A Year With George Washington
On February 27, 1779, Brigadier General William Maxwell wrote General Washington from Elizabethtown, New Jersey, with news about a surprise attack by the British. The attack was repulsed by Maxwell and his men.
Below is a contemporary account of the event, compiled and published in 1859, followed by General Maxwell’s letter.
From The Diary of the American Revolution, Vol. II Compiled by Frank Moore and published in 1859.
February 26.—Yesterday morning, a body of the British, consisting of the 42d and 33d regiments, and the light infantry of the guards, in number about a thousand, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Stirling, attempted to surprise the troops and inhabitants of Elizabethtown.
They embarked at Long Island the evening before, about seven o’clock, and landed on the Salt Meadows, better than a mile to the left of Crane’s ferry, between two and three in the morning. From thence they were conducted through a very difficult marsh to Woodruff’s farms, which lies directly to the left of the town.
The guard at Crane’s ferry having discovered their landing, immediately despatched the intelligence to town, where the alarm being sounded, the troops were afforded an opportunity to collect. The number and movements of the enemy remaining doubtful by reason of the darkness, the troops were marched to the rear of the town, where the Whig inhabitants likewise retired.
A detachment of the enemy was despatched to the governor’s house (Governor William Livingston) while the main body advanced to. the skirts of the town, and from thence proceeded along the rear until they fell into the Brunswick road on the right. The governor happened to be absent from home that night, but if he had not, they would have been unsuccessful in this instance likewise, as the family received timely notice of their approach.
Finding themselves completely disappointed in every expectation, they made their visit in town very short; however, during their small halt, they set fire to the barracks, the school-house, (in which were stored some few articles of provision,) and a blacksmith’s shop. So soon as they began their retreat to their boats, General Maxwell marched such of his troops as were yet in reserve against their rear; the number of these, however, was small, several parties having been detached at different times to hang upon them.
About half way between the town and ferry, the enemy perceiving their rear in danger, from the sudden advance of our troops, and the assembling of the militia, faced about and paraded, as if for action. A few well-directed shot from our artillery induced them to renew their retreat, leaving two dead on the field. Perceiving an embarkation at the ferry would be attended with considerable hazard, their boats were moved better than a mile up Newark Bay, while the troops marched along the meadow’s edge, in many places up to their middles in mud and mire. A galley and two or three gun boats covered their retreat at this place.
The American loss, exclusive of a few aged inhabitants whom the British took with them, but have since sent back, are, one private killed, two officers, to wit, Brigade Major Ogden and Lieutenant Kencastle, with four privates wounded, and seven privates missing. Major Ogden, who was reconnoitering the enemy shortly after their landing, very narrowly escaped being made prisoner; he was wounded in his right side by a bayonet, but we hope not dangerously.
The Rev. Mr. Hunter, chaplain to the brigade, on returning from the governor’s house, where he had been to give the alarm, was made prisoner by them in the night, but he had the address very soon after to make his escape.
The enemy’s loss we cannot ascertain, except the two killed, whom they left behind, two made prisoners, and one boat taken. Cornelius Hetfield, Smith Hetfield, and Captain Luce, late of Elizabethtown, were their principal guides. They had collected a considerable number of horned cattle and horses, but their retreat was so precipitate, that they were obliged to leave them behind.
From Brigadier General William Maxwell to General George Washington
Elizth Town [N.J.] Feby 27th 1779
sir
Since my last, which was writen imediately, after the affair of the day before yesterday,1 I have collected the following particulars—The party which attempted to surprise this post was Commanded by Colo. Sterling of the 42nd Regt & composed of the following Corps—to wit—the 42d & 33d regts—a party of Welch Fuzeliers, together with a full company of Light Infantry of the 2d Battalion of Guards—Lt Colo. Webster commanded the 33rd—the Light Infantry was commanded by Lt Colo. Garth. Lrd Cathcart was also with them.2
The whole, amounting (in my opinion) to a Thousand—embark’d about seven in the evening at Long Island, nearly opposite to New-York, and landed to my left, on a very wet & difficult salt meadow, between two & three oClock in the morning.
They speedily dispatched a party Comd by Ld Cathcart to the Govenors house—who luckily was not at home.3
After surrounding the Town, and perceiving their design was frustriated—they imediately march’d for their boats which were paraded at Crains ferry—They burned the Barracks. the shoolhouse (in which was a small quantity of provision) the armourers shop & two or three barns.4
Upon our persuing them from the Town the cattle & horses they had collected fell into our hands—In order to affect a safe retreat, they moved their boats from Crains ferry better than a mile up Newark Bay & marched their troops along the meadows edge to them—Our Artillery could not follow & their Gun boats covered their embarkation.
They made a small stand about half way between the Town & ferry, during which time their wounded were put on board their boats—amounting to about twenty or thirty—A few well directed shot from Capt. Randolphs Artilery induced them to continue their retreat leaving two killed on the ground.5
There principle pilots were Cornelius Hetfield—Jno. Smith Hetfield & Capt. Luce all late of this Town.6
Your Excellency may rely upon the utmost vigilance & attention to the security of this post—If I could by any means be furnish’d with a few horse—it certainly would be attended with more security and many other advantages—I was at a great loss thro’ want of them that morning—& continued much embarrassed, untill some Country people assembled who were on horse back.
Inclosed, you have a return of killed wounded & missing, which I hope your Excellency will reckon very small, considering the Enemy’s well concerted and conducted plan for a compleat surprise.
Two prisoners only were taken, I mean of the enemy—Five of our missing were taken at the Govenors house being part of a small guard stationed there.7 I am Your Excellency’s Very Humble servt
Wm Maxwell
