Montross, Nathaniel
John M. McDonald interview — 1848-10-19
Too young to participate in the Revolutionary War, Nathaniel Montross (1770-1858) later served as a general in the New York State Militia and a member of the New York State Assembly. He notes the locations of American entrenchments in southern Yorktown, mentions an incident from the Battle of Pines Bridge, and describes how an American officer who commanded the guard at Pines Bridge managed to escape a party of Refugee cavalry. Montross concludes by recalling Jack, an enslaved man who conducted business with the British during the war.
Manuscript page facsimiles
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Transcription
- Hufeland Index Page 731 -
October 19th. Genl. Nathaniel Montross: “Upon the bluff on the north side of the Croton at Pines Bridge are remains of fortifications said to have been thrown up by Washington in 1776 to command the passage of the river at this spot, consisting of a square fort on the crest of the eminence, and other works a little lower down towards the river. The American army once encamped (in 1776, probably?) about a mile or so from Pines Bridge on the road which leads over the hill easterly or south easterly to New Castle corner. The camp was on the right (that is, the west or south west) side of the road. On each side of the road there is a hill of about the same size, and for security of the road and camp, a breastwork which crossed the road at right angles,
- Hufeland Index Page 732 -
was thrown up from one of these eminences to the other. When the Rhode Island troops at our house were attacked on the 14th of May 1781, a sergeant called upon the ^his men to follow him saying they were outnumbered and surrounded. Some followed and were saved, but others replied ‘We’ll have one shot at the Refugees before we go,’ and staid and fired. These last were all killed. When Captain Jacob (?) ^Isaac? Van Wart (not Van Tassel) commanded the Guard at the Bridge (Pines), he went one day to see his wife who lived over the hill on the North Castle corner road above Flewellings. All at once he saw the Refugees coming on a gallop. Wheeling about he descended the hill at full speed calling out in broken English and flourishing his arms: –
- Hufeland Index Page 733 -
‘ De Pritish is coming! Run Poys like de dyvil or dey will kill you!’ They pursued him furiously across the river but he escaped. Jack, my father’s slave, was one of the most artful, cunning men I ever knew. He had an extraordinary judgment, was a great hand at planning and contriving, either in relation to the farm or anything else. He made a deal of money by trading with the enemy during the war – selling cattle &c.