Alexander Hamilton the Myth and the Man Part 1: He Never Fired a Shot During the Battle of White Plains!

Perhaps, when describing the Battle of White Plains and participants, it is appropriate to use the romantic term historians and fictional writers ascribe to combat; the fog of war. In this case, as in most all conflicts, it has been cast over the facts that have been handed down to us over the decades. The truth lies hidden beneath the romantic rhetoric, misinformation, and misrepresentation for personal or whatever means; much of it forever lost in destroyed diaries or memories long gone to the grave. The researcher’s dilemma is always at play. How long and how deep does one dig before he or she is satisfied and present in writing what is even remotely close to what occurred among men in a desperate struggle to survive?

This article will pose ten questions to examine the existence and performance of artillery on Chatterton’s Hill, the primary scene of battle, and Hamilton’s role in that struggle. It will examine primary sources and trace secondary sources in relating the facts and possible myths that led to popular opinion. It will endeavor to answer each question and will summarize a conclusion as to Alexander Hamilton’s participation in the Battle of White Plains, NY. Author’s note: I will refer to Alexander Hamilton as Hamilton and any citations to family relations will be inclusive of their full name.

Introduction

On October 28, 1776, at the Battle of White Plains, Captain Hamilton’s artillery did not drive back nor did he significantly assist in halting the attacking British and Hessian forces. The artillery did not make a stalwart defense of the American position on Chatterton Hill (where the main battle occurred), thereby protecting the American troop withdrawal. Captain Hamilton and his artillery company was not the last to leave the field of battle. Chatterton Hill looked down upon the Bronx River. A bridge under construction by attacking Hessian forces supposedly spanned the river. Historians have credited Captain Hamilton in shelling that bridge, inflicting grave casualties upon the Hessians. Hamilton’s gallant efforts then forced the enemy to give up the bridge and ford the river. That bridge did not exist. There was a bridge, but it was a mile and a half from Chatterton Hill and served to advance British artillery closer to the American line. American field artillery, three pounders, effective at four to five hundred yards, was stationed on Chatterton Hill, over 2,600 yards from the actual bridge – therefore impossible to shell by the Americans.

Countless historical texts by reputable scholars, spanning decades, including hundreds of internet articles, trumpet Captain Hamilton’s incredible bravery as a soldier in the American Revolutionary War, particularly noting his significant and heroic performance during the Battle of White Plains. It was a claim that gained notoriety after accounts of Captain Hamilton’s fantastic feats first appeared in an early biography of Alexander Hamilton by his son, John Hamilton. However, upon examining primary sources and recorded documents, it becomes apparent that John Hamilton’s descriptions, copied and embellished by later biographers and historians, amounted to nothing more than a fantastic fable.

In fact, according to the majority of primary sources, American artillery on Chatterton Hill was so dismally handled, firing a couple of shots before being withdrawn, that they had no impact on the battle. One cannon had to be dragged by infantrymen after a British shot burst nearby and the artillerymen abandoned it. The American artillery proved to be so inconsequential, that most participants in the battle do not even mention American artillery in later statements.

Captain Hamilton’s Company of Artillery was assigned to a brigade that was stationed near center and on the left flank of the American line. Chatterton Hill was on the far right; nowhere near the main action that day. Captain Hamilton had but two three pound cannon in his train. One was sent to cover the extreme right flank and was commanded by Hamilton’s second lieutenant. Those men saw brief action along with a regiment of their assigned brigade; firing but once at twenty British dragoons who came too close to the American position. That cannon remained quiet for the rest of the battle. As to date, there is no document that places Captain Hamilton in direct charge of his other cannon in his train. Neither does evidence indicate that cannon saw action that day.

How, for over a hundred and fifty years, could such a deception and misrepresentation of facts be accepted and copied by so many credible historians; right up to twenty first century publications and many current internet sites that spew undocumented accounts of Hamilton’s actions at White Plains? The answer may be twofold: it took years for researchers to discover and acknowledge the validity of primary accounts that counter mainstream thought and, what was accepted as an undisputable quote by Captain Alexander Hamilton, stating that he and his cannon had a significant role in the battle, was intentionally lifted from another document which had nothing to do with the Battle of White Plains. This article is the first to offer conclusive evidence as to which brigade Hamilton’s line of artillery was assigned to; thereby accurately placing his artillery on the field of battle, and the first to trace the misquoted deception that gave birth to fantasy.

