Baylor Massacre and Earl Grey Tea: What Did They Have in Common?

September 27, 1778. “It appears that very few, or none of the British Officers [who] entered the quarters of our Troops on this occasion, that no stop might be put to the Rage and Barbarity of their Bloodhounds…Southward Cullency has 12 wounds, 10 of which are in his breast, belly, and back. He says, that, on the enemies entering the Barn where his Troops lay, he and all the men asked for Quarter, which was refused…[the officer] order’d all the men to be knock’d on the head…James Southward [stated]…in the Barn which the Enemy entered – that there were 13 Men of this Regiment…5 of whom were killed outright, all the rest…were Bayoneted – that he heard the British Officer order his Men to put all to Death…” Dr. David Griffith, Surgeon, Woodford’s Brigade who treated the horribly wounded and gained testimony. Most later died of their wounds.

Paoli Massacre

Shortly after the Battle of Brandywine Creek, (Sept. 11, 1777) Colonel Anthony Wayne’s regiment had been ordered to stay close to the British army’s rear, in the vicinity of Paoli, Pennsylvania, (about twenty miles west of Philadelphia), to reconnoiter their movement. On September 20^th, 1777, General Grey saw an opportunity to initiate a night attack on the encamped Americans. His orders stated that the attack was to be made with the bayonet and weapons were not to be primed and in many cases, flints removed. His vanguard was able to creep up and bayonet the sergeant’s guard in the surprise attack. The assault was a complete success, killing and wounding a substantial number of Colonel Wayne’s troops before the Americans retreated. The British rank and file had been ordered to offer no quarter in a barbaric act of bayoneting soldiers as they tried to surrender. The battle had at the time and since been dubbed the Paoli Massacre.

Similarities Between the Paoli Massacre and the Baylor Massacre

Just over one year later, on September 27^th, 1778, General Grey was to initiate another night attack that had the same gruesome outcome. As at Paoli, his vanguard surprised the sergeant’s guard and silently killed all with the bayonet. Between two and three AM, on September 28, his men silently surrounded the homes and barns in which the Americans were sleeping. Grey’s men burst through the doors in a sudden rush. Officers ordered the rank and file not to give quarter as unarmed men cried out for their lives. The brutal flash of bayonets spared few as most were killed or so badly injured with multiple stab wounds that they later succumbed to their injuries. And so too similar to Paoli, the detachment of rebels who were attacked was part of General Anthony Wayne’s force, who now commanded a brigade. This incident became known as the Baylor Massacre, named for the American commander, or Tappan Massacre, named for the location of the assault. Interestingly, General Wayne would have his revenge, adapting General Grey’s tactic of a night attack using only the bayonet nearly ten months later in his assault on the British fort at Stony Point, New York, July 16, 1779. Also interesting is that the British high command later complemented Wayne on his ‘gentlemanly humanity,’ on sparing all British soldiers of the doomed fort who threw down their weapons and cried out for mercy.

The incident, as violent as it was, cannot be labeled a battle, but more a skirmish because of the number of men involved – approximately 105 Americans and most likely double that counting the two British companies that initiated the attack. This article will take a look at the history of the Third Dragoon regiment who suffered by the devastating assault as well as the two principal commanders, Colonel George Baylor, 3^rd Dragoons, and British Major General Sir Charles Grey. It will describe the circumstances prior to the action and explore the events that led up to General Grey’s surprise attack. The attack itself will be described based on primary and secondary sources. Surviving troopers’ testimony will be given in detail as well as letters afterwards from both sides of the opposing forces. In summary, attention will be given to the principal combatants and their roles as the war progressed.

The Baylor Massacre occurred in the early morning hours of September 28, 1778 by forces under British General Sir Charles Grey against a detachment of the 3^rd Regiment of Continental Light Dragoons, commanded by Colonel George Baylor. It occurred in the present day town of River Vale, New Jersey, about thirty miles north east of New York City, at the time called Old Tappan. It is directly west of the Hudson River, approximately fifteen miles, where at the time a large British force under General Charles Cornwallis was foraging. It was the reason the American dragoons were in the region, to keep an eye on the British and harass them if and when the opportunity arose.

Colonel Baylor and the 3^rd Light Dragoons

Though considered one of the finest horsemen in the country, Washington, at the very start of the war, was not very keen on the role played by cavalry. When he assumed command of forces in New York City in the summer of 1776, he sent home a large contingency of Connecticut horse. He would soon discover his mistake of denying his army the eyes and ears of a mobile force. On August 27^th, 1776, the British would effect a flanking movement that would bring more than half their forces in a sudden attack behind the American lines, resulting in a devastating defeat for the rebels. The British easily overpowered four horsemen stationed along the route and quickly silenced them in their stealth movements. After a series of losses and chased across New Jersey, the American command was prepared to establish regiments of dragoons or mounted light infantry.

