Diary of Jacob Hiltzheimer, September 14, 1769

Went to see the English cattle which arrived a few days ago.

SOURCE: Jacob Cox Parsons, Editor, Extracts from the Diary of Jacob Hiltzheimer, of Philadelphia, 1765-1798, p. 18

Journal of Captain John Montresor, August 28, 1777

The Army moved between 3 and 4 this morning. The weather extremely fine which dried the roads, which would have been otherwise impassible, the medium 12 Pounders proved to be most difficult to pass through the Sloughs. Two houses got on Fire after quitting the Quarters but appeared to me to have been done on purpose. About 9 o'clock this morning our Army arrived at the Town of Elk consisting of about 40 well built brick and stone houses, our march hither about 7 miles. Very few shots exchanged this day with the Enemy. One thousand men under a Colonel Paterson and the Philadelphia Light Horse fled from this Town on our approach, part to Gray's hill 24 miles beyond the Town, which the rebels likewise quitted, as we reached the summit we could observe them but not within Cannon shot. Several of our men very irregular in pursuit of fresh provisions, so as to fall in the Enemy's hands. The rebels broke up the bridge at the End of the Town which we soon repaired, in the mean time great part of the Army forded the Creek in about 3 feet water on a gravelly bottom. We took three or four prisoners. Part of the small craft with provisions, camp equipage, baggage and Stores reached the head of Elk this evening from the Fleet at Elk Ferry. Very heavy dews fell after sunset. The Roads upon the whole this day may be said to be good. 23 of our Troops, 3 of which Hessians missing, supposed to be taken by the Enemy plundering. The rebels were so precipitate this day as to leave some of their Store houses full, consisting of molasses, Indian Corn, Tobacco, Pitch, Tar and some Cordage and Flour. The Cattle was drove off excepting a few. Found fifteen of the rebel sloops and Schooners at Elk.

SOURCE: G. D. Scull, Editor, The Montresor Journals, p. 443

Journal of Captain John Montresor, August 31, 1777

Lt.-Gen'l Kniphuysen marched easterly on the neck into the Country, together with Generals Gray, Agnew, and Sir William Erskine in order to secure Cattle, waggons and Horses, &c., the army lying in great want of horses, owing to so long and unexpected a voyage hither both as to their flesh and their numbers. Weather very fine but intensely hot in the middle of the day, mornings and evenings rather cool. A Skirmish this morning—a body of rebels having appeared which the 23d Regt. attacked and pushed, taking 3 prisoners—they having one Killed and 5 wounded. Two deserters came in from the Rebel Army. The Command with General Kniphuysen taken 261 head horned Cattle and 568 sheep and 100 horses. Picket of 5th Regt. took 36 head Horned Cattle. A light horse deserter Came in. Lost 5 more Royal Artillery's.

SOURCE: G. D. Scull, Editor, The Montresor Journals, pp. 444-5

Journal of Lieutenant William Feltman, June 25, 1781

Lay by this day. At dark took up our line of march in order to overtake Col. Simes's horse, who had the rear guard with a great number of cattle, plundering as he was making his way towards James Town; left one negro man with the small-pox lying on the road side in order to prevent the Virginia militia from pursuing them, which the enemy frequently did; left numbers in that condition starving and helpless, begging of us as we passed them for God's sake to kill them, as they were in great pain and misery.

SOURCE: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Publisher, Journal of Lieut. William Feltman, of the First Pennsylvania Regiment, 1781-82, p. 6

Journal of Lieutenant William Feltman, June 26, 1781

At six o'clock in the morning we were informed that a covering party of horse were but a small distance before us. Gen. Wayne immediately ordered the front platoon of each battalion to turn out immediately, which order being complied with, being four platoons and Major McPherson's party of Legionary horse, we pursued them five or six miles in full speed. At last we came within a short distance of them. Major Hamilton had the command of the Infantry. A party then of about forty men of the New England troops were ordered to mount behind the same number of dragoons, and then pursued them and came up with them in a short time. We had a severe skirmish with their Horse and Infantry, in which we took a number of their horse and cattle, and killed forty of their Infantry. Our loss was trifling. Major McPherson's horse threw him into the field of action, who fortunately made his escape. I expected every moment they would have attacked our small party of Infantry, which was posted on a small knoll, in order to cover the Light Dragoons.