Source of Deception

Alexander Hamilton (founding father and first Secretary of the Treasury) rose to prominence prior to and during his participation in the American Revolutionary War. His attention to detail, sagacious mind, and scholarly writings caught the eye of the day’s major politicians and future mentor, General George Washington. Little was recorded of his arrival in the colonies as a young man and his initial military activity. After the war, early historians failed to mention Hamilton’s role in the conflict or they gave brief references to the youth’s military achievements; focusing on his role as aide-de-camp to General Washington. John Hamilton, Alexander Hamilton’s son, in several volumes on his father’s life, starting in 1834, wrote what proved to be an excessive veneration of his father that changed how many future historians reported the ‘facts’ about Hamilton; most particularly his earlier youth when he immigrated from the West Indies and his early career in the military. John Hamilton’s 1840 two volume publication had numerous errors and fabrications when relating his father’s experience as captain of artillery. However, It was the six volume biography he published in 1858 that reported such fantastical accounts of Hamilton’s exploits in and around New York City during the British campaign, that it opened the floodgates for future historians to take note of Captain Hamilton’s “significant achievements” during the war’s infancy – especially in and around the battles for New York City in 1776.

In his 1858 publication, John Hamilton lavishly elaborated on his father’s exploits, proclaiming the youthful captain of artillery’s as a skillful and courageous leader under fire. Other historians picked up the pen and placed Hamilton in critical roles in actions on Long Island and at Harlem Heights; battles he had no part in. As to the Battle of White Plains, John Hamilton quoted his father directly as he described his father’s courageous endeavors. For the next hundred and fifty years, scholars and biographers, including internet articles, jumped on the historical bandwagon, citing and copying the son’s dramatic portrayal of his father’s war exploits. They accepted John Hamilton’s assertion that his father was a hero during the Battle of White Plains. And why not? John Hamilton backed up this claim with a statement by his father affirming how well he manned the artillery. Only problem… it didn’t happen. It was made up. The quote that proved John Hamilton’s assertions of his father’s exploits at White Plains, thereby supporting the son’s false claims, was taken out of context, word for word, from a legal document pertaining to an action that Hamilton described; a month earlier than the Battle of White Plains.

In the decades since John Hamilton’s biography, as more primary sources became available and properly researched, some skeptics emerged. Yet their dubiety, for the most part, was largely glazed over or ignored by many in the historical community. Nathan Schachner, biographer of several of our Founding Fathers, writes in his 1946 text, Alexander Hamilton: “Less, perhaps, is known of the early life and career of Alexander Hamilton than of any other American of similar stature. This is due in part to the clouded aspects of his birth and his rootless character as an alien when he first appeared on the American scene, but chiefly to the filiopietistic labors of his son and first formal biographer, John C. Hamilton, whose elisions, distortions and downright falsehoods were slavishly copied by generations of succeeding historians.”ⁱ Many aspects of Mr. Schachner’s observation still holds true seventy one years after his biography of Hamilton was published. In 1886, Henry Dawson wrote an excellent account of the events leading up to and the battle in his text Westchester County New York during the American Revolution. As to John C. Hamilton’s descriptions of his father’s role during the battle he wrote; “John Church Hamilton… by his suppression as well as by his falsification of the truth, in order that his father might be unduly eulogized… is untruthworty.” He also wrote; “… in whose unsupported testimony, in historical subjects, we have no confidence whatsoever…” and “Among the creations of John Hamilton’s very able but very unscrupulous pen… doubts concerning Captain’s Hamilton’s presence, with the company on Chatterton Hill on the eventful day of the battle.”ⁱⁱ

This crafted deception of Captain Hamilton’s heroic efforts during the Battle of White Plains, the impact of American artillery on the field of battle, shelling a bridge that did not exist; all of it was also taken as fact by the U.S. government. To commemorate the hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the Battle of White Plains, stamp number 629 was issued on October 18, 1926. It was entitled “Hamilton’s Battery” and featured a prominent figure alongside an artillery crew manning a Revolutionary War field cannon. Mystic Stamp Company, claiming to be the largest US stamp dealer, presently offers the stamp for sale, noting in their advertisement that “Alexander Hamilton positioned his cannon strategically and held a large Hessian contingent at bay to allow an orderly retreat.”ⁱⁱⁱ

Questions Raised and Examined

This article will ask a series of questions to examine Captain Alexander’s presence during the battle, the attack by British and Hessian forces and what American units countered their assault, the role American artillery played on Chatterton Hill, the supposedly construction of a bridge that Captain Hamilton’s company of artillery was credited with shelling, and the cause and effect of a newly discovered misquote by this author that traces the source of much of the deception surrounding Captain Hamilton’s exploits during the Battle of White Plains.

