What Happened When a Group of British Soldiers Came to Support a Sentry Being Snowballed?
Colonel William Douglas (Jan 27, 1742- May 28, 1777) from North Branford, Connecticut was a successful merchant mariner and afterward farmer – honest, off-white, hardworking, and successful in business. He was also a tragic figure, having invested and lost everything he had for the cause of freedom – his fortune, his family's futurity, his health, and ultimately his life. A passionate patriot from the opening shots of the American Revolution, after a year and a half of hard campaigning, pouring all his time and money into his regiment, and having faced incredible hardships and setbacks in battle while fighting a deteriorating body, he died young and penniless while notwithstanding in command of his men. Perhaps, considering his time in history was short lived, or his efforts were consumed past defeat and the early pangs of denizen soldiers learning how to fight, his delivery and contributions to America's founding have been brushed aside and overlooked. Our textbooks tin only contain then many names of those who fought for their beliefs in establishing a new nation founded on a regime ruled past the people. Every bit such, those who poured all their efforts into the crusade from early on, men similar Dr. Warren and William Douglas, who faded from the fields of battle soon after hostilities erupted, and so too faded from the minds of a grateful people.
At first, I was preparing to write a brief article on Colonel Douglas, similar to others presently on the internet. But once reading through the xxx-six messages that accept survived, those he penned to his wife while campaigning, I knew he deserved far more than attending than a mere seven hundred words. Those messages spoke of a deeply religious man who expressed tender honey for his wife and family. It was a dearest he also shared for his "little country", time and again expressing his willingness to sacrifice everything, for the cause of liberty. We owe our deepest gratitude and eternal thanks to those Forefathers who unselfishly, without cocky-motives of greed or prestige, gave their all so others and futurity generations could alive in a free and prosperous lodge.
Early on History
William Douglas was built-in in Plainfield, Connecticut on January 27, 1742. He was the third child of parents Lt. Colonel John Douglas (Jul. 28, 1703- April 20, 1766) and Olive Spaulding Douglas (Feb. 21, 1709- Jan. 17, 1753). Piffling is known of his childhood, except that he and his siblings received an excellent education, his brother Benjamin having studied law at Yale. His family was well established in the Plainfield expanse of Connecticut and fiddling doubt that they were comfortable financially. His male parent John was an officer in the local militia, however, most likely considering of his avant-garde historic period at the time, at that place are no records of his participation in the French & Indian War. When war between England and France broke out, there were several early setbacks for the British and English settlements. By 1758, the British government, under William Pitt, ordered that 20,000 provincial troops were to be raised in which Connecticut was to provide v,000 soldiers. At the age of sixteen, Douglas was part of Connecticut'south levee and enlisted in the state militia, after serving with Israel Putnam (afterwards Major General in the American Revolution). William Douglas of Plainfield is listed in the 1759 roster as clerk (perchance for his bully intellect) in the 10thursday company, Helm George Crary commanding, of the ivth regiment under Colonel Eleazer Fitch. Lt. Colonel State of israel Putnam is second in command of the 4th and captain of the 2nd Company. After participating with Fitch's regiment in British General Wolfe's successful capture of the city and fortress of Quebec in 1759, William returned home to Plainfield.
William had three siblings, every bit noted, all well-educated and prominent members of the customs. The oldest was John Douglas (April 12, 1734 – Sept. 22, 1809). He, similar William, served in the American Revolution from the opening of hostilities – first as a minuteman in Capt. Holmes company, a Lt. Colonel in the 8th Connecticut Militia under Colonel Jedediah Huntington, early 1776 he declined to serve as Colonel of Colonel Mott'due south regiment and accustomed the command of the 21st Militia Regiment and was posted under Gen. Spencer in Rhode Island until 1777 when he was commissioned Brigadier General of Connecticut's vth Brigade of Militia until the end of the state of war. It was stated that by state of war's stop "John Douglas was a man of no piffling importance in the town." Williams' other brother, Benjamin (Aug. 1739 – Dec. 3, 1775), had gone on to Yale to study Law and was a successful banister and Kings Chaser and was on class to get a prominent legislature for the patriot cause until illness struck him downwards early in life. The youngest, his sister Sarah Douglas Perkins, remained in the Plainfield surface area (April eighteen, 1744 – Aug. x, 1795).
Subsequently the French & Indian State of war, William used his talents to become a successful merchant and shipmaster, trading with partners in the West Indies. He made a considerable fortune during these ventures and on July v, 1767, he married Hanna Mansfield of New Oasis, Connecticut (Nov. 17, 1747 – May 22, 1825). He presently purchased 150 acres of state in Northford, well-nigh 10 miles from New Haven and present day Due north Branford in the Long Island Sound region, and in 1772, settled his family at that place. He continued his business ventures and invested in property in the Northfield and Hartford Connecticut area.
He was considered very successful and a prominent member of the community. Hannah and he would take four children: Olive Douglas Fowler (March 25, 1768 – July 24, 1828), William Douglas (February. 23 – Sept. 14, 1823), Hannah Douglas Dutton (April 12, 1772 – July 12, 1853), John Douglas (March 24, 1775 – Feb. 20, 1784). Life in general was very bright for Douglas. He had made his mark as a seaman trading in the West Indies, a man of means in land with a substantial fortune, a secure and healthy family, and he was basically able to retire to the countryside, a respected and sought-afterward member of his region. The war and his firm commitment to its cause tragically changed all that.
Start of the American Revolution – Campaign with the Northern Ground forces and Invasion of Canada
On May 10th, 1775, Ethan Allen, leading a rowdy agglomeration of backwoodsmen who titled themselves Green Mount Boys, forth with around fifty Connecticut volunteers and a self-assured officer with a committee from Massachusetts, Benedict Arnold, captured the British garrison at Fort Ticonderoga, New York, located on the narrows of Lake Champlain. It was a key fort commanding the arroyo to the colonies from the n and west. But more so of interest to the Americans, it had over a hundred cannon forth with power, shot, and a large stand of modest artillery. All waiting to exist snatched upwardly and put to good use against their owners, the British army. Co-ordinate to some internet sites, without citations, William Douglas was a member of the Connecticut volunteers who accompanied Ethan Allen's men during the capture of the fort. Having checked Connecticut state rosters of the Connecticut men who led and organized the volunteer group, Douglas' name does not appear. Therefore, without proof, i tin can only speculate if Douglas, who was by then a nifty patriot, had joined the volunteer group to place the fort and all its provisions in the hands of patriots.
