Gloucester County Democrat., 1909-07-29
COLONEL JOSEPH ELLIS.
Continued from First Page

wick in August, 1875. (c).
He was present and voted to adopt
the Constitution of New Jersey, July
2, 1776, cd and he was one of the eight
members of the Provincial Congress
that voted on July 3, 1916, to defer
printing the Constitution for the
Colony which had been adopted the
previous day(d). Joseph Ellis from
this county, thought that having pass
ed the Constitution with proviso, it
was better to wait until Parliament
had time to consider our grievances,
and for that reason he voted to defer
printing. But when the majority of
those present, voted to print at once,
Joseph Ellis abided by the decision of
the majority, and he at once resigned
his commission which he had received
from King George the Third.
Early in 1777, Captain Joseph Ellis
was elected Colonel of the Second bat
talliOn of the Gloucester County Mill
tia, and when General Philemon Dick
inson resigned his commission on ac-
count of his anticipated removal to
New York, on February Is, 1777, Col
onel Ellis was elected Brigadier Gen.
eral. Six days later when this COM
mission was forwarded to him, he de-
clined to accept it, prefering to re-
main colonel of the Gloucester Coun-
ty Militia (e) ~. He declined the
higher position with the greater pay
which had come to him unsolicited.
Colonel Ellis served under Mad
Anthony" Wayne, while that officer
secured the State from Bordentown to
Salem, for provisions, cattle and hor-
co nf +s,J A
so badly in need. In Mickle's Remin-
iscenses of Old Gloucester frequent
mention is made of him. He was in
the battle of Monmouth and several
other engagements, in all of which he
fought bravely (g).
He commanded the Gloucester Coun-
ty Militia, under Lafayette, in THE
Battle of Gloucester" marching with
his men from Haddonfield to meet and
drive back the Hessian outposts who
were located, as Lafayette says in his
official report, between the two creeks
Climber creek and Newton creek)
about two and a half miles from Glou-
cester Point. So well did his men fight
that Lafayette in his report to Wash
ington said: 'sThe conduct of our
soldiers is above all praises. never
saw men so merry, SO spirited, so de-
sirious to go on to the enemy, whatev-
er forces they could have, as that
small party was in this little fight.
found the rif1emen above even their
reputation, and the militia above all
expectations | could have. l returned
to them my very sincere thanks this
morning" CHI This commentator
shows how well Colonel Ellis had drill
led his men, and it also indicates that
when the militia were skillfully hand
led by their officers they were as eff
fcient as the regulars.
Colonel Ellis headquarters were at
Haddonfield, from which place his
soldiers made raids and incursions
upon the Hessian and British soldiers.
In February, 1778, while on a recon-
noitering expedition, his troops were
pressed hard by the British, and
running fight took place, lasting near
ly to the American Gordon, with the
greatest loss to the British.
One time the British turned the
tables and made a night attack upon
General Waynes troops. 1t was in
this engagement that Miles Sage,
dragon in Colonel Ellis regiment,
nearly lost his life. He, in company
with Ben Haines, was ordered to re-
connoiter the enemy, who lay off Glou
cester Point. Sage, having lost his
companion, reached the Point, and
learned that the British had already
moved for Haddonfield, intending
surprise upon the Americans. He
turned his fleet and faithful mare,
and dashed off through the darkness
of the night for his camp. Driving on
through Newton creek, and over
bitches and hedges with the speed of
the wind he reached the village and
stopped before Colonel Ellis head
quarters to give the alarm. 1t was
needless, for the house was already
filled with British officers He mount
ed again without having been discov-
cred, and galloped off to find his re-
treating countrymen. Near the east
ern extremity of the town, the enemy
was was drawn up in three ranks,
Through two ranks the trooper charg-
ed successfully, but at the third his
mare fell, and left him at the mercy
of his foes. They surrounded him, and
pinned him with no less than thirteen
bayonet wounds. A Scotch officer here
interpOsed, and had him carried to the
village Inn, where he was put under
the care of some women. One of these
beseeching him to remember heaven,
he exclaimed: Why, Martha, / mean
to give the enemy thirteen rounds
vet" He lived to tell his grandchil-
dren of his fearful adventure, and we
have no doubt, to remember heaven,
too. Gl.
1t is tradition that Colonel Ellis
was nearly captured at this time. Be-
ing quite stout, he barely managed to
mount his horse and get away before
the place was surrounded and his
headquarters occupied by the British.
Francis B Lee, the historian, states
that Colonel Ellis was taken prisoner
by the British at Coopers Ferries, now
Camden (lx) but this is an error. It
was Major Ellis, of the same battalion,
who was captured, and kept a prisoner
Court, March, 1903. The
jury returns and find Joseph Eastlack
and John Bell guilty of stealing a hog,