Primary sources will be researched, focusing on records and written experiences of those who fought the battle including; returns of military units, general orders, commissary requisitions, minutes of governing bodies, court martial records, payroll, regimental rosters and correspondence. A study of secondary sources by historians will explore when, how, and to what extent Captain Alexander Hamilton was considered to have taken a significant and gallant role in the Battle of White Plains. These secondary sources and their conclusions, opinions, and summaries will be used to ascertain any direct cause and effect of John Hamilton’s misquote of his father’s actions during the Battle of White Plains. The following nine questions will be explored in detail and will be published in four articles:

ARTICLE 1:

1. Introduction and background information including when and how did student Alexander Hamilton become involved with artillery? Captain Hamilton’s Company of Artillery was assigned to which division and brigade of the Continental Army and what is the importance of this?

ARTICLE 2:

2. What are the specifics of the Battle of White Plains, focusing on the assault on Chatterton Hill by the British and Hessians and which American forces were involved in countering the attack?

3. What was Captain Hamilton’s artillery position in the American line at White Plains? Did any of his cannon see action that day? Were any of his artillery present on Chatterton Hill? Was he in personal command of any cannon during the battle?

ARTICLE 3:

4. How well did Captain Hamilton’s company of artillery perform in battles or skirmishes prior to the Battle of White Plains? and how well did the American artillery perform during the Battle of White Plains? What impact, if any, did American artillery have in defending Chatterton hill?

5. What are the facts concerning a bridge that was supposedly under construction by Hessian forces prior to the main assault by British and Hessian forces? Are there any primary accounts that confirm this bridge existed? Did Hamilton’s cannon heroically shell this bridge as detailed by Hamilton’s son and later copied by many historians?

6. Is there a distinct timeline when historians begin to credit Captain Alexander Hamilton’s company of artillery for playing a significant role in the Battle of White Plains?

7. What is the documentation that recorded Captain Hamilton testimony to a military action he took part in which his son John Hamilton misquoted to prove his father’s role during the Battle of White Plains?

8. Did John Hamilton’s misquote of his father’s participation in the Battle of White Plains have a cause and effect on future historians? Conclusion.

Captain Hamilton’s Company of Artillery was assigned to which division and brigade of the Continental Army and What is the Importance of this?

No primary source places Captain Hamilton’s artillery company on Chatterton Hill during the Battle of White Plains. It was common practice that when a brigade or regiment went into combat, any call for cannon would fall upon the line of artillery assigned to that unit. Captain Hamilton’s artillery was founded as a New York Provincial Company whose purpose was for the defense of the city. It was not at first appointed to a Continental or State Brigade. If it could be ascertained that his company was attached to any of the units that defended Chatterton Hill, a strong assumption could be made that his artillery was involved. Likewise, if it can be proven that his artillery company remained independent, or was assigned to a brigade or regiment that was not involved in the battle or saw minimal combat; it is doubtful that his company saw much action if any.

Since Hamilton’s artillery was from New York, it is logical to explore records to determine if his company, prior to the battle, was placed under the command of a New York brigade. Two brigades, mostly composed of regiments from New York, were commanded by influential New Yorkers, Brigadier General John Morin Scott and Brigadier General Alexander McDougall. Numerous firsthand accounts claim that McDougall’s brigade played a major role in the Battle of White Plains, suffering casualties in defending Chatterton Hill.^iv General Scott’s brigade was not involved in the day’s action, save one regiment posted on the far left of the American line, whose assigned cannon fired upon twenty dragoons; driving the horseman away. Some secondary sources state that General Scott was wounded at the Battle of White Plains, indicating his brigade played a larger role in the general action. There is no documentation to support this and researched evidence provided in this paper proves it highly doubtful.

To determine the Continental brigade or regiment Hamilton’s artillery company was assigned to by October 28 and the Battle of White Plains, consideration should be given to the company’s formation. This includes personnel responsible for its founding, Hamilton’s relationships to brigadier commanders, and the timeline for transferrable from a Provincial Company of artillery to Colonel Henry Knox’s ten regiments of Continental Artillery.

Early in the conflict, each colony organized their own militias and provincial armed forces; there was no unified army as such. After Lexington [April 19, 1775], what we know as the Continental Army began to take shape as the colonies were required to provide men for a central, unified army. Set quotas were established by the Continental Congress based on the colony’s population. New soldiers were recruited to fill the required regiments. To help meet this quota, most colonies convinced their established militiamen to accept the terms of a Continental Army and serve a set period of enlistment. In July of 1775, the New York Provincial Congress raised a company of artillery for Continental service; New Yorker Captain John Lamb was put in command.

