28 A COUNCIL OF WAR AT FORT RICHMOND. 



pounders, from Cleveland's Royal Artillery, completed the command. 

 The force numbered about five thousand men, and were divided into 

 commands under Generals Robertson, Tyron and Sterling, 



The sun had commenced to descend as the troups " turned their 

 backs" on New Dorp lane, passed the old Rose and Crown and Black 

 Horse taverns en route for the North Shore. As that portion of the 

 Island through which the invading army passed was principally 

 dense woodland at that time, it is generally believed that the route 

 taken was by the old Richmond Road along the deep ravine back of 

 Egbertville, through Morganville, Castleton Corners, down " Mill 

 Road " to the shore, and thence to Decker's ferry (now known as 

 Port Richmond.) The troops remained on Staten Island for the 

 night ; but by the first ray of light on the following morning they 

 embarked on the vessels that had for a day or so lay at anchor in 

 the Kills. 



By nine o'clock the last man had reached the shore at Elizabeth- 

 port, and the invading army of Kuyphausen awaited the order to 

 start on its mission of destruction and death. It had been stated 

 at the council of war at Fort Richmond that a strong desire had been 

 expressed by the people for miles back of Elizabethtown to renew 

 their loyalty to the crown, and this gave General Kuyphausen much 

 confidence in his undertaking. The error, however, was soon dis- 

 covered, when from behind every thicket and stone fence came un- 

 expected volleys of buck shot and rude missiles. 



Near Elizabethtown the Jersey militia made an onslaught upon 

 the invaders. General Sterling was among the wounded. Kuyp- 

 hausen's men were all well drilled and had been under fire many 

 times. The " ragged regimentals " were unable to drive them back. 

 They halted for the night, and early on the following morning took 

 up the line of march for Springfield. It is told of General Kuyp- 

 hausen that he became exasperated at the reception the people gave 

 him, and caused the village to be destroyed by fire. Added to this 

 was an act of brutality that must forever blacken the memory of the 

 "handsome Hessian." After dwellings, stores, and even the little 

 church had melted into ashes, the minister's wife (a Mrs. Caldwell), 

 was murdered in cold blood. The event thrilled the Country with 

 excitement and indignation, and had the effect of enlisting new sym- 

 pathy for the cause^of independence. 



