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    William Leslie was an officer in the 17th Regiment of Foot, and was killed at the Battle of Princeton, 3 January 1776. Sheldon S. Cohen, “Captain William Leslie’s ‘Paths of Glory,’” New Jersey History, v. 108, no. 1-2, spring/summer 1990.

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    Sheldon S. Cohen, “Captain William Leslie’s ‘Paths of Glory,’” New Jersey History, v. 108, no. 1-2, spring/summer 1990

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    William Leslie was an officer in the 17th Regiment of Foot, and was killed at the Battle of Princeton, 3 January 1776. Sheldon S. Cohen, “Captain William Leslie’s ‘Paths of Glory,’” New Jersey History, v. 108, no. 1-2, spring/summer 1990.

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    330 views27 pages

    Sheldon S. Cohen, "Captain William Leslie's Paths of Glory,'" New Jersey History, v. 108, No. 1-2, Spring/summer 1990

    Uploaded by

    John U. Rees
    William Leslie was an officer in the 17th Regiment of Foot, and was killed at the Battle of Princeton, 3 January 1776. Sheldon S. Cohen, “Captain William Leslie’s ‘Paths of Glory,’” New Jersey History, v. 108, no. 1-2, spring/summer 1990.

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    This memorigl to Capt. William Leslie, who was killed at the Bartle of Prince New Jersey. Leslie participated in several engagements on Long Island and New York during his service with the British army. (NJFIS} neo Tersry Histow, toe (isyo): 54-2 Captain William Leslie’s “Paths of Glory” SHELDON S. COHEN HILE THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION CAN BE viewed as a series of celebrated military events, each of these confrontations consisted of innumerable and varied personal experiences. Behind the often-related descriptions of logistics, strategies, and the tactics that were involved in such battles as Bunker Hill, Bemis Heights, Monmouth Court House, and Brandywine Creek are the stories of individuals, both Amer ican and British, who endured the dangers and sufferings inher- ent in such engagements. Fortunately for historians many participants left written records of their part in these military events. Several of these manuscript accounts are now in print, but many others that could greatly enhance our comprehension of the con- flict remain unpublished. One such unprinted manuscript can be fou and Melville Muniments, on deposit in the Scoutish Rect in Edinburgh. Among these valuable documents are leters sent from America by twenty-six-year-old Capt, William Leslie to his parents in Scotland. The writings span the period from September 4 to December 25, 1776.! Nine days after he wrote the list of these letters, Captain Leslie was killed in combat at Princeton, New Je sey. Despite the limited time they span, Leslie's final messages con tain fascinating character studies and expressions of the sentiments surrounding the struggle for American independence. William Leslie was born on August 8, 1751, into a family of distinction and wealth. His father, David Leslie, was the sixth earl of Leven and the fifth earl of Melville. Alexander Leslie (1580— 1661), upon whom, in 1641, Charles 1 had bestowed the original titles of earl of Leven and Lord Balgonie, had been a celebrated military hero, first with Swedish forces in Germany during the ‘Thirty Years War, and later as a leader of Scots forces figh the English. The Leven-Melville connection had emerged through the marriage of the first ear!’s granddaughter, Catherine, 1o Georgs CAPTAIN WILLIAM LESLIE'S “PATHS OF GLORY" / 39 first earl of Mebvlle. Through their eldest son, David (1660-1728), the wvo peerages combined so that he became both third eat! of Leven and second carl of Melville. David, the earl of Leven-M ville, earned considerable noworieyy and power as a result of h support for William of Orange, and in 1706 he was named com. muander in chief of the forces in Scotland. Later, when he was med a representative peer of Scotland, he assumed the surname Leslie, that of his more prestigious ancestor. By the time William Leslie's father assumed the peerage in 175d, the Leven-Mebvlle aristocrats could boast long years of distinguished service for Prot- estant Scotland as well as substantial country estates and an im- pressive residence in Edinburgh? : Ik was within this environment of prifilege that William Leslie and his four brothers and three sisters spent their childhoods. The Leslies were even more prominent than their rank og sizable land holdings would indicate. Wilhelmina, William's mothér, was widely known for her religiosity, and