Hurricane Hurry Part 6

"I'll come," said he; "depend upon me, I'll not let the rebels stop me."

"I shall keep you to your promise," I replied, as I was shoving off.

We had prepared the s.h.i.+p for action for some days by clearing away all bulkheads fore and aft, and sending everything not absolutely required below. Still several days pa.s.sed by and nothing was done. It was understood that Lord Howe and Dr Franklin were negotiating at this time, as the result proved, without any effect. Lord Howe to the last was anxious to prevent more bloodshed, and hoped to bring the colonists to terms, but as they now considered themselves an independent people, and he had the authority to treat with them in that capacity, he was powerless.

At length, on the 21st of September, towards three o'clock in the afternoon, the admiral made the signal for us to weigh. Each man with alacrity hurried to his quarters. Never was sail more speedily got on the s.h.i.+p. The Phoenix, Roebuck, Carrisfort, and Rose were seen spreading their canvas at the same time to a very light air which blew from the westward. I must try and describe the scene of our operations.

Before us lay a long, narrow strip of land called Manhattan Island, about thirteen miles long and from half a mile to two wide, on the south end of which stands the City of New York, while on the north end are some hills called the Harlem Heights. It is divided from the mainland on the north by a creek called the Harlem River, over which there is a bridge called King's Bridge. The west of Manhattan Island is washed by the River Hudson, which separates it from the New Jersey sh.o.r.e, while part of the Sound, which is called the East River, runs round it on the south and east, dividing it from Long Island, till it is joined by the Harlem River on the north. The Harlem River forms a direct communication between the Hudson and East River. That part of it nearest the Hudson was called by the Dutch Spuyten Duyvel Creek, while the east end, where it joins East River, has the still less pleasant sounding name of h.e.l.l Gate. Near it was a strong battery. Nearly in the centre of East River, opposite the south point of New York, is Governor's Island, which was strongly fortified. There were batteries along the whole line of the sh.o.r.e on Manhattan Island. Slowly and solemnly our squadron approached the sh.o.r.e. Perfect silence reigned throughout the s.h.i.+p. For some time not a shot was fired. Captain Hudson had been keeping a sharp look-out on the enemy's batteries as we approached.

"Pa.s.s the word along the decks that every man and officer is to lie down at his quarters!" he exclaimed.

The judicious order was at once obeyed. The same precaution was not used by the other s.h.i.+ps. At half-past three, when we were within pistol-shot of the city, the enemy opened their fire. We were so close and moved so slowly that scarcely a shot missed us, literally riddling the s.h.i.+p, as if we had been a b.u.t.t put up to be fired at.

"How do you like this?" I asked of young Sumner, who was near me.

"Not at all just now," he answered. "I only wish that the captain would let us get up and fire back on the enemy. I thought that was always done when people fight."

"Sometimes one has to be battered at as well as to batter, as in the present instance," I answered. "But depend on it, we shall be allowed to take our revenge before long."

"Oh, I wish those dreadful cannon-b.a.l.l.s would not come so close to one,"

sung out poor Harry, half playfully, half in earnest, as a round shot came cras.h.i.+ng through the bulwark close to where we lay, throwing the splinters about us, ploughing up the deck, and pa.s.sing out at a port on the other side.

"I thought you were not going to be frightened, Harry, my boy," said I.

"Nor should I, I tell you, if I could but be firing in return," he answered. "Besides, it is the first time I was ever in action, and I have heard that the bravest men are apt to bob their heads on such occasions. Perhaps when I get accustomed to it I shall care as little as anyone for it."

"I have no doubt you will, Harry," I replied; and most truly the n.o.ble little fellow did not disappoint my expectations. With proud defiance the squadron continued its onward course, still desisting from firing, as if invulnerable to the showers of round shot and bullets which came whistling about them. The enemy were in general firing too high to do much injury except to our rigging; the splinters which flew from our topmasts and yards and came showering down every now and then on deck, and the strange festoons our rigging began to form, the ends of ropes hanging here and there, and the numerous holes exhibited in our sails showed the effect their unremitting fire had caused. Sometimes the wind was so light that we had little more than steerage way, when instantly guns were brought round to attack us. Still we had not performed half our distance. I must own that never, when in chase of an enemy, or when attacked by gun-boats, or when finding my s.h.i.+p set on sh.o.r.e by a strong current, have I more earnestly prayed than now for a breeze to carry us onward. Nothing so much damps the ardour of men as having to sit quiet and be fired at without having the power of returning the compliment.