Student Alexander Hamilton Sets His Sights on the Captaincy of His Own Artillery Company

Hamilton was an adopted New York City native and, as friend and fellow patriot Nicholas Fish recorded, “immediately after the Battle of Lexington, he attached himself to one of the uniformed militia companies,”^v joining Captain Edward Fleming’s first New York Militia which military rolls identified as the Corsicans^vi [not Hearts of Oak as is mistakenly stated in many historical accounts]. Hamilton’s first recorded encounter with cannon while under enemy fire occurred on August 23, 1775. He and several other Kings College students volunteered to aid Captain John Lamb’s Continental Artillery company, ordered by the New York Provincial Congress, to remove two dozen cannon from Fort George at the tip of Manhattan to the Commons, further north along Broadway. The men dragged the heavy cannon still in their garrison carriages,^vii while shelled by the 64 gun warship HMS Asia.

Early the next year, 1776, with the rumored invasion of the city by British forces, the New York Provincial Congress decided to raise an artillery company to specifically defend the city. Hamilton was determined to become this new company’s commander and discovered that befriending and gaining the respect of rising stars within the rebellion had its advantage. Alexander McDougall was a successful NY City merchant and prominent ‘patriot’; one of the leaders of New York’s Sons of Liberty (along with “King” Isaac Sears). McDougall was a member of the first and second Provincial Congress and in June of 1775, he was appointed colonel of the First New York Regiment. Colonel McDougal had been impressed by Hamilton’s prose and his scholarly pamphlets that expressed a passionate zeal for the ‘American cause’. When Hamilton approached McDougall and expressed a desire to command the new artillery company, McDougall was more than happy to assist.

On February 23, 1776, the NY Provincial Congress reported that Colonel McDougall recommended Mr. Alexander Hamilton for captain of artillery.^viii Hamilton applied himself studiously in all aspects of leading a train of artillery. On March 14, 1776, a certificate by Stephan Bedlam, captain of artillery was read and filed, certifying that he had examined Hamilton and judged him qualified to command artillery.^ix Hamilton was immediately appointed Captain of the Provincial Company of Artillery for the colony of New York.^x Capt. Hamilton set about recruiting and organizing his own company and by April 1, 1776, he had a full contingency of officers and recruits^xi. By June 29^th, his company totaled ninety three men.^xii

Captain Hamilton’s company of artillery was the only such unit not assigned to the newly formed Continental Army which consisted of ten companies of artillery under regimental commander Colonel Henry Knox.^xiii The New York artillery was its own entity at the expense and disposal of the colony which created some discrepancies. Hamilton wrote to the New York Provincial Congress on May 26, 1776, requesting his company receive the same recognition and pay as Continental Artillery.^xiv His request was approved. Though a Provincial company, his unit adhered to all army regulations and shared the same responsibilities as other Continental Artillery Companies. On June 10^th, he commanded two twelve pounder and four 32 pounder cannon on garrison carriages at Fort George; positioned on the southern tip of Manhattan Island. At the Grand Battery, just below the fort, he, along with Captains Pierce and Burbeck, commanded twenty three guns from 32 pounders to iron mortars.^xv

Many historians and scholars who accepted that Captain Hamilton’s artillery played a significant role in repelling the British and Hessian attack on Chatterton Hill, without documentation, placed Hamilton’s train of artillery in General McDougall’s brigade. It was a natural assumption. McDougall recommended Hamilton’s commission as captain of artillery and his New York brigade defended Chatterton Hill, suffering casualties. Therefore it was logical that Hamilton was in his brigade. But researched records prove that it was not McDougall’s brigade to which Hamilton’s artillery was assigned, but General Scott’s New York State Brigade.

