Andrew Ziegler

  Noted events in his life were:

• Military, 23 May 1775. I mustered into the militia under Captain Andrew Campbell.

Upper Dublin Township Lower Salfard Township Upper Salford Township

Mann, John, Captain Campbell, Andrew, Captain Hartzle, George, Captain
Loesar, Christopher, Lt.
Stanert, Jacob, Ensign Age, Jacob Alleback, Abraham
Loesar, Peter, 1st Sgt Age, Lodwek Antig, William
Fisher, Henry, 2nd Sgt Aldafar, Abraham Barndt, Frederick
Sclater, Casper, 3rd Sgt. Aldafar, John Barndt, Henry

Private 1st Class

Aldefar, Jacob Barnt, Henry
Amon, John Alderver, Joseph Barnt, John
Dresher, George Bager, Adam Barnt, Phillip
Edwards, John Bakar, Hanrey Belger, Henry
Fulmore, George Borsh, Pether Bilger, George
Harper, James Clemens, Abraham Boyer, William
Herner, Henry Clemens, John Bumbach, Henry
Houp, Henry Dehaven, Jacob Cressman, Abraham
Kirk, John Delp, John Deeds, Henry
Mairs, Samuel Denes, William Deer, John
Robinson, James Dison, Joseph Detterer, Christian
Shoemaker, Thomas Dool, Martin Doul, Jacob
Thomas, James Dronsbour, Georg Fillman, Jacob
Tyson, Jonathan Fred, Henry Foust, Henry
Wood, Josiah Fred, John Gergus, Conrad

Private 2nd Class

Grotz, Isark Gross, Henry
Amagh, Conrad Haklar, Georg Heldrick, Jacob
Brook, Lewis Hanrey, Bangamen Heldrick, Peter
Cleaver, Peter Hantrex, John Hoot, Conrad
Comly, Nathan Harley, Abraham Kepple, Martin
Davis, William Harley, Henry Kepple, Peter
Gearing, Mathias Harley, Jacob Kline, Isaac
Mann, John, Jr. Harley, Samuel Martin, George
Moyer, John Honsbarge, Abraham Menner, Conrad
Redlyon, William Karker, William Myar, George
Shoemaker, Daniel Kebi, Garemeis Myar, Isaac
Stenart, William Kline, Lotwek Myar, Jacob
Wood, Isaac Kreble, Abraham Nace, Dewalt
Private 3rd Class

Krup, Abraham Nice, John
Coater, Henry Krup, Andrew Renn, Phillip
Collum, John Krup, Samue Ruckstool, Ulrick
Evans, Peter Latrak, Hanrey Sheaffer, George
Fress, Adam Markley, George Sholl, Peter
Gilbert, Jacob Myer, Jacob Shrauger, Jacob
Herner, Joseph Priss, William Smith, John
Huntsman, Hezekiah Seglir, Andrew Stoll, Antony
Kirk, John Sholor, Gabriel Stouffer, John
Lukens, Elijah Snider, Christin Stouffer, Ulrick
Moris, Jonathan Stong, Lanhard Swinford, John
Potts, Thomas Stover, Christofel Walt, Henry
Randle, John Stover, Matis Walt, Jacob
Rumer, Jacob Strong, Conrath Weikle, George
Stemple, Benjamin Strong, Hanrey Weldemyar, Geroge

Private 4th Class

Strong, Jacob Wentz, Jno. Phillip
Burk, Edward Swartz, Abraham Wentz, Valentine
Burk, John Wontersils, John Whessley, Henry
Burns, John Zigler, Andrew Wyant, Jacob
Butlar, Thomas Ziglir, Jacob Young, Martin
Dunnet, Jesse Zeagler, Georg
Gilkison, Andrew Zeagler, Henry
Jarrett, John Zeagler, John
Loesar, Christian Zeagler, Marx
McVeagh, Edward Zeagler, Phillip
Stogdell, Thomas Zerkle, Abraham
Temanus, Conrad Zerkle, William

• Served: with the Rangers. ¹⁶⁶ The Rangers were probably the most successful corps in the north in attracting recruits. By mid December the first company was mustered complete.


Butler moved into the Indian country in the spring of 1778. He held numerous conferences with the Indians and dispatched small expeditions against rebel fortifications. By late June he had mustered a sizeable force of 200 Rangers and 300 Indians and moved against Wyoming (now Wilkes Barre, Pa). Small forts in the Wyoming Valley quickly surrendered, but a major rebel force held out in Forty Fort. Feigning retreat, Butler lured the enemy out of the fort, and after a fierce battle the rebels were completely defeated.
Butler once again moved his Rangers back into the Indian country where they conducted devastating raids against the rebel frontier.
On 10 November, tramping through newly fallen snow, Butler's son, Captain Walter Butler, led a punishing raid into Cherry Valley. The rebel soldiers at the outpost took refuge in the fort, leaving the civilians to fend for themselves. Unfortunately, the Indians discovered rebel soldiers who had previously surrendered and given their parole. Incensed, they cut a swath through the village, killing men, women and children. This outrage has left a stain on the history of the corps.



