"The Enemy Giting intelligence of our movement ..."Surprise at Haddonfield, April 1778

John U. Rees(Copyright 1994, 2005)

Introduction

This excerpted narrative commemorates the 225th anniversary of the British occupation of Philadelphia and the Monmouth campaign and the New Jersey regiments’ role in those events. The appended account relates the surprise attack on the 2nd New Jersey Regiment and New Jersey militia at Haddonfield and Coopers Ferry on the night of 4/5 April 1778. Colonel Israel Shreve’s 2nd Regiment was cantoned at Valley Forge with Washington’s army until 19 March when the commander in chief ordered it to march into its home state “either to give protection to the inhabitants upon the Delaware or to the Salt Works upon the Coast." Particular orders were given that the regiment was "to go as light as possible and leave some careful Officer to take care of the Baggage left in Camp." On 22 March Colonel Shreve wrote from Burlington, New Jersey: "This Evening I Arrived with about 130 of my Regt. with orders to join the Militia ... The Remainder of my Regt. will follow in a few Days. I Shall here from the Governor tomorrow and then Expect to march with all Expedition" to take up new quarters at Haddonfield, where they arrived on March 25th or 26th. On May 13th Shreve’s regiment was joined by the 1st New Jersey near Evesham. By the end of May the four regiments of Brigadier General William Maxwell’s Jersey brigade were reunited at Mount Holly, New Jersey. For a “cast of characters” and company organization see “Field Officers, Commissioned Officers, and Staff of the 2nd New Jersey Regiment: December 1777 to May 1779” (John U. Rees). (Excerpted from, John U. Rees, "I Expect to be stationed in Jersey sometime...": An Account of the Services of the Second New Jersey Regiment: Part I, December 1777 to June 1778 (1994, unpublished, TMs held in the collections of the David Library of the American Revolution, Washington Crossing, Pa.), contains seventeen appendices covering various subjects including studies of the casualties incurred by the New Jersey Brigade (1777-1779), the uniform clothing of the New Jersey Brigade (1776-1778) and the use of the nine-month draft during 1778. Also included is a collection of pension narratives by New Jersey Brigade enlisted men; Part II, June 1778 to June 1779 (TMs, 2000), covers the period from the onset of the 1778 Monmouth Campaign to the unit’s departure for the 1779 expedition led by Major General John Sullivan against the Iroquois.)

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Early war Continental soldier wearing a military cocked hat, regimental coat, breeches, and carrying a blanket sling (tumpline) in lieu of a knapsack. Illustration by George C. Woodbridge, from George C. Neumann, Swords and Blades of the American Revolution (Texarkana, TX, 1991).

In the face of mounting British and Loyalist activity in Southern Jersey the task of Colonel Israel Shreve's 2nd New Jersey regiment was to keep the enemy off balance by harassing their outposts and denying them subsistence. On 6 April General Washington had written the colonel he hoped "Majr. [Richard] Howell may be able to effect something against the Tories at Billingsport, who may probably be surprized by a vigilant Officer. If Cattle or provisions of any kind can be collected in any parts of the Country within the Enemy's reach, it ought by all means to be done."1 The attack on the works at Billingsport, "where about 150 tories had been intrenching and fortifying themselves," proved an ill-fated affair. Israel Shreve gave his account of what occurred to the commander in chief in a letter dated "Mount Holley April 6th 1778":

Last friday Evening a Messenger came to haddonfield from below, informing me,the Militia [of Salem and Cumberland Counties] were imbodied to the number of200 and Desirous to march into the Neighbourhood of Billingsport on Saturday[4April]. To Incourage them I ordered Major Howell Down with 100 men [from the2nd New Jersey] to join them, there to Act as should seem Best when on the Spot.The same morning about 100 Enemy Tories marched out of Billingsport towardsSweedsborough, fell in with Capt. Fizlow [possibly Joel Fithian, captain in ColonelEnos Seeley's battalion of New Jersey State troops] with 50 [New Jersey] Militia,who attacked them [and] kiled 5 or 6. [The militia] Drove them off with theGreatest precipitation. By this time Major Howell got to Samtown 4 miles fromthe fort, [and] hearing they were out, pushed down to the fort. Got within one milewhen the Enemy returned by a Back road. The fort being Alarmed, and the Militia

not Comeing up, the Major Returned, takeing one Waggon, and 5 Tories, our postat Haddonfield being Exceeding week. The major got in that night leaveing Capt.[Nathaniel] Bowman with 50 men at Woodberry.