along with her zealous English friend Selina, Countess of Huntington, was an ardent adVocate of the evangelist movement in eighteenth-century Britain, Lady Leven was among those aristocratic women of her day wha held regular meetings for scripture reading.” William's father, who had similar religious concerns, was a member, and later president, of the So- ciety in Scotland for Promoting Christian Knowledge. But the earl of Leven was involved to a larger extent in secular concerns. He had immersed himself in the intellecwwal curvents of the Enlight enment from his beginning studies in Ediiburgh and in Holland; he subsequently became a cultivated patron of-the arts and sci- ences and was grandmaster of the Scots Freemasons from 1759 until (761. His achievements included the nineteen years he served as high commissioner in Scotland's general assembly-* the fashionable Leslie residence on Edinburgh's Nicholson Square, situated immediately South of the University of Edin- ‘burgh, complemented the diverse intellectual circle who fre { quenced this home, The university then was renowned throughout cultivated Europe and America’ as a rigorous cemter of learning, and it was only natural that many of its scholars fele at home t the Leslie family circle. One recipient of their cordiality dusing 1767 and 1768 was a young American named Beajamin Rush, graduate of the College of New Jersey who liad comme to Scotland 16 pursue his medical studies. Rush spent several enjoyable weeks as the eatl’s honored guest; and he developed strong friendships with the family. members, most especially with William's younger sis “ane, for whom he subséquently expressed a deep infatua- hhetier William Leslie was aware of dhe American scholar’, feelings toward his sister remains unknown, But William’s ac- quaintanceship with such diverse personages undoubtedly influ enced the nurturing processes of his youth.* For all the informal knowledge that he absorbed from these scholarly visitors, his parents, and the privileged schooling that he received, the culmination of William Leslie's education occurred during his military service. It was probably an automatic selection for this young Scottish aristocrat; his elder brother Alexander was the natural heir to the peerage. His father's younger brother, also Mined Alexander, had eavered the mibtary and by 1760 was a fieutenant colonel, Further, the Leven-Melvlle’s honorable mili tary tradition opened special opportunities in Britain's army. Con- Sequently, on May 3, 1771, William Leslie obtained an ensign’s commission in the famed 42nd Royal Highlander Regiment. Ensign Leslie's initial posting was in Ireland, where strife was endemic during the eighteenth century. Violence there was so ‘Gironie that the British army was then being used as a police force. In 1774 twenty-one regiments were stationed in the Emerald Isle— two more than in all England and Wales. Leslie did not mention his own involvement in these disorders, though in a lever from Belfast to his brother Alexander, Lord Balgonie, in March 1772 he did report a serious riot in Dublin.” Later that year, his primary preoccupation was the sudden death of a fellow officer and friend. Again he wrote to his brother with ironically prophetic words: “How uncertain is the fate of us poor mortals . .. How affecting itis to see a man hurried out of the world without a moment's warning.” But a more worldly cx reer topic dominated the letter to his father on June 8, 1773. Wal Tiam wrote that he hoped the earl “will not bé displeased at my accepting a Licutenancy in the 17th Regiment without my first consulting you.” He justified his action by adding that “the regs ‘ada good reputation,” would not “go abroad for a long, and he requested £50 to help him make the purchase of his rank. Leslie obtained his liewtenant’s commission in the 17th. Regiment of Foot the following month, but his prediction that his new unit would not leave Ireland for a long period proved in- correct. The American Revolution erupted in April 1775, and on the following October 3, his new unit sailed from Cork tor North Americ Because of the possibility that some of these troops from Ire- land might be diverted to Canada, the full complement of the 17th Regiment did not arrive in Boston until December 30, 1775. At that time British units in the city, including Col. Alexander Leslie's Gath Regiment, were under a tightening siege by Anverican forces Pen OE EPSP TES SPATS OF GLORY" 97 I ———_—____________, Lt, William Leslie's regiment initially was put under the command of Gen, Robert Pigot, and during the ensuing weeks they per- formed routine garrison duties