In 1779 the rebels mounted a major offence against Niagara, cutting through the Indian country and destroying almost every village they entered. At Newtown, on the Chemung River, Butler attempted to defeat and turn back the rebels, but artillery destroyed the confidence of the Indians and his defensive position was soon threatened by flanking forces. Butler ordered a retreat and the Rangers did not engage the rebels again until an ambuscade at the head of Lake Conesus. The trap was prematurely sprung, and Butler was forced to withdraw. Fortunately for Niagara, Sullivan had overextended his supply line, and within days of reaching Niagara he was forced to turn back.
The Rangers conducted a number of expeditions against the rebel frontier throughout the spring and summer of 1780. In the fall, Sir John Johnson was ordered to mount a major thrust into the Mohawk Valley by way of Oswego, and the Rangers were ordered to join him. As a raid, it was extremely successful, and Washington reported to Congress that the destruction would “likely to be attended with the most alarming consequences.”



The war began to shift westwards, and one company of Rangers was dispatched to Detroit, and began operations against the Ohio frontier.
After a summer of company-sized raids in 1781, Major John Ross was ordered to mount another expedition against the Mohawk. Again, as a raid, it proved successful, but Captain Walter Butler was killed in action while commanding the rear guard at West Canada Creek.
Captain William Caldwell's re-enforced company was in action at Lower and Upper Sandusky in June 1782 and won a significant victory over rebel forces. In August, Caldwell's company was again in action at the Blue Licks in Kentucky where the Rangers and Indians were again successful. At the same time, Captain Andrew Bradt's company raided Wheeling, West Virginia, and put the settlement to the torch. This was the last action fought by the Rangers during the Revolution.
Nine companies were paid off and reduced to nil strength at Niagara on 24 June 1784, but Caldwell's company did not arrive from Detroit until 16 July. It was paid off and reduced to nil strength on that date.

• Revolutionary War. ¹⁶⁷ Colonel Edward Hand's First Pennsylvania Regiment

On June 14, 1775 the Continental Congress authorized the raising of the first troops for the Continental Army. Six companies of riflemen were required from Pennsylvania and from these companies came the First Pennsylvania Regiment of the Continental Line. During their existence the regiment participated in some major actions of the War for Independence such as the Battle of Long Island (rear guard for the evacuation), crossed the Delaware with Washington for the Battle of Trenton and were instrumental in the victory at the Battle of Princeton.

The Battle of Princeton January 3 , 1777; Princeton, New Jersey


Americans Commanded by Gen George Washington Forces Killed Wounded Captured 4000 30 75 -


British Commanded by Lt Col. Charles Mawhood Forces Killed Wounded Captured 1,200 60 150 244


Conclusion: American Victory

Following his surprise victory at Trenton on December 26, 1776, General George Washington decided to use his momentum and grab another victory before entering winter quarters. On December 30, he crossed the Delaware River back into New Jersey. Washington had to keep his army together somehow since their enlistments ran out at midnight on December 31. At now abandoned Trenton, Washington offered a special bounty of ten dollars to all who would reenlist for another six weeks. He managed to convince a number of the troops to stay.

General Washington started 1777 with 1,600 Continental troops with a number of New Jersey and Pennsylvania militia who had come in after Trenton. He knew the British had over 6,000 troops scattered throughout New Jersey with a large number of these at garrisons at Brunswick and Princeton. He now ordered his troops to concentrate at Trenton and sent a covering force toward Princeton to delay an anticipated enemy approach.

By January 1, the covering force was in position along Five Mile Run and on January 2, the British appeared under the command of Lt. General Charles Cornwallis. Colonel Edward Hand delayed Cornwallis long enough that by the time the British reached moved through Trenton to where General Washington and his main force were located, darkness was falling. Washington then left his campfires burning and slipped behind the British force and marched toward Princeton.

General Washington left 400 men in camp to keep up the appearance of an occupied camp. He moved the baggage and heavy artillery south to Burlington. At 1 A.M. on January 3, 1777, the rest of Washington's force set out. Secrecy and silence were maintained with only the generals knowing the expedition's destination and wheels wrapped in rags. In Princeton, General Cornwallis had left 1,400 British troops under the command of Lt. Colonel Charles Mawhood.


General George Washington had a simple plan of attack for Princeton. First, a 350 man force under Brig. General Hugh Mercer was to destroy Stony Brook Bridge cutting Princeton off from reinforcement from Lt. General Charles Cornwallis' force at Trenton. Around 8 A.M., the British spotted Mercer's force. Lt. Colonel Charles Mawhood, left in comand at Princeton, fell back to a defensive position and the two forces met at Clark's Orchard.

The Continental force charged and drove the British back. The two forces then formed battle lines and the 17th British Foot launched an attack that drove the Americans back, mortally wounding General Mercer. General Washington moved forward with Colonel John Cadwalader's Pennsylvania militia to prevent a complete rout. Washington, Cadwalader and Maj. General Nathanael Greene then moved among the troops to rally them.

Once the main body of his force had moved up, General Washington led his men against the British line. At a distance of 30 yards he halted and ordered his men to fire and the British returned fire. The field was filled with smoke, obscuring Washington. When the smoke cleared, Washington was unharmed and the British line had broke. The 17th Foot fought toward Trenton while the rest of the British force retreated back toward Princeton.

