Continental Congress at York, Pennsylvania and York County in the Revolution

GONTmENTAL CONGRESS AT YORK,.i'EKN'A. f \ ;i,s.s_ / "Or IJdOi FKIi.Sli.VTEU U\ Continental Congress at York, Pennsylvania and t York County in the Revolution By GEORGE R. PROWELL Author of the History of York County, Pennsylvania, Curator and Librarian of the Historical Society of York County, Member of tlie National Geographic Society, American Historical Association and the Pennsylvania History Club ILLUSTRATED YORK. PA. THE YORK PRINTING CO. 19H eifi Author MAf 22 ;iM /^' /^/^'7 'tCk^fS<^J PREFACE THE following pages furnish a careful record of the transactions of Conti- nental Congress, while it held its sessions in York from September 30, 1777 to June 27, 1778. Shortly before the Battle of Brandywine Congress ad- journed from Independence Hall to meet at Lancaster, but held only one day's session in that city. Meantime, the British had taken possession of Philadeljihia and Congress removed to York. While in session here for a period of nine months, Continental Congress, with representatives from the thirteen original states passed the Articles of Confedera- tion, received the news of the surrender of Burgoyne at Saratoga, issued the first Thanksgiving Proclamation, commissioned Baron Steuben a major general in the American army, and also received a comnjunication from Benjamin Franklin, our commissioner at Paris, that the French government had entered into a treatv to assist the infant Republic of the United States, by sending not only money, but a fleet and an army to aid the Americans in their struggle for liberty. These im- portant facts of general history are told in a connected narrative in this volume. In addition the work contains an exhaustive account of the part taken bv York County in the war for Independence. Attention is called to the article on the Flying Camp, which contained three regiments of troops west of the Susque- hanna, who performed valiant services at the battle of Fort Washington. No other city of the Union, except Philadelphia, New York and Boston has more in- teresting associations relating to the Revolution than York, Pennsylvania, and it is the object of these pages to bring out this fact clearly to the student of American History. (^ R P York, Pa., April 1. 1^)14. THE REVOLUTIOX 157 YORK COUNTY IN THE REVOLUTION. CHAPTER XH The British lost nearly 300 men, and though reinforced, narrowdy escaped capture. This THE REVOLUTION was the beginning of the Revolutionary war. First York County Troops Thompson's — On the loth of Alay, 1775, the second Sixth Battalion—Expedition to Canada— Continental Congress assembled in Phila- Pennsylvania Battalion—Battle of Three delphia and on the same day Ticonderoga Rivers — McClean's Company — Grier's and Crown Point, on Lake Champlain. were Company—Miles' Regiment—Albright's captured by patriots from the Green Comipany—First Pennsylvania Regiment Mountains and Connecticut Valley, under —Battle of Long Island. Ethan Allen and Seth Warner. The tocsin of war had now been sounded In 1774 the difficulties between the King and American troops began to assemble in of England and the thirteen colonies were the vicinity of Boston. These men had not adjusted by the appeals made to the come from farms and workshops and, al- King and Parliament. As the result of this though untrained as soldiers, were eager condition the first Continental Congress for armed conflict with the British foe. with representatives from the diflerent Meantime reinforcements had arrived from colonies, met in Philadelphia in September England. General Gage was succeeded by of that year. This Congress sent a decla- Sir William Howe, who now commanded ration of Rights to tlie King, but it was un- 10,000 men, and on June 17 the famous bat- answered. Soon afterward IMassachusetts tle of Bunker Hill was fought. Although assembled a Provincial Congress and began the Americans were defeated, tlie moral to form troops and collect military stores to efifect of the battle was in their favor. oppose by armed resistance what was At this time the American forces around termed the tyranny of the English govern- Boston were composed of undisciplined ment. Gen. Thomas Gage, who had troops. The news of the conflict at Lexing- fought under Braddock in the French and ton and Concord soon spread from Massa- Indian war, was in charge of the British chusetts to Georgia. It aroused a spirit of troops at Boston. patriotism that prevailed throughout the On the evening of April 18, country during the entire period of the war. Concord 1775. Gage dispatched 800 Continental Congress had taken charge of and regulars to Concord, a few the assembling of troops in Massachusetts Lexington, miles northwest of Boston, to to oppose the British forces of Sir William capture the army stores