within the city. Perhaps the most exciting event for Leslie while in Boston was his purchase of an available captaincy in his regiment on February 20, 1776. The hhew captain was yet to experience any personal combat as Gen. George Washington's surprising emplacement of artillery on Dor chester Heights during the evening of March 4-5, 1776, com- pelled Sir William Howe to evacuate the city. Consequently, on March 13, the 17th Regiment received its orders to prepare tor embarkation from Long Wharf. Four days later Captain Leslie found himself on a transport sailing to Halifax, Nova Scotia.” William Leslie's stay in Halifax was shorter than his timne in Boston. His regiment paraded in their distinctive grayish-white- ss uniforms; they assumed various work details, but most all, they waited for reinforcements and new orders. from Europe 30 they could return to attack the American rebels. Fresit British troops several thousand Hessian mercenaries were sent inl early May 1776, along with large naval forces commanded by Admiral Rich~ ard. Howe, General Sir William’s brother. General Howe himself ‘embarked from Nova Scotia in early June and joined these new units coming from Europe. As commander of this greatly aug- mented army he then sailed for New York." i ‘The 17th Regiment, now part of Gen. James Grant's Fourth Brigade, was among the first units of the British expedition that assembled on Staten Island during July and early August 1776. By August 12 it was estimated that the total force under General Howe was between 23,000 and 24,000 soldiers. It was supported by 400 transports and 0 frigates, Despite this enormous strength, the British did not leave their assembly area for another ten days, during which time the Howe biothers accepted unsuccessful conciliation efforts with the Americans. Then, in the early hours of August 22, Captain Leslie and his regiment were part of some 15,000 troops crammed into boats that sailed across New York harbor to Gravesend on Long sland.!? The British embarkation at Gravesend proved the prelude to 1. William Leslie’s first real combat experience. Augmented by (000 Hessian troops, General Howe's superior army pushed in: land toward the American regiments entrenched north of them. A detachment under Gen. Lord Cornwallis easily captured the vib lage of Flatbush, but halted before the thick woods and bills just beyond the hamlet, The rebels, already had fortified the three hearest passes leading through this area, but not the fourth one Jamaica several miles to the east, Howe therefore decided to The Americans suffered over 1,000 casualties during the Battle of Long Island on August 27, 1776, Many of them were drowned in the panic to retreat across Gowanus Creck, [NjHSI send the main body of his army through this pass and then expose the left lank of the Americans, while smaller units mace a feint ing attack along the level, marshy terrain around Gowanus Bay Once through the Jamaica Pass, Cornwallis’ force would imme- diately attack to the southwest, cutting off the rebels delending the tree-covered hills from their main fortifications surrounding, Brooklyn Heights.” Howe implemented his plan on the evening of August 26, when the brighdes under General Grant and some New York Loy. alists began their attack along the Gowanus Bay Road. Meanwhile, in a long night march, Sir William's main force made its way an detected through the jamaica Pass and moved quickly toward the village of Bedford behind the rebel forces. When the surprised and confused Americans along the hilly ridgeline realized they were about to be cut off, they immediately Hed, surrendered, oF were Cut down by British gunfire. Several other American units under Gen. William Alexander (the self-proclaimed Lord Stirling), who had resisted Grants advancing brigades near Gowanus Bay, 0 scattered. Most of those rebels who were uot killed or captured drowned in Gowanus Creek during the panic. General Stirling ws not among the survivors who escaped. to safety within Brooklyn Heights. It was during this contested diversionary assault along Gowanus Bay that William Leslie's 17ch Regiment had made its contribution to the surprise attack." The August 27 Battle of Long Island had been an ove whelming British victory. General Howe's subsequent casualty re- port, dated September 3, 1776, listed total losses at 374. This humber included only five officers and ‘fifty-eight enlisted men Killed, The American casualties were not explicitly recorded, but were definitely much larger. It is known that three American gen- erals were captured (Stirling, John Sullivan, and Nathanicl Wood- hulb along with thirty-four other