- Hufeland Index Page 1010 -
October 10th Dr. Alexander Clinton, of 603 Houston between Mercer and Greene: "I don't know who commanded Fort Clinton when it was captured in 1777. My
- Hufeland Index Page 1011 -
grandfather, General James Clinton, as I have always heard, escaped from Fort Montgomery. He jumped from the parapet, and said that the leap would have been fatal had he not lighted, accidentally, upon a cedar bush which broke his fall. It was nearly dark at the time. I have heard him recount his escape. Groping afterwards in the dark in some ravine, he stretched out his hand and found it upon something that felt like wool. It was the head of Col. Dubois's black man who exclaimed: "For God's sake, master, don't murder me! I'll do anything for you," &c. - [see Sylvanus Miller's narrative pp. 62-63 of original and pp. 95-97 of copy.] I have always heard that the two brothers were together at the time of the surrender, and that one determined to escape over the mountains and the others by crossing the Hudson.
- Hufeland Index Page 1012 -
I can't tell where the schoolmasters pamphlet can be found. I have heard also that when Governor Clinton had ascertained the enemy's strength he wished to surrender and save useless loss of life, but was persuaded by General Clinton to stand the assault. General Clinton was wounded in the leg. Robert Burnet, of Little Britain, New Windsor, was at the assault and knows more about it than any one I can think of. He is well in mind though aged and weak. Mr. Alexander Thomason [X] of Mont- -gomery, Orange County whose father held some offices at West Point can also give details of the capture. Mr. Thomson is part of his time in New York, and there stays at some hotel, but I don't know which.