With his forces now divided between Haddonfield, Coopers Ferry, and Woodbury, Shreve’s position was vulnerable. At this point the British struck.

The Enemy Giting intelligence of our movement Detached 600 Light InfantryCommanded by Col. [Robert] Abbercrombe [37th Regiment of Foot] to Gloucesterpoint, there Crosed. By some means [they] surround[ed] 4 Videts [mountedsentinels], one of them Rode his horse through Newtown Creek, Gave the Alarm athalf past two Sunday morning. I Immediately Got the men under arms, the Storesand Baggage loaded, [and] thought it most prudent to move off, haveing Goodinformation of their intentions and Rapid march, I ordered one horsman toWoodberry, another to Coopers ferry [present-day Camden], where we had a Guardof 40 men & 2 horsman, Lieuts. Stout and Hutchin of my Regt., with orders toCollect his Guard and make his Retreat Good over Coopers Crick Bridge. Half afterthree the Enemy entered the town [Haddonfield], we had left it about 10 minutes.Upon a signal they Gave three Huzzays and immediately stove open the Doors,wounded several Inhabitants, Burnt 2 houses belonging to Quakers, plundered thetown, and Returned by way of Coopers ferry. Mr. Sage [possibly Miles Sage, noted to be in a militia light horseman andwounded in an unknown action] a Volunteer Horseman that I sent to the ferryReturned just as the Enemy had Entered. He Cut his way through them 200 yards,then Dismounted, and [was] left for Dead, haveing Received fourteen Wounds withBayonets. He is yet alive. Major [William] Ellis (of [the 2nd Battalion GloucesterCounty] Militia) being officer of the Day, was at the ferry. Lt. Stout prudently Gothis Guard together and Retired over the Bridge according to Orders. Major Ellis asimprudently ordered him back to his post. The Enemy pushed Down [and] Cut of[f]their Retreat. Lt. Stout who is a brave officer fought them a Considerable time, untiloverpowered by numbers was forced to Give way, no Retreat left. Some brokethrough others swam Coopers Creek and got off. The 2 horsemen Got off. Elevenprisoners was taken among them Major Ellis, Lts. Stout & Hutchin. Stout Received

2 wounds before he surrendered, two of my Regt. was found Dead on the Ground,one of them Bayoneted. Some were kiled in the Creek, several are yet missing, thisGuard were part Militia. The Enemy Immediately Crossed the River to the City.Three Deserters Come in, who informs me their arms were not loaded But theirOrders was to Give no Quarters, and to plunder the town for Incouragement. Theseorders was Red to them by their Col. before they Crossed. Our men being muchfateagued for two days with marching and loss of sleep. I thought Best to Retire tothis place [Mount Holly], leaving 50 men below to move from place to place AndStop the Tory trade. I fear if not Reignforced the Enemy will Ravage [a] Great part of the lowerCounties. A prize from Cork Now lies at or near the forks of Eg[g]harbor with 200Barrels of Beef, 50 of pork, upwards of 2000 firkins Rose Butter, 51 pieces Linnen,etc. This Cargo is taken for the use of the Army But not yet Removed. This portCannot be safe if a post is not kept at Haddonfield. I hope your Excell. will pardon me for so Often Mentioning a Reignforcement. Ifear true Representations from this Quarter has not been made, I mean to Representthings just as they are. I should send a Return of what Militia I have But CannotObtain it. They Do not Exceed 150.2

