Wilmington daily commercial., 1876-05-13
CENTENNIAL PAPERS.
No. 1.-tCOnttnued.)


Hazlet's Regiment-or Battalion as he
generally calls it in his letters-left Della
ware about the end of July or beginning of
August, Q776,) and joined the forces that
Washington was gathering at New York. 1t
numbered probably eight hundred men. Mr.
Whiteley in his historical paper on Revo-
lutionary Soldiers of Delaware" says
81 cannot find out precisely when they
arrived at Headquarters, but it could not
have been long before the middle of August
They marched from Dover to New York
without tents how provisions were sup
piled them it does not appear, but it is more
than probable they supplied themselves
along the route. They we're brigaded with
four Pennsylvania regiments, and Small
woods Maryland regiment, and Lord STIR
ling was the Brigadler, Upon August 9th,
certainly not more than five weeks, Cone |
writer puts three weeks) after marching |
from Dover, they were in the battle of |
Brooklyn, or Long Island as it is sometimes |
called"
The reader must be supposed to be famil- |
lar with the general character of this en-
gagement, and for special details as to the
the part the Delaware Battalion took, he
may be referred sto the letters of Lieut.
Colonel Bedford and General Rodney, gwen
in Mr.. W. T. Reads " Life of Gee. Read
p 172 ct seq. Neither Col. Hazlet,nor Lieut.
Col. Bedford was in the battle, both being
engaged upon court-martal sitting in New
York city for the trial Of certain Lieut.
Col. Zedwitz, of New York regiment, for
correspondence with the enemy. Major
McDonough commanded the Battalion
which fought well, and remained upon the
field till the last, retreating in so compact
order, and with SO much discipline that they
suffered much less proportionate loss than
the Maryland regiment which belonged to
their brigade. Major McDonongh was
wounded in the knee, but only slightly as
also were Lieut.. Anderson and Ensign
Course. The total loss of the Battalion was
stated at 81, amongst whom were End Lieut.
Alexander Stewart, of Captain Pope's Com
pany, and let Lieut.. Genethan Harney, of
Captain David Halls Company, the former
Beings taken prisoner.
- Tie next letter in our series is FROM
COL. HAzLET TO MIR. RODNEY.
CAMP, N. YORK, Aug. 81, 1776.
Hon'Jle Sir Ireceived yours with pleasure
because it was yours all the rest was in
dignation. We went over to Long Island
gen'l engagement ensued the South
ern troops, lie. Lord Stirlings Battal-
ION brigade II bore the violence of the
attack and repulsed the enemy, but
was outnumbered at least three to
one and obliged to retire. The Del
aware Battalion have been comphmented as
the finest in the service they stood un-
moved, in firm array, four hours, exposed
10 the fire OF the Enemy, nor attempted to
retire IT'LL they received orders from the
General;=then effected most noble re-
treat, up to the middle through a marsh OF
mud, and brought off with them 23 priso-
pers.
fear we shall be outnumbered ;-expect
any moment orders to march off to Kings
Bridge to prevent the enemy crossing the
East River and conhning us on another
nook. What the event will be God knows.
1t. Stewart and lit Harney, with 25 pri-
Yates fell in our regiment Id. Stirling and
Genl. Sullivan prisoners, Miles and Atlee
lColonels in the brigadel the same, Piper
Lieut.. Colonel Of Penna. regiment
killed, $50 of Smallman's [Smallwoods]
missing, Atlee's cut to pieces fear Genl
Washington has too heavy task, assisted
mostly by beardless boys. II the Enemy
can coop us up in N. York by intrenchine
from river to river horrid will be the con.
sequences, from their command Of the
rivers.
Between five and six thousand dollars Of
Continental money remain in my hands
unknowing what to do with it, l have en-
trusted it to the care Of DR.. Rogers anc
Chaplain Montgomery if 1 fall please tC
take order in the matter. / have not time
to say one word more it's the first letter
have had time to write. Please to mention
60 some of your friends below that I an
well, by whose means it may reach Mrs
Ha8let am [&c il
Hon'ble Gen Rodney, lat Philadelphia.
Amongst the manuscript letters obtained
lfrom @. A. Rodney, Esq.,) for the purpos
Of preparing these papers is, one written q
the time by DR.. Tilton, Surgeon Of Hazlet
Battalion, which has some interest. 1t
as follows
DIR. TILDEN TO MIR. RODNEY.
LONG ISLAND, Goth Angst, 1776.
DR.. Sir Before l left Dover, Can
Rodney was kind enough to read me pa
agrsph in your letter to him, enquirinR if
would accept of place, in my own way,
forty dollars per mo. l apprehended it vi
berth in the general hospital but as
was then unacquainted with the constit
ton OF the hospital could only Judge
your proposal Dy Iue lee. am now DeGG
acquainted with the hospital, and thereto
trouble you on this occasion. find tl
Director has four assistant surgeons, al
under them number of mates. II you CT
procure me surgeons berth / shall
much obliged to you but / will not acce
OF a mates place. don't know the fe
attached to these offices, but Judge of the
by the rank and condition they enjoy.
have every reason to think the number
hospital surgeons must be increased INN
diately.
am well informed, [havel an Americ
diploma or degree in medicine, was an q
pie recommendation of my collegiate, /
Potts, to q Director Generalship, he
this may likewise serve me in procuring
surgeons place. Besides, as to my abilit
to serve, appeal to the medical professo
one Of whom is now member of Congre
This refers to DIR. Benjamin Rsuh, then
The Continental Congress, one of the sil
ers Of the Declaration.
will not trouble you with an acct. of {
misfortunes on Long Island, as you
have it from better hands. shall only