Since taking command of the army, General Washington had in his ‘family’ (the nickname given to his personal staff of aide-de-camps) one George Baylor, appointed Aug. 15, 1775, was the son of a close friend, Colonel John Baylor. Washington learned early on that he needed good writers and ‘men of letters’ to keep up with the overwhelming correspondence necessary to run an army. He was not happy with Lt. Colonel Baylor’s abilities. “Contrary to my expectations,” he wrote in November, 1775, about his twenty three year old aide, “[he is] not, in the smallest degree, a Penman, though Spirited and willing.” Later in January, 1776, Washington conferred with General Charles Lee that “Mr. Baylor is as good, and as obliging a young man, as any in the world, and as far as he can be Serviceable in Riding, and delivering verbal orders as useful; but the duties of an Aid de Camp at Headquarters cannot be properly discharged by any but Pen-men.” Noting the young man’s eagerness and riding qualities, Washington gave Baylor a special assignment in November, 1775, to meet Martha Washington in Connecticut and escort her to Cambridge, outside Boston. Washington kept Baylor in his ‘family’ throughout the turmoil of 1776, giving the Virginian multiple riding tasks which he eagerly and skillfully accomplished. Perhaps the Commander-in-Chief found it hard to dismiss his senior aide while informing his old friend that his son was not working out in his position. With the formation of cavalry, Washington must have seen his chance and recommended a transfer.

On January 9^th, 1777, the 3^rd Light Dragoon Regiment was formed. It was led by Colonel George Baylor with senior officers Lt. Colonel Francis Otaway Byrd[1], who had been General Charles Lee’s aide until the general was captured on Dec. 12^th, 1776, and Major Alexander Clough. Prior to the 3^rd Dragoons, the 2^nd was formed on December 12^th, 1776 under Colonel Elisha Sheldon and the 4^th on January 5^th under Colonel Stephen Moylan. The 1^st Dragoons came later, March 31^st, 1777, commanded by Colonel Theodoric Bland.

The 3^rd had six troops, two to be dismounted. After the 3^rd’s formation, Baylor along with Cough and some of their captains left for several months for Virginia to recruit and lobby for money to supply the regiment with horses, weapons, saddles, etc. Assigned to Baylor’s unit was Captain George Lewis’ troop of horsemen who had been serving as General Washington’s bodyguard. Because of Colonel Baylor’s close ties to Washington and past and continuing assignments in escorting the commander’s wife and staff, plus the influx of Washington’s bodyguards, the regiment became known as ‘Mrs. Washington’s Regiment’. Other troopers were recruited from Virginia and North Carolina, with eighty coming from Francis Nash’s North Carolina Brigade.

The regiment saw its first real action at the Battle of Brandywine Creek (Sept. 11, 1777) and later Germantown (Oct. 4, 1777) before going into winter quarters at Valley Forge. Shortly afterwards they were posted to Princeton where the forging for their mounts was better. A successful action of note occurred on May 4^th, 1778 at Cooper’s Ferry, New Jersey.

Major Clough, leading the regiment while Colonel Baylor was recruiting in North Carolina and Virginia, was assigned to scout a two hundred man British foraging party that was close to a series of British redoubts. Clough ordered a few dragoons to act as decoys and a strong force of British dragoons from the 17^th charged after them. Clough’s detachment was waiting and surprised the redcoats, scattering the dragoons and capturing four of them. After the Battle of Monmouth (June 28, 1778), the British army returned to New York City, however they maintained a strong presence in northeastern New Jersey, often conducting raiding parties against American outposts.

A return of the 3^rd Continental Light Dragoon regiment was recorded on September 18^th, just ten days before the surprised attack by British General Grey’s troops. It listed Colonel Baylor as commander, though he would arrive two days later on Sept. 20^th to assume command after his successful recruiting assignment. The position of Lt. Colonel was left unfilled for Lt. Colonel Byrd had resigned in July and left after his former commander to whom he had been aide, Major General Charles Lee, had been disgraced at the battle of Monmouth. Byrd and Lee remained friends and their correspondence during this period did not hold Washington in high regard. The fact that Colonel Baylor was Washington’s senior aide and remained close to Washington must have weighed on Byrd’s choice to resign. Major Clough was listed as adjunct.

The captains were, in order of their enlistment in the regiment: George Lewis, John Stith[2], Robert Smith, John Baylor, Cadw. Jones, Robert Randolph, John Swan, Walker Baylor, Churchill Jones, Carter Page, and William Barrett.  First and Second lieutenants, or cornets, including rank and file will not be listed in this article.  One cornet in particular, Perigrine Fitzhugh, was noted in General Wayne’s letter pertaining to the massacre, in which he lamented that the cornet was from a fine family and indicated he was killed. Fitzhugh would be spared, captured and taken prisoner. When Colonel Baylor returned on the 20^th with new recruits, the light dragoons numbered 159 troopers. They continued their assignment of watching and scouting out British movements. On Sept. 22^nd, just two days after Colonel Baylor rejoined his regiment to take command, flatboats unloaded thousands of British troops at Paulus Hook (a British fort on the New Jersey side of the Hudson River across from New York City). A regiment of British Horse overran the American outpost at Liberty Pole. The main body of Americans at New Bridge withdrew to Paramus. This proved to be a strong British foraging party detailed to comb the countryside for food and supplies. It was upon the assignment to reconnoiter and remain close to the enemy while escorting a train of American provisions that they were unknowingly attacked by a detachment from this foraging party – General Grey’s light infantry, grenadiers, and two regiments of foot.

