Dickman, Daniel
John M. McDonald interview — 1846-09-10
Daniel Dickman is likely Daniel Dikeman, who is listed as an 89-year-old resident of the Town of Westport, Connecticut, in the 1850 United States Census. His interview discusses British General William Tryon’s Raid on Danbury, Connecticut, in April 1777. The beginning of the interview discusses the Battle of Ridgefield, which took place on April 27, and concludes with a description of the mortal wounding of American General Daniel Wooster. The second paragraph describes the positions of American General Benedict Arnold and Colonel John Lamb during the Battle of Compo Hill, which took place on April 28. The final two paragraphs discuss various aspects of the battles of Ridgefield and Compo Hill.
Manuscript page facsimiles
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Transcription
115 very well, otherwise I will instantly order my men to fire. He immediately left us.
Stoney Point. When pioneers were cutting away the abbatis, the British said: "Come on, ye d-d rebels!" &c. Carmen answered: "Don't be in a hurry! We'll be with you presently!" I had this from one of the men engaged.
Hessians were very kind to us while imprisoned. Allowed us to go out with them and buy our prisoners provisions. When it was the Hessians turn to guard us, I used to go to market with a Hessian sergeant. When entrusted to buy bread &c. by such as had money, the Hessian soldiers were found very honest and faithful, but the British soldiers generally helped themselves to a glass of spirits from out of the money entrusted to them!
[margin: Wooster.] Sept. 10. Daniel Dickman, of Westport. "British crossed two and a half or three miles above the old bridge — a little above Toplar plain, and near which is a factory now. About one mile above the bridge the Americans threw up a breastwork across the road [just by my house] a little south of it) and prepared to stop themarch. General Wooster. I had his horse wounded. He then mounted his aid's horse, and was shot by a 113 [page break] 293 458 116 [margin: See orig. p. 112.] and fell off his horse.
At Compo our people got all around them. Colonel Lamb, I think, attacked on the west side of the hill. Arnold was on the east or north.
Mother was the only one of the [Danbury?] Congregation that escaped. She lives at Ridgefield [Stamford?]. The Americans extended beyond the British flanks fifty or sixty rods east and west [margin: Ridgefield?] of the main road. After the battle at Ridgefield the Americans marched around the British east and west and got in their rear, marching in the night and threw up the entrenchments above mentioned which were flanked on both sides by a thick wood which came close to the road.
It was understood that the tories informed [Tarleton?] of the breastworks, &c, and they then crossed the river. Ezekiel Wilson, of Ridgefield, piloted the British from that place. [margin: Tryon?]
114.