Displaying 1 - 20 of 31
. . . in the forenoon, Col. [John] Greaton with 136 men, went on to Long-Island, and burnt the barns; the flames communicated to the house, and all were consumed. An armed schooner and several barges put off after the Americans, and some of the ships of war near the island, cannonaded them. The detachment made their way for the shore, and narrowly escaped being taken. One man on the shore who...
Date: 12 July 1775
Volume: Volume 1
Major [Joseph] Vose returned from Nantasket. The detachment under his command brought off 1000 bushels of barley, all the hay, &c. ー went to Light-House Island; took away the lamps, oil, some gun-powder, the boats, &c. and burnt the wooden parts of the light-house. An armed schooner and several boats with men, engaged the detachment; of the Americans two were wounded.
Date: 21 July 1775
Volume: Volume 1
Major [Benjamin] Tupper, with 300 Americans, went to Light-House Island, attacked a British guard of 33 marines, killed a subaltern officer and several soldiers, took 23 prisoners, several refugees, and burnt all the buildings on the island, with the loss of one American soldier.
Date: 31 July 1775
Volume: Volume 1
Two deserters came in, from the Liverpool man-of-war. They reported, that the fleet from Halifax, with Gen. Howe's army, were hourly expected to arrive in New-York. Every exertion was now in exercise, to complete the works, and to obstruct the river. The latter was near Fort Washington, and prosecuted by sinking a number of large hulks, and frames called chevaux-de-frise, composed of large and...
Date: 25 June 1776
Volume: Volume 5
July 2d. ー Between 10 and 11 o'clock A.M. four British men-of-war, and several tenders, came through the Narrows, and anchored near the watering-place on Staten-Island. In the afternoon, they cannonaded towards the island. A little before sun-setting, about 40 sail of transports came up to the ships of war. The Americans lay on their arms during the night.
Date: 2 July 1776
Volume: Volume 5
[July] 3d. ー The British troops landed on Staten-Island. A part of the stock had been taken off. The inhabitants, who were about 350 men, were supposed to be generally opposed to the revolution.
Date: 3 July 1776
Volume: Volume 5
[New York] 12th [July]. ー Two British ships of war, the Ph[o]enix and Rose; and three tenders, at about 4 o'clock, P.M. taking advantage of the tide and a fresh breeze, came up from the fleet, and passed the city up the Hudson. A brisk cannonade took place from Red Hook, Governor's Island, Paulus Hook, and all the batteries on the North River side. The ships were several times struck by the shot...
Date: 12 July 1776
Volume: Volume 5
[New York] 20th [July]. ー A flag from Gen. Howe, with Adj. Gen. [John] Patterson, came up with a message to Gen. Washington, respecting the recent capitulation in Canada, and insinuating that Gen. Howe was desirous, if possible, to bring about an accomodation. The same day, news was received from South Carolina, that the British, in attempting Sullivan's Island, with their ships and a large body...
Date: 20 July 1776
Volume: Volume 5
[July] 25th. ー A row-galley or two arrived from Connecticut; and fire-ships, rafts, &c. were preparing with great expedition.
Date: 25 July 1776
Volume: Volume 5
[New York] August 1st.ー About 30 sail of British ships arrived at the Hook. Three or four more row-gallies went up the Hudson. In bringing the hulks, chevaux-de-frise, &c. round from the East River, to the Hudson, a sloop sunk, not far from the Grand Battery.
Date: 1 August 1776
Volume: Volume 6
[New York, August] 8th.ー A row-galley and two fire-sloops went up the river. It was intended to attempt burning the British ships in Tappan Bay.
Date: 8 August 1776
Volume: Volume 6
[New York, August] 16th.ー Our General was again requested to be a spectator on the bank of the river the approaching night, with the most positive assurances that he should not be again disappointed: he accordingly went, attended as on the preceding time, and took a proper position on the bank. The night was pretty dark; they soon found that the galleys and fire-vessels were silently moving up...
Date: 16 August 1776
Volume: Volume 6
Dear General, The last night the fire-ships and row-galleys made an attempt upon the enemy's ships, which lay at anchor up the river. The fire ー ships were well conducted; the armed schooner was grappled and burnt; the Phoenix was grappled for about ten minutes, but got herself clear. The Lady Washington galley and Independence were conducted with great judgment and bravery. I wish I could say...
Date: 17 August 1776
Volume: Volume 6
Dear General Early this morning The Phenix man of war, Rose Frigate, and the Two Tenders Came to Sail and stood Down the River, Keeping Close under the East shore, in Order to avoid the Fire of our Cannon, But notwithstanding this Precaution the Phenix was Thrice Hull'd by our Shot from mount Washington, and One of the Tenders Once, ー The Rose was Hull'd once by a shot from Surdits Ferry ー They...
Date: 18 August 1776
Volume: Volume 6
I have the Pleasure to Inform you, that we have taken out of the wreck of the Tender lately burnt up the north River, The following Cannon Vizt one Six Pounder, Two Three Do one Two Do and Ten Swivels, One Caboose and apron, Two Cutlasses, Two Gun Barrels, One Crow bar and 4 Grappins [Grapplings] and Chains, Lieut Landon of Colo Nicolls Regiment with Two of the Company to which he belongs went...
Date: 20 August 1776
Volume: Volume 6
New York, August 27th.ー Early in the morning, two ships and a brig came to anchor a little above Throg's Point.2 Our General immediately detached Col. [Morris] Graham with his regiment, to prevent their landing to plunder or burn. Before he arrived, several barges full of men landed on New City Island, and killed a number of cattle. Two companies of the regiment, immediately on their...
Date: 27 August 1776
Volume: Volume 6
[New York, August 28, 1776] On the morning of the 28th, there was a skirmish between the Americans and British which terminated rather in favour of the former. The same night, the British began to open works, at the distance of about 600 yards from the American works on the left. Gen. Washington wrote to our General to send down to the city all the boats that could be spared from Kingsbridge and...
Date: 28 August 1776
Volume: Volume 6
[New York, August] 29th.ー The ships on the East River fell down to Hunt's Point. On the same night, the Americans evacuated Long-Island, bringing off their military stores, provisions, &c. Some heavy cannon were left. In this retreat from the Island, and which was well conducted, an instance of discipline and of true fortitude was exhibited by the American guards and pickets. In order that...
Date: 29 August 1776
Volume: Volume 6
[New York, September] 2d. They [the British] ran a ship past the city up the East River: she was several times struck by the shot of a 12 pounder, which was drawn to the river's bank. Major [John] Crane of the artillery was wounded in the foot, by a cannon shot from the ship. It was now a question whether to defend the city, or evacuate it, and occupy the strong grounds above. Every exertion had...
Date: 2 September 1776
Volume: Volume 6
[New York, September] 13th.ー Four British ships, one of which was a two-decker, ran by the city up the East River. The cannonade and bombardment at Horn's Hook continued.
Date: 13 September 1776
Volume: Volume 6