Newsletter 2 1978.pdf - The Grayson Family

Page 244 Page 244.
1778.1 THE BATTLE OF ~~ONJIOUTH. 43 5
Queen's rangers were driven through the village, General Wayne
hastened Colonel Butler across the east ravine, and placed his detachment.
with two guns, upon a small eminencein t h plain, ~ while the
other brigades were following the general lead of those in advance,
until they formed an irregular line as far as Briar Hill.
Thc thirdskirr~~islr took place just after Butler reached the position
last referred to, and while the troops were moving from the woods
near the Amboy road, to the plain beyond the east ravine; under the
general direction of General Wayne. The British light dragoons
made a charge uporl Colonel Butler which was successfully repulsed.
Colonel Grayson was in advance with an orchard to his left; Jackson
about a hundred yards in his rear; then Scott somewhat detached,
and Maxwell on the edge of the morass. Grayson was informed by a
messenger from General Wayne, that he milst hold his ground, as the
enemy was retiring. He "hallooed to Jackson to come and form
upon the hill, (Briar Hill) upon his left." This movement was one
which threatened Knyphausen's column, just when it was buried in a
long defile, and Clinton was at once aroused to activity to save the
baggage train which hc supposed the Americans were attempting to
attack. Colonel Jackson disreprded the request of Colonel Grayson,
because he llad no artillcry. Scott was then a little to the rear and
right of Jackson. Maxwell expected Scott to move to the right, to
join on Wayne, close the gap, and let him into the line. Wayne
meantvhilc held the regiments of Wesson, Stewart, and Livingston to
the left of Varnum, to cover Butler with whom ht advanced still further
into the plain, and also to cover Oswald's artillery, which had
drawn two additional guns from Varnum's brigade, and was exchanging
shots with the artiliery of the enemy. Major bIercer of General
Lce's staff told Grayson that his place was in the rear of Wayne, who
had no right to order him to the position he held on the left. General
Lee states that " he sent Major Mercer, and then a second officer,
( with express orders to General Scott to hold his position." As a
matter of fact, Scott was under Grayson's commandA and both were
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r go associated with Wayne, that when he moved toward the Court
i- House, as si~bsequently ordered, they followed, his movements, and
received no intimation that they rhould have done othiriviie until the
movement LVJS actually made, and the *whole army was retreating, by
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detachments, before the advance of the British army. The American
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troops had deployed quite at their own discretion. Oswald mainr
tained his guns in position until his am:nunition was exhausted, and
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