The rest of the action consisted after the British retreating through the town and then northward as the Americans moved behind them. General Cornwallis had heard the fighting begin and hurried to bring up reinforcements from Trenton, but the last Americans were slipping out of Princeton as the first of Cornwallis' troops were arriving. General Washington wanted to push on to Brunswick, but his troops were too tired. He instead marched to Morristown, arriving on January 5th and 6th and entered winter quarters. http://www.uswars.net/1775-1783/battles/770103.htm

AN EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE OF TRENTON WRITTEN BY AN OFFICER ON WASHINGTON'S STAFF New Town, Pa., Dec. 22, 1776

Things have been going against us since last August, when we were forced to give up Long Island, losing 3000 men and a great amount of supplies. In October we were forced to evacuate New York and cross the Hudson into New Jersey. We reached Trenton Dec. 2. It was prudent forethought on the part of General Washington to send General [William] Maxwell ahead to secure all the boats on the Delaware River and have them at Trenton upon our arrival. If it had not been done we should have been in a bad fix with [British Army Lieutenant-General Charles] Cornwallis at our heels. As it was the Hessians under Count [Carl von] Donop and Colonel [Johann] Rall arrived in that village in season to fire a few shots at the last boat. According to last accounts General [William] Howe [the British Commander-in-Chief] and General Cornwallis have gone to New York leaving General [Sir James] Grant with a few hundred English troops at Princeton, Colonel Rall with 1500 Hessians at Trenton and Count Donop with 2000 at Bordentown, ten miles down the river from Trenton.

Washington's headquarters are here in this little village of New Town, back from the river northwest of Trenton. General [Nathaniel] Greene and General [John] Sullivan, with their divisions, numbering 2500 men and sixteen cannon, are ten miles up stream at McConkey's Ferry. A portion of the boats are there. General [James] Ewing, with 2000 men, is on this side of the river a little below Trenton, and General [John] Cadwallader and General [Israel] Putnam are at Bristol, ten miles further down, with as many more.

I rode along the river yesterday morning and could see the Hessians in Trenton. It is a pretty village, containing about 130 houses and a Presbyterian meeting-house. A stone bridge spans the Assunpink creek on the road leading to Bordentown. There are apple orchards and gardens. Rall has his own regiment and Knyphausen a few dragoons and fifty riflemen. The Hessians call them Yagers. He has six cannon. Knyphausen has two of them, two stand in front of Rall's headquarters, and two up by the Pennington road. A scout just in says that General Howe has issued a proclamation, offering pardon to everybody in New Jersey who will lay down their arms and take the oath of allegiance. He says that Howe and Cornwallis are well satisfied with what they have accomplished. Cornwallis is going to England to tell the King that the rebellion is about over. Howe is going to have a good time in New York attending dinner parties. For what I see I am quite certain Washington intends to make some movement soon. He keeps his own counsel, but is very much determined.

Dec. 23 -- Orders have been issued to cook rations for three days. Washington has just given the counter sign, "Victory or Death." He has written a letter to General Caldwallader at Bristol, which he has entrusted to me to copy. He intends to cross the river, make a ten-mile march to Trenton, and attack Rall just before daybreak. Ewing is to cross and seize the bridge crossing the Assunpink. Putnam and Cadwallader are to cross and make a feint of attacking Donop so that he can not hasten to Rall's assistance.

Dec. 24 -- A scout just in says that the Hessians have a picket on the Pennington road half a mile out from Trenton, and another at [Brigadier-General of the New Jersey militia Philemon] Dickenson's house, on the river road.

Dec. 25 -- Christmas morning. They make a great deal of Christmas in Germany, and no doubt the Hessians will drink a great deal of beer and have a dance to-night. They will be sleepy tomorrow morning. Washington will set the tune for them about daybreak. The rations are cooked. New flints and ammunition have been distributed. Colonel [John] Glover's fishermen from Marblehead, Mass., are to manage the boats just as they did in the retreat from Long Island.

Christmas, 6 p.m. -- The regiments have had their evening parade, but instead of returning to their quarters are marching toward the ferry. It is fearfully cold and raw and a snow-storm is setting in. The wind is northeast and beats in the faces of the men. It will be a terrible night for the soldiers who have no shoes. Some of them have tied old rags around their feet; others are barefoot, but I have not heard a man complain. They are ready to suffer any hardship and die rather than give up their liberty. I have just copied the order for marching. Both divisions are to go from the ferry to Bear Tavern, two miles. They will separate there; Washington will accompany Greene's division with a part of the artillery down the Pennington Road; Sullivan and the rest of the artillery will take the river road.

Dec. 26, 3 a.m. -- I am writing in the ferry house. The troops are all over, and the boats have gone back for the artillery. We are three hours behind the set time. Glover's men have had a hard time to force the boats through the floating ice with the snow drifting in their faces. I never had seen Washington so determined as he is now. He stands on the bank of the river, wrapped in his cloak, superintending the landing of his troops. He is calm and collected, but very determined. The storm is changing to sleet, and cuts like a knife. The last cannon is being landed, and we are ready to mount our horses.

Dec. 26, Noon -- It was nearly 4 o'clock, when we started. The two divisions divided at Bear Tavern.

At Birmingham, three and a half miles south of the tavern, a man came with a message from General Sullivan that the storm was wetting the muskets and rendering them unfit for service. "Tell General Sullivan," said Washington, "to use the bayonet. I am resolved to take Trenton."

