| Citation |
CJ-B.776.042
7 Nov 1776:12,13,21 (24)
Bergen, (New Jersey) September 25, 1776. . . As many false
accounts of transactions in our armies are by some means or
other, published in gazettes, &c. at a distance, some of
which are prejudicial to the common cause; it has been
thought, a particular account of what has passed at Powle's
Hook (opposite New-York) since the evacuation of that city
by our troops, may be acceptable to your readers--If you are
of the same opinion, the following extract from the journal
of Col. Durkee's Chaplain, (who was an eye witness of all
that passes) is at your service.
Powles Hook, Sept 15, 1776. . .
21st [Sept] . . . [middle of next column] This evening a
seaman who said he belonged to Providence, that he was taken
and obliged to fight against his countrymen on board the
Roebuck, made his escape by swimming from New York to this
place. . . [3 lines] He also gave notice, that preparation
had been made to attack this post, that a number of large
ships were to come up and endeavour to silence our
batteries, while a large body of troops in boats (which we
discovered on the opposite shore above us this afternoon)
were to make a descent above us, and endeavour to cut off
our retreat. That is was to have been executed this morning
but the fire prevented. [20 lines]
23d. At 1 o'clock P.M. having removed every thing of
value, we were ordered to retreat from the Hook. [13 lines]
Mean while out little battalion retreated with drums
beating, and colours flying, to Bergen, and before night the
brave Britons ventured on shore and took possession of our
vacant works, where they have taken every precaution to
prevent our formidable detachment from returning and driving
them from a post which with so great a display of heroism,
they have got possession of.
. . . [6 lines]
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