As mentioned, all three brothers, and possibly William's sister, were avid patriots. The oldest John, having joined the minutemen, Benjamin, who was agile in legislative pursuits, and William, whose previous war time experience as a teenager during the French and Indian War made him a prime number candidate for a leadership role in Connecticut'southward bulldoze to raise new levees to battle the British. Past Apr, 1775, with the outbreak of hostilities at Lexington and Concord, the Connecticut Provincial Government raised 8 full regiments. Five were sent to Boston to lay siege to the British who were confined to the city, and three were sent n to Commanding General Philip Schuyler and General Richard Montgomery (former British officer of New York) in their planned invasion of Canada. Of the three sent n, 1, the ivth Conn., was under Colonel Benjamin Hinman, some other, the fiveth Conn., led by Colonel Samuel Holden Parsons, and the third, the anest Connecticut Regiment, Douglas' unit of measurement, was commanded by Full general David Wooster. Anile 64 and Yale graduate, Wooster commanded troops for the whole of the French & Indian War and would later die of wounds received during the Battle of Ridgefield, April 27, 1777. Wooster'south regiment was raised on the first call past the Connecticut Associates from the Hartford region and was organized on May 1, 1775.
Records list Captain William Douglas of Northford commanding the 6th visitor of x companies in the anest Connecticut Regiment nether Full general Wooster. On June 13, 1775, Douglas was appointed aide-de-campsite to Wooster, while yet obtaining command of his company. So too was Captain Benedict Arnold originally assigned a company in Wooster's regiment, the 5thursday, however he would later on accept a committee in May, 1775, equally colonel from the Massachusetts Assembly and by September, 1775, atomic number 82 a forcefulness up through the Maine Wilderness to launch an assail against Quebec. Captain Douglas would assume duel rolls as company commander and aide-de-camp throughout his time with the 1st Connecticut. On June nineteenth, the anest Conn., along with the 5thursday Conn., marched south to Harlem, New York, simply north of the city, by request of the New York Provincial authorities and the Continental Congress and encamped on June 28th. During the next 2 months, much of General Wooster's men guarded stock on Long Island.
By mid-summer, plans were in place to affect an invasion of Canada under Generals Phillip Schuyler and Richard Montgomery, advancing upward the Hudson Valley and down Lake Champlain to assault the forts on the Richelieu River before capturing Montreal and Quebec. Colonel Benedict Arnold would control some other forcefulness who would traverse through the wilderness of Maine to attack Quebec directly. In early July, Wooster's men, along with the 5th Conn., marched to the Northern Army stationed at Albany and Fort Ticonderoga, NY. Letters from Douglas to his wife bespeak their progress: July 19th he was in Albany, August 28th in Ticonderoga, Crown Point on the 29th, and Island aux Noix on the Richelieu River on September 16th. Wooster'southward forcefulness, along with the 5thursday Conn., connected downwards Lake Champlain to the Richelieu River where Generals Schuyler and Montgomery, along with the ivth Conn., had laid siege to Fort John (Fort Jean) on September 17, 1775.
The British had synthetic a fort at St. John'southward, situated on the Richelieu River, to guard against whatever advance towards Montreal. It had been lightly garrisoned when Ethan Allen and his Greenish Mountain Boys raided the fort on May 18, 1775, sinking the HMS Brutal, a six-gun sloop, fifty-footer with a crew of approximately fifty. This action prompted British General Guy Carleton to send a big contingency of regular infantry to occupy the fort. By the time the American Army approached the garrison in early September, there were 750 men posted under the command of British Major Charles Preston. Nigh were regulars from the 7th & 26thursday Regiments of Foot and the Regal Artillery. 90 locally raised militia and 20 loyalists from Colonel Maclean'south Purple Highland Emigrants joined them. So too, the HMS Savage was raised and repaired.
Considering of Douglas' experience as a seaman, soon after his regiment arrived on Lake Champlain, he was given command of the 2 row galley gun boats that were well maned and carried twelve-pound cannon. Eventually he would control the flotilla of the American's armed vessels. In a letter from General Schuyler to Washington, dated Sept. xx, 1775, he describes an action involving Douglas' gunship that occurred in mid-September. Schuyler wrote, "You will perceive… that some of the Enemy'south Boats fired on our People, Capt. Douglas who commands one of our armed Boats pointed and fired a twelve Pounder loaded with Ball and Grape Shot at them and We have Accounts that virtually 30 of the Unfriendly Canadians were killed or drowned." And then likewise Douglas wrote to his wife of the action on Sept, sixteen, "As I had the Command of our water Arts and crafts, I Lay in the front of the whole, where I Manifestly Discovered the outset fire of the enemy, on the 500 men we had landed from boats and an ambuscade Laid on Shore for us. I Soon Fabricated toward them, gave their bots a few Shot, with a twelve Pound Canon which made their fire Soon to Seise. Our men on Shore Kiled three on the Spot & by the Intelligence of twenty Canadiens, the Shots I gave them Sunk a boat with thirty-eight men on board and wounded Several in other boats." (From Douglas Letters).
The siege, initiated on September 17th lasted nearly two months. Early on, Gen. Schuyler took sick and turned command of the operation over to General Montgomery. British Major Preston'south hopes of reinforcements were dashed when a relief column sent by General Carleton, at present in Montreal, was turned back. He surrendered on November iiird and ten days later, the American army under Full general Montgomery, marched unopposed into Montreal, Carleton having barely escaped the twenty-four hour period earlier on the 11th. Douglas and the 1st Conn. was stationed in and around Montreal during the rest of their brief stay in the region. Casualties on both sides during the siege was light, but the Americans suffered nearly severely from a reduction in men due to all-encompassing sickness (a massive outbreak of small pox that killed hundreds) and multiple furloughs. On October 23rd, Douglas informed his wife Hannah that he had taken on a common cold while walking the swamps to make discoveries around the fort at St. Johns. This was the first indication of illness that would dog him throughout the balance of his military machine career and ultimately have his life.