It was broad daylight when we came to a house where a man was chopping wood. He was very much surprised when he saw us. "Can you tell me where the Hessian picket is?" Washington asked. The man hesitated, but I said, "You need not be frightened, it is General Washington who asks the question." His face brightened and he pointed toward the house of Mr. Howell.

It was just 8 o'clock. Looking down the road I saw a Hessian running out from the house. He yelled in Dutch [German] and swung his arms. Three or four others came out with their guns. Two of them fired at us, but the bullets whistled over our heads. Some of General [Adam] Stephen's men rushed forward and captured two. The other took to their heels, running toward Mr. [Alexander] Calhoun's house, where the picket guard was stationed, about twenty men under Captain Altenbrockum. They came running out of the house. The Captain flourished his sword and tried to form his men. Some of them fired at us, others ran toward the village. The next moment we heard drums beat and a bugle sound, and then from the west came the boom of a cannon. General Washington's face lighted up instantly, for he knew that it was one of Sullivan's guns. We could see a great commotion down toward the meeting-house, men running here and there, officers swinging their swords, artillerymen harnessing their horses. Captain [Thomas] Forrest unlimbered his guns. Washington gave the order to advance, and rushed on the junction of King and Queen streets. Forrest wheeled six of his cannon into position to sweep both streets. The riflemen under Colonel [Edward] Hand and [Charles] Scott's and [Robert] Lawson's battalions went upon the run through the fields on the left just ready to open fire with two of their cannon when Captain [William] Washington and Lieutenant [James] Monroe with their men rushed forward and captured them. We saw Rall come riding up the street from his headquarters, which were at Stacy Potts' house. We could hear him shouting in Dutch, "My brave soldiers, advance." His men were frightened and confused, for our men were firing upon them from fences and houses and they were falling fast. Instead of advancing they ran into an apple orchard. The officers tried to rally them, but our men kept advancing and picking off the officers. It was not long before Rall tumbled from his horse and his soldiers threw down their guns and gave themselves up as prisoners.

While this was taking place on the Pennington road, Colonel John Stark, from New Hampshire, in the advance on the river road was driving Knyphausen's men pell mell through the town. Sullivan sent a portion of his troops under [Brigadier-General Arthur] St. Clair to seize the bridge and cut off the retreat of the Hessians toward Bordentown. Sullivan's men shot the artillery horses and captured two cannon attached to Knyphausen's regiment.

Dec.26, 3 p.m. -- . . . We have taken nearly 1000 prisoners, six cannon, more than 1000 muskets, twelve drums, and four colors. About forty Hessians were killed or wounded. Our loss is only two killed and three wounded. . . .I have just been with General Washington and Greene to see Rall. He will not live through the night. He asked that his men might be kindly treated. Washington promised that he would see they were well cared for.

Dec. 27. 1776. -- Here we are back in our camp with the prisoners and trophies. Washington is keeping his promise; the soldiers are in the New Town Meeting-house and other buildings. He has just given directions for tomorrow's dinner. All the captured Hessian officers are to dine with him. He bears the Hessians no malice, but says they have been sold by their Grand Duke to King George and sent to America, when if they could have their own way they would be peaceably living in their own country.

It is a glorious victory. It will rejoice the hearts of our friends everywhere and give new life to our hitherto waning fortunes. Washington has baffled the enemy in his retreat from New York. He has pounced upon the Hessians like an eagle upon a hen and is safe once more on this side of the river. If he does nothing more he will live in history as a great military commander.

• Revolutionary War. ¹⁶⁸ Colonel John Butler:

During the peace following the conquest of Canada, John Butler took up the management of his estate, some 26,600 acres, of which 3,400 acres had been inherited from his father. The balance he had accumulated by purchase or grant. He valued his holdings at over £13,000. After Sir William Johnson, he was reputed to be the second wealthiest individual in the Mohawk Valley.
At the outbreak of the Revolution, he moved to Montreal with the Indian Department and was dispatched to Niagara in November of 1775 to manage the department there. His eldest son, Walter, accompanied him, but the rebels held his wife and the remaining children prisoners.
John Butler led a strong detachment of Indians from Niagara at the Battle of Oriskany in August of 1777. His success during the battle led to the authorization to raise a Corps of Ranges to serve with the Indians on the frontiers. The Corps informally came to be known as Butler's Rangers.
At the end of the Revolution, Butler once again turned to farming, and became the “de facto” leader of the settlement in the Niagara Peninsula. He served as Deputy Superintendent of the Indian Department at Niagara, a Justice of the Peace, a member of the Land Board of Niagara, Lieutenant of the County of Lincoln, Commanding Officer of the Nassau and Lincoln militia, leader of the Church of England in the community, and a prominent member of the Masonic Order.
Butler died at Niagara on 12 May 1796, after a long illness. His wife had died three years earlier and they left a family of one daughter and three sons.

• Regiment History. ¹⁶⁹ Our regiment of infantry was under the command of Colonel John Bull from November 25, 1775, to January 22, 1776, when Colonel John Philip De Haas took command. On October 25, 1776, the first battalion, still under the command of Colonel De Haas, was the nucleus for the formation of the 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment of the Pennsylvania Line, Continental Army.

Our battalion should not be confused with the battalion of Riflemen formed in June, 1775, under Colonel William Thompson which was the 1st Regiment of the Continental Line in 1776, and became January 1, 1777, the 1st Pennsylvania Regiment of the Pennsylvania Line under Colonel Edward Hand. Their uniform was brown faced with green, for full dress, but hunting or rifle dress for service.