Few can stand it except Turks and Englishmen; Turks because they fancy it is their fate, Englishmen because they know it is their duty. As the shot came cras.h.i.+ng among us and the blocks and splinters from the spars and other parts of the rigging came tumbling down on our heads, a growl might every now and then be heard from some of the seamen very like that given by a savage dog chained up as a stranger approaches his kennel and he finds after repeated trials that he has come to the length of his tether. I really felt it a relief when I had to move about the decks on any duty, as was the case occasionally when a slight s.h.i.+ft of wind or an alteration in our course made it necessary to trim sails, though I was thus exposed to a much greater risk of losing the number of my mess.

Not a man could show his head above the hammock nettings but he was sure to become the mark of a hundred riflemen who were poking out their weapons from the windows of the houses which looked so peaceably at us.

As I went about the decks I amused myself by remarking the different expressions worn by the countenances of the men. With respect to the greater number it was that of calm indifference, as if not aware that they were running any unusual risk of their lives. Some seemed to see the danger, but to brave it; many were laughing and joking among themselves, while a few, and only a few, were evidently in no small terror of being hit. I pa.s.sed near Tom Rockets. His countenance told me that I need have no fear of his doing me discredit. Old Grampus was near him, looking as calm as if he was sitting down to his dinner.

"I have been telling the youngster, sir," said he, "that one of the first things a seaman has to learn is how to bear the hards.h.i.+ps it may please Providence to send him, whether he has to be shot at, as he has now, or to suffer famine on a raft or desert island, or to have the sea breaking over him on a wreck or on the cold, slippery rocks. Maybe he'll have to try them all before he settles down with a wooden leg, ash.o.r.e in his own cottage, or bears up for Greenwich, as I hopes to do one day."

Tom listened to this very gravely, but I suspect old Nol had been amusing himself somewhat at his expense. Hour after hour pa.s.sed by, and the s.h.i.+p proudly held on her course round Manhattan Island till we reached the eastern side beyond the city, where, at a spot called Kip's Bay, about two miles from it, the squadron at length, at about seven o'clock, dropped anchor in front of a long line of entrenchments which the enemy had thrown up.

Captain Hudson, having to communicate with Captain Hamond, sent me on board the Roebuck. Having delivered my message, I inquired for my friend Hitchc.o.c.k.

"He is here," said Collins, a mids.h.i.+pman I had addressed, lifting up an ensign which was spread near the mainmast.

There lay the poor fellow who was to have dined with me that day, so lately full of life and spirits, now stiff and stark. A rifle-bullet had pa.s.sed through his heart. Several other men had been killed and wounded on board. Such is one of the chances of war. I returned sadly on board my own s.h.i.+p. In those days such an occurrence had but a very transitory effect.

As soon as the enemy found that we were to be stationary for a while, some guns were brought up, which began playing on us, and kept up a no very musical serenade during the night. The shots struck the s.h.i.+ps occasionally; but the guns were very badly served, and did little or no execution. Their music did not prevent me sleeping soundly, and preparing to take my share in the hot work in which we were about to gage.

The next day we received orders to attack the batteries at h.e.l.l Gate.

Lord Howe could not have been informed of the true nature of the place, or he would not have issued the order. The pilots, however, positively refused to take up the s.h.i.+ps, a.s.serting, and not without good grounds, that they would inevitably be lost. At all events, I believe that by their determination we escaped a severe chastis.e.m.e.nt from the enemy. We therefore, with the exception of a little cannonading, spent another quiet night with whole skins in Kip's Bay.

Note 1. Afterwards Sir Andrew Hamond, Bart, and father of the late Admiral Sir Graham Hamond, Admiral of the Fleet, and grandfather of the present Captain Sir Andrew Hamond, Bart.--Editor.

CHAPTER FIVE.

A BRIGHT MORNING AND A DARK DAY.--ATTACK ON NEW YORK.--MERCER SHOWS HIS SYMPATHY WITH THE AMERICANS.--THE BATTLE RAGES.--FIELD OF BATTLE.-- a.s.sIST A WOUNDED AMERICAN.--FIRED AT BY OUR FRIENDS.--ANOTHER TRIP ON Sh.o.r.e.--FALL INTO THE HANDS OF HESSIAN TROOPS.--RESCUED BY GENERAL PIGOT.--SENT WITH DESPATCHES TO LORD HOWE.--MY BOAT'S CREW MUTINY.--NEW YORK ON FIRE.--TREATMENT OF SUPPOSED INCENDIARIES.--REMARKS ON THE WAR.--THE CONDEMNED SPY.--MERCER PLEADS FOR HIM IN VAIN.--HIS EXECUTION.