General Grey was the son of Sir Henry Grey, Baronet and member of an old Northumberland family. He entered the army at age 19 and by 1755, age 26, had become a Lieutenant Colonel, serving in France and Germany during the Seven Years War. He rose through the ranks and in 1776, was sent to America where by 1777, he was Major General of the 3^rd Brigade. His unit participated in the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth. However, it was his ruthlessness in battle in which he made his mark on history and earned the nickname, ‘no flint grey’ after commanding the surprise night attack using only the bayonet at the Battle of Paoli. Later on, he employed the same tactics at what has become the Baylor Massacre. Soon afterwards, he was recalled to England where he remained for the rest of the war.

Prior to the Attack

After the Battle of Monmouth, Washington continued on to the Hudson River where the main army encamped at White Plains. His forces contained New York City in a forty mile half circle as he waited for British commander General Sir Henry Clinton’s next move. Unknown to Washington at the time, after the Battle of Monmouth, Clinton’s orders were to maintain a position in New York and refrain from an offensive in the north. He was to ship forces to the southern colonies; England had hoped to make headway against the lightly defended southern colonies while joining forces with a large and active loyalist fighting force. With France in the war, most of the British fleet anchored around New York City sailed south to transport troops or on to the West Indies to defend British interests against French attack.

Washington hoped for the promised aide from the French however, the French fleet, under the command of Count D’Estaing, had sailed for Boston for repairs after a storm had ravaged his ships off Rhode Island in late August. Washington’s expectations were later dashed when D’Estaing, after having outfitted his ships, weighed anchor and with his 4,000 infantry and over a 1,000 ships guns and sailed for the West Indies, far more important to French concerns at the time. Because Washington had to spread out his men to counter any movement Clinton might initiate towards Boston or New Jersey, the British took advantage of organizing powerful foraging parties into New Jersey and Westchester County, north of the city. On September 22, Clinton sent General Charles Cornwallis with 5,000 men into eastern New Jersey on the west side of the Hudson River and Lt. General Wilhelm von Knyphausen with 3,000 men east of the Hudson into Westchester County.

On September 24^th, Major Clough of the 3^rd had been sent to scout the enemy’s number in New Jersey, west of the Hudson. He reported to Washington that a large number believed to be about 5,000 had landed at Paulus Hook and had moved north, toward what is now Englewood and Tenafly, NY. Washington understood this, and the Westchester strong detachments were not a general assault concluding that they were “probably a forage & the gathering of stock &c…” He ordered Brigadier General Woodford’s Brigade to take a post at Clarkstown, New York near the New Jersey border and sent out detached bodies of troops to observe and harass the British whenever possible. Colonel Baylor’s 3^rd Light Dragoons, along with the New Jersey militia under General William Winds, both commanded by Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, took a position in front of General Cornwallis’ men west of the Hudson. A detachment was sent to supply General Woodford’s Brigade at Clarkstown with provisions; the 3^rd was ordered to join this detachment.

On September 27^th, Baylor’s 3^rd Dragoons moved their quarters to Haring Town, today’s River Vale, then known as Old Tappan, near the Hackensack River. This placed the regiment between the American Army at Clarkstown and Cornwallis’ foragers. It is believed that Baylor’s force included twelve officers and one hundred and four enlisted, however primary accounts differ to the exact number. The rest of his command was on detached service and scattered about. Earlier, Major Clough had scouted out Haring Town and selected the sites to quarter the men when they arrived. The area chosen proved to be a Tory stronghold. Historians agree that the scouting for the dragoon bivouac was either incomplete, a dangerous degree of over confidence, or outright neglect. Ralph Haring’s home, owned by his father, a staunch Tory, was to quarter Baylor, Clough, and their staff. Other officers billeted in two neighboring homes – Cornelius Blauvett and further along, one owned by the Bogarts – loyalists. The enlisted men were quartered in six barns owned by the three homes. A Sergeant’s Guard was posted at a bridge over the Hackensack River, one half mile south of Haring’s house. Sergeant Isaac Howe Davenport and twelve privates patrolled the area in pairs in hourly shifts. This position was about two and a half miles from the New Jersey militia and main body of American troops.