The dress uniform of the 1st Pennsylvania Battalion was brown faced with buff, pewter buttons with “No. 1” stamped on them, waistcoat of swanskin or soft fine-twilled flannel, buff breeches, white yarn stockings with black garters, and black half-gaiters. Later they wore hunting shirts and long overalls of linen or deerskin for service.

The dress uniforms of some of the companies of the 1st Battalion from 1775-1776, were brown faced with green, or blue faced with white, or whatever uniform coats they could procure.

The following drawing shows the dress of a sergeant of the 4th company in 1776, and also the manner of carrying the musket. Sergeants, when on duty or parades, always held their muskets at the “advance,” when the men were at the “shoulder” or “support.” In dress, they were at first distinguished from the men by a small red cloth or worsted epaulet, as well as by the finer cloth of their uniforms. This epaulet was worn on the right shoulder. Later they wore two white shoulder knots, and a red worsted sash. They also carried a short saber in addition to the musket and bayonet

• Battalion History. On June 14, 1775, the Continental Congress authorized the raising of the first troops for the Continental Army. Six companies of riflemen were required from Pennsylvania and from these companies came the First Pennsylvania Regiment of the Continental Line. On October 12, 1775, the Continental Congress authorized the formation of the First Pennsylvania Battalion. Recruiting commenced on October 25, and our unit's first colonel, John Bull of Philadelphia, assumed command on November 26th. Shortly thereafter, so many of Bull's officers had threatened to resign rather than serve under him that Bull himself resigned on January 20, 1776. There is some dispute as to precisely what he had done (or not done) to incur the wrath of his subordinates; some of them alleged “degrading conduct” by their colonel, while Bull claimed that his officers had conspired against him. Regardless of what actually transpired, the result was that John Philip De Haas of Lebanon was appointed as our new commander.

During our existence, our regiment participated in some major actions of the War for Independence. We fought in the Battle of Long Island as rear guard for the evacuation; we crossed the Delaware with Washington for the Battle of Trenton and were instrumental in the victory at the Battle of Princeton.

The First Pennsylvania was organized to consist of eight companies; each one to consist of 68 privates, four corporals, and four sergeants. A company was to be commanded by a captain, assisted by a lieutenant and an ensign. In practice the enlisted strength of each company varied considerably, with that of Captain Jones numbering 76 privates in November of 1775. The battalion was enlisted for a term of service of one year; privates were to receive $5.00 monthly pay.

Due to the crisis in Canada during the winter of 1775-76, the various companies of the First Battalion were dispatched to that theater individually, as each became fit for service. The first to depart was that of Captain Dorsey, on January 22nd, quickly followed by Jones' Company, and then others. Each unit marched from Philadelphia to New York City, where they were transported by ship up the North River (Hudson River) as far as Albany. From there, the Pennsylvanians moved northward via Lake Champlain into Canada. By March 30th, four companies of 225 men had reached the American lines around Quebec. The remainder of the battalion, in two detachments, was still en route; Colonel De Haas accompanied the last of these.

On May 6, 1776, we abandoned our siege of Quebec and withdrew up the St. Lawrence River to Sorel. On May 25th, a small unit under Benedict Arnold was posted upstream at La Chine where their detachment was suddently threatened by a large force of British and Indians. Some 400 men under Colonel De Haas were sent to Arnold's relief. Our troops were drawn from several units including the companies of Captains Lamar and Harmar from the First Pennsylvania. The British withdrew in the face of our reinforcements, but when Arnold ordered De Haas to attack a nearby Indian village, the latter officer declined to do so. On May 7th at Point Aux Trembles near Quesbec, Private Brice Dunlap murdered Corporal Thomas Kelley, of Jones' Company.

Even at this late date, our Battalion was still operating in separate detachments; it would not be until June 16th that the unit would be united as a single command.

The British under General Carleton had finally begun pursuing our retreating forces and American intelligence reported that several hundred of the enemy had occupied an advanced post at Three Rivers. Brigadier General William Thompson was ordered to take a force of approximately 2000 men to attack the supposedly exposed enemy. Thompson's command included the companies of Captains Jenkins and Jones. The Americans departed Sorel on the evening of June 6th moving via bateaux (a flat bottomed boat typically used in Louisiana) down the St. Lawrence, pausing during daylight hours ten miles from Three Rivers. The following night they once again boarded the boats, rowing to a point three miles from their objective where they disembarked in the early hours of June 8 (or June 9). After leaving 250 men to guard the bateaux, Thompson advanced with the bulk of his force.

Things began to go wrong immediately. Thompson's guide, a Canadian named Gautier, got them lost. While it had been Thompson's plan to get his troops onto the river road while darkness would conceal their movement, Gautier led them into a dense swamp where they stumbled about for hours. By the time they finally reached the river road, it was nearly dawn and the men were exhausted. Moreover, after moving along the road for only a short time they were discovered and fired upon by three British warships in the St. Lawrence. This cannonade forced the Patriots back into the dreaded swamp. By the time they reached open ground and made contact with enemy pickets, it was nearly 8 o' clock and the element of surprise had been completely lost. Nevertheless, Thompson's men initial attack drove the British back. However, over 6000 British Regulars ensconced behind entrenchments stopped the Continentals cold in their tracks. With great gallantry, the Patriots tried to advance but were turned back with considerable loss. This repulse created disorganization among Thompson's inexperienced units, and a retreat commenced.

