1776: "We Left Long Island"

Lieutenant Joseph Hodgkins helped form and lead the Ipswich Company from Massachusetts. These letter excerpts include his experiences during the Battle of Brooklyn and retreat from Long Island during the New York Campaign of 1776, along with news to his hometown and the tragedy of his young son's death. 

In camp, August y^e [the] 28, 1776. Loving wife, having a few moments leisure I would just inform you that I am well through the goodness of God though I am very much worried with a skirmish we had yesterday with the enemy. It was as follows:

Our regiment with a number of others was sent down to our advanced post, three miles from our lines in the woods. In the night, the enemy marched out two different ways and got most all around our division which consisted of ours and Col. Hitchcock’s regiment. After having a very hot fire for some time, we were ordered to march for the fort. But we found the enemy were endeavoring to cut off our retreat, and in great measure did; we were obliged to go through fire and water. But through the goodness of God we got chiefly in. It seems the day is come in all probability on which depends the salvations for this country. But what will be the issue, God only knows. But it is the determination to defend our lines till the last extremity. I must subscribe as before. Joseph Hodgkins.

[P.S.] Lieut. Lord received a ball through his thigh. Poor Archelaus Pulsifer is missing. I can’t tell whether he was taken or killed or drowned, for we had to pass over a creek almost up to my armpits, and several were drowned there. Capt. Dodge has one man missing. As to our whole loss, it was considerable. The enemy is within a mile and a half of our lines.

New York, Aug. 31, 1776. My dear, having an opportunity this morning to write a line or two more to let you know that we left Long Island last Thursday night. The enemy had got almost around us, and they had much the advantage of the ground; they were posted on the heights very near us, and heaving up works against us to bombard us out of our forts, which they might easily have done, for our forts were very much exposed to them on all sides. The retreat was as follows:

We were ordered to be under arms with packs and everything in order at seven o’clock Thursday night. We all thought it was to go out against our enemy. But about nine o’clock the order was to strike our tents and pack all up and march to the ferry as quick as possible, and we made all the dispatch we could, but I can’t tell you how I felt. and what will be the event of these things, God only knows. I desire to commit myself to him and trust in his mercy at all times, for according to my opinion, things look very dark on our side. But for our comfort, God reigns, and what he sees is best for us will be done. I hope you are well. I expect to hear from you soon. I am well at present though the goodness of God. But I have had but one night in bed since last Sunday. But I must conclude at present by subscribing myself your most affectionate companion till death, Joseph Hodgkins.

[P.S.] I expected Mr. Row would have been home by this time. We have heard nothing from poor Archelaus. I fear he is dead. Heavy news for his poor mother.

New York Sept. y^e 5, 1776. My dear, these lines come with my most affectionate regards to you, hoping they will find you and our children in as good health as they leave me at this time through the goodness of God, which has been great towards me. I wish I was more sensible of it and had a heart to live answerable for all God’s mercy. I received your letter of y^e [the] 22 of August last Sunday, by which I was informed of the death of my little son. It is heavy news to me but it is God that has done it, therefore what can I say? I hope it will please God to sanctify all these outward afflictions to us for our best good. We are all in a troublesome world and we in a particular manner are exposed not only to these accidents which are common to all men but to fire & sword, and many hardships which before now I was a stranger to, and which are too many to be numbered.

But I must just let you know as near as I can where I am we have moved three times since we left the island and now we are about 6 or 7 miles above the city of York near the north river to guard a landing place, but how long we shall stay here is uncertain, for the enemy are getting up there ships on each side of this island, for York is an island parted from the mainland by a river about 14 miles from the city, which is called Kings Bridge. It is very difficult to guard both sides of this island against a number of enemy and a large fleet of ships as ever was in America. It is expected they will land from Long Island over here at a place called Hell's Gate. This place is not far from us, only across the island. There are a great number of our people there and I hope they will be able to annoy the enemy, but as for hindering their landing, I do not expect they can, and when they come we must either beat them or they us and if it should be the former, happy for us, but if the latter the consequences will be shocking to all.