William Gordon, early historian stated that there were 104 dragoons present. General Wayne wrote that they consisted of upwards of one hundred men. British accounts appear to be closet at a total number of 110 dragoons. Twenty some years after the action, Gordon provided a clue as to why Colonel Baylor may have bedded down so far from the more protective main body. He wrote: “The colonel, it is to be feared, in order to avoid being under General Wayne’s command, went with his men into the mouth of the British, and there lay in a state of unsoldierly security…” Gordon gave no further information and there are no primary sources available to back up this claim, though jealousies and personal offenses, most notably involving seniority, were rampant among American officers throughout the war.

General Cornwallis was informed of the American’s close proximity. According to British Queen’s Rangers commander Lt. Colonel John Graves Simcoe memoirs, “Major Ross made a patrol, and brought certain intelligence that a large body of the enemy’s infantry, pressing horses, had approached the post, at night, within two miles…” Lieutenant Hunter of the 52^nd Regiment of Foot wrote: “While at New Bridge, we heard of their [American dragoons] being within twenty five miles of our camp, and a plan was laid to surprise them.” Cornwallis, saw the exposed situation of both General Wind and Colonel Baylor’s parties and took steps to cut them off. He immediately ordered a detachment from General Knyphausen’s command, the 71^st Regiment under Lt. Colonel Campbell[3], and the Queen’s Rangers, commanded by Lt. Colonel Simcoe, to cross the Hudson River at Dobb’s Ferry and attack the militia at New Tappan.

Major General Grey, attached to General Cornwallis’ party, was ordered from New Bridge at nine that evening, to make a late night attack on Colonel Baylor’s light horse at Old Tappan. According to the Gazette and Weekly Mercury, Oct. 4, 1778: “…Major-general Grey marched from the New Bridge at nine o’clock on Sunday evening, and between one and two in the morning arrived at the rebel cantonments…” Captain John Peebles, 42^nd Grenadiers recorded that “Monday 28^th march’d last night at 10 o’clock, one column under Lord Cornwallis consisting of the guards 1^st Battalion of Grenadiers, & the 42^nd moved from the Picquet Ground in front of the Liberty pole at 12…” This column would march against the New Jersey Militia. It is generally understood that Grey’s command, which would carry out the attack on the American dragoons consisted of the 2^nd Light Infantry Battalion, 2^nd Grenadier Battalion, and the 33^rd and 64^th regiments, a formidable force numbering about 600 soldiers. However, primary accounts of British soldiers who wrote that they were numbered among those who were part of the assault were from the 42^nd Regiment and 52^nd Regiment of Foot.

The planned attack against the New Jersey militia failed. The boats which had been ordered from New York did not reach Yonkers until three hours after the appointed time. According to Simcoe’s memoir: “…Queen’s Rangers were ordered to embark from Phillip’s house; they arrived there, and waited for the boats from New York, which did not come…” They eventually did arrive for Simcoe indicated that Colonel Campbell’s forces joined Major Grey after the attack on Colonel Baylor’s light horse. Meanwhile, the militia was warned of the planned attack. According to Simcoe and historian Dawson, one deserter informed the New Jersey militia under General Wind who immediately roused his men and withdrew from his post.

General Cornwallis, in a letter to his commander, Gen. Henry Clinton, wrote the day of the attack that “Three deserters from the right column alarmed the militia, who were posted near New Tappan, by which means they made their escape…” Historian Dawson echoed Cornwallis’ report of three deserters. Lt. Colonel Charles Stuart of the 26^th Foot, on Oct. 7, 1778, wrote that “two deserters from one of our regiments acquainting the enemy with our intention…” Captain John Peebles of the 42^nd Grenadier wrote, “…on the road to Tapawn, where we arrived about sunrise and found the village evacuated by about 500 militia who had got intelligence of our coming by two deserters…” Gordon reported that “some deserters from the column on the right prevented the completion of the scheme. These having at the most critical moment roused the militia, who lay at New Tappan under General Wayne…”

Tragically for the American dragoons, after General Wind was informed of the impending attack, he immediately withdrew his militia without sounding the alarm or word to Colonel Baylor’s men, quartered just two and a half miles away. Lt. Colonel Stuart noted, “the party, which consisted of 300 men [Wind’s militia], retreated, but forgot to inform a hundred and ten of their number [Baylor’s command] who were near them.” Fear, indecision, inexperience, the immediacy of the need to depart, possibly not having horse to give warning, even a possible grudge or jealousy between commanders, some or all of these may have played a part in why General Wind did not attempt to warn the dragoons.

