Smith, Charles
John M. McDonald interview — 1846-11-26
Charles Smith recounts the skirmish that took place in 1780 between Round Hill and Quaker Ridge in Greenwich, Connecticut, during which Loyalist Captain Ebenezer Theall was killed. He also recalls a skirmish that took place between a company of Connecticut militia commanded by his father, Captain Charles Smith, and a contingent of Refugees. Smith also mentions the taking of the American guard at Titus Bridge by Refugees, praises the leadership of Colonel Daniel Humphreys, and notes that “very few, if any” of Colonel Levi Wells’ men were killed when he was captured at the home of Horton Reynolds on December 9, 1780.
Manuscript page facsimiles
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Transcription
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(Isaac Holly, Horseneck Society, Greenwich.) 1846. Novr 24th. Charles Smith, of Stanwich: "Capt. Theall was killed when Mosier * ambuscaded Colonel Hatfield in the summer of 1780, between Round Hill and Quaker Ridge. Theall was called a very good officer. Gaines was wounded and taken several times towards the end of the war, at a house situated about a quarter of a mile north of Horton Reynolds's in North Street by a party of militia commanded by my father, Capt Charles Smith. A small skirmish took place on that occasion. The Refugees were about twenty, and my father's command were about thirty or forty. As my father advanced they called out: "Who goes there?" — "A friend to Congress." — "Who are you?" "A friend to King George, God damn you!" My father then fired, and the Refugees instantly fled. Gaines alone was taken & no others killed or wounded.
* Mosier allowed Hatfield's van guard to pass before they formed to intercept the main body — as I have always heard.
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Waterbury's Guard of nine months or [Years?] men was several times taken at Titus's Bridge by the Refugees.
Colonel Humphreys was a noble looking man and a good officer.
When Colonel Wells was taken at Horton Reynolds's, but very few, if any, of his men were killed. Rivington's statement of fifteen killed must be a mistake.
1846. November 24th. Benjamin Brush: "Theall and his horse were both killed on the spot. After crossing the pond, they (White's detachment) took a horse to Capt [Pope?] who was a fleshyman, and tired with the long march. Heard, Peyton, Carr, a trumpeter, and about seven men remained behind as a