Both the 1st and 5th Connecticut Regiments were shattered and ceased to exist an effective fighting force. Betwixt October and November 28thursday, both regiments were broken up and the units disbanded, the survivors, individually and in groups, returned home. Colonel William Douglas, so too physically broken and worn out, returned home to Northford, Connecticut. General Wooster would remain in Montreal with just 150 men from the combined forces to garrison Montreal. Full general Montgomery, with a small strength, would march to Quebec to bring together Arnold in their endeavour to accept Quebec on December 31, 1775. Montgomery would exist killed and Arnold would be wounded in what became a slow and general retreat from Canada until the summer of 1776.
Major in Colonel Andrew Ward's Regiment – Late February through Apr, 1776 – Building Fortifications Around New York City
Past the end of November, 1775, after the regiment dissolved, Douglas had returned abode in ill health. He had a severe coughing and had nearly lost his vocalization. He remained at dwelling house, intending to recuperate, however when the Connecticut Assembly called for a body of men to help build the defenses in New York Metropolis, he once more answered the call. General Charles Lee was determined to rid New York Metropolis of its large population of Tory leaders. He convinced Washington to allow him to raise a regiment from Connecticut to construct urban center defenses, while accomplishing his master goal of imprisoning Loyalists. With the aid of Colonel David Waterbury, who shared Lee's tearing dislike of Tories, he marched a regiment toward New York on Jan. 8th. As recorded, the wisdom of the movement was questioned and Congress called off the performance. Lee would non be put off. He convinced the governor and Council of Safety for Connecticut to reassemble Waterbury's regiment. A call went out on January 26th that included raising another regiment to join Waterbury's unit. 7 hundred and fifty men to comprise each regiment "to join and assist Major General Lee… that they should exist entitled to the aforementioned pay as allowed the troops earlier Boston and dismissed soon, when the service would admit." Men responded, twelve hundred in all, including William Douglas. Colonel Andrew Ward was named commander with now Major William Douglas accompanying the regiment to New York City. They were kept busy erecting forts for ii months, when they were verbally discharged by General John Sullivan who took over from Gen. Lee who had been sent south to Charlestown, South Carolina to assistance thwart an invasion past British General Henry Clinton. (pg. 489 Andrew Ward and His Decedents)
Ward's regiment was put to work on Long Isle amalgam what would become Fort Stirling on Brooklyn Heights. Douglas writes to his wife, dated Feb. 26th: "Our Regiment is now stationed on Long Island at and virtually the ferry. We shall soon brainstorm a fortification on this side that will command the East River and the town. [Fort Stirling – Named for Gen. William Alexander (Lord Stirling)] (pg. ii67 Johnston Battles Around NY)]. The troops in the City are fortifying in one of the Streets that volition command the old fort, if the Enemy should get possession of it, (and are putting downwardly the rear of the fort.) [This is Fort George – Lee ordered the walls facing the metropolis be torn down – if the British scaled the fort, then American batteries positioned up Broadway could burn down upon them.] We have begun another Fort near "Hell Gate." The men of state of war take dropped down below the town and are very tranquility, but supplied from the City past orders of this Congress. Our troops are very hearty and fare well…" Later in the aforementioned year, after the Battle of Long Island (also known as the Battle of Brooklyn), and with the Americans withdrawing to the metropolis, Douglas writes once more to his wife on Aug. 31st, commenting on his previous time in New York amalgam Fort Stirling: "The shipping lay now close by the city, and tin in one-half an hour be abreast of it with the tide. I expect we [shall] before long have a cannonade from our own battery on Long Isle, (Fort Sterling) which I have the mortification to recall I helped build myself, in cold tedious weather!"
Deputed Colonel of the Connecticut 5th Land Militia under General James Wadsworth – Begins to use personal funds to supply his troops.
By mid-April, 1776, Full general Sullivan dismissed Ward's Regiment and the regiment returned to Connecticut. Douglas went home and was well-nigh to brainstorm a political career (having been elected to the Connecticut General Assembly, nonetheless it was not to be. In proportion to its population, no state contributed more than men to the Continental Army than Connecticut. During the crisis that led to the battles fought in New York City from the summer of 1776 to Washington's jerky retreat across New Bailiwick of jersey, Connecticut sent to New York, six continental battalions, 7 "new state levies" of militiamen, and twelve additional regiments of militia. Douglas' was to command one of the state levies who had enlisted for six months only – their enlistment ending officially on December 20, 1776. In June, 1776, Brigadier General James Wadsworth was given command of the 7 land regiments. The commanders of Wadsworth's Brigade are as follows: 1st – Silliman, 2nd – Gay, 3rd – Sage, 4th – Selden, 5th – Douglas, 6th – Chester, and the seventh was non numbered known as Colonel Bradley's Regiment.
On June 20th, Douglas received his commission as colonel of the fiveth battalion in Wadsworth's brigade. Money to provide for equipment, supplies, and uniforms was scarce to non-existent. Each commander of individual units did what they could to prepare their men to fight in the coming battles. Douglas, a passionate and able soldier, had the financial ways and spent freely, excavation into his own pockets and advancing the funds to equip his men for the hardships he knew lay ahead. What apace became known as the Douglas State Militia, raised from the New Oasis Connecticut region, numbered 506 men by the time they arrived in New York City to reinforce Washington'southward ground forces decorated preparing for an expected British invasion of the city and Long Isle.
