Wayne, Anthony (1745-1796) [Minutes of field council held during attack on Bull's Ferry blockhouse]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04898 Author/Creator: Wayne, Anthony (1745-1796) Place Written: New Jersey Type: Autograph document signed Date: 21 July 1780 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; 29.8 x 20.7 cm. Order a Copy
Co-signed by six field officers, including Brigadier General William Irvine of the 2nd Brigade of the Pennsylvania Line. The minutes of a council of war held during an attack on Bull's Ferry blockhouse. It appears that Knox wrote this on the verso of a letter he received from Captain Zebulon Pike while in the field. Says ammunition was nearly expended and even though artillery had made it within 60 or 70 yards of the blockhouse, it could not be captured and a withdraw was ordered. The attack at Bull's Ferry was a lopsided defeat, as Wayne's force of 2000 troops could not dislodge the 70 Loyalists under Thomas Ward. The letter written by Captain Zebulon Pike (1751-1834) to Anthony Wayne was also created on 21 July 1780. Pike says that he followed through on Wayne's orders to have Wayne's letter to Captain Lawrence delivered by a dragoon, but that Lawrence could not be found. Militia informed the dragoon that Lawrence took his company to Fort Lee. Reports on British troops who landed by boat near Valentine's Hill. Reports that about 2000 troops with wagons and baggage have landed. Says he has not built a fire because "it might ocasion an anxiety." Left edge has been repaired.
Co-signed by six field officers, including Brigadier General William Irvine of the 2nd Brigade of the Pennsylvania Line. Written on the verso of a 21 July 1780 autograph letter signed by Zebulon Pike (father of the explorer), alerting Wayne to an impending British counterattack from Manhattan.
Sir agreeable to your orders I sent a dragoon to deliver your Letter to Capt Lawrence who could not be found the dragoon was informd by an invalid belongig to his company that he had march't all his company (fit for duty) to fort Lee I arrived at this ground at day brake & observd some motion of the Enemy as burning their Huts &C I cannot from this place have a prospect of Valentine's Hill but am of the Opinion they have march't from that ground as their has this momt appeard in sight about two thousand of the Enemy togeather with a number of waggons which appears to be loaded with baggage they have Embark't about eight Hundd men & continue to embk on board the ships they have sir large boats togeather with abot as many small in which they transport about seven or eight Hundd men but once I have not as yet kindle'd a fire as I do not expect they will land here & conclud'd it might ocasion an [illegible] I have materials & shall build a fire the inst it may appear necessary they continue Marching down & Imbarkg
21t July 80 9 oclock A. Mn I am Your Most Obt
Genl Wayne Huml Lt Zeb Pike
[2] both above & below shings bridge is taking place it is unanormously Determined to withdraw in time to secure our passage over New Bridge & to drive off the Cattle after burning the boats at the Landings
Anthy Wayne
Wm Irvine
Rich Hampton
Richd [illegible]
W Stevens [illegible]
[2nd Lieut Regt [illegible]
Mobinion Lt]
Commt Pens
Major Moore & Hamilton
[3] at a Council of War held in the field on the 21st July 1780 present
Genl Wayne's
Gl Irvine
Colo Hampton
Colo Butler
Colo Stevens
Colo Robinson
Majors Moore Hamilton
The ammunition being nearly expended many men Wounded & altho the artillery is advanced within 60 or 70 Yards- letter Confirmation made- this object not being a degerate to the wise [inserted: we shall run by longer Delay] as from the written letter & other observations arrive of the Enemies army South
[address leaf]
Antho'y Wayne Br. Genl.
for dragoon} Bull's Ferry
[docket]
21st July 1780
from
Capt Pike
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