The Attack

The Gazette stated that the second battalion of light infantry led the column, supported by the second of grenadiers, with the regiments of foot closely behind. General Anthony Wayne wrote that “by the aid and guidance of caitiff [archaic meaning despicable and cowardly] Tories, fell into the rear of Baylor. Historian Dawson noted that Grey’s column was guided by local Tories. He wrote that “the success of the affair at Paoli had taught General Grey the importance of silence, and his relentless spirit gloated over the advantage which the bayonet had gained on that memorable night. He did not fail, therefore, to renew his orders for the removal of the flints and the drawing of the charges from the guns of his men; and, with the bayonet alone, he ordered the work of destruction to commence, without quarter upon the unsuspecting dragoons. Colonel Baylor’s post of sentries, or sergeant’s guard was silently overpowered and bayoneted.” The Gazette reported, “Major [Turner] Straubenzie had been detached with six companies of the same battalion of light infantry [the 2^nd] the other six under the Honorable Major [John] Maitland[4], kept the road, by which maneuvers the enemy’s patrol, consisting of a sergeant and about a dozen men, was entirely cut off. Dawson wrote, “A sergeant’s guard, of about a dozen men, which was stationed at a bridge over the Hackensack, where two roads meet, a short distance from the quarters, was butchered in cold blood, as the sentries at Hancock’s Bridge had been butchered a few weeks before[5], and the quarters of the defenseless men were speedily and silently surrounded.” The sleeping dragoons, as printed in the Gazette, were surrounded by Major Straubenzie who “moved on with the 71^st light company, and in a small village surprised a party of Virginia cavalry…”

Cries for Mercy

Dawson wrote, “The parties who had been detached to the respective quarters of the troops rushed simultaneously to the attack, and bayoneted many before they could arise from their beds, amidst the most piteous cries for mercy. Naked and unarmed, begging for compassion, being incapable of resistance, the light horse was mercilessly butchered…” General Wayne later responded, “…refused any quarter, and in cold blood most barbarously and mercilessly put to the bayonet, men naked and unarmed, begging for compassion, being incapable of resistance.” Gordon wrote: “…surprised Baylor’s horse asleep and naked in the barns where they lay. A severe execution took place, and numbers were dispatched with the bayonet. The men being so completely surprised and incapable of resistance, the refusal of quarters, when implored, has led Congress to deem, the execution a massacre…”

The Gazette offered details about Colonel Baylor and other officers who had been quartered in a house and tried to escape: “Lieutenant Colonel Baylor, who, with Major McLeod[6] [in error – most likely it was Major Clough] and two other officers, upon forcing the door of a house, attempted to get up a large Dutch chimney; the two former were mortally wounded, the third killed, the fourth made prisoner.” The officers had been alarmed and tried to flee while Ralph Haring went to the door. Before he could open it, the British soldiers burst in. Both Baylor and Clough tried to escape up the chimney and became lodged. Clough was below Baylor and was brought down, where he was severely wounded with multiple stabbings; three wounds to his thigh and groin. Also, as he was pulled down, he received a sword swipe across both hands.

The newspaper gave a more detailed account and number of Americans in one barn who tried to defend themselves: “From thence a part of Sir James Baird’s company [Maitland’s command] was detached to a barn where sixteen privates were lodged, who discharged ten or twelve pistols, and striking at the troops sans effet [without effect] with their broadswords, nine of them were instantly bayoneted and seven received quarter. Major Maitland’s force, [who had bayoneted the sergeant’s guard, came up while the slaughter was underway] attacked the remainder of the rebel detachment, lodged in several other barns, with such alertness as prevented all but three privates from making their escape.”  Maitland’s men had quickly searched the remaining homes and neighboring barns belonging to the Blauvelts, Demarests, Holdrums, Harings, and the Bogarts. Cornet Robert Morrow received seven wounds after surrendering, begging for his life. He was stabbed again and again, stripped of his clothes, and then left for dead. Morrow was among others found the next morning who had been badly wounded and left for dead; some would later give testimony to New Jersey Governor Livingston.

Captain of Dragoons Escapes

General Wayne wrote of one dragoon officer who had fought back and escaped. His name is given in a second newspaper account by the Gazette on Oct. 19, 1778, as Captain [John] Stith[7]. Wayne wrote: “One officer, a captain, with ten men, was surrounded in the house where he was quartered, for the men were cantoned in different houses. He offered to surrender if they would give him quarter, which they peremptorily refused, and ordered ‘the damned rebel’ to be bayoneted. He had a pistol in his hand which he fired in the face of the officer commanding the party, which opened the way for himself and his companions to escape.” The Gazette reported: “Captain Stith being suddenly surrounded by the enemy’s horse and foot, and seeing no probable way of getting off, called out for quarter; but they, contrary to the rules of war and every sentiment of humanity, refused his request, called him a damned rebel, and struck him over the head with a sword, which fired him with such indignation that he bravely fought his way through them, leaped over a fence, and escaped in a morass.” Captain Stith did not make good his escape, having later been captured.[8] The Gazette does not mention any other dragoons following Stith’s lead, nor do they mention his firing a pistol into the face of an officer. Such a charge by a pistol at that close range would assume to kill the soldier. Cornwallis states that one member of the 2^nd Battalion was killed during the attack. The Gazette concurs, however it specifically states that the British soldier killed was a private.