officers and fifty, subalterns. At least seven other officers were reported killed. Thy total number of enlisted men killed, wounded, or captured by the British was definitely over 1,000, though General Howe's‘figure of 3,300 en- tey casualties was inflated. Nevertheléss, thé serfous losses suf- fered by the Americans, a5 well as the threat of being hemmed by the powerful fleet under Admiral Howe, forced. General Wash- ington on the evening of August 29.10 evacusite his forces from Brooklyn Heights to Manhattan Island." William Leslie proudly wrote his father {rom Bedford Village about the British wiumph. The letter not only provides the front- line perspective of a junior British officer experiencing the event, but it also reveals tuch aboie the character; Conditioning, and sentiments of this Scouish geatleman. 1} Rene ne of bt Chie, Capt Darey sod Metts “Bedford Long Island : Sept. ad 1776 My Dearest Father Now that we have got a litle Revenge can write with more sats faction than when the Rebels were insulting us on all hands with inv punity. My last Letter mentioned I believe dhat we soon expected to take ye Field—On 22nd Auge the whole army except 3,000 Hessians who wnere left to defend Staten Island made a Descent upon Long Island in. Flat Boats & landed on the South Side without opposition, encamped at Denises, Gravesend, Utrecht &e ‘On the 26th oUF Brigade (viz the 4uh) commanded by Major Gen. Geant & the Brigade on our Right (the 6th) commanded by B. Genl Agnes received Orders 00 be in readiness to march at night in one Division, we snarched at ten clock from Denises along shore as marked in a small Chart which 1 send by way of Explanation. The rest of the rmy marched 1 believe atthe same une in two Columns some miles on four Right, but they were at such a Distance and a Private Officer has 30 fiule opportunity of knowing the particulars of any action that does not happen under his own eye that I shall mention nothing but what I saw (Our Reglimen}t marched in the front by files, dhe advanced guard consisted of a Capt 2 Subfalterns} & 50 Privates: on our right we bad 2 ‘Compfanlys composed of People who made their escape from New York, they scoured the Wood & Hedges: the Sea secured our left; about 13 Selock they fell in with the Rebels advanced Picket, of which 7 were Killed & several wounded, a few of our men & Yorkers were wounded; a litle after, our Regt. was detailed round a Wood where a Party of the Rebels were supposed 1a be lurking; we were challenged by a Senury and tapon not answering reed a small Fire without doing us much harm; we feturned the fire but with what success is impossible wo know, for it was ‘quite dark; We took a number of Prisoners amongst the rest a Major & some officers al Riflemten; joined the Brigade and kept on our arms al Day Light. I never wish to be concerned in a night atack a second time; of all things I think, ii the mos to be dreaded when the Nature ofthe fground, & the number & disposition of the Enemy are not known, if we fad tad a regular Enemy to deal with, every man of the wo Brigades ust have been cut off or taken—At 3 cicock we began our March aga tnd about 7 perceived the Rebels within, Musquet Shot draven up to 8 igreat Extent dn the top of rising ground with every advantage they could Wish; their right extended ro a marsh over whieh they could retreat un der some Cartnon; their left was covered with a very thick Wood in which were innumerable Riflemen; is supposed there were two lines in the Rear to support their main Body: in their Fromt were two Field Pieces, and all the Bunkers, Hedges, Trees and Hollows wete lined with Riff ten. Our Disposition was very soon made; Genl Grant ordered the Bah Brigade to form upon a rising ground on the Right: during dheie form ing two field Pieces & a Howitzer fired incessantly at the Rebels, some tape shot dislodged them from ye Bunkers &c, text to our Front from Wich they fired st our Regt at «few yards distance. The 17th was or- dered to advance to.a house 70 or 80 yards in our Front, the other three Regis of ye sth Brigade took up the ground betwist our Regt. & Oth Brigade: when we took Possession of the ground atthe House,” my compy vas sent as-a reinforcement 10 the advanced yard who were much i commorled by Rifflemen from bebind the Hedges. During allthis tine Showers of grape went tumbling among us whieh wounded sore of our wen. Thanks Cod neither myself nor ove of my company were rouchet Vshole Day, altho in the direct fine of Fire. A. few minutes after | joined the advanced gusrd it was told Sir Alex. Murray was Killed & at Lieu Mongan"™ wounded, my two muimate Friends, [ever was 50 