Jabesh Ashmore, a private in Captain Joseph Clunn's Artillery Company, Hunterdon County Militia, mentioned the Coopers Ferry/Haddonfield assault in his early 19th century pension deposition. Called out in March 1778 his company was sent to Haddonfield where they “acted as scouts in preventing supplies going to the British in Philadelphia." They patrolled the area "until about the first of May [actually April] 1778 when a negro spy who had been in our camp and had been arrested by the sentinel who had charge of him and escaped to Philadelphia and the next night came back with Five hundred of the enemy and drove us out of Haddonfield [this action actually took place early on Sunday morning, 5 April], Col. Shreve of the standing army was there in command - We retreated to Mount Holly. The enemy after burning and destroying much property in Haddonfield returned [to Philadelphia]."3

Several British officers left accounts of this action. Lt. Colonel Francis Downman noted in his diary, "April 5th, 1778 - Information being received that a body of rebels consisting of about 300 with two field pieces [two iron cannon belonging to Captain Clunn’s New Jersey militia artillery], were collected at Haddonfield on the Jerseys, a party of light bobs [i.e., British light infantry] went down the river in boats and landed at Gloucester Point, from whence they marched to the above town, but the rebels being apprised of their danger very prudently withdrew, except six who fired out of a house, were stormed in their castle and bayoneted, and a rebel light horseman [who] met with the same fate. On the return of our party they heard that about 40 of the rebels were lodged near Cooper's ferry, on which they directed their march to that spot in such a manner as to surround them, and after a short skirmish in which several were wounded, made 26 of them prisoners, amongst whom were a major and two sub[altern]s [lieutenant or ensign]. Our troops received not the least injury in their excursion."4

German Captain Friedrich von Muenchhausen added several interesting details: "April 4. At Haddonfield in Jersey, six miles from Coopers Ferry, opposite Philadelphia, on the other side of the Delaware, 300 rebels with two cannon have been stationed again the last few days. At Coopers Ferry there is also a picket of 50 men, with sentries along the bank of the

Delaware. They, but especially the officers, who were given very large and good field glasses by Washington, observe every move made on our side, and, since most of the streets lead to the Delaware, they can also survey our streets. April 5. Last night at one o'clock, 500 light infantry were taken to the region of Billingsport in Jersey. Then, in a round about way, they proceeded to Haddonfield, which the enemy had just left because they had received from their patrols news of our advance. But they had been in such a hurry that they forgot to advise their command at Coopers Ferry, most of whom fell into our hands, together with their field glasses, whereupon the light infantry returned via Coopers Ferry this afternoon."5

Engineer Captain John Montresor noted the weather and, except for claiming a captured colonel, accurately listed American losses: "4th. [April 1778] Weather raw but fair. Sunday 5th. Early this morning a Detachment from our Light Infantry crosed the Delaware and surprised a Picket of 50 Rebels between the Ferry House and Haddonfield, Killed 7 and a Captain and took a Colonel, a Major and 2 Lieutenants and 33 privates and their arms without sustaining any loss on our side ... This morning General Charles Lee in the Rebel service left this city on his Parole ..."6

On April 25th Washington replied to Shreve's report:

I have received your favour of the 16th, inclosing a list of prisoners taken by theEnemy near Coopers Ferry. The disposition which you have made of the troopsunder your command, I suppose is founded on a knowledge of the Country, andcalculated to fulfill the objects of your detachment ... I congratulate those braveOfficers who you say are likely to recover in spite of their wounds.7

According to a modern accounting American forces suffered eight killed and thirty-seven captured in the Haddonfield/Coopers Ferry affair. Surviving 2nd New Jersey muster and pay rolls give the following casualties:8

April 4, 1778 - 1 captured, Captain Cumming's Co. April 5, 1778 - 6 captured, Captain Luce's Co. 2 captured, Captain Reading's Co. 2 captured, Captain Hollinshead's Co. 3 captured, Captain Cummings' Co. 1 captured, Captain Bowman's Co. 3 captured, Captain Phillips' Co. 4 captured, Captain Sparks' Co. 4 captured and 2 killed, Captain Helms' Co. Total - 25 captured and 2 killed

Remaining losses were incurred by militia forces. Second New Jersey Lieutenants Abraham Stout and John Hutchin (or Hutchins) were among those captured, as was Major William Ellis of the 2nd Battalion, Gloucester County militia. Ellis was exchanged on 26 December 26, 1780.9

Haddonfield, New Jersey, 4/4/78Cumming's Co.

