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Read Pages 11 and 12 here!
Any page with Alexander Hamilton is a good page.
Hamilton’s artillery company did indeed save Benjamin Tallmadge’s life at White Plains. This moment from the battlefield is one that Tallmadge personally recounted in his memoir.
On the 2/th October, 1 776, it was announced at Head Quarters that the enemy was in motion from Westchester, through Eastchester, directly toward the White Plains. A detachment of 2,000 or 3,000 men was ordered to proceed on the old York road to meet the enemy in front. As our brigade formed a part of the force, I, of course, was among them. Before the dawn of day, on the 28th of October, we learned that the enemy were in full march directly in front of us. Gen. Spencer, who commanded this body of troops in advance, immediately made the necessary disposition to receive the enemy, having the river Bronx on our right, and between us and the troops on Chadderton’s Hill. At the dawn of day, the Hessian column advanced within musket shot of our troops, when a full discharge of musketry warned them of their danger. At first they fell back, but rallyed again immediately, and the column of British troops having advanced upon our left, made it necessary to retire. As stone walls were frequent, our troops occasionally formed behind them, and poured a destructive fire into the Hessian ranks. It, however, became necessary to retreat wholly before such an overwhelming force. To gain Chadderton’s Hill, it became necessary to cross the Bronx, which was fordable at that place. The troops immediately entered the river and ascended the hill, while I being in the rear, and mounted on horseback, endeavored to hasten the last of our troops, the Hessians being then within musket shot. When I reached the bank of the river, and was about to enter it, our Chaplain, the Rev. Dr. Trumbull, sprang up behind me on my horse, and came with such force to carry me with my accoutrements, together with himself, headlong into the river. This so entirely disconcerted me, that by the time I reached the opposite bank of the river, the Hessian troops were about to enter it, and considered me as their prisoner. As we ascended the hill, I filed off to the right, expecting our troops on the hill would soon give them a volley. When they had advanced within a few yards of a stone wall, behind which Gen. McDougall had placed them, our troops poured upon the Hessian column, under Gen. Rahl, such a destructive fire, that they retreated down the hill in disorder, leaving a considerable number of the corps on the field. This relieved me from my perilous situation, and I immediately remounted my horse, and taking my course in the valley, directly between the hostile armies, I rode to Head Quarters, near the Court-house, and informed Gen. Washington of the situation of the troops on Chadderton’s Hill. The enemy having rallied, and being reinforced, made a second attempt upon Gen. McDougall’s detachment, who gave them a second warm reception ; but, being overpowered, retired upon the right of our line, then in order of battle. A severe cannonade was kept up from both armies through the day, and every moment did we expect the enemy would have attempted to force us from our lines. In the meantime, Gen. Washington had begun to remove his stores and heavy baggage up to Northcastle.
Sorry we didn’t post today’s update at midnight. We got up Sunday morning at 4 am to drive out to Azna-Borrego State Park to see the desert flower super bloom. California received an incredible amount of rain this winter which made the spring flowers so thick they carpeted the desert floor. We arrived in Anza-Borrego in time to watch the sunrise over the mountains.
The air smelled like perfume! It was incredible… and a little tiring. Last night, Webmaster Mike and I passed out and completely forgot to post the new pages. For your trouble, enjoy a few photos of the incredible bloom.
Curious about what is different in the Reboot? Follow along on Patreon! I am posting every reboot page with an explanation for the changes.