shocks re in my Life, but at that tine was tov much engaged 10 give way 10 i fe after the Action, when L saw the Corps [sic] af my beloved Friend lying 2 on the ground tore by'2 Cannon Balls impossible w describe: my Ost 4 Anguish on the melancholy appearance of dhe whole Regt. for He Ww George Washington directed a skillful retreat from Brooklyh Heights 10 Manhattan under extremely dangerous conditions on Augast 29, 1776. [Nyas} very Man's Friend, the daring ofthe Soldiers, respected, & tegreted by those even who didnot know him personally. The joy of a complete Vicory did not throw off the gloom & 1 feel a Blank which wil he a Jong time oll up; excuse this melancholy [st Subjects bax amparting stat one's heart full of whether gretor Joy. to 1 friend who Tae sure wil sympathize, certainly eases'the mnind of some part of ts bu then: what wil his poor Mother & Sister fel? But to retutn to the Bat, ale after poor Murray’ fare the Fire ceased by Degrees & the fl beyan to retreat in prety goon! Order aero the Marsh on their atlasta company of gremdies approaching in tei tear a Panick them & they took to precipitate reneat without the Lise orders Shoals cores] of them ran over the Macs, vast amber tok to the Woods his engagment the L7th ang part of the 40th only mere engaged of snl Brigade; of the 6th Brigade, the 23rd & the lh regarent Only; the 17th Sir Alexander Murvay 3 Men were killed, 20 worried 40th Lt Col Grane kd © two or thee men wounded Hh Cape Brow & Lt. Brown’ 9 or 3 men wounded.--We took in the Course of the Day 870 Prisoners ® Lu. Gols. | Major and great number of osher Oflicers, 2 Field Pieces & Communiciion Wagons, Their Gen}. Lard Stirling was ao taken—so much for Genl, Grants Victory; When we hud time to breath (se) and ses ourselves a ile after being on for for 12 hours, me heard by the noe of Cannon de small atts shat xtc? prt the Army mere Brboland abou thee miles from WOU CAPTAIN WITT DESTHES =D EEE An errDN & had the pleasure co learn soon after, that the Rebels were forced be- hind their fines with great lous-—The los ofthe Rebel cis confidently Said amounted to about 3.000 killed wounded & Prisoners; Outs at the most 30 hlled, 300 slightly wounded & 30 Prisoners. Gent Sul likewise taken, once Prest. [President] ofthe Continental Congtes Rebel Lines at Brookland are so strong that the General thought ic nec essary 10 make regular approaches! accordingly om the night ofthe 28th Inst the Trenches were opened, but they did hot think proper to await the issue ofa regular atack, 50 took the advantage next night of thick Fog to retreat New York and tu in Fons of all thei Wo & Cannons on this side. The Day after their Retreat we had orders to march tthe ground we are now encamped oo, near the Village of Bed ford: Ic is now a fortnight we have lan on the ground wrapt in our Blankets, and thank God who supports us when we stand most a need, [never enjoyed beter heath in ty Life. My whe stock consis of two Shirts 2 prof shoes, 2 Handkerchiefs half of which Luse, the other half Larry in my Blanket, ikea Pedlars Pack. Gen Lei] in good Health, {Saw {hin} on Staten Islands [suppose Uncle has wrote you of bi; W Carnegie was in good health on board Lord Howe's Ship when we came here Phe Chart isso small tht you will not be able wo mae ay thing Orie when T made i [never thought of putting itt this use or should thave done ton a large Seale—I have (o beg a sheet of paper from sev eral People, as you may see by the difference in sie & sort, not quite Certain ican procure as much a wil sali Kindest Love to my Dr. Mother, Brothers & Sisters, God Bless you all Ever believe me my Drest, [Dearest] Father with the sincerest Altect Your dutiful Son Wan Leslie Sept 3rd Instone who you remember was married to a Lothian gitt eg’ would let her Friends know that she was dead, Nineteen days after their successes on Long Island, General Howe's army continued its pursuit of the dispirited Americans. (On Sunday, September 15, 1776, three days after General Wash- ington had decided (o withdraw from the lower parcof Manbattan Island, two large contingents of royal troops, under the cover of a naval bombardment, crossed. the East River, and landed three miles north of the city at Kip’s Bay. Connecticut militiamen in the vicinity offered feeble opposition; and even the appeatance of General Washington failed to prevent an indiscriminate panic Tt was oinly due to considerable luck, and British inaction, that Heese CHEAT ESELES PATHS OF GLORY" (63 a oA American troops on the middle and southern portions of the is- land were able to escape to more defensible positions on Harlem Heights and to the elevated