service during the .Vmerican revolution, was born 



88 NOTES. 

ill Alcase, then one of the Rhenish provinces, about the year 
1730. His father was Colonel of the German Kegt. of Ditt- 
f(;rth, in tlie service of John, Duke of Marlborough, and his 
own military career commenced in the service of Frederick 
William I. of Prussia, the father of Frederick the Great. Sub- 
sequently he served in the several wars waged by the latter 
against Austria. In 1776 he received from the British govern- 
ment the command of 12,000 Waldeckers and Hessians hired 
to aid in repressing the insurrection in the American colonies, 
and arrived in New York in time to ])artici])ate in the battle 
of Brooklyn, August, 1776. He was at the battle of White 
Plains, and aided in the capture of Fort Washington in Novem- 
ber 1776, and in the defeat of the American forces at Brandy- 
wine in the succeeding year. In June 1780, being then in the 
temi)orary command of the British troops in New York, 
during the absence of Sir Henry Clinton at the South, he made 
a descent into the Jerseys with 5,000 men, in the hope of rally- 
ing the disaffected Americans to the royal standard, but he 
iiccomplished little beyond sacking the village of Connecticut 
Farms. On the 23d he re-entered the Jerseys with re-enforce- 
ments, and attacked the detachment under Greene, whicii 
occupied Springfield and the heights in the rear. But so 
skillful were the disjjositions of the American general, that 
after an indecisive conflict, Knyphauseu again returned to 
Staten Island, after burning tlie village of Springfield. He 
was a man of fine jjcrsonal appearance, about 5 feet 11 inches 
ill iieight, straight and slender. His features were sharp, and 
Ills ap])earance martial, and he was remarkably amiable and 
simple-minded. It is said he used to spread his bread with his 
Thumb. Gen. Lafayette was in the habit of telling an anecdote 
conceniiuii- biui, oil tlie authority of British olHcers. The 
jiassage to America was very long, and oik- night, while play- 



NOTES. 89 

iiiiT whist ill tlie cabin, Knyphansen snddenly turned to the 
commander of the vessel, and said, witli an air of mnch sin- 
cerity, " Captain, airi't we hob sailed past America?^'' The 
Baron died in Berlin, in Prussia, on the 2d day of June, 1789, 
aged 59. 

(•2j). Charles Thom.son was born in Ireland in 17'29, and 
came to America with his three elder brothers about 1741. 
He landed at Newcastle, Delaware, with slender means of sub- 
sistence. Having been educated by Dr. Allison, he kept the 
Friends' Academy. He afterwards went to Philadelphia, 
where he obtained the adviee and friendship of Dr. Franklin. 
At the first Congress in 1774, he was called upon to take 
minutes of their measures, and from that time he was the sole 
Secretary of the Revolutionary C(;ngress. He resigned his 
office in July 1789, having held it fifteen years. His mind was 
enriched witii various learning, and his character was marked 
by regularity, probity, firmness, and patriotism, lie trans- 
lated the Septiiagint, and his work was published in 1808. 
His wife's maiden name was Hannah Harrison. She was tlie 
aunt of Gen. Wni. H. Harrison, late President of the United 
States. Mr. Thomson died at Lower Merion, Montgomery 
County, Pennsylvania, on the 16th day of August 1824, aged 
94 years. His wife died in 1807. Their remains lie interred 
in Laurell Hill Cemetery, near Philadelphia, having been 
removed in 1838 from Lower Merion, w'here they had originally 
been deposited. 

The following accounts of the capture of Marr and Moody, and tlie 
subsequent death of the latter, we take from the papers of the day. 

(23)- " Philadelphia, November 14. 

On Thursday morning last, [8th Nov : 1 781] Laurence 
Marr and John Moody, both of Col. Barton's Tory regiment, 



90 NOTES. 

were nppreliended in tin-; city on snspioion of being spies. On 
the two followina; days tliey were indnlged with a candid and 
full hearing, before a respectable board of officers, whereof the 
honourable major general the marquis de Lafayette was pre- 
sent. It appeared their business was to steal and carry otf the 
secret journals of Congress, and other papers, to New York. 
They have made several interesting discoveries of many per- 
sons in these states, who are doing their utmost to ruin their 
country. The names of these ingrates will appear in pi-oper 
time. The board of officers having reported to the honourable 
board of wai", their opinion was approved, and ^Nfarr and 
Moody were both sentenced to die; which sentence was exe- 
cuted on Moody yesterday between the hours of eleven and 
twelve. Marr is respited until Friday the 23d inst. From 
Saturday evening until yesterday, the criminals were both 
attended by a gentleman of tlie clerical order, who gives us 
ground to hope they were real penitents, as from the begin- 
ning of their confinement tliey manifested the greatest con- 
trition for all their sins, ])olitical and moral. The enemy, who 
at this period seem equal to no exploits superior to robbing 
mails and stealing papers, may thank the monster Benedict 
Arnold, their beloved friend, for the untimely death of this 
young man, who was only in his 23d year." 