Officers Ordered to Give No Quarter

Wayne wrote: “I cannot find that they gave quarter to any, though many are still alive, covered with wounds, who may yet survive to avenge the fate of their unfortunate comrades.” Gordon noted, “It is said, that Grey ordered no quarter to be given, and that the charges were drawn, and the flints taken out…”  Lt. Colonel Stuart of the 56^th Foot wrote: “As they were in their beds and fired not a shot in opposition, the credit that might have been due to the Corps that effected the surprise is entirely buried in the barbarity of their behavior.”  About a dozen wounded soldiers escaped to give evidence. Gordon wrote that “three had received from nine to eleven stabs each, of bayonets, in the breast, back and trunk of the body, beside several wounds in other parts…the other six stabs in the body.” Gordon stated that Governor Livingston of New Jersey took the wounded men’s testimony and verified their truth.

Dr. David Griffith, Surgeon and Chaplain to General Woodford’s Virginia Brigade, attended the wounded that had escaped or were left for dead. He recorded some of their accounts writing, “It appears that very few, or none of the British officers entered the quarters of our troops on this occasion, that no stop might be put to the range and barbarity of their bloodhounds…in the barn which the enemy entered – that there were thirteen men of this regiment in the barn, five of whom were killed outright, all the rest, except himself, were bayoneted – that he heard the British officer order his men to put all to death.” Dr. Griffith wrote that Southward Cullency, 1^st Troop, had 12 wounds, 10 of which are in his breast, belly, and back, “He says that, on the enemys entering the barn where his troops lay, he and all the men asked for quarter which was refused – that the British Captain (Ball of the 2^nd Light Infantry) asked his men how many of the rebels were actually dead; and, on being told the number, he order’d all the men to be knock’d on the head [killed]…He adds that five or six of the wounded were knocked on the head.”  The doctor also recorded James Southward, 5^th troop, “He says that he escaped unhurt by concealing himself in the barn which the enemy entered… that he heard the British Officer order his men to put all to death, and afterwards, ask if they had finished all? That they offered quarters to some who, on surrendering themselves, were bayoneted.”

One British Captain Saved an Entire Troop

Gordon wrote that one British Captain took it upon himself and gave quarter to one troop of dragoons, accounting for the number of Americans who were spared: “…one of the light infantry captains ventured to disobey the order [Grey ordering no quarter be given], and gave quarters to the whole fourth troop, which serves to account for the number of prisoners taken and carried to New York, viz. 39 privates, beside a captain, two subalterns, a volunteer, and the surgeon’s mate. Dawson wrote: “…thirty seven alone escaping. One of General Grey’s captains, heeding the claims of humanity more than the orders of his superior officer, spared the whole of the fourth troop, and they were carried off prisoners.” Dr. Griffith, recording testimony from wounded troopers wrote: “It appears, indeed, that one of their light infantry captains had the feelings of remorse and ventured to disobey his orders. He gave quarter to the whole 4^th troop, and not a man of them was hurt, except two that happened to be on guard. For the honor of humanity it is to be wished this gentleman’s name had been known.” Wounded trooper Southward Cullency informed Dr. Griffith that some of the rank and file objected to their orders to kill all: “…he order’d all the men to be knock’d on the head – that the soldiers muttered about it, and asked, why they had been made to kill them all at once? And why they need have two spells about it?”

Casualties

Lt. Colonel Stuart stated that 60 were killed and 50 taken, most of whom were wretchedly wounded with bayonets. Gordon reported that “Baylor himself was wounded, but not dangerously: he lost in killed, wounded and taken, 67 privates out of 104, beside 70 horses.” Colonel Baylor was severely wounded and taken prisoner. He recovered while imprisoned in New York City; later to be paroled. He returned home to Virginia, but would not be exchanged until near war’s end. Of casualties Anthony Wayne wrote: “Among the dead is Major Clough, with several other officers. Colonel Baylor is yet alive, but supposed to be mortally wounded, having three stabs in his body[9]…several young fellows of family have fallen, among others, a Captain [Perigrine] Fitzhugh[10].”

The Gazette was more specific in another report published Oct. 19^th, “Among the officers who fell into the hands of the enemy in Colonel Baylor’s late disaster, at Old Tappan, were Captain [John] Swan, Doctor [Thomas]Evans, junior surgeon [as was George Evans, senior surgeon], Lieutenant [Robert] Randolph, and three cornets [Parson, Francis Dade, & Chiswell Barrett]…Lieutenant [William] Barrett got off on horseback; and Lt. [Robert] Morrow, with a number of others, badly wounded and left on the field as dead, were next morning brought off by a party of the regiment, the remaining part of which is now commanded by Captain Stith [According to Heitman’s Historical Register of Continental Officers, Captain Stith was captured after his brief escape]. Several of those [of] his party [who were] brought off are since dead of their wounds.”