Wadsworth'southward brigade boarded transports and sailed forth the sound through Hell's Gate and docked in the city where Douglas' regiment encamped virtually Stone Street on the southwest angle of the city. We know that the last of Douglas' regiment had arrived in New York City around the first week of August. Joseph Plumb Martin, a private in the regiment wrote in his memoir, "…Soon afterwards my arrival in New York, a forty-4 gun transport (the Phoenix) and a pocket-size frigate (the Rose, I think) came down the N & Hudson River (they had been some time in the river) and passed the city in fine style, midst a cannonade from all our fortification…" The HMS Phoenix & Rose had first run the Hudson River blockades on July 12thursday to the Tappan Sea, up river where the Hudson widens. The action Martin referred to occurred on August 16th. American fire ships drove the two British war ships out of the Tappan Ocean and they sailed back downward the river through a gauntlet of shore batteries. Douglas wrote of this incident – 4 American artillerymen were killed by their own rashness in loading and firing the cannon – no harm was done the British. He wrote that his regiment marched along Broadway and encamped on Broad Street. At that time Wadsworth'due south Brigade and the Douglass State Regiment was assigned to Major General Joseph Spencer's Sectionalisation. Douglas wrote to his wife on July 27th that he dined with Washington: "I had the Honor to dine with his Excellency Genl. Washington day before yesterday at which fourth dimension he had nothing new from any quarter…"
During this time, Washington'southward army swelled and shrank by a continuous flow of short-term enlistments representing all the colonies. Wadsworth's Brigade, in which Douglas allowable a battalion, served for only six months. Twelve additional Connecticut militia regiments nether Full general Oliver Wolcott showed up, but his men had served for but several weeks. Nine more than militia regiments from the eastern counties of Connecticut under General Saltonstall also made a brief appearance before eventually going home before the yr was out. So too a troop of horse appeared, but were sent dwelling house past Washington who did not at the time appreciate the importance of horse for intelligence and communication. It was recorded that all these 'unmilitary-like' troops failed to add together much to the army's efficiency – the men beingness by and large poorly armed and undisciplined. Douglas complained of the quality of militiamen he was given to command, writing to his married woman in messages in which he often griped that they were ill-equipped for battle and that they "give me much fatigue and problem." Too, throughout his letters domicile, he reiterated his house commitment to the patriot cause. On July 20th, 1776, he wrote that "little loss in finances is trifling in comparison to the loss in their state." He continued that they "must freely suffer these inconveniences and stand frontward…useful in the redemption of their state which will be a most noble advantage for all that they suffer." He spent freely from his own funds on his regiment and men, reassuring himself that any investment he personally made would pay dividends for a future that guaranteed liberty from the bonds of their mother country.
The British armada began to get in at New York's Harbor in early July, 1776. On July 3rd, they began to land troops on Statin Island. Because of Douglas' audio experience as shipmaster, he was kept decorated supervising defenses all along the water passages surrounding the urban center and Long Island including sounding the river and sinking hulks in the harbor. As British ships continued to arrive he wrote to his wife on Aug. 13th, "In that location was 43 large ships came in yesterday – 31 Ships, ten Brigs & one Scow. I am now going to audio the aqueduct to see if it will non do to sink some vessels against the fort… [Hulks were ultimately sunk off Governor's Island and the Battery in the E River Channel]. On August 23, a few days before the Battle of Long Island, Douglas wrote his wife about their position and the newly arrived Connecticut regiments, "… The Enemy landed yesterday on Long Island, at Gravesend, most 9 miles from our lines; our flying parties are annoying them all the while. We have reinforced our side and I hope will be able to brand a good stand… Our fire ships in the North River [Hudson River] take behaved manfully, have burnt one of their tenders… Our Connecticut Militia take come in bravely; twelve Regts were on the chiliad parade yesterday at once! Nigh one one-half of the grand army now consists of Connecticut Troops…"
Boxing of Long Island, Baronial 27, 1776
Douglas' State Militia would ferry over to Long Island on Aug. 27, 1776. At the Boxing of Long Isle, they would serve on the extreme correct line of the works, opposite the mouth of Gowanus Creek. There, with Captain Thomas' Maryland Contained Company and two pieces of artillery, they stood prepare to prevent pursuit of the retreating political party by the enemy. Of the rest of Wadsworth's command: Colonels Silliman, Sage, Chester and been sent to Long Island prior to the day of the battle, Douglas arriving that day. Bradley's regiment was assigned to Fort Washington further north on Manhattan Island, and Gay'southward regiment had remained in the city. Joseph Plumb Martin, a private in Douglas' 3rd visitor under Captain Peck, wrote of his regiment's experience during that eventful solar day. He mentions that Douglas was not present, however it appears that he was not present during the ferrying of his men, merely during and after the action, he was with his regiment on the ground.
Private Martin wrote: "…our sergeant major… soon arrived and informed us… that he had orders… to march us to our quarters as the regiment was ordered to Long Isle, the British having landed in strength there." The regiment took the ferry to Brooklyn under the control of Lt. Col. James Arnold (Douglas was not nowadays). They witnessed wounded beingness brought to the rear and marched to the sound of battle, "…pressed forrard toward a creek, where a large party of Americans and British were engaged…" This was Gowanus Creek, where General Stirling & Major Gist, with a detachment of Col. Smallwood'south Marylanders, attacked and held off the British advance, allowing over one,600 Americans to escape. Martin connected, "By the time nosotros arrived, the enemy had driven our men into the creek, or rather mill pond (the tide beingness up), where such as could swim got across… The British, having several field pieces stationed by a brick house [the Vechte-Cortelyou Business firm], were pouring the canister and grape upon the Americans like a shower of hail… they came out of the h2o and mud to us looking similar river rats, information technology was a truly lamentable sight…some of usa went into the water after the fall of the tide, and took out a number of corpses."
The pond Martin spoke of was the Brouwer'due south Factory Pond. The remains of Stirling'south division had driven through the waters in a desperate bid to defy capture or death. Stirling's detachment of between three and iv hundred young men repeatedly attacked the British to clinch their comrades' escape, resulting in over 270 killed – only twelve made information technology dorsum to the American lines. Stirling fought his fashion to the Hessians and offered his surrender. Douglas' regiment "lay on the ground we then occupied the following night." The adjacent day they participated in a heated skirmish that involved the entire regiment and the post-obit evening, were secretly whisked back across the E River to New York Metropolis with the residual of the American force stationed on Brooklyn Heights.
