Middletown transcript., 1870-02-05
Revolutionary "reminiscences.
Written for The MddletOpn Transcript.
The Rebel Boys of newark, Del. I'm 1850


the Revolution" is we'll worthy of pre-
servation, but fear lest 1 cannot relate i
correctly, for it is long time since
heard it repeated. However, will en-
deavor to give it to the best of my recol.
lection, trusting to the Indulgence of your
readers to excuse all errors and omissions
AT the time when the British army oc.
cupied Philadelphia, and detachmcnts
were stationed at various points along the
Delaware, in order to keep the navigation
of that river open, foraging bands of the
English constantly secured the country
around in every direction, in search Of
booty and provisions, and often the smoul-
dering ruins of the dwellings and out
buildings of rebels marked the path of
these bands of licensed robbers.
One evening, about sunset, in the
Spring of 1880, a youth of about sixteen
years of age, who had been absent from
the village for some days, returned in
hurried and excited manner and reported
to the frighted women and children of
Newark (for the men were all absent with
the army of Washington in Pennsylvania
that one of those bands of marauders was
slowly advancing in fat-bottom boats up
White Clay Creek towards the village.
The creek was not then as now, broken up
with mill-dams, but flowed in an even.
steady stream, about one or two feet deep.
Young Harvey,-for that was the bows
name-at once summoned the boys of
Newark together on the green in front of
the academy, to concert measures for the
defence of their homes. He told them of
the approach of their enemies, and that
upon them depended the safety of their
homes, and of their mothers sisters; that
the men being away with the continental
army the boys must take their place at
home, and asked who would assist him in
an endeavor to save Newark from the
hands of the British raiders. Without a
dissenting voice, the boys, to the number
of dozen or more, at once stepped for
ward and signifed their willingness to fol-
low and aid him in whatever plan he
might suggest for the protection of the
village. lie then told them that he had
been informed by an American scout whom
he had met several miles down the river.
that the destination of the above mentioned
boats was believed to be the house of to-
y named Butler who lived short dis
ance above Newark, on the banks of the
White Clay Creek, (near the spot where
low stands the dwelling of the President
IT the Newark Bank) for Butler had often
'een seen to 60 and come several times
rom the enemy's camp, and it was be-
ieved that descent on the village from
his mans house was contemplated -
Now CO." said he, "and collect all the
hot guns, and other arms that you can find, '
nd meet me here within an hour" The i
oys then separated, and before the hour +
ad elapsed, were all together again upon i;
he green awaiting the coming of their n
outhful leader. All the arms they had !,
cen able to collect consisted of four small r
uns with which they had been accustom- Il
to shoot squirrels and birds, with r
mall supply of powder and buck shot, the n
EST of their arms were hay forks and O
rain sickles. Harvey soon appeared n
rmed with an old rusty sword and a o. q
orse-pistol, and placing himself at the Il
cad of his band of young warriors lead b
e way to the creek, known then, as Ii
wv, by the name of the Rocks-a favor M
bathing place of the boys, because the n
ater there was from ten to fourteen feet -,
'ep. The bank here is several feet high n,
I'd overhangs the bed of the creek. Halt (,
6 at the place, the boys by order of their ra "a
ader, collected together a heap of large az
ones, which they piled near the bank. III
MS being dene, Harvey dispatched two n,
his " troops" as he called them, down ii,
e creek with orders to report the first ne
pearance of the British boats. Taking dr.
% more with him he went up the creek
reconnoitre around the house of the to-
Butler.
They had not gone far when they heard fol
G sounds of horses feet coming towards wi
EN-. Concealing themselves the bows no
alted in silence the approach of the
rseman, whom they soon recognized as on
son of the tory Butler As he neared
place of concealment, at a signal from Ell
leader, the young "rebels" sprung for
rd and while one seized the bride of lor
horse the others quickly pulled the ri
from his saddle, pinioned his arms, and
eed gag over his mouth, almost before fiv
alarm would permit him to see by whom
was attacked. Harvey then proceeded inc
question his prisoner, and by diut of
eats accompanied by some smart blows fft
h stout hickory, learned from him
his father had plotted with the British
the destruction of Newark, which he thi
reported as intensely "disloyal."
ang Butler then admitted that he was and
his way to meet the party that was to !
his father in this ''loyaI' scheme tee,
ch was expected to come up the creek !
lat bottomed batteaux,
iaving tied his prisoner to tree, Har-
and his companions returned to the
mp" just as his scouts, who had been lonl
down the creek appeared and reported !
two boats. each containing eight men. 4
e coming slowly up the stream. The 4
at once hid themselves behind the A
hes which lined the bank and with
ing hearts awaited the oomIng op H.. n