The only route back was through that same swamp. The journey back to Sorel turned into a nightmare for most of thePatriots. While the men left with the boats got away safely, the majority was forced to trudge wearily through waist-deep bogs, enduring ambushes by Indians and Canadian militia. Additionally, dense clouds of mosquitoes set them upon and the men had no provisions remaining. Many soldiers were captured including General Thompson, as well as the First Pennsylvania's chaplain, Rev. Daniel McCalla. The bulk of the men finally arrived in Sorel late on June 11th; stragglers were still coming in on the 13th. There were only 1100 survivors.

On June 14th we evacuated Sorel and retreated to St. Johns, reaching the latter place on the 16th. Falling back further, we encamped on Isle Aux Noix for several days. This island in the Sorel River has been described as “low, flat, brush-covered....dotted with insect-infested swamps”. Here the First Pennsylvania and many other units were swept by disease: malaria, smallpox, and dysentery, which took a severe toll on both officers and men. The battalion finally left this inhospitable place on June 25th retiring first to Isle La Motte, and then to Crown Point, on Lake Champlain. We reached our final destination, Fort Ticonderoga, on July 10, 1776.

“Garrisoning Ticonderoga would occupy the remainder of our service. Although accounts are lacking, our time there was apparently uneventful, though due to clothing shortages the men no doubt suffered considerably. Along with the other Pennsylvania battalions of the Northern Army, the First Pennsylvania Battalion improved and held the “French Lines” guarding the approaches to the fort. On or about July 23, a number of our men were detailed to serve as sailors and marines in Benedict Arnold's ad hoc navy, and saw action later at Valcour Island, their distinctive coat buttons having been found on the wreck of the “Royal Savage”.

Our battalion was equipped with arms that were in tolerable order, but of different calibers. The accoutrements were bad and many bayonets wanting. We were almost naked having been so two thirds of the campaign. Our clothing, when we marched from Philadelphia was scanty, and not a second shirt on our backs. The pitiful supplies of sundry articles, which we received since, were bad of the kind, and at most exorbitant prices. On our arrival at Isle Aux Noix, after the retreat from Quebec, the regiment mustered upwards of five hundred fit for duty. We suffered from excessive fatigue for what we had gone through. We needed proper clothing, blankets and tents to shelter us from the weather. To this day, we have not tents sufficient for two thirds of the men, and those we have were old when we received them. A regimental commissary and paymaster is unknown to us.... the quartermaster has never been enabled by the public to supply the regiment in a proper manner. After the hardships of a winter campaign in Canada.... there is not the least reason to think that many of the men will reenlist....”.

Nevertheless, even though the battalion's term of enlistment expired on October 27, 1776, the men volunteered to remain at Ticonderoga for an additional three weeks. This was done at the request of General Gates in order to ensure the safety of the fort. Once it became apparent that the British had gone into winter quarters and thus would make no attack, our battalion was relieved from duty on November 13 and ordered to return home. We were thanked for our service by Gates on the 14th, and departed Ticonderoga the same day. By December 8th, what remained of the First Pennsylvania was at New Germantown, New Jersey and most of the men had mustered out.

Notwithstanding Colonel De Haas' lament of October 1776 that “...there is not the least reason to think that any of the men will reenlist...”, some 340 of us did just that. My brother John and I along with new recruits were formed into the newly created 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment under Colonel De Haas. A portion of the “new” unit went into battle at Princeton in January 1777 and then with the rest of the army we entered winter quarters at Morristown, New Jersey. While in our winter quarter, we trained, recruited back up to strength, and became fully organized. Colonel De Haas departed being replaced by James Irvine and then by William Williams.

• Battle of Long Island, Apr 1776. ¹⁷⁰ The Battle of Long Island:

The British recognized the strategic importance of New York as the focal point for communications between the northern and southern colonies. Washington also recognized this, and in April of 1776 he marched his troops from Boston to New York. He positioned his troops on the western end of Long Island in anticipation of the British arrival. When the British fleet arrived they had 45,000 troops against Washingtons 20,000. The British attacked, forcing Washington to cross the East River into Manhattan. Washington left 3,000 men to defend Fort Washington, then headed north

• Crossing the Delaware, Fall of 1776. ¹⁷¹ Crossing the Delaware:

In the fall of 1776, General George Washington and his army had suffered a series of defeats at the hands of the British Army. The Continental Army had lost every battle with the British in the New York campaign: Long Island, Manhattan, Brooklyn Heights, Harlem and White Plains and had surrendered Fort Washington and Fort Lee. At Fort Lee, the army barely escaped and was forced to leave behind its store of provisions, ammunition, and many of its weapons. A sense of defeat had settled around Washington as he was forced to retreat across New Jersey in November and finally to Pennsylvania on December 8, 1776.
The British, at least, considered the war over. By December 11th, the only reason the British had not taken Philadelphia, the seat of the Continental Congress, was that Washington had ordered every boat in the Delaware River on the New Jersey side to be brought to the Pennsylvania side, thus denying the British army transportation. Washington knew that the British would be capable of resuming an offensive by crossing the Delaware once it iced over.
As the harsh winter set in, the morale of the American troops was at an all-time low. The soldiers were forced to deal with a lack of both food and warm clothing, while Washington watched his army shrink because of desertions and expiring enlistments. Now, more than ever, a victory was desperately needed.
Washington devised a courageous plan to take the offensive and cross the Delaware River on Christmas night and attack the Hessian garrison at Trenton, New Jersey, nine miles south of his encampment near McConkey's Ferry. The original plan called for three divisions to cross the Delaware under the cover of darkness. Lt. Col. John Cadwalader's division was to cross at Bristol and engage the southern most contingent of British forces - Hessian troops under the command of Colonel von Donop. General James Ewing's division was to cross at Trenton Ferry and take a position south of Assunpink Creek below Trenton and hold the bridge over that stream. Washington's division was to cross at McConkey's Ferry and then divide into two corps under General Nathanael Greene and General John Sullivan. Their point of attack was Trenton and the Hessian troops quartered there under the command of Colonel Johann Gottlieb Rall.
The boats to be used for the crossing were gathered earlier in the month in compliance with General Washington's orders, primarily as a defensive measure. Various types of boats had been collected, most notably the large Durham boats <http://www.10crucialdays.org/html/> used to carry pig iron down the Delaware to the Philadelphia markets.
There were a number of problems in moving a large number of men, cannons, and supplies in an age when overland transportation was by foot and animal power. The roads were rutted and winding. There were no bridges over major rivers because the technology did not exist to span great distances. A river like the Delaware was crossed by ferry, sometimes out of service because of ice floes or floods, and certainly not designed to carry masses of men and equipment across quickly. A river could be a formidable natural barrier to an army on the move.
Washington had several logistical concerns for the crossing. In addition to the troops were the cannon; each of which required at least two horses to pull it. The heavier twelve pounders, and probably the eight pounders, had four horses. There would have been between four and six ammunitions wagons. Officers of the rank of colonel or higher may have had horses. In sum, Washington had to move 2,400 men, eighteen cannons, at least four ammunition wagons and fifty to seventy-five horses across the Delaware River the night of December 25, 1776.
Fully expecting to be supported by Cadwalader and Ewing's divisions south of Trenton, Washington assembled his own troops near McKonkey's Ferry in preparation for the crossing. By 6:00 pm, 2,400 men had begun crossing the ice-chocked river. There was an abrupt change in the weather, forcing the men to fight their way through sleet and a blinding snowstorm. The river was in flood with sheets of ice moving at eleven or twelve miles per hour. These obstacles proved to be too much for the two supporting divisions led by Generals Cadwalader and Ewing, who did not cross at their assigned points along the river. It was Washington's pure force of will and determination that led to his troops' successful crossing of the river.
Increasing Washington's odds were the sailors of Marblehead, Massachusetts. This group of hardened seamen, led by Col. John Glover, were used to the Nor'easters of New England. Sheer determination and muscles conditioned to the demands of rowing under the weather conditions now facing the Continental army enabled the Marbleheaders to row back and forth across the Delaware countless times.
During the time of the Revolution, American soldiers marched single file along the margins of the roads. They were only assembled into a battle line (three deep) when they reached the battlefield. The battle plan had Washington's army marching in two divisions... General Greene's and General Sullivan's. They made a night march in two columns on separate roads, a very tricky operation that was prone to failure since the columns needed to arrive at the battlefield at the same time to carry out the surprise attack planned by Washington. The American army carried out the march flawlessly.
Against all odds, Washington and his men successfully completed the crossing and marched to Trenton on the morning of December 26th and, in the resulting battle, achieved a resounding victory over the Hessians. By moving ahead with his bold and daring plan, General Washington reignited the cause of freedom and gave new life to the American Revolution.
AN EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE OF TRENTON
WRITTEN BY AN OFFICER ON WASHINGTON'S STAFF
New Town, Pennsylvania., Dec. 22, 1776

Things have been going against us since last August, when we were forced to give up Long Island, losing 3000 men and a great amount of supplies. In October we were forced to evacuate New York and cross the Hudson into New Jersey. We reached Trenton December 2nd. It was prudent forethought on the part of General Washington to send General Maxwell ahead to secure all the boats on the Delaware River and have them at Trenton upon our arrival. If it had not been done we should have been in a bad fix with Cornwallis at our heels. As it was the Hessians under Count Donop and Colonel Rall arrived in that village in season to fire a few shots at the last boat. According to last accounts General Howe and General Cornwallis have gone to New York leaving General Grant with a few hundred English troops at Princeton, Colonel Rall with 1500 Hessians at Trenton and Count Donop with 2000 at Bordentown, ten miles down the river from Trenton.

Washington's headquarters are here in this little village of New Town, back from the river northwest of Trenton. General Greene and General Sullivan, with their divisions, numbering 2500 men and sixteen cannon, are ten miles up stream at McConkey's Ferry. Portions of the boats are there. General Ewing, with 2000 men, is on this side of the river a little below Trenton, and General Cadwallader and General Putnam are at Bristol, ten miles further down, with as many more.