Taking all accounts into consideration, it is generally accepted that at least 69 of the dragoons were killed, injured, or taken prisoner – 15 killed and 54 wounded and captured. According to primary sources, of those who escaped, nearly all were wounded as well as several later found by their regiment. Left for dead, several of these were to later die from their wounds. Gordon refers to the testimony of several of those who had been bayoneted and either escaped or was left for dead. He writes that they would give evidence of the action to New Jersey Governor Livingston: “…the positive evidence, given upon oath before Governor Livingston, whose penetration would have detected, and whose integrity would have discarded a false witness, will be credited by impartial persons.” As to the British losses, as commented, General Cornwallis acknowledged only one death, a light infantryman in the 2^nd Battalion and the Gazette concurs and specifies he was a private. There was no account of British wounded.

Campbell’s Forces, Including Colonel Simcoe’s Queen’s Rangers Would join General Grey.

According to Simcoe’s memoirs, “Colonel Campbell joined General Grey, who had just surprised Baylor’s dragoons; his troops being fresh, he offered his services to penetrate further into the country, and to collect what cattle he could; which being done, the detachment recrossed the river, and returned on the evening to their several encampments.” Dawson wrote: “Shortly after the close of this terrible scene, Colonel Campbell joined General Grey; and, soon afterwards, he penetrated farther into the country…and stripping the farmers of Rockland county of their means of support. In the evening of the same day the two commands returned to their respective encampments, exulting over their success in the diabolical mission in which they had been engaged.”

Day After the Attack

Some internet accounts state that the British killed seventy of the American mounts. This seems highly unlikely for a foraging party, even after a successful action, to kill so many valuable animals. The only possible reason would be to withdraw rapidly without having to lead the animals from the scene. Without a primary witness account, however, there is no way of confirming this. The next morning, Grey’s forces came across a detachment of rebel militia. Cornwallis wrote, “He [Grey] likewise fell in with a small party of militia [General William Maxwell’s New Jersey militia], a few of whom were killed and some taken prisoners.” The Gazette offered more details: “The troops lay on their arms till break of day, when moving forward; the light infantry fell in with a volunteer company of militia in a very thick wood and swamp. These gave one fire, which the Fortieth Company, commanded by Captain Montgomery, returned, and drove off, leaving six dead, but afterwards, scampering across the road in front of a company of grenadiers, three more were killed by them. The light infantry, in pursuing them up to Tapan, where they were entirely dispersed, took five prisoners, all of them wounded. After the attack, some of the wounded Americans were taken to the Reformed Church of Tappan, New York, which served as a prison and a hospital.”

Lt. Colonel William Washington, Second Cousin to General Washington, took command of the 3rd Continental Light Dragoons

On September 20, twenty two days after most of the regiment was decimated and their leader taken captive, the remnant of the 3^rd Continental Light Dragoons had a new commander; twenty six year old Lt. Colonel William Washington, second cousin to General George Washington – transferred from the 4^th Dragoons. The regiment would see major changes including active recruiting, refurbishing, and transfers to attain full strength. The 3^rd would ultimately play an important and critical role in the war’s Southern Campaign.

They were active in several battles and skirmishes, often clashing with British dragoons from whom they earned the enemy’s respect. Colonel Washington would be captured at Eutaw Springs on September 8, 1781, in which half his dragoons were killed or wounded. In June, 1782, the 3^rd was consolidated with the 4^th Light Dragoons and placed under the command of Colonel Baylor who had been exchanged.  The regiment would be called Baylor’s Dragoons until war’s end. Baylor was made a Brevet Brigadier General on September 30, 1783. He would die (age 32) the following year, March 1, 1784, at Bridgetown, Saint Michael, Barbados. Reportedly from complications from his injuries during the massacre at Tapan and questionable care as a prisoner.

Earl Grey & Tea

Prior to the Baylor massacre, Major General Grey’s request to return to England was denied. Shortly after, however, he was recalled to England where he became a knight of the Order of the Bath. General Sir Charles Grey, 1^st Earl Grey, eventually was promoted to Lieutenant General and given the appointment of commander-in-chief of British forces in America; however hostilities ended before he could take command. Earl Grey Tea is named after Charles Grey 2^nd Earl. He was General Grey’s second but oldest surviving son and inherited the Northumberland title seated at Howick Hall. He was prime minister of England in the 1830’s and author of the 1832 Reform Act.  His government also saw the abolition of slavery in the British Islands. The tea was reportedly based on a gift to Charles Grey, a mixture that was laced with bergamot oil and thereafter carried his name to this day.