Shadrick Kinsey, captured, exchanged 8/10/78

Cooper's Ferry, New Jersey, 4/5/78Reading's Co. Abraham Stout, 1st lieutenant, captured John Walker, sgt., captured, exchanged July 1778Sparks' Co. John Hutchen, 1st lieutenant, captured Thomas Brown, Jr., captured, exchanged 7/17/78 Eli Gladhill, captured, exchanged 7/17/78 William Williams, captured, exchanged 7/17/78Hollinshead's Co. John Robinson, cpl., captured, exchanged 7/17/78 John Clemons, captured, exchanged 7/17/78Phillips' Co. William Jobes, cpl., captured, exchanged 8/30/78 John Loyons, captured, returned 7/17/78 William Price, captured, returned 7/17/78Helms' Co. Henry Burke, captured, exchanged 7/17/78 Aaron Camble, captured Richard Caseby, captured, exchanged 7/17/78 John Hickey, captured John Morrison, killed Philip Murphy, killedBowman's Co. Joseph Jones, captured, exchanged 7/1/78Luse's Co. Abraham Gallaher, captured, exchanged 7/16/78 Andrew Downey, captured, returned 7/16/78 Joseph Fox, captured, returned 7/16/78 Henry Van Wey, captured, exchanged 7/16/78 Isaac Willis, captured, exchanged 7/16/78 Richard Palmer, captured, returned 10/20/78Cumming's Co. William Lye, captured, returned July 1778 Richard Long, captured, returned July 1778 William Wright, captured, returned July 1778

Sources

1. Washington to Israel Shreve, 6 April 1778, John C. Fitzpatrick, ed., The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources 1745-1799, 11 (Washington, D.C., GPO, 1934), 222-223. 2. Shreve to Washington, 6 April 1778, George Washington Papers, Presidential Papers Microfilm, (Washington, D.C., 1961), series 4, roll 48. Francis B. Lee, ed., Archives of the State of New Jersey - Documents Relating to the Revolutionary History of the State of New Jersey, 2nd series, vol. II (Trenton, 1903), Extracts From American Newspapers, 1778, 148-149. 3. Jabesh Ashmore pension, Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land-Warrant Application Files, National Archives Microfilm Publication M804.4. F.A. Whinyates, (Colonel), ed., The Services of Lieut.-Colonel Francis Downman, R.A. in France, North America, and the West Indies, Between the Years 1758 and 1784 (Woolwich, 1898; first printed in the Proceedings of the Royal Artillery Institution), 58. 5. Ernst Kipping and Samuel Stelle Smith, At General Howe's Side 1776-1778 (Monmouth Beach: Phillip Freneau Press, 1974), 50.6. G.D. Scull, ed., "Journals of Captain John Montresor," Collections of the New-York Historical Society, volume XIV (1881) (New York, 1882) 480 484. 7. Washington to Israel Shreve, 25 April 1778, Fitzpatrick, WGW, 11 (1934), 308. 8. Howard H. Peckham, The Toll of Independence - Engagements & Battle Casualties of the American Revolution (Chicago, 1974), 49; Second New Jersey muster, pay, field, staff and commissioned officers rolls, 1778, Revolutionary War Rolls, reel 57 to reel 60. 9. William S. Stryker, Jerseymen in the Revolutionary War; Official Register of the Officers and Men of New Jersey in the Revolutionary War (Trenton, N.J., 1911), 364.