Dibble, John
John M. McDonald interview — 1847-11-03
Much of this interview with John Dibble covers the events of March 16, 1777, when a British force led by John Brandon and Archibald Campbell attacked an American outpost at Ward’s House in Eastchester. Earlier in the day, Dibble was part of a group of American soldiers that went to William’s Bridge in present-day Bronx County to cover a foraging party. After a day of fighting, Dibble’s party returned to Ward’s House, which was successfully attacked by the British force. Dibble also discusses his service in the Coast Guard in Connecticut, including his participation in the Battle of Ridgefield. He concludes by recounting an escape made by British prisoners en route from North Castle to Peekskill, and mentions the capture of the British ship Shuldham.
Manuscript page facsimiles
High-resolution images served from the Westchester County Historical Society's IIIF endpoint. Click any page to view full size.
Transcription
- Hufeland Index Page 601 -
Novr. 3d John Dibble: “I was at the attack of Ward’s house by Major Campbell. The same day we went down to Williams’s Bridge on a scout to cover a foraging party of five or six teams which went down to Morrisania to take off forage. The British came from Kingsbridge to oppose us and we fought them across the river all day long till the teams returned. We were about eighty strong. About forty went down with the teams, and forty remained at the bridge. The British were about fifty strong at the bridge where they had a fort. It was right before we got back to Wards. Samuel Delavan [X] commanded us, and he was saved that night in consequence of wearing a red coat passing for a British officer. The British approached Ward’s house on ^from the west side of the road. A sentinel was posted north or perhaps in the road who challenged and the British then ran up. Capt. Noah Bouton came to the door and asked for quarter, saying they would then surrender.
[X] one of the 9 sons of Timothy D. at Danbury
- Hufeland Index Page 602 -
but Major Campbell said: “Fire away, boys! – Kill all the d – d Rebels you can!” Bouton then fired with his musket and shot Campbell through the body dead. There were about two hundred Americans in the house, and they all escaped but twenty seven who were taken prisoners and six who were killed. The British had eight killed. I ran out of the house north, and found a company advancing which I joined and with them advanced to the house where the British when the British were firing into the windows. We took post behind a stone wall and attacked them, but they outnumbered and outflanked us, and compelled us to retreat. That night we retreated two miles off and next day buried the dead at Ward’s house, and next day after that we retreated to North Castle, and afterwards about a week went to White Plains where we remained until discharged.
- Hufeland Index Page 603 -
I was in the Coast guard under Capt. Jesse Bell at Ridgefield. We were posted on the road leading to Reading on the east flank. The British advanced with a broad front and fired first. Arnold mounted another horse and rode off at speed laying down upon the animal. Bowers Howe told me this who saw it. Capt. Bell’s company of Coast guard were in the Third Division – one, at Stamford under Bell – Lieut. Sloper commanded the one at Darien, and the one at Roton or Noroton river was commanded by Lieut. Howe. There was a whaleboat Captain named Reynolds Finch who was from this neighborhood. [See preceding page.] While I was at North Castle in 1777, some prisoners in number about twelve were sent up to the commanding officer at Peekskill under a guard of ten or twelve men. While on the march the prisoners rose upon the guard, and after a
- Hufeland Index Page 604 -
scuffle got possession of their arms and escaped. On occasion of the expedition against White Stone Fort, when we landed at Pelham Neck, we did not all proceed against the Sheldum [X], but part of us remained with part of the boats at Pelham Neck.
[X] Shuldham? see page 95. (copy)