But let us not be discouraged, for if God is for us we need not fear what man can do unto us. You may think that I write too discouraging but only consider a minute, we have been all this summer digging & building of forts to cover our heads, and now we have been obliged to leave them, and now we are here, and not one shovel full of dirt to cover us, but in all probability we must meet them in the open field and risk our lives and country on one single battle. I don’t mean that we have no works. There are a great many forts & batteries, but the enemy takes care not to come near them till they get a good foothold, so as to approach them in a regular manner and secure a good retreat. I don’t write this to discourage you or to increase your trouble but only to let you know as near as I can of our circumstances. For my part I am not discouraged but hope through God we shall do valiantly.

As to our leaving Long Island, I don’t know what most people think of it, but If the wind had not hindered the ships from coming up we must have been all made prisoners, but lucky for us the wind held to the north for some days, but our retreat was so sudden and unexpected that we lost a great many of our things. My best shirt & and our britches & stockings & handkerchiefs were at the wash woman’s and I had not time to get them as I set out, and so are lost in the skirmish down the island, but I don’t mean to lay these things to heart.

But I must just inform you that William Goodhue is dead. I shall not have the opportunity to write to his father. He was taken sick about the time the regulars landed on the island. He was moved to York, so I never saw him but once after he was moved and that was last Sunday. I did not think he was in dangerous condition, but he died the next day. Do let his father know it as soon as you can. He was very much like Sarg. Hodgkins, only had more fever, two of the strongest men in our company cut off suddenly. Heavy news to their friends. I must conclude at this time by subscribing myself your most affectionate com­panion till death, Joseph Hodgkins

P.S. Give my duty to all my parents and love to all friends. Tell brother my not writing to him this time was not for want of goodwill, but for want of time, & I hope it won’t hinder him from writing.

Friday morning. Having a few minutes of leisure this morning, I thought I would write a line or two more to let you know some things that slipped my mind before. As to our loss on the Island, near as can be computed is about 600 men missing, and it is said the enemy’s loss is about the same number. We had two generals taken, and the enemy had one killed certain, and it is reported that they have two missing. As to our own regiment, we lost but three men. And as to Archelaus Pulsifer and one more, it is uncertain whether they were killed or taken, but I fear they were killed. We had a young man in our company who had a ball that went through his wrist, and it was so broken that he had his hand cut off. I had the sleeve buttons shot off my sleeve, and the skin was a little grazed. As to Moses Shatwell's sons, I have not seen either of them. I do not know what regiment they are in; if I did it is likely I could find them. If they are in Col. Hutchinson’s they are about 5 miles from us.

My dear, I want to see you very much, but when I shall, I cannot tell. But I hope I shall be preserved from all the evils & dangers that we are surrounded with & returned home in safety in God’s good time. Give my love to my two children, and tell them to be good gals and that Daddy wants to see them. It is more healthy among us than it was. We have none sick in our company. We have had plenty of rain here for these three weeks. I am very glad to hear that you have such a growing season. Likewise that you have plenty of West India goods. I wish we had. We are obliged to give 4 shillings in lawful money for a quart for rum. I can’t get it for that. If the army was clean from New York it would be no matter how soon it was sunk, for of all places, it is the worst. But I must conclude as before by subscribing myself, Joseph Hodgkins.

[P.S.] I shall send enclosed in this Sarg. Hodgkins’, with which I would have you send it to Uncle and tell him that upon our leaving the Island so suddenly, all his clothes were lost. I have just heard that Ebenezer Staniford is very bad with a fever and has been sick and had gotten abroad last Sunday. I saw him–he told me that he was fine and hearty. Col. Wade has written to Mr. Goodhue, so you do not need to put yourself out of the way about letting him know of the death of his son.

Source:

The Letters of Joseph Hodgkins and Sarah Perkins Hodgkins. Historic Ipswich online: https://historicipswich.net/the-letters-of-joseph-hodgkins-and-sarah-perkins-hodgkins/