northern parts of the island. On Sep- tember 17, a minor attempt by Hessian troops to dislodge the Americans from this high ground was repulsed and General Howe spent the next few weeks solidifying his control over the city itself, Only a fire on the evening of September 20, which destroyed much of the city and was blamed on the rebels, served to dampen the ardor of the royal forces. By the last week of September the Americans controlled only the northern hilly and rocky portion of Manhattan Island. They hhad erected a fort named for’General Washington on what ap- peared to be the most impregnable high point on the island, over- looking the Hudson River. Further south, Howe was enjoying the support and benefits of New York Cityis Loyalists:as he issued declarations intended to win back the’ allegiance of dissident Americans." It was at this time that Captain Leslie again wrote 0 his father, repeating familial fealties, reporting cogtinued royal successes, and noting his disdain of the rebels. » Sept York Island My Dear Father i In my last gave your an account of our siccess,ox Long Island, and have now the satisfaction of telling you that we higve taken the Town, & greatest part of the Island of New York: we landed under cover of the Shipping, without opposition, altho the Rebels might have made a very good Defense as they had high grounds, Woods, and strong Breast- works to cover them, but they scolried [sic}off in thousands when the ships began to Fire; Indeed, they are so outgeneraled that itis impossible for them to know where to prepare for Delense from Genl. Howes mo: tions: they thought he would attempt to land at a place called Harlem there threw up strong Redoubty & entrenched themselves up to theie chins, but he gave them the sip and landed two miles farther down the river, even then they were infinitely superior to us in Numbers, but the Rogues have nor learat manners yet; they cannot look gentlemen in the face ato we give them a lesson now & then; this happy Event happened one yes ay she Lig nay ha he wo he eee severly, for some companies inadvertently pursued party of the Rebels to near their Works, from where a vast number salied out (8,00 as we are told since by Desertersi; Gent. Llesie] who commanded the Lt. la ‘vent immediately widh two of his Battalions to assist them, the Grena- 64 / CAPTAIN WILLIAM LESLIE'S “PATHS OF GLORY” diers & 42.4 Regt were sent to support them and the whole Army was ton the March in case of Need, but i was all over before we got half way: they were beat into their lines; on our side about 70 or 80 killed and, tnounded, some Officers wounded; The poor infatuated wreiches we took ere most all drunk, even the Officers} one of Cen Lfeslie]’s servants, seas killed near him; The Rebels have still posession of the strongest ground fon this Long Island, viz. the north End, about 5 miles in Length: Geol ‘Amherst passing aver Kings Bridge (in the] last War observed that it twas the strongest piece of ground he had ever seen: Kings Bridge joins York Islnd to the Continent; upon the most commanding spot they have erecied a regular Fortificavon (Fort Washington) which they think int pregnable; on every hill and Hillock there are Redoubts & {trench} Lines fo you may suppose if they make any Defense, we will have a very tough item of work t0 take it; Genl Howe has the Lines opposite to theirs, as soon as they are finished [ suppose he will attack somewhere else. To Shew [sic] what an infamous set the Rebels are, they set fire last night to the Town of New York in a number of places at once, so it must have been a concerted Plan; several people were seen with lighted ‘Torches: the Soldiers threw one man into the Fire; the most elegant Part of the ‘Town was quite consumed; in all about one third; we are encamped four miles from the Town. Our Friend N. Balfour” goes to Britain with the News of our having taken York which will be either a majority or $500 in his way; he has been very kind & civil © me. I dare say he will winter in Scotland. Thad one Letter from you dated in April. A duplicate of which Gent i212" as to [7] purchase [ hope you have received thoro' satisfaction fon that head 3s 1 have wrote twice fully & mentioned it im several eters besides. I have wrote Mother & Jane by this opportunity. God bless you all. Twill write mother an accouint of next battle Kindest Love, Yours My Dearest Father with sincere AIL W.L, On October 12. the British army finally began to move against the American rebels, That day General Howe's troops were trans- ported past the dangerous waters of Hells Gate, landing first on Throg’s Neck, and alterwards disembarking at