Douglas wrote of his experience to his married woman on Aug. 31, 1776: "I take this every bit the first opportunity to acquaint you that on Tuesday terminal, nosotros got a severe flogging on Long Isle. We took twenty-1, which I am a witness to, as they came through my Regt as I was in the woods for a roofing party, and to prevent the enemy from flanking our correct fly. We were prevented from getting fifty-fifty i shot at them by a big creek [Gowanus Creek] which we could not cross. I remained at the well-nigh farthermost office of the right wing of our Ground forces in a thick forest to prevent their crossing a creek, where our sentry'due south could hail and often burn down at each other, until night before last when I received orders to telephone call in my baby-sit all, and march immediately with the utmost silence, which was soon done, and the whole regular army retreated into this city." (Johnston Battles Effectually NY, pg. ii70). Douglas wrote that "of our army, took many, killed some and the balance got off…By the best business relationship we killed more of them than they did of u.s.. Only they took the nigh prisoners…" (Battles of NY, Johnston pg. 221).
Eroding Wellness and Financial Concerns
After the Boxing of Long Island, all of New York and the American Army anxiously expected the British to launch an immediate invasion preceded past shelling. The invasion happened, simply non until nineteen days after the American defeat on Long Island. After the battle, a quick rearrangement of Wadsworth's Brigade left Colonel Douglas in charge of his own brigade of iii Connecticut Militia Regiments. So too Connecticut commander, Colonel Silliman of Wadsworth'south Brigade, commanded his own brigade of Connecticut militiamen. During this time Douglas wrote to his wife, September 7th, of his failing health and strained personal financial investments for his own regiment: "at and about Harlem, commanded by Genl Spencer, which is the Division that I belong to, and is chosen the Center Division. I take iii Regts of militia in my Brigade and they give me much fatigue and trouble. Col's Cook, Pettibone, and Talcott are the commanders… [I] call back if we volition merely stand up past each other, and not run domicile like cowards, with god's blessing, nosotros may keep them off, which is a victory of itself! I have taken unwearied pains with the Militia, and I am afraid information technology is too much fatigue for me, as my coughing is a little increased. But I hope information technology is only for a short time… My expenses have been so large that my money falls a little curt. I was obliged to entirely support the sick of my Regt for some time, but I suppose y'all take none to spare. I shall make out, but not so well as I could wish…" He wrote this viii days before his regiment was subjected to the greatest shelling notwithstanding of the war, and broke and ran for their lives.
Battle of Kip's Bay – "Are these the men with which I am to defend American?" Washington, September fifteen, 1776.
Colonel William Douglas, though an able soldier, dauntless human being – proven fourth dimension and again in ii wars, and passionate patriot, his mark on history is most remembered for his brigade's full flying from the British army at the small hamlet of Kip'southward Bay. Their retreat snowballed into a full rout of the American defenses all along the East River resulting in Washington angrily questioning the merit of those was given to fight the war. History was not kind to Douglas, however, every bit proven by many eyewitnesses to the battery that preceded the British and Hessian invasion of Manhattan Island, no man, even the most experienced veteran, could have withstood the astringent and barbarous shelling of that small stretch of embankment the morning of September 15, 1776.
On Sept. xivthursday, Colonel Douglas' brigade of three regiments of vi-month state militiamen was posted along the Eastward River due north of the city. They had been sent to Turtle Bay and the cove of Kip's Bay, at the pes of present 34thursday street) to secure about ii,500 barrels of flour from storehouses along the river. British ships plied the waters and the brigade remained, lying behind lines, "although they were nothing more than than a ditch dug forth on the bank of the river, with the dirt thrown out towards the water." At first light on the morning of Sept. 15thursday, the men peered out over the water to five frigates and a bomb ketch anchored within musket shot of the beach. Equally the sun lifted over the river, it was reported that 80-four boats (light infantry, reserves, and Col. Donop's Hessian grenadier and Yaeger riflemen – under Generals Clinton and Cornwallis) were seen pushing out into the river from Newtown Creek, directly beyond the river on the Long Isle side, "… filled with British soldiers… they connected to broaden their forces from the Island until they appeared similar a large clover field in full bloom…"
By ten o'clock, the invasion was well under fashion. The frigates opened up with a devastating, hour long bombardment of over 80 guns – some would afterwards claim the worse they would experience in the entire state of war. Plumb Martin of Douglas' regiment wrote, "… there came such a peal of thunder from the British aircraft that I idea my head would go with the sound…" British General William Howe, Commander-in-Chief said: "The burn down of the shipping being and then well directed and so ceaseless, the enemy could not remain in their works, and the descent was made without the to the lowest degree opposition." It was noted past several British officers that the ordeal the militia were subjected to was something which in similar circumstances veteran troops have been unable to withstand. Martin wrote: "We kept the lines till they were almost levelled upon us, when our officers, seeing we could brand no resistance, and no orders coming from any superior officeholder, and that we must soon be entirely exposed to the rake of the guns, gave the order to leave."
Douglas later wrote: "I and so moved my brigade abreast of them. They lay very serenity until x o'clock and past that time they had almost 80 of their boats from under Long Isle shore full with men which contained about 5 or six thousand and four transports full set up to come in the 2nd boats." He goes on to write of his retreat: "got under comprehend of the fume of the shipping and so struck to the left of my lines in society to cutting me off from a retreat. My left fly gave way which was formed of the militia. I lay myself on the correct wing waiting for the boats until Capt. Prentice came to me and told me, if I meant to relieve myself to leave the lines, for that was the orders on the left and that they had left the lines. I then told my men to make the best of their way equally I found I had only about x left with me. They shortly moved out and I and so made the best of my mode out." (Johnston Battles Around New York Footnotes # 180,181). Douglas was the last to exit.