By early dawn on the morning of the 23rd of September, 1776, every one was astir. The sultry atmosphere alone, even under ordinary circ.u.mstances, would have made us glad to leave our berths. It had become known that a combined attack by the land and sea forces was to be made on the enemy. The mighty sun rose over Long Island in a blaze of glory, and shot upward into a cloudless sky as the anchor was lifted.

Fold after fold of our white canvas was let fall, and the other s.h.i.+ps of the squadron following our example, we once more moved onward along the sh.o.r.e of Manhattan Island.

The scene was one of great beauty. The rays of the bright luminary fell on the wood-crowned heights of Harlem on one side, and of Morrissania on the other side of the creek, throwing the promontories into bold relief, and the bays and inlets, with which the coast is indented, into deeper shade, while rich fields, and meadows and orchards, as they basked in the soft morning light, gave the whole landscape an appearance of calmness and peace, soon to be broken by the rude realities of fierce, unrelenting warfare.

As soon as we weighed anchor the troops of the enemy, who had been watching us under arms since dawn, began to march along the sh.o.r.e close to us, regardless of the danger they ran of destruction, for had we opened our broadsides, we might have played sad havoc among them. They were not quite so fantastically dressed as my friends at Cape Henlopen, but still there was a very great variety of costume, and a lamentable want of discipline among them. If the front rank did not advance fast enough, the rear would give them a shove or a kick to urge them on, all the time making significant and not very complimentary signs to us to come on sh.o.r.e and fight them, while they tried to express their supreme contempt for us by every means in their power, shouting out taunting words, and abusing us in no measured terms.

Our men had two days before stood the battering we got with comparative calmness, but the taunts and signs of the foe now enraged them beyond all endurance.

"Wait a bit, my lads, and then won't we give it you!" sung out d.i.c.k Trunnion, a st.u.r.dy topman, and many similar expressions were uttered by others.

"Oh, Muster Hurry, don't yer think the captain would let us go ash.o.r.e, and give them chaps the drubbing they deserves?" asked Tom Rockets as I pa.s.sed, doubling his fists while he spoke. "I'd like to give them a hiding."

"Never mind them, lads," said old Grampus, turning his back to the sh.o.r.e, and looking over his shoulder at the foe with a glance of supreme contempt. "They knows no better; and fancies because we don't hit we can't. Poor fellows! I pities them, that I do. They bees little better than savinges, only they wants the paint and feathers."

I felt very much as Nol said he did; but I suspect that his anger was rather more excited than he chose to confess. The truth was that these were mostly raw militia regiments, who had seen little or nothing of warfare, and from the previous occurrences of the war had been taught to look with contempt on British prowess. The regulars in most instances behaved admirably, and nothing could surpa.s.s the bravery of the officers of all ranks. This their greatest enemies could not deny; but the militia were of a very different stamp, and the men, unable to depend on each other or their officers, on several occasions fairly turned tail and ran away. I fancy that most of our opponents on the present occasion were of that cla.s.s. We stood on till we reached a spot about fifty yards from the enemy's entrenchments, a little below Blackwell's Island, where the squadron dropped their anchors, and calmly furled sails. There we lay for some time without exchanging a shot, expecting, however, that some hot work was about to be commenced. The gla.s.ses of the officers were in the meantime constantly turned towards the small islets in the direction of Long Island. At length Captain Hudson uttered an exclamation of satisfaction.

"They come! they come!" he cried out, and as he spoke a flotilla of boats were seen emerging from among the tree-covered sh.o.r.es of Bushwick Creek. They formed the first division of flat-bottomed boats, having on board a force of 4500 men, under the immediate command of General Howe.

Slowly and steadily they advanced, like some huge black monsters covering the blue surface of the tranquil and hitherto peaceful Sound.

The drum now beat to quarters.

"Now my boys, if so be you want to punish them poor savinges as has been beguiling you, your time's soon coming," growled out old Nol, as the crew were hurrying with alacrity to their guns.

The only person whose countenance showed no satisfaction was Mercer.

Pale as death, he stood at his post over his division of guns; but I saw that he would rather have died a hundred deaths than engage in the work he felt it was his duty to perform. From my heart I pitied him. There was but little time, however, for thinking of that or any other matter.

On came the flotilla of boats. Not a shot had as yet disturbed the calm tranquillity of the scene. A thin, gauze-like mist was spread over the distant portions of the landscape. The hot sun struck down on our heads; the blue expanse of water glittered in his bright rays, and the sea-fowl skimmed over it, dipping their wings ever and anon, as if to refresh them in the liquid element. Everything still wore an aspect of perfect peace. The boats at last got within fifty yards of the s.h.i.+ps.