Hamilton may have desired that his company be assigned to the Continental Army and inadvertently hurried his transferral from a Provincial to a Continental Artillery Company. On July 26, 1776, he wrote a letter to the New York Provincial Congress, complaining that his men were not getting the same supplies and provisions as Continental soldiers.^xvi Cornelius Roosevelt, acting commissary for the New York Province, wrote back complaining that he was required by Capt. Hamilton to supply a much larger quantity of provisions than stipulated for by the providence and he demanded more money.^xvii

Having their own artillery company was proving to be expensive. The members of New York’s Provincial Congress saw a way out and an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone; get someone else to foot the bill for the company’s expenses, and help fill their quota for Continental soldiers. They decided to relinquish not just control, but the cost of the artillery company to the Continental Congress. Hamilton’s company had been placed under the command of an infantry brigade. They officially ordered on July 31^st that as Capt. Hamilton’s Company was formerly assigned to the New York brigade under General John Morin Scott, “that they [Hamilton’s company] be henceforth supplied with Provisions as part of that Brigade.”^xviii. Perhaps there was a discussion between the Provincial and Continental Congress for on Aug. 3^rd, minutes of the NY Congress states that considering the letters of Hamilton and Roosevelt, “further consideration will be posted.^xix The final decision was recorded on August 9^th: “That the Company of Artillery formerly raised by Capt. Hamilton, under the authority of this state… [be] considered as a part of the number ordered to be raised by the Continental Congress from the Militia of the State, and therefore that the said company be, and hereby is, incorporated into General Scott’s Brigade.” New York’s Continental Army quota was closer to being filled by ninety three bodies.^xx Likewise Hamilton’s company of artillery was listed under Colonel Henry Knox’s regiment of Continental Artillery.^xxi

Like General McDougall, Scott was a very influential politician. He was a lawyer, outspoken leader of New York’s sons of liberty, member of the Provincial Congress, and brigadier general of New York State troops. He was aware of Hamilton’s well versed literary defenses of the ‘patriot cause’ and perhaps was part of the discussion surrounding the Provincial Congress’ decision to relinquish Hamilton’s artillery into the Continental folds. Yet, instead of transferring Hamilton’s outfit to New York’s Continental force under McDougall, by placing the artillery within a New York State Brigade, the Provincial Congress could hopefully retain some of their influence to assure the artillery would remain close by and protect the city. This soon bore fruit in the next major battle of the war.

Contrary to many secondary historical texts, Captain Hamilton’s company did not take part in the Battle of Long Island on August 27^th, 1776. Hamilton remained in the city and was stationed at Fort Bayard^xxii, a redoubt sitting atop a large hill that had a commanding vista over the city and all approaches form the northeast. We know that Hamilton’s company was still in General Scott’s brigade by mid September.^xxiii Scott’s brigade, along with Colonel Silliman’s Brigade,^xxiv were in the city when the British invaded mid Manhattan Island at Kip’s Bay on September 15, 1776.^xxv This move almost entrapped the two brigades and Major General Putnam’s Division; a total of over three thousand men. Hamilton joined Scott’s brigade in their forced escape up the west side of Manhattan Island and dug in at Harlem Heights. Again, contrary to secondary historical accounts, he did not take part in the next day’s battle, the Battle of Harlem Heights, on September 16^th.^xxvi

Soon after the Battle of Harlem Heights, the Continental Army was reorganized. General Scott’s brigade was placed in General Heath’s Division^xxvii that included Hamilton’s train of artillery. On Oct., 18, 1776, the Battle of Pells Point was fought in Westchester County. British General Howe had transported his force north by ships and was attempting to cross Westchester County to Hudson’s River, thereby trapping Washington’s army to the south. Washington moved his forces north will all haste. During the army’s rapid move north, it can be safely assumed that Hamilton’s artillery remained with Scott’s brigade. This is confirmed by the fact that at White Plains, one of Capt. Hamilton’s two remaining cannon^xxviii in his train was positioned on a hill along with Colonel William Malcom’s regiment of General Scott’s brigade.

To Summarize

Based on records of the New York Provincial Congress, military returns, and the transferal of Hamilton Provincial Artillery Company to a Continental artillery regiment under Colonel Henry Knox, Captain Alexander Hamilton’s Artillery Company was assigned to New York General John Morin Scott’s Brigade, Major General Heath’s Division. He was not part of New York General Alexander McDougall’s brigade, General Sullivan’s Division, which many historians have incorrectly stated. He remained with General Scott’s Brigade while the army remained at Harlem Heights. Captain Hamilton’s company marched north with Maj. General Heath’s Division and was present with General Scott’s brigade during deployment at White Plains. One of Hamilton’s two cannon in his train is documented to have been positioned on the American left alongside Colonel Malcom’s regiment of General Scott’s brigade.

If you would like to Read More about Alexander Hamilton, particularly his career in the army, and artillery of the American Revolution, check out these previews and books on Amazon

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General Henry Knox: The Continental Army’s Commander of Artillery

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ARTICLE

Alexander Hamilton: The Fact and Fiction of His Early Years.  Harold Larson.