Freeman^' s Journal , IVcd : iVov .• 14, 1781. 



"New York, November 21. 

The report of the death of Lieut. James Moody, 
proves a mistake, he being now in this city, but his l)rother 
John Moody, after being seized at Philadeliihia, was \mt to 
death by the rebels, and his body carried for interment to iiis 
distressed father, and relations at Egg-Harbour." 

Riving(o7i, Nirv. 21, 17sl. 



91 



(24). Sir Henry Clinton was tlie eldest son of Adminil 
George Clinton, formerly Governor of the Province of New 
York, lie entered tlie army at an early age. lie became 
Lieut, in the Cold Stream Guards, Nov. 1, 1751, Capt. in the 
1st Foot Guards, May (3, 1758, Colonel in the army, 1762, and 
of the 12th Regt. of Foot, Nov. 28, 1706. He gained great 
credit for his services during the seven years' war in Germany, 
and rose to the rank of Major-General, May 25, 1772, and in 
May 1775 arrived at Boston. He distinguished himself at the 
battle of Bunker Hill, and was rewarded in September follow- 
ing by being created Knight of the Bath, and advanced to 
the rank of Lieut.-General in America. In January, 1776, he 
was appointed General, and was defeated that year at Sulli- 
van's Island, and in August following, commanded a division 
in the battle of Brooklyn. In October lie defeated a portion 
of the American army on the Bronx river, in Westchester 
Connty, in 1777 was appointed Lieut.-Geueral in the army, and 
was afterwards present at the storming of forts Washington 
and Clinton. In 1778 he was cnmmissioned Comnuinder-in- 
Cliief, and conducted the retreat from Philadelphia to New 
York, and in December embarked for Charleston, S. C, which 
he reduced. He was succeeded in the cliief command by 
General Carleton in 1782. when he returned to England. In 

1782, he published a Narrative of his conduct in America, in 

1783, Observations on Coruwallis' Answer, and in 1794, Obser- 
vations on Mr. Stedinan's History of the American War. He 
died December 13, 1795. 



(20). William Franklin was the son of the celebrated Dr. 
Beiij. Franklin, and was born about the year 1731. He re- 
ceived a good education, and was bred for tlie profession of 



92 



law. In the French wur lie acted as a captain, and gamed 
great praise for his condnct at Tioonderoga. Before the de- 
claration of peace he went to Enghind with liis father, where 
both were received with marked attention. Tn the year 1763 
he was appointed Governor of New Jersey, wliicli office he 
held for several years. His appointment was an nnpopular 
one, arising in part from the illegitimacy of his birth, bntprin- 
ciiially fx"om his " time-serving conduct and courtier-like pro- 
pensities." When the TJevolutionary War broke out he took 
the side of the Crown, and his subsequent course of conduct 
rendered him so obnoxious that he was finally ousted from 
office in 1776, and William Livingston, a member of the First 
Continental Congress, became his successor. The dei)ose(l 
Governor was declared an enemy to the country, and was con- 
sequently imprisoned, but on the arrival of Sir Henry Clinton 
in 177i^, his exchange was effected, and he was set at liberty. 
He served for a short period as Pi-e*ident of the Board of 
Loyalists, and then went to Eniihmd. He and his father were 
for a long time estranged, but a reconciliation was eventually 
effected, though it is evident that the latter remembered his 
son's course of conduct to the last. Governor Franklin died 
in November, 1813, at the age of about 80 years. 

(ie). CoRTLANDT Skinner, of Nevv Jersey, was Attorney- 
General of that Colony at the commencement of the Revolu- 
tion, and in the performance of his official duties evinced iniicli 
ability and integrity. He accepted service under the Crown, 
and was authorized to raise a corps of Loyalists to consist of 
2,500 men. He was allowed to nominate his own officers. 
Three battalions were organized and officered, and called the 
New Jersey Volunteers. Tlie enlistments of common soldiers 
were slow. After several months of active exertion, the 



KUTES. 93 

whole number of men who had rallied under his standard was 
but 1,101. Skinnei" continued in command of the corps with 
the rank of I^i-iiradier-Cieneral. At the restoration of peace, 
he went to Eiiiiland, and died in l^ristol in 1709, at the age 
of 71. 