SOURCE: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Publisher, Journal of Lieut. William Feltman, of the First Pennsylvania Regiment, 1781-82, p. 6

Journal of Captain John Montresor, June 14, 1777

The Commander in Chief with the other columns or rather the main body arrived and encamped 3 miles South of the Mill Stone River at Middlebush, he went on crossed the Mill Stone River after repairing the Bridge which the Enemy had broken up. We found Lord Cornwallis's Column on the opposite side after some skirmishing ten rebels killed, our loss in killed two and 2 wounded and an Officer. Found most of the Houses deserted and what were inhabited the men were absent; collected some Forage, cattle and horses A few shots were exchanged between some of our cavalry and that of the rebels but without effect and advanced. Yager taken off by some rebel Light horse.

SOURCE: G. D. Scull, Editor, The Montresor Journals, p. 422

Journal of Captain John Montresor, June 26, 1777

At 3 o'clock this morning the Army moved in 2 Columns, the right Lord Cornwallis-left Major General Vaughan—the Right Column took the Woodbridge Road and the left the Brunswick road but turned off the road to Metuchin meeting and 1200 men were sent on to take post at Bonham town way to Brunswick from Amboy and the 2 Columns encamped this night at Westfield. A continued firing most of this day's march. Lord Sterling and General Maxwell with 3000 men and 4 brass field pieces principally opposed us near Westfield, but were put to flight leaving behind 3 Brass Field pieces, 3 Pounders one French and 2 English. Supposed to have killed this day about 50 of the Rebels and took 64 prisoners in arms and about 500 head of horned cattle. Washington with the gross of his Army made off very early with the utmost Expedition and his Baggage and retired to his old post on the Shannoc mountain. The heat of the weather was such that we lost 9 men on the march by it. We had no men Killed and about 20 wounded and a Captain in the Guards shot through the Body. Great want of water as the Inhabitants had choaked several of their wells. Most of the Houses were abandoned, what were not had only women and children. The rebel army had moved from the Mountain Country leaving there taken post at Quibbletown three miles South of the mountain. The Engineers and Artificers were divided with the 2 Columns—two Established and an Assistant Engineer to each, myself with the Commander in Chief. The first body that fired on our right Column was about 1500 men under a General Conway and 3 field pieces, which were soon routed with loss by the usual Intrepidity of Light Infantry. Lord Chewton, aid de Camp to Lord Cornwallis had his horse shot under him. One man raved with a coup de soleil and fired at our own flankers. Amongst the prisoners a Major, 2 Captains and an Adjutant the latter shot through the thigh.

SOURCE: G. D. Scull, Editor, The Montresor Journals, pp. 424-5

Journal of Captain John Montresor, Sunday, June 29, 1777

The whole day principally taken up in transporting in Flat boats & the Baggage of this Army across to Staaten Island together with every kind of "Stores de Guerre de bouche" besides Artillery, Horned Cattle, waggons, Horses and a working party of 300 men employed in Erazing the Interiour faces of the Redoubts & the Exteriour of Fort Callibogus fronting towards Staaten Island. Six deserters came in. Captain Finch of the Grenadiers died of his wounds and buried this day at Amboy. Every preparation forming this day for our leaving the Province tomorrow. Gallies and armed vessels posted in the Kills and Raritan so as to cover our passage from Staaten Island which ferry is about of a mile across. New York Company of Volunteers detached from King's Bridge towards White plains—killed 6 of the rebels and brought in Eight Prisoners—Twenty five head of Cattle and Eleven Horses.

SOURCE: G. D. Scull, Editor, The Montresor Journals, p. 426

Journal of Captain John Montresor, April 13, 1777

Lord Cornwallis Commanded Detachment from Brunswick and defeated the Rebels at Bound Brook—marched in 2 Columns one on each side the Rariton—Rebels lost 3 brass field pieces, 10 left dead, 80 prisoners, 4 officers, one of which aid de camp to the Commanding Officer Major General Lincoln from Connecticut, took the General's baggage and 100 head of Cattle.

SOURCE: G. D. Scull, Editor, The Montresor Journals, p. 421