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CAPTURE OF PAULUS HOOK. 355
was fifteen killed and eighty-three wounded. Of the garrison, eighty-three
were slain, including two officers; five hundred and fifty-three were taken
prisoners, among whom were a lieutenant-colonel, four captains and twenty-
three subaltern officers."x
Washington evacuated the post on the 18th, removing the cannon and
stores and destroying the works. On the 19th, Washington gave the enemy
another " little stroke at Powles Hook," now Jersey City. In this gallant
surprise the Maryland troops under the command of Colonel Henry Lee,
emulated the heroism of Stony Point, though it would seem the commander
had reason to censure very strongly some of the troops from other States.
The following contemporary letter from Captain Levin Handy, of Colonel
Richardson's fifth Maryland regiment, to George Handy, thus describes the
capture of Paulus Hook:
" Paramus, 22d July, 1779.
" Dear George:
" Before this reaches you, I doubt not you have heard of our success at Powle's Hook,
where the enemy had a very strong fort, within one and a quarter miles from New York.
We started from this place on Wednesday last, at half after ten o'clock, taking our route
by a place called the New Bridge, on Hackensac River, where my two companies were
joined by three hundred Virginians, and a company of dismounted Dragoons, commanded by Captain McLane. We took up our line of march about five o'clock in the
evening from the Bridge, the nearest route with safety, to Powle's, distant then about
twenty miles, with my detachment in front, the whole under command of the gallant
Major Lee. The works were to be carried by storm—the whole to advance in three solid
columns, one of which I had the honor to command. The attack was to commence at
half after twelve o'clock, but having been greatly embarrassed on our march, and having
a number of difficulties to surmount, did not arrive at the point of attack till after four
o'clock in the morning, when after a small fire from them, we gained their works, and
put about fifty of them to the bayonet, took one hundred and fifty-seven prisoners, exclusive of seven commanding officers; this was completed in less than thirty minutes, and
a retreat ordered, as we had every reason to suppose, unless timely, it would be cut off.
Our situation was so difficult that we could not bring off any stores. We had a morass
to pass of upwards two miles, the greatest part of which we were obliged to pass by
files, and several canals to ford up to our breasts in water. We advanced with bayonets
fixed, pans open, cocks fallen, to prevent any fire from our side; and believe me, when I
assure you, we did not fire a musket.
" You will see a more particular account of it in the papers than it is in my power to
give you at present. It is thought to be the greatest enterprise ever undertaken in America.
Our loss is so inconsiderable that I do not mention it. I( l^VIN HANDY "
Iri a letter to President Reed, dated August 27th, 1779, Henry Lee himself writes:
" In my report to General Washington, which I hope Congress will do me the justice to
publish as soon as possible, I passed the usual general compliments on the troops under
my command. I did not tell the world that near one-half of my countrymen left me—
that it was reported to me by Major Clarke as I was entering the marsh—that notwithstanding this and every other dumb sign, I pushed on to the attack.
1 Irving's Washington, ii., p. 506.
| Title | History of Maryland - 2 |
| Creator | Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas) |
| Publisher | J. B. Piet |
| Place of Publication | Baltimore |
| Date | 1879 |
| Language | eng |
| Type | Books/Pamphlets |
| Title | 00000390 |
| Type | Books/Pamphlets |
| Transcript | CAPTURE OF PAULUS HOOK. 355 was fifteen killed and eighty-three wounded. Of the garrison, eighty-three were slain, including two officers; five hundred and fifty-three were taken prisoners, among whom were a lieutenant-colonel, four captains and twenty- three subaltern officers."x Washington evacuated the post on the 18th, removing the cannon and stores and destroying the works. On the 19th, Washington gave the enemy another " little stroke at Powles Hook," now Jersey City. In this gallant surprise the Maryland troops under the command of Colonel Henry Lee, emulated the heroism of Stony Point, though it would seem the commander had reason to censure very strongly some of the troops from other States. The following contemporary letter from Captain Levin Handy, of Colonel Richardson's fifth Maryland regiment, to George Handy, thus describes the capture of Paulus Hook: " Paramus, 22d July, 1779. " Dear George: " Before this reaches you, I doubt not you have heard of our success at Powle's Hook, where the enemy had a very strong fort, within one and a quarter miles from New York. We started from this place on Wednesday last, at half after ten o'clock, taking our route by a place called the New Bridge, on Hackensac River, where my two companies were joined by three hundred Virginians, and a company of dismounted Dragoons, commanded by Captain McLane. We took up our line of march about five o'clock in the evening from the Bridge, the nearest route with safety, to Powle's, distant then about twenty miles, with my detachment in front, the whole under command of the gallant Major Lee. The works were to be carried by storm—the whole to advance in three solid columns, one of which I had the honor to command. The attack was to commence at half after twelve o'clock, but having been greatly embarrassed on our march, and having a number of difficulties to surmount, did not arrive at the point of attack till after four o'clock in the morning, when after a small fire from them, we gained their works, and put about fifty of them to the bayonet, took one hundred and fifty-seven prisoners, exclusive of seven commanding officers; this was completed in less than thirty minutes, and a retreat ordered, as we had every reason to suppose, unless timely, it would be cut off. Our situation was so difficult that we could not bring off any stores. We had a morass to pass of upwards two miles, the greatest part of which we were obliged to pass by files, and several canals to ford up to our breasts in water. We advanced with bayonets fixed, pans open, cocks fallen, to prevent any fire from our side; and believe me, when I assure you, we did not fire a musket. " You will see a more particular account of it in the papers than it is in my power to give you at present. It is thought to be the greatest enterprise ever undertaken in America. Our loss is so inconsiderable that I do not mention it. I( l^VIN HANDY " Iri a letter to President Reed, dated August 27th, 1779, Henry Lee himself writes: " In my report to General Washington, which I hope Congress will do me the justice to publish as soon as possible, I passed the usual general compliments on the troops under my command. I did not tell the world that near one-half of my countrymen left me— that it was reported to me by Major Clarke as I was entering the marsh—that notwithstanding this and every other dumb sign, I pushed on to the attack. 1 Irving's Washington, ii., p. 506. |
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