The William and Mary Quarterly, Third Series, Vol. 9, No. 2 (Apr., 1952), pp. 139- 151 Published

Captain Hamilton of the Artillery.  Major J. B. B. Trussell.  The Field Artillery Journal. January– February, 1950.  Pp 26-29.

WEB SITES

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Bronx River Alliance

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University of Missouri Kansas City 

Wikipedia American Revolution

FOOTNOTES

i Schachner, pg. 120.

ii Dawson pgs. 25 & 60.

iii Mystic Stamp Company web site.

iv Am. Archives Force, Series 5, Vol. 3, pg. 729. Dated Nov. 17, 1776.

v Chernow, pg. 63.

vi Ibid.

vii Also called trucks – carriages with small solid wheels to facilitate loading and the recoil of cannon during firing. Not ideal for transporting over any distance that required field carriages with much larger wheels and suspension.

viii Mitchell pg. 79.

ix March 14, 1776. Minutes of New York Provincial Congress. A” certificate of Stephen Badlam, Cpt. Of Artillery, was read and filed. He thereby certifies that he has examined Alexander Hamilton and judges him to be qualified to command a Company of Artillery… That the said Alexander Hamilton be, and is hereby appointed Captain of the Provincial Company of Artillery of This Colony.” American Archives Series 4, Vol. 5. Pg. 378.

x Fernow, pg. 84

xi April 1, 1776. NY Provincial Congress Minutes. “… the Committee are fully informed that Cpt. Alexander Hamilton’s Company of Artillery raised for this Colony, now consists of so many men… that Cpt. Hamilton be directed to place, and keep a proper Guard of his Company at the Records until further notice…” American Archives, Series 4, Vol. 5, pg. 1424.

xii June 29, 1776. NY Committee of Coorespondence Return of the New York Company of Artillery in the service of the United Colonies, commanded by Cpt. Hamilton. American Archives, Ser. 4, Vol. 6, pg. 1121.

xiii June 10, 1776. Return of ten companies of cannon and Cpt. Hamilton’s NY Provincial Company. Am. Archives Ser. 4, Vol. 6, pg. 920 – also pp 1121 & 1122.

xiv Capt. Hamilton writes: “… our company by their articles are to be subject to the same regulations, and to receive the same pay, as the Continental Artillery… they do the same duty with other companies and think of themselves entitled to the same pay…” Am. Archives, Ser. 4, vol. 6, pg 577. Terms were accepted. Am. Archives Ser. 4, vol. 6, pg. 1336.

xv Am. Archives, Ser. 4, Vol. 6, pg. 920.

xvi Am. Archives, Ser. 5, Vol 1, pg. 1461 & 1462.

xvii Ibid.

xviii Ibid. Also Syrett, The Papers of Alexander Hamilton, Vol 1. Pg. 186; Journals of the Provincial Congress of the State of New-York, Vol. 1, pg. 550

xix Ibid, pg. 1473

xx Ibid, pg. 1491.

xxi Am. Archives Force, Series V, Vol 2, pp 905-906.

xxii Referred to as Bunker Hill by the troops, in reference to the famous redoubt in Charlestown, outside of Boston.

xxiii Colonel Humphrey, Gen. Scott’s brigade, wrote of General Putnam’s efforts on September 15^th, to get his division north and avoid capture in New York City. Captain Hamilton wrote about his action in firing cannon at the encroaching Hessians prior to evacuating Fort Bayard.

xxiv Early in the war the army was short on Brigadier Generals to command brigades, so competent colonels were put in command of not only their regiment, but the other regiments within the brigade.

xxv An extract from a letter from Harlem dated Sept. 16 states “… Generals Putnam and Scott were in New York, but made their way through the enemy’s line with all their men and guards of the city…” Am. Archives Force, Ser. V, Vol. 2, pg. 352.

xxvi John Hamilton mistakenly claimed that his father fought in the Battle of Long Island and Harlem Heights and it was at Harlem Heights that Washington first noticed the youthful commander of artillery and invited him to his tent. John Hamilton’s accounts were copied by many historians, however, there are no primary sources that give credence to any of these accounts by Hamilton’s son.

xxvii Am. Archives Force, Series V, Vol. 3, pg. 833. Lists the brigades and regiments in divisions of Generals Lee, Spencer & Sullivan. Leaving the fourth division under Heath to include General Scott’s brigade.

xxviii Hamilton inherited three field-pieces of three pounders when he took command at Fort Bayard. During the retreat from New York City, one cannon broke down and he was left with one. Citations for this are found later in this paper.