Archeological Digs

In 1967, the remains of soldiers were excavated near the Hackensack River near River Edge, New Jersey. Six bodies were discovered buried in three abandoned tanning vats that were from Haring’s Tannery which had been on the site. Artifacts such as clothing remnants and buttons helped determine that these were American soldiers killed the night of September 28, 1778. A February 1968 report to the Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders was titled ‘1778 – The Massacre of Baylor’s Dragoons.’ With the encroachment of urban development, the burial site officially became a county park in 1972 with a dedication and plaque on October 15^th of that year. The remains were reinterred within the park. The plaque reads:

In memory of American soldiers killed during the Revolutionary War in the ‘Baylor Massacre’ on September 28, 1778. Lt. Colonel George Baylor’s 3^rd Regiment of Continental Dragoons took quarters for the night on several nearby farms. Tories betrayed their presence to a British force who surrounded the Dragoons during the night. A number of Americans were killed or wounded after they surrendered. 

For Further Reading on Raids, Massacres, Dragoons and Partisan Warfare of the American Revolution, check out these Free Previews on Amazon

Of Similar Interest on Revolutionary War Journal

Battle of Haw River and Pyle’s Massacre: A Bloodbath that Dashed British Hopes of Loyalist Support

American Light Dragoons and Partisan Corps in the Revolutionary War

Midnight Bayonets at Stony Point: “If the Cause Was Worth Fighting For, Men Must Fight.”

Sag Harbor Raid, Special Ops of the American Revolution

SOURCES

Dawson, Henry. Battles of the United States by Land & Sea Embracing Those of the Revolution and Indian Wars… Vol. I, pp 450-452.  1858: Johnson, Fry & Co., New York, NY.   [Letters from Gen. Anthony Wayne & Gen. Charles Cornwallis are found on pg. 453]

Demarest, Thomas. The Baylor Massacre – Some Assorted Notes and Information. 1971: Annual Bergen County History, Bergen County Historical Society, River Edge, NJ. [pp 28-93]

Gilbert, Steve. Web:  Primary sources digitized.

Gordon, William.  The History of the Rise, Progress, and Establishment of the Independence of the United States of America Including an Account of the Late War, and of the Thirteen Colonies… Vol. 2, pp 391-392. 1801: Printed for Samuel Campbell, New York, NY.

Heitman, Francis. Historical Register of Officers of the Continental Army During the War of the Revolution. 1914: National Capital Press, Rare Bok Shop Publishing Co, Washington, DC.

Langner, Christine L. Baylor’s Regiment: The Third Continental Light Dragoons. 2015: Heritage Books, Berwyn Heights, Maryland.

Murphy, Dan. “Brief history of the 3^rd Dragoon”.  Web: Iron Scouts, 2003.

Maurer, C. F. William. Dragoon Diary: The History of the Third Continental Light Dragoons. 2005: AuthorHouse, Bloomington, IN.

Simcoe, John Graves. Simcoe’s Military Journal. A History of the Operations of a Partisan Corps The Queen’s Rangers, Commanded by Lieut. Col. J. G. Simcoe, With a memoir of the Author. 1844: Bartlett & Welford, New York, NY. [pp 89 & 90]

FOOTNOTES

[1]  Byrd’s name has been incorrectly listed in historical texts as Benjamin Bird, also as last name Burd.

[2]  Captain Stith had testified in Gen. Charles Lee’s court martial after the Battle of Monmouth stating that he had delivered orders from Lee to commanders in the field.

[3]  Colonel Campbell had been a prisoner of the Americans. He was exchanged for American officer and the Green Mountain Boys’ former leader, Colonel Ethan Allen (captured outside Montreal in 1776) on May 3, 1778.

[4]  Major John Maitland had been made commander of the Battalion of Light Infantry when Gen. William Howe formed the light infantry and grenadier units while in Halifax before he sailed to attack New York City in the summer of 1776. He was referred to as Major, his commission within his regiment, and Colonel as commander of the battalion of light infantry.

[5] Hancock’s Bridge: The action actually took place some months before in Salem, New Jersey on March 31, 1778, involving Hessians and loyalists – Queen’s Rangers under Lt. Col. Simcoe. Over twenty Salem militiamen were killed (including two loyalists, Judge Hancock and his brother by mistake), most bayoneted as they tried to surrender.

[6]  The 3^rd Dragoons did not have a Maj. McLeod nor was there a McLeod listed in the pretty through Historical Register of Continental Officers by Francis Heitman. It is assumed that the Gazette was mistaken in their report as Major Clough of the 3^rd Dragoons was killed during the action.

[7]  According to Heitman’s Historical Register of Continental Officers, John Stith was captured on September 28^th, at Tappan. There is no other listing indicating his fate or if he was later paroled or returned to service in the Continental Army.

[8]  Heitman, Historical Register of Continental Officers.

[9]  Two bayonet wounds to his thigh and one to his groin. The wounds must have caused Baylor much discomfort. After he was exchanged and regained command of the 3^rd Light Dragoons by war’s end, he was to die a year later – reportedly from complications from his wounds at Old Tappan.

[10]  Cornet Perigrine Fitzhugh survived and was taken prisoner.