Under such a dreadful bombardment and threat of thousands of British and Hessians troops set up to pull ashore, Douglas' regiment pulled back in mass and with such fear that in that location was no collecting the brigade to a new position in the field to make a stand. They created a panic that was rapidly joined by the rest of Wadsworth's Brigade that had been stationed south of Turtle Bay from Kip's Bay down to the urban center itself. The retreat turned into a rout once the British and German troops landed and pursued the Americans; even after the appearance of General Washington and his futile attempts to stem the tide to plow and fight, men ran, ignoring the General's pleas to turn and fight. "The very demons of fright and disorder," says Martin, "seemed to take total possession of all and everything on that day." All that day, those of the regiments and brigades who had escaped capture gradually made their style northwest to the American defensive line at Harlem Heights.
Douglas wrote to his wife iii days later of his brigade'southward retreat and his narrow escape from capture: "…. I and then told my men to make the best of their mode equally I found I had simply about ten left with me. They soon moved out and I then made the best of my way out…We then had a mile to retreat through every bit hot a fire as could well be fabricated just they by and large overshot us. The brigade was and then in such a scattered poster that I could not collect them and I plant the whole regular army on a retreat. The regulars came up in the rear and gave me several platoons at a time when I had none of my men with me and I was then vanquish that they would have had me a prisoner had non I institute an officeholder that was obliged to exit his horse because he could non become him over a fence so as to go out of their style. I establish myself gone if I could not ride. I went over the fence and got the equus caballus over whilst they were firing, mounted him and rode off. We halted hither at night…"
After Kip's Bay, New England Soldiers' Merit Questioned
Afterward the loss on Long Island, where southern troops held back the British, allowing much of the New England troops to escape, and the rout and panic at Kip's Bay, at that place was a growing consensus that believed that New England troops were poor soldiers and not "man' enough to stand and fight; most especially by mid and southern colonies. Washington's own Adjunct-general, Colonel Thomas Reed, propagated and kept alive such feelings that threatened to unravel the loosely bound patriotism that held the colonial army together. New England officers protested against the "rancor" and "malice" of these assertions, and represented their injurious influence to members of Congress. Washington, finding that the matter was becoming serious, took the occasion to ship a special invitation to Colonels Silliman and Douglas, all the same holding their titles as brigade commanders of Connecticut militia, to dine with him in the latter part of September, when he "disavowed and absolutely disapproved every such piece of acquit" which had been a grievance to these and other Eastern officers. (Johnston footnote 189). Notation: Historian Johnston wrote: "Not a few of the militia in Douglas'south brigade were the identical men with whom Oliver Wolcott marched up to meet Burgoyne a yr afterwards, and who, under Colonels Melt and Latimer, 'threw away their lives' in the decisive action of that campaign, suffering a greater loss than any other two regiments on the field."
Battle of Harlem Heights, Sept. 16, 1776
British General William Howe had landed approximately ten,000 troops at Kip'due south Bay and cut across the island due south of Washington'south lines at Harlem Heights to the n. Early on the next morning, a probe by the American ranger force nether Colonel Thomas Knowlton quickly grew into a heated skirmish with the British chasing the rebels as they drew back to their lines. Washington saw that the British low-cal infantrymen pursuers had pushed beyond their line of support and he proposed to trap them. He sent Knowlton's men, forth with a company of Virginia riflemen under Colonel Andrew Leitch in a flanking motioned to come up from behind. However, before the trap could exist sprung, some of the riflemen fired prematurely and the lite infantrymen realized their precarious position. As they drew back, Washington sent in more troops to hurry them forth, including those from General John Nixon's New Englanders, Colonel George Weedon'due south Virginians, and Douglas' militia which had been defendant of panicking in their jerky retreat from Kip'south Bay. We option up the narrative from Plumb Martin, "Our regiment was now ordered into the field… we before long came into action with them. The troops engaged, being reinforced by our regiment, kept them still retreating, until they constitute shelter under the cannon… we remained on the battle basis till nearly sunset, expecting the enemy to attack u.s.a. again, but they showed no such inclination that day. The men were very much drawn and faint, having had zilch to eat for forty-eight hours…"
This action proved to be the offset fourth dimension in the war that American forces had marched out onto the field, held their own before mass British arms, and driven their enemy back. On Sept. eighteenth, Douglas wrote his wife Hannah briefly of this action the day after the disaster at Kip'due south Bay – commenting on those of his regiment killed and wounded: "…on Monday the enemy came on and we gave them a good drubbing. I have not time to requite you the particulars of any function of our action. I accept lost my major, a prisoner, —One sergeant or more killed and four wounded, —have missing out of my brigade which sustained the whole fire but eight or 9 as still. I hope God will be on our side at last. It is memorable that I accept lost no more than and God be praised for it. Our lines are now expert and if they dare come on without their aircraft. I hope we shall requite them a drubbing. In the utmost haste. From your true-blue husband Wm. Douglas." Several internet manufactures report that Douglas was wounded during the battle. Others included he had lost his horse. This is incorrect. According to official prey reports, Douglas' regiment had four killed and i missing, no officers were wounded. This mistake may exist traced to ane of Douglas' letters to his wife where he speaks of losing his horse during the Kip's Bay bombardment and retreat and commandeering another equus caballus to escape. Past day's cease, the battle lines were drawn between British and Americans and would not change until General Howe loaded a majority of his ground forces on transports and sailed through Hell's Gate into the Long Island Audio to country in Westchester County, north of Washington, in the hopes of trapping the American Army to the south.