A signal flew out from the mast-head of the Phoenix--the knell of many a human being. It was the signal to engage.

"Fire away, my lads," was shouted along the decks. It was not necessary to repeat the order. Never did a crew work their guns with more alacrity. The shot rushed like a storm of gigantic hailstones among the ill-fated Americans, tearing up their entrenchments and scattering the earth and palisades far and wide. In a very short time the fortifications in which they had trusted were blown to atoms; still we fired on as fast as our guns could be loaded and run out. The enemy answered us from various points; but with little effect. In a few short moments, how changed was the scene from what it had lately been! Now from point to point, and through every sheltered nook and bay resounded the roar of cannon, the rattle of musketry, the shouts of the combatants, the shrieks and groans and agonising cries of the wounded, while above all hung a dark, funereal pall of smoke, ascending from the scene of strife, shutting it out as it were from the bright blue glorious firmament above, and, if it could be, from the all-searching eye of the Creator of men who were thus disfiguring His image by their furious pa.s.sions, and dishonouring Him by the infraction of all the precepts of that mild, that beneficent religion, which He in His unsearchable love sent His only Son to teach them to obey.

But where am I driving to? I did not think thus at the time. No; my blood was up; my evil pa.s.sions were aroused; and I was as eager as anyone to shed blood, and utterly careless of all the consequences to myself and others. Never have I witnessed a more tremendous fire than was kept up by our s.h.i.+ps for fifty-nine minutes, during which time in the Orpheus alone we expended 5366 pounds of powder. I kept no note of the number of shot we fired away. The very first broadside made a considerable breach in the enemy's works. At the end of the time I have mentioned the boats advanced, and the signal was made to cease firing.

As they touched the beach the men sprang on sh.o.r.e, and, forming rapidly, gallantly rushed towards the entrenchments with fixed bayonets and loud cheers. The enemy scarcely waited to deliver their fire, but, throwing down their arms, fled on all sides in the utmost terror and confusion, earnestly pet.i.tioning for quarter. The red-coats leaped through the breaches made by our guns, and over the embankments, and were speedily in possession of the enemy's works. As the smoke cleared away, the ground far and near appeared covered with the bodies of the slain and wounded, some with arms, others with legs, shot away, while parties of fugitives were seen flying in every direction, pursued by our men, especially by the Hessians, who seemed little disposed to give the quarter which was asked.

I was not only a spectator but a partic.i.p.ator in what I have been describing. As soon as the s.h.i.+ps ceased firing, our boats, of which I commanded one, were ordered to aid in towing the flat-bottomed boats on sh.o.r.e. As soon as the troops had landed, leaving Grampus in charge of my boat, I, with another mids.h.i.+pman and Tom Rockets and two other men, followed them into the entrenchments, and found myself shortly in the rear of a body of Hessians as they charged over the ground. A poor American was flying for his life, shrieking out for mercy. One of those savage mercenaries either did not or would not understand him, and before I could interpose had with a sweep of his sword severed his head from his body, then, in savage triumph worthy of a Red Indian, sticking it on a pole, carried it through the entrenchments, shouting out as if he had performed some n.o.ble act of heroism.

Meantime several of the s.h.i.+p's boats were ordered to pull along-sh.o.r.e to annoy the enemy in their flight and to prevent them from rallying. My friend Hargrave and I, mids.h.i.+pmanlike and thoughtless of danger, set off in the direction the enemy had taken along the sh.o.r.e, picking up a number of articles which in their terror they had dropped or thrown away, such as rifles, pistols, swords, spy-gla.s.ses, and even watches, plate, and camp utensils of various sorts, which we knew would be most acceptable to our mess. We pa.s.sed many of the slain, knocked over in their flight. As we ran thoughtlessly on, very little moved by these sights, to which even the youngsters were becoming familiar, I heard a deep groan. Looking round, I saw behind a bush a militiaman stretched on the ground with a bad wound in his side.

"Oh, kill me! kill me! put me out of my misery!" he exclaimed as soon as he saw me.

"No, I will not do that," said I; "but I will try if I can relieve you."

I had a flask of some rum and water in my pocket; I gave him some of it to drink. There was, fortunately, a stream near; I got some fresh water in a hat and washed his wound, and then bound it up with a piece of s.h.i.+rt which I took from a dead man near. The poor fellow seemed much revived and very grateful.