(27). (texei:m, James Paitisox AA'as appointed ('aptain of 
Artillery August 1, 174:7, Lieut. -Colonel in the army in ]7f>l, 
and Colonel Commandant of Artillery, April 25th, 1777. On 
the 10th of February, 1779, he was ajipointed Major-General, 
and in the month of -July following was made Commandant 
of the Garrison of New York, in placeofLieut.-General Jones. 
He accompanied the army against Charleston in 1780, and was 
raised to the rank of Lieut.-General September 28, 1787, and 
on tiie 2(jth Januaiy, 1797, attained the rank of Genei'al in the 
British army. lie died at his house in Hill Street, Berkley 
Square, London, March 1, 180.5, at the age of 81 years. 



(■if). SiK Geokoe Beckwitii was the >econd son of Major- 
Geueral Beckwitii, and was born in 175y. He was bred to 
the army, and became, July 2(i, 1771, an ensign of the 37th 
Foot; obtained a lieutenancy July 7, 1775, and in the following 
year embarked for Amei'ica under Cornwallis. On his arrival 
he was nominated Adjutant to a battalion of grenadiers, and 
shortly after served in the operations against Charleston, and 
then in the battle of Brooklyn, at the landing on New York 
island, at the battle of Wliite Phiins, and at the taking of Fort 
^Montgomery, soon after which he embarked for Rhode Island. 
In February, 1777, he rejoined the body of the army in New 
Jerse}', where he remained till July, when he purchased a 
Captain-Lieutenancy and embarked with the tleet forthePenu- 



94 



sylvania campaign. He was in the battles of Bi-andywine 
and Goniiaiitowii, and in January, 1778, retired with tiie 
army into \vinter-(|narteris in Philadelphia. In May lie suc- 
ceeded to an ettective company, and about the same time be- 
came Aid-de-Camp to Gen. Knyphauscn, and served as such 
at the battle of Monmouth. In 1781 he was with Arnold at 
New London. In November following he became brevet- 
Major, and in .lune, 1782, was a|)])oiiited Aid-de-Cani]) to Sir 
Guy Carleton, by whom he was employed in negotiating tiie 
airangements for the withdrawal of the British from America 
in 178o. In August 25, 1795, he received the brevet rank of 
Colonel, and in April, 171)7, was nominated Colonel on the 
staff in Bermuda, and succeeded to the civil government in 
1798. He contimied there till 1803, when he returned to Eng- 
land, with the rank of Major-General. In 1804 he was re 
moved to the staft' in the Leeward and Windward Islands, and 
became Governor of St. Vincents. ( )n the death of Sir Wil- 
liam Thyers, Commander-in-Cliief at Barbadoes, he succeeded 
him, remaining there till 180G, when he was raised to the 
local rank of Genei-al. In March, ISOd, he was Lieut-General, 
in April following lie rejjuired to his former station at St. 
Vincent, and in Jnne obtained cliief connnand at i^arbadoes a 
secon'd lime. \u 1809, at the head of 10,000 men, he reduced 
Martinicpie, for which he was knighted. In 1810 lie took 
Guadeloupe. St. Martins and St. Eustatius ; in 1814 became 
General, and in IsKi took command of the troo|)S in Ireland. 
In March, 1820, he returned to England, when the baneful 
effects of his long i-esidence and arduous services in the West 
Indies became visible on his health, and at length deprived 
him of life on the 20tli of March, 1823, at the age of about 
7ti vears. 



NOTES. 95 

(la). Lieut.-Grx. James "Robkhthox was edncnted for a iiiilitarv 
life, and rose by successive proniotions to tlie liijjhest honors, 
lie was engaged in the expedition aji-anist Lmiisbonrsr in 1758, 
and in 1759 was with General Amherst, on both which occa- 
sions he was connected with the Quartermaster's Department. 
In the year 1762 he was in the expedition against Martinico, 
and in 1775 he was stationed in Boston, and when that city 
was evacuated by the British, he accompanied General Howe 
to New York. He was in the battle of Long Island, and 
otlier engagements in that vicinity. He was made Colonel in 
1772, Major-General in 1776, and attained the rank of Lieut.- 
General in 1782. He was commissioned Governor of New 
York May 4th. 1779, and took the oath of office on the 23d of 
March, 1780. In the year 1783 he returned to England, and 
died in 1788. 



(so). The following proclamation of Governor Livingston for 
the arrest of Moody, with Moody's rejoinder thereto, appears 
in Riviugton's Gazette, Aug. 25, 1781. They are too good to 
be lost, and we accordingly give them a place here. It is well 
to state that the Governor was possessed of large ears and a 
l)roiuinent red nose. 