Battle of White Plains, Oct. 28, 1776
Nearly iii weeks after the Battle of Harlem Heights proved the Americans decision to agree the line against the British button due north, British Commander-in-Chief, Full general William Howe, decided to try and flank Washington. On Oct 12th, he transported his troops through Hells Gate on the East River and landed them in the American rear at Frog's Neck (Throng'south Neck). Colonel Edward Hand and 20-five men from the onest Pennsylvania staged a determined defense on the only causeway to the mainland. Over four thousand British troops were delayed by this activeness. Once additional supplies arrived from New York, Howe decided to ship his men further north to Pelham. By now, Washington was well enlightened of Howe'due south intent. At a council of state of war on the 16th, it was decided that Colonel Glover's regiment would be sent to Pelham to cake and delay Howe'due south accelerate. Meanwhile, Washington enacted a withdrawal of the master army from Harlem Heights and into Westchester County, towards White Plains. He would get out behind over ii,000 men to garrison Fort Washington as well as maintain the lines at Harlem Heights which now faced a British force under the command of Lord Percy. The principal regular army was on the road north by Oct eighteenth, the same day that Glover's regiment temporarily halted Howe's advance in a dogmatic rear action engagement chosen the Battle of Pelham (or Pells Indicate).
Howe's lethargic advance allowed Washington'southward army to slip by and entrench themselves at White Plains. On the morning of October 28thursday, the British avant-garde in ii columns; the main British strength was on the right and the left was mainly composed of Hessian troops. The British correct and American left would remain spectators of the ensuing boxing as it was fought by the Hessian and British left and the American correct. The Americans chose to transport out 2 divisions to meet the advancing Hessians: Major General Sullivan's and Major Full general Spencer's, in which Douglas State Militia were nowadays as part of Wadsworth's Brigade – about ii,600 men in all. They would face an equal number of Hessian forces.
The Battle of White Plains was 2 part – the initial disharmonism of advanced American forces who ultimately retreated back to the defenses, followed by an assault on the far American correct on Chatterton Hill. Douglas' men merely saw action during the initial attack on the Hessians. We pick upward Plumb Martin'southward description their part in the struggle. Douglas had avant-garde to a rock wall before an orchard when the Hessian forces showed themselves: "At that place was in our front, about ten rods distant [a rod is v ½ yards or in this case 55 yards] an orchard of apple trees… a party of Hessian troops and some English presently took possession of this footing; they would accelerate so far every bit just to show themselves to a higher place the rising basis, fire, and fall back and reload… our chance upon them was, every bit soon as they… fired, to aim at the flashes of their guns… We were engaged in this manner for some time, when finding ourselves flanked and in danger of being surrounded, we were compelled to brand a jerky retreat from the rock wall. We lost, comparatively speaking, very few at the contend [stone wall]: but when forced to retreat, we lost, in killed and wounded, a considerable number… We fell back a little altitude and made a stand; detached parties engaging in almost every direction. We did not come in contact with the enemy again that mean solar day, and only at night we cruel back to our encampment."
On October 31st, three days after the battle and while still at White Plains, Douglas wrote to Hannah describing his role in the action: "…On Monday the enemy advanced to attack us at this place. I was ordered out with my regiment with three others to meet and endeavor to retard their march. Nosotros moved on and at almost twelve were attacked by their advanced baby-sit. Nosotros drove them back but shortly after the master body came on and we stood them until they got on our flank and I ordered a retreat. We had a most severe burn to retreat under, ten men to our 1, only we came off in good guild and very surely fired on our retreat all the way. I lost 3 dead and five wounded. They cut my regiment off from our main body and got ahead of me but I took advantage of a wood and got clear of them. My regiment has the accolade of behaving about nobly. They are now near neighbors; our lines are about half a mile."
The British would accept Chatterton Hill on the American far correct, but not pursue any further activeness that day. For the next 2 days, the two forces would face up each other without further action. A torrential rain fell during this time forcing Howe to postpone any farther attack. When he was set on the 31st, the trick had already flown; during the night, Washington had drawn his forces dorsum three miles to Castle Northward and dug in. Howe would remain at White Plains before deciding to head back to New York City and invest the remaining forces at Fort Washington, capturing the garrison and about 3,000 rebels, including a vast quantity of arms and supplies. While Washington'due south main army turned s into New Jersey to cake whatsoever movement the British would brand towards Philadelphia, he left a portion of his ground forces in New York. Commanded past Major General Charles Lee. Lee'south sectionalisation was stationed to prevent whatsoever movement by British forces towards New England. Douglas' Regiment remained with Lee'southward division and would see no further action, their half dozen-calendar month enlistment ending on December 25th in which they returned dwelling house and the regiment disbanded. Though Douglas' skills and bravery as a leader of men was proven, and in 1777 he would be given the helm of a Continental Regiment, White Plains would prove to exist the last time he would ever pb men in battle.
Colonel of the 6thursday Connecticut Continental Regiment and Failing Health
Douglas over again returned dwelling, but his body had been broken, his health in ruins. The harsh invasion of Canada and the rigors of control during the previous year constructing forts and commanding his men through several battles and retreats took their toll. Though poor in health, he would spend simply a week at abode before once again raising and commanding a regiment. However, this fourth dimension, his men would not be problematic, undependable, vi month enlisted militiamen, simply Continental soldiers – regulars trained and well disciplined and enlisted for the entire war. On Jan fourth, 1777, Colonel Douglas would control the 6th Connecticut Regiment of the Continental Army in the "Connecticut Line."
On January ane, 1777, the Continental Ground forces was in one case once again reorganized, and this time Washington got his wish. There would no longer be temporary enlistments with emphasis on militiamen supplementing the regular forcefulness – all enlistments in the ground forces were to final until the end of the war. Douglas immediately and fervently went near recruiting and equipping his regiment, every bit before, digging into and sapping his ain financial worth to see that his men were well outfitted. The strain must accept been corking on Douglas who continued to pull his regiment together while suffering from declining health. History does not give details equally to his disquiet, however his cough, lack of voice, fever, etc., indicated he was perhaps so worn downward that a virus or consistent infection, ultimately took his life.
