At the beating of
Tattoo a boat was hailed by our sentries, going down Raritan river. This
alarmed us all and occasioned us to stand by our arms and go to our alarm
posts. On being brought to shore we found the crew had deserted her, and only a
few swivel balls on board.
SOURCE: “Diary of
Lieutenant James McMichael,” William H. Egle, Editor, Pennsylvania
Archives, Second Series, Vol. XV: Journals and Diaries of the War of the
Revolution with Lists of Officers and Soldiers, 1775-1783, p. 196
This morning at 2 o'clock the line moved & proceeded to Brunswick, the column with Lord Cornwallis following in the Rear. Encamped on each side the River Rariton by ½ past 7 this morning. Some firing on our Rear but checked with the guns. In marching off two officers and fourteen of the Fifty fifth-missing.
SOURCE: G. D. Scull, Editor, The Montresor Journals, p. 423
At 4 this morning the whole marched and reached Amboy in 5 hours and mostly encamped. Weather exceptionally hot—no firing at all. This country richer and better watered. Part of the Army Continued their march, crossed the Ferry to Staaten Island and encamped there, and one Brigade of Hessians embarked on board their respective vessels lying near Amboy. Much baggage, Waggons, Horses & ferried across likewise. Some deserters from the Rebels and one Light dragoon. The Vigilant armed with 18 and 24 pounders & made up the Rariton, so as to flank our Camp. Flat bottomed boats and such cratt arrived this afternoon at Amboy from Princes Bay.
SOURCE: G. D. Scull, Editor, The Montresor Journals, pp. 425-6
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
