Brewster, Caleb (1747-1827) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.01755 Author/Creator: Brewster, Caleb (1747-1827) Place Written: Fairfield, Connecticut Type: Manuscript letter signed Date: 21 December 1782 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket ; 33.6 x 21 cm. Order a Copy
Written by Captain Brewster to Major General Knox. Claims Knox is the "Commanding Officer of the Corps to which I have the honor of being annexed." Sends along the account of a sea battle he had with Captain Hoit in Long Island Sound. While in Stamford with Major Tallmadge, he said he heard that Hoit was in the Sound with 3 ships and he went to attack him with 6 ships. Split his boats up -- sending 3 to the "North Side" of the island and 3 to the "South Side," to prevent their escape. After a short time he saw Hoit across the Sound from Huntington and immediately chased them. He eventually caught them and relates the story of the battle in gory detail, including hand-to-hand fighting.
Brewster was a member of Tallmadge's Culper Spy ring. He was cited for gallantry for his actions during this encounter. When the Revolutionary War broke out, Brewster immediately enlisted in the local militia in Connecticut. After the Battle of Long Island he joined the Continental Army with the rank of a lieutenant of artillery. He returned to Setauket in August of 1777 as part of the attacking force from Connecticut that fought in the "Battle of Setauket." In November 1780 he was one of the officers under Major Benjamin Tallmadge who captured Fort St. George at Mastic. They returned to Connecticut with the entire complement of the fort captured. In spite of his service designation, his task throughout the war was to command a fleet of whale boats operating from the Connecticut shore against British and Tory shipping on Long Island Sound, known as the "Devil's Belt." This, together with his knowledge of the Long Island shoreline, and his boyhood association with Benjamin Tallmadge, made him an ideal choice to carry intelligence back and forth across the Sound. Brewster made numerous trips with his Whaleboat Navy; into Long Island Sound to attack British shipping; and across to Setauket to bring messages back for Major Benjamin Tallmadge to deliver to General Washington.
[draft]
Fairfield 21st Decr 1782
Sir
Your being commanding officer of the Corps to which I have the honor of being annexed. I take the liberty of addressing a few times to you containing the particulars of a late action. I had with a Capt. Hart in the Sound, [least] it may be misrepresented by other hands:
Being at Stamford on a Command with May or Tallmadge on the Seventh instt. I was inform'd that Hart with three armed Boats were on this Shore; I sollicited and obtain'd leave of the Major to go in Search of them with Six boats; Three of my Boats I directed to go on the North Side of an Island where I heard the Enemy Were, while with the other three boats I took my Course on the South Side; effectually to prevent their escape, in a Short time I spied the Enemy Standing across the Sound for [Huntington] and immediately shared them with my division of boats, making a signal for the other to follow, to which they paid no attention, in about an hours chase. We got close up with two of the Enemy, with two of my boats; (the other sailing [heavily];) they proved to be Capt. Hart & Lieut. Johnson; their other boat sailing faster or by being [far] ahead of them at the first of the Chase, escaped; being to windward, I bore down on the largest boat, and in passing Johnson received a full [fire] from him at the distance of about [eight Rods], which wounded me through the body, and one man in the Head, who is since dead, of the wound; I reserved my [fire] untill close alongside the boat. I designed the attack, (leaving Capt. Rider to contend with Johnson) with a view of having time only [its] charge again, and board him; but the briskness of the wind and the quick way of the boat prevented. [2] our loading before we Grappled. and having but three bayonets. we were obliged to make use of the butts of our Muskets, which decided the business in a short time; when we found but one man but what was either killed or wounded; five in boat were wounded (including the one who died a few days afterwards.) two of us with balls, the other with bayonets; the Enemy being much better fitted, had the advantage of us, Hart having three large wall pieces, and a compleat sett of Kings Muskets with long bayonets, I received Several blows from Hart with the Iron [Rammer] of a wall piece which fortunately did not prevent me doing my duty though it caused a pulsing of Blood; Johnson in the mean time surrendred to Capt. Rider without much resistance having had two killed by the [fire] of a Swivel Gun from Rider, Seven of the Enemy are buried two more lie at Norwalk badly wounded the rest am informd are prisoners at West point: myself and the other wounded [inserted: with me] are in way of a speedy recovery. expecting to have another trial with their boats [shortly as they infest this] Coast daily; Thus sir I have given you as minute an account as my memory will serve: being with the greatest Respect
Sir
Your Most Obedt. Hum. Sert.
Caleb Brewster
Major Genl. Knox
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