The new regiment wintered in the Hudson Valley in Brigadier General Parson'due south Brigade under Major General Israel Putnam (Major General Charles Lee having been captured by the British in New Jersey). Amongst Douglas' subordinates was an experienced fighter and leader who was deputed Lt. Colonel and 2nd in command: Lt. Colonel Render Jonathan Meigs. Meigs had accompanied Colonel Bridegroom Arnold on his excruciating trek through the Maine wilderness. He had been in Lt. Colonel Shelburne'south Boosted Continental Regiment. During the failed attack on Quebec, Dec. 31, 1775, he had been captured. He was paroled, simply wasn't exchanged until Feb., 1777, qualifying him to accept the commission in Douglas' regiment. As the wintertime faded into spring, and then too did Douglas' health. By May 12thursday, when Douglas became severely ill, Meigs took over as temporary commander of the regiment. With his family unit and friends at his side, Douglas died, age 35, on May 28thursday, 1777. With Douglas' death, Meigs, on the 28th, was formerly named the Connecticut half-dozenth, commander. Already, days before Douglas' death, Meigs had made his mark, organizing and heading the 6th Connecticut on one of the most successful and daring raids of the war; the Sag Harbor Raid – May 24, 1777.
Douglas' death was recorded as a loss to the service for he was a man of religion, character, and personal courage. Prior to his death, to help meet growing costs of maintaining his farm while supplying his regiment, he sold his property in New Haven. He had received payment in continental dollars, a currency that over fourth dimension, had become about worthless. By the time of his passing, most of the fortune he had acquired as a merchant was gone. Upon his death, he yet had some lands beside their home which were eventually deeded to his children. His married woman Hannah, some years afterward, would utilise and receive the seven years one-half pay for widows and orphans of soldiers who died while nonetheless obtaining their commission. She would eventually receive $3,150, a tidy sum for those days. Hannah, aged 28 at Douglas' passing, would never remarry and lived another fifty years. Douglas was cached in the Northford Old Cemetery in Northford, New Haven County, Connecticut. A military marker declares that he was Captain vith Company, 1st Regiment (referring to his service with the Northern Army in 1775). Next to him are his wife Hannah, who died on May 22, 1825, age 77 and their son John Douglas, who died on February. 20, 1784 at historic period ix years. Colonel William Douglas' epitaph aptly describes him as "A Gentleman of good Abilities, generous Mind & easy Manners: true-blue in Concern & Friendship: active & brave in Defense of the Rights of his Country and Mankind." Douglas poured all his qualities into life and liberty and though his life was cut curt, he was rewarded by a legacy that will endure the test of fourth dimension. As a free people, he deserves our thanks.
For Further Reading check out these great books and complimentary previews on Amazon:
Other manufactures of interest on Revolutionary War Journal:
Lt. John Mansfield of the Connecticut Line: Commanded the Forlorn Hope at the Battle of Yorktown
1776: Listing of Battles and Skirmishes of the American Revolution in Chronological Lodge
Hatter to Hero: American Revolution Colonel Render Jonathan Meigs; Battles of Quebec & Stony Point.
Sag Harbor Raid, May 24, 1777 – Highly Successful Special Ops of the American Revolutionary War
American Tragedy: Retreat from Quebec January – June 1776 & The Battle of Three Rivers Resulting in the Loss of Canada.
SOURCE
Bird, Harrison. Assail on Quebec, the American Invasion of Canada, 1775. 1968: Oxford Academy Press, New York, NY.
Carrington, Henry B. Battles of the American Revolution. 1876: Published by the Author, New York, NY.
Clark, A. H. A Complete Roster of Colonel David Waterbury Jr.'southward Regiment of Connecticut Volunteers 1898: Published by A. S. Clark, New York, NY.
Connecticut History: William Douglas: A Colonial Hero's Sacrifice. https://connecticuthistory.org/william-douglas-a-colonial-heros-sacrifice/
Connecticut Social club for the Sons of the Revolution. William Douglas.https://www.connecticutsar.org/william-douglas/
Connecticut Historical Gild. Rolls of Connecticut Men in the French and Indian War. Vol i 1755-1757, Vol. two 1758-1763. 1903: Published past the Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford, Connecticut.
Douglas Archives. William Douglas, Colonel of the vith Regiment, Connecticut.http://www.douglashistory.co.u.k./history/williamdouglas11.htm#.XQ4jF-hKg2w
Douglas, William. "Letters Written During the Revolutionary State of war by Colonel William Douglas to His Wife Roofing July xix, 1775 – Dec. five, 1776", Xxx-half dozen letters published over several volumes: New York Historical Lodge Quarterly. Vol 12 (1928) No. 3, Vol 13 (1929) No. 1, 2, iii, Vol xiv (1930) No. 1,ii. Published by the Society and issued to members.
Gabriel, Michael P. Major General Richard Montgomery: The Making of an American Hero. 2002: Fairleigh Dickinson Univ. Press, New Jersey.
Heitman, Francis B. Historical Annals of Officers of the Continental Army During the War of the Revolution. 1914: The Rare Book Shop Publishing Company, Inc., Washington D. C.
Johnston, Henry Philips. Connecticut. Adjutant-General's Office. Tape of Service of Connecticut Men in the I. War of the Revolution, II. War of 1812, Iii. Mexican War. Hartford. 1889: Example, Lockwood & Brainard Co, Hartford, CN.
Johnston, Henry P. Connecticut Military Record 1775-1848 Record of Service of Connecticut Men in the State of war of the Revolution… 1889: Hartford, Connecticut.
Johnston, Henry P. The Boxing of Harlem Heights. 1897: Published for Columbia University by The MacMillan Company, New York, NY.
Johnston, Henry P. The Entrada of 1776 around New York and Brooklyn… 1878: Long Island Historical Society, Brooklyn, NY.
Martin, James "Joseph Plumb" Sullivan. A Narrative of Some of the Adventures, Dangers, and Sufferings of a Revolutionary Soldier… 1830: Glazier, Masters & Co., Hallowell, Maine.
Roberts, James A. New York in the Revolution equally Colony and Country… 1898: Brandow Printing Company, Albany, NY.
Ward, George Kemp. Andrew Ward and his descendants, 1597-1910: beingness a compilation of facts relating to ane of the oldest New England families and embracing many families of other names… 1910: A. T. De La Mare Printing & Publishing Visitor, Academy of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin.
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