there. Howe, and now^ supported active measures On their way they found a party of armed for a war against the mother country. On yeomanry on Lexington Common. A June 14 this body of patriots adopted a British officer ordered them to disperse and resolution that eight companies of trained as they remained motionless his soldiers riflemen from Pennsylvania, two from fired, killing seven men, and then proceede-<l I^laryland and two from Virginia be raised, to Concord. By the time they reached and as soon as organized should be marched Concord most of tlie stores had been re- to the army under \\'ashington at Cam- moved. In a sharp skirnu'sh, the British bridge. regulars were defeated, and as they marched A military spirit had existed in Pennsyl- back toward Boston, Inmdreds of farmers vania and the adjoining colonies since the advanced upon them, firing from l^ehind French and Indian war. Companies had walls and trees after the Indian fasliion. been organized in nearly all the centres of i=;8 HISTORY UK YORK COUNTY, PEXXSYLV-VXIA " population. The men who composed these I'll take only the men that can hit that companies were trained liunters and skilled nose at one hundred and fifty yards," said marksmen so that when tlieir patriotism young Lieutenant ]\Iiller, as he chalked a was aroused, these sturdy pioneers were small nose on a barn door. quick to respond to the resolution of Horatio Gates, recently appointed adju- Congress and the appeals of their fellow- tant-general of the army and who iiad countrymen in New England. chanced to arrive in York from his home in When the news of Lexington and Con- Virginia on his way to headquarters, de- cord reached the county seat at York it was cided it would be unwise to refuse the en- soon transmitted to every section of York listment of such courageous men. " They County. A similar spirit pervaded the will make soldiers," he said. neighboring counties of Pennsylvania. One The committee appointed to pro\ide the of the eight Pennsylvania companies was to necessaries for the company did their work be recruited in York County. Each com- so well that in a few days a company of lOO pany was officered with a captain, three lieu- men was completely armed and equipped tenants, four sergeants, four corporals, a for the field without a farthing being ad- drummer and sixty-eight privates. The vanced from the Continental treasury. captain was to receive twenty dollars per " The spirit of the people on this oc- local cor- month ; a lieutenant, thirteen and one-third casion," wrote the committee of " dollars; a sergeant, eight dollars; a cor- respondence to Congress, gave the com- poral, seven and one-third; a drummer the mittee encouragement. Tlie men seemed same; privates, six and two-thirds. All actuated Avith the greatest zeal and thought were to find their own arms and clothes. tliemselves honored in having their names enrolled among the sons of liberty who are FIRST TROOPS. YORK COUNTY to fight for their country and in defense of The sturdy yeomanry of this section of their dearest rights and privileges. The Pennsylvania \vere ready for the emergency. only uneasiness they feel is that they are not Local militia companies had been organized. this moment at the scene of action. From At this period there were three armed the spirit of the soldiers we entertain the companies in the town of Y'ork. From the most flattering hopes that they will prove militia of the county it was decided to select servicable to the cause of liberty and reflect the reciuisite number of officers and sixty- honor on this county. The principal people eight riflemen to form a company. Recruit- here have caught the spirit of the honorable ing began at Marsh Creek, at Gettys' tavern, Congress and in their small circle have done now the site of Gettysburg. Some men everything in their power to animate their came from the ]\Ionaghan settlement, where neighbors to stand forth in this day of Dillsburg now stands, and still another despotism and resist the arbitrary and im- scjuad was recruited in the southern part of just measures of Parliament with all the the county. These men, ready to enlist in power which heaven has given them. And the cause of American Independence, came we have the pleasure to inform you that to York, where the company was organized their labors have not been in vain and that with Michael Doudel as captain ; Henry the county is ready to strain every nerve to first Dill, second put into execution any measures which the Miller, lieutenant ; John lieutenant; James Matson, third lieutenant. Congress may judge necessary to oiu" com- On receipt of the instructions of Con- mon defense. The officers are men of gress the York County committee, which whose courage we have the highest opinion.

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