Pell’s Point penin- sula on Pelham Bay. This action forced Washington to withdraw ost of his army to stronger positions past Kingsbridge near Whit Plains while leaving almost 3,000 men to defend Fort Washington Alter being delayed by a sharp skirmish at Pelham, the royal forces nally arrived at White Plains on October 25, by a circuitous route” Five days later, Hove initiated 2 battle chat ended inudecisively, an CAPTAIN WILLIAM LESLIE'S “PATHS OF GLORY" 169 unfortunately for the British, Washington still maintained his army in the field. But after the White Plains encounter, Washington decided it was best to leave the area, so he successfully led most of his army across the Hudson River to New Jersey. Keeping some of his troops at Fort Washington, however, cost him dearly. On November Il, British and Hessian forces attacked the fort, re- sulting in the surrender of the entire garrison. Four days later Lord Cornwallis, commanding a dozen regiments, crossed the Hudson and captured Fort Constitution, (at modern Fort Lee) from the rebels, who by then were retreating rapidly in a disorderly fashion. By the first days of November Howe's confidence had soared so high that he was preparing to send 6,000 of his own men under Gen. Sir Henry Clinton for an expedition against Rhode Island 1 : Equally confident and eager to please his family with these favorable events, Captain Leslie wrote his father from Kings Bridge, New York, on November 22. He proudly rendered;his personal assessment of the recent triumphs as well’as his own involverent in them, [cis noteworthy that the letter makes no' mention of Gen- ‘eral Howe's dilatory actions in Westchester that had, prevented a ‘complete victory over Washington, though perhaps Leslie was not as well informed as the British generals. His disdain for the rebel foes remained quite high, despite the courage and discipline shown by Gen, John Glover's greatly outnumbered troops, who had de- layed the British advance at Pell’s Point.” Kings Bridge f November 22nd, 1775 Late as the Season is my Dear: Father we are sil in the Field, car rying on our success with more Spirit than ever. Since my last (Leiter), Gent Howlel with the greatest part of the army made a Discent {sie} on the Continent up the East River, and landed with very litle Loss at a place called Rochelle. Our Brigade & two moore were left on York Island lnder the command of Lord Berey® to defend our Lines for the Rebels mere still in Possession of Fort Washington on the Island; the Fort lies fon the North River, opposite to it on the Jetsey Shore is Fort Const tution and Fort Lee, all these Forts comniand the North River which makes it dangerous for shipping, consequently ye general did mot choose to risque the troops that way; upon landing te marched 1 White Plains (about 5 miles up the country) the Light Infantry hal a skirmish in which Major Musgrave was wounded, Cape Evelyn killed" & several men killed & wounded; the Army encamped néar the Rebels who were in possession bp FCAPTAIN WILLIAM LESHIE'S “PATHS OF GLORY ox er, sooy grail etn sco ebunir wih cea Wh Par Be Rea a acy gus Woe ae ne cerasery el seca oy creanel wceoei Aree Enos siete Gurut aerate Eres cteeelig ore ie bat aa ee ee Ee a delyreen epmbnes Bria ot wus Gol thc has ee we Comretiy oa be slag see co dateien neck ee eae Ta ar ae aE ert nea tapesliigeareterogts eee sae ume oe eee ee Eadie cure eames eee nese a eo they gnipechal hensees mmedecey CobnthCar i ae Sah ee Goleta a ta ore eae ee fal oral een Ge secnaed ny pool ne ee Hop ie inhaler he ba oe ee ee Bi Coen te meas te neck eareee Reaeae ot hee aoa Wie ogee er rainrrac ene pore wey tay wiceos eee sues we oie le Tae Fa tlctedto mate an ast fom a Enon ae Vert eiodt sere ie eee ae Repl eae ae ee caries Dibeiaey etnetne tey es Ra ee oles See upitenre Gice peace arnt tata ese Bee ase ee oe ee thE Dcsuge Be ve ee dune (ened Mont tee ae ttc ig. Poncoyon of Rare Pigee signs eon ue he ele feat soto Ae eed ae bees eg pes bape AaEMeTT Begs ar aroernto os Co Coe eae ey ie toes re ceo ace se gle et RENEE ee cone wl pase tk wry ne as (~ a0 o'ttock] we rec'd orders wo be ready fora general engagement next (gente SSS Seen arenes Seana hana ne ans See hy appear eee oe real Sean ie eens acer a pits peter ia ac! alas bene raata een ee ese lone hee fara aa adn vey ma ee fore ee er ate eee tee onan eel Re wee Lae eset ieee aeraee ee thr matck tng to densa of to its vomeguenes to ee Ian os dope easy bah asec ead ety ae Ierent to bag ogee, lotta seas Th suns ur Ce Keiptawer betes tne hal ake Poaeesono the contr Be MODE dae Minaerteipe weave on trea

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