"■ Whereas it has been represented to me that the persons 
hereinafter mentioned, have been guilty of atrocious offences, 
and have committed divers robberies, thefts, and other felonies 
in this State. I have therefore thought tit, by and with the 
advice of the Honourable the Privy Council of this State, to 
issue this proclamation, hereby promising the rewards herein 
mentioned, to any person or persons who shall appreliend and 
secure in any gaol of this State, any or either of the following 
persons or offenders, to wit: Caleli Sweesy. .James O'Hara, 



John* Moody, and Gj'sbert Eyberlin, tlie sum of two hundred 
dollars of the bills of credit issued on the faith of this State. 

" Given under ray band and seal at arms, at Trenton, the 
third day of August, 1781, and in the fifth year of the inde- 
pendence of America. 

WIL. LIVINGSTON." 



''Hue and Cry: Two Hundred Guineas Reward. 

" Whereas a certain William Livingston. late an Attorney at 
Law, and now a Inwleas usurper and incorrigible rebel, stands 
convicted in the. minds 9f all honest men, as well as in his own 
conscience, of many atrocious crimes and offences against God 
and the King, and among many other treasonable practices, has 
lately, with malicious and murderous intention, published a 
seditious advertisement in a rebel newspaper, offering a reward 
of what he calls two hundred State dollars, to an assassin who 
shall take and deliver me and three other loyalists into the 
])ower of him, the said William Livingston. 

" I do therefore hereby promise to pay the sum oft vo hun- 
dred guineas, trif.e nioney, to the person or persons who shall 
bring the said William Livingston alive into New York, and 
deliver him into the custody of Captain Cunningham, so that 
he may be duly lodged in the provost, till the approaching ex- 
tinction of the rebellion, then to be brought to trial for his 
niiiiierous crimes and offences aforesaid. In the mean, if his 
\vlu>le person cannot be brought in, half the sum above speci- 
tiLMl will be paid for his Ears and Nose, which are too weK 
known, and too remarkable to be mistaken. Observe, how- 
ever, that his life must not be attempted, because that would 
be to follow his example of e.Kcitiug the villainous practice of 

* A iiiisiake in tlio name : slioultl bo Juiuin. 



a.ssassinatiou, uiul befiiiise ///*■ Lkntli ;it present, would defraud 

-Tuck Ketch of a future jjeniuisite. 

'■ Given under my hand and seal at arms, in New York, this 

twenty-third day of August, 1781, (a style which T have surely 

as much right to assume as William Livingston, or any other 

rebel usurper). 

J. MOODY. 

"The several printers on the continent are requested to in- 
sert the above in their newspapers.'' 

{:ii)- Rev. Ciias. Ixglis. D.D.. became Assistant Rector of 
Trinity Church, New York, in 1704, and continued to officiate 
until Washington took possession of tliat city, in 1776, when 
he went up the Hudson River. On the death of Rev. Dr. 
Auchmuty, in 1777, he succeeded as pastor. The church 
having been burnt, he was inducted into office by placing ids 
hands on the ruins, in presence of the wardens, and taking the 
usual obligations, lie took the side of the King during the 
Revolutionary contest, and made himself obnoxious by the 
warmth with which he advocated his sentiments. At the 
restoi'ation of peace in 1783, he went to Nova Scotia, and be- 
came Bishop of that Colony in 1787, being the first Colonial 
Bishop of any British dominions in any part of the world. In 
1809 he became a member of the Council. lie died in the spring 
of the year 1816, at the age of 82. His wife's maiden name 
was Margaret Crooke. She was the daughter of John Crooke, 
of Ulster County, N. Y., and was a lady of large fortune. She 
died in the year 1783, after a long and severe illness, in the 
35th year of her age. 

(a-i). Rkv. Thomas R. Chaxdi.ek, D.D., was born in Wood- 
stock, Conn., and graduated at Yale College in 1745. Though 



Kb 



bred a Congregiitioiuilist, he enibi'iiet'cl Episcopacy in 1748, 
and tliree years later went to England for ordination. On his 
return he became Rector of St. John's Church at Elizabetli- 
town. N". J., where he long maintained a high character for 
erudition and talents. He was an early and uncompromising 
loyalist, and expressed himself with much warmth, in conse- 
quence of which he gave offence to many of his congregation, 
wlio left his church. He afterwards went to Nova Scotia 
and was elected tlie first Bishop of the Colony, but he dechned 
the office on account of ill-health. During the last ten years 
of his life he was afflicted with a painful disease, but he bore 
his suiFerings with patience and even with cheerfulness. He 
wrote several works, some of a theological character, and 
others upon tlie politics of the day, in all of which he showed 
liimself to be a writer of ability.' He was large and portly, 
and of fine personal appearance, and his countenance expres- 
sive of high intelligence. He had a strong commanding 
voice, and was a great lover of music. He died on the ITtli 
day of June, 1790, at tlie age of ()4. His widow died in the 
year 1801, at the age of 68. 




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