I rode along the river yesterday morning and could see the Hessians in Trenton. It is a pretty village, containing about 130 houses and a Presbyterian meetinghouse. A stone bridge spans the Assunpink creek on the road leading to Bordentown. There are apple orchards and gardens. Rall has his own regiment and Knyphausen a few dragoons and fifty riflemen. The Hessians call them Yagers. He has six cannon. Knyphausen has two of them; two stand in front of Rall's headquarters, and two up by the Pennington road. A scout just in says that General Howe has issued a proclamation, offering pardon to everybody in New Jersey who will lay down their arms and take the oath of allegiance. He says that Howe and Cornwallis are well satisfied with what they have accomplished. Cornwallis is going to England to tell the King that the rebellion is about over. Howe is going to have a good time in New York attending dinner parties. For what I see I am quite certain Washington intends to make some movement soon. He keeps his own counsel, but is very much determined.

Dec. 23rd - Orders have been issued to cook rations for three days. Washington has just given the counter sign, “Victory or Death.” He has written a letter to General Caldwallader at Bristol, which he has entrusted to me to copy. He intends to cross the river, make a ten-mile march to Trenton, and attack Rall just before daybreak. Ewing is to cross and seize the bridge crossing the Assunpink. Putnam and Cadwallader are to cross and make a feint of attacking Donop so that he cannot hasten to Rall's assistance.

Dec. 24th - A scout just in says that the Hessians have a picket on the Pennington road half a mile out from Trenton, and another at Brigadier-General Dickenson's house, on the river road.

Dec. 25 - Christmas morning. They make a great deal of Christmas in Germany, and no doubt the Hessians will drink a great deal of beer and have a dance tonight. They will be sleepy tomorrow morning. Washington will set the tune for them about daybreak. The rations are cooked. New flints and ammunition have been distributed. Colonel Glover's fishermen from Marblehead, Massachusetts, are to manage the boats just as they did in the retreat from Long Island.

Christmas, 6 p.m. - The regiments have had their evening parade, but instead of returning to their quarters are marching toward the ferry. It is fearfully cold and raw and a snowstorm is setting in. The wind is northeast and beats in the faces of the men. It will be a terrible night for the soldiers who have no shoes. Some of them have tied old rags around their feet; others are barefoot, but I have not heard a man complain. They are ready to suffer any hardship and die rather than give up their liberty. I have just copied the order for marching. Both divisions are to go from the ferry to Bear Tavern, two miles. They will separate there; Washington will accompany Greene's division with a part of the artillery down the Pennington Road; Sullivan and the rest of the artillery will take the river road.

Dec. 26, 3 a.m. - I am writing in the ferry house. The troops are all over and the boats have gone back for the artillery. We are three hours behind the set time. Glover's men have had a hard time to force the boats through the floating ice with the snow drifting in their faces. I never had seen Washington so determined as he is now. He stands on the bank of the river, wrapped in his cloak, superintending the landing of his troops. He is calm and collected, but very determined. The storm is changing to sleet, and cuts like a knife. The last cannon is being landed, and we are ready to mount our horses.

Dec. 26, Noon - It was nearly 4 o'clock, when we started. The two divisions divided at Bear Tavern.

At Birmingham, three and a half miles south of the tavern, a man came with a message from General Sullivan that the storm was wetting the muskets and rendering them unfit for service. “Tell General Sullivan,” said Washington, “to use the bayonet. I am resolved to take Trenton.”

It was broad daylight when we came to a house where a man was chopping wood. He was very much surprised when he saw us. “Can you tell me where the Hessian picket is?” Washington asked. The man hesitated, but I said, “You need not be frightened, it is General Washington who asks the question.” His face brightened and he pointed toward the house of Mr. Howell.

It was just 8 o'clock. Looking down the road I saw a Hessian running out from the house. He yelled in Deutch and swung his arms. Three or four others came out with their guns. Two of them fired at us, but the bullets whistled over our heads. Some of General Stephen's men rushed forward and captured two. The others took to their heels, running toward Mr. Calhoun's house, where the picket guard was stationed with about twenty men under Captain Altenbrockum. They came running out of the house. The Captain flourished his sword and tried to form his men. Some of them fired at us, others ran toward the village. The next moment we heard drums beat and a bugle sound, and then from the west came the boom of a cannon. General Washington's face lighted up instantly, for he knew that it was one of Sullivan's guns. We could see a great commotion down toward the meetinghouse, men running here and there, officers swinging their swords, artillerymen harnessing their horses. Captain Forrest unlimbered his guns. Washington gave the order to advance, and rushed on the junction of King and Queen streets. Forrest wheeled six of his cannon into position to sweep both streets. The riflemen under Colonel Hand and Scott's and Lawson's battalions went upon the run through the fields on the left just ready to open fire with two of their cannon when Captain [William] Washington and Lieutenant [James] Monroe with their men rushed forward and captured them. We saw Rall come riding up the street from his headquarters, which were at Stacy Potts' house. We could hear him shouting in Deutch, “My brave soldiers advance.” His men were frightened and confused, for our men were firing upon them from fences and houses and they were falling fast. Instead of advancing they ran into an apple orchard. The officers tried to rally them, but our men kept advancing and picking off the officers. It was not long before Rall tumbled from his horse and his soldiers threw down their guns and gave themselves up as prisoners.

While this was taking place on the Pennington road, Colonel John Stark, from New Hampshire, in the advance on the river road was driving Knyphausen's men pell mell through the town. Sullivan sent a portion of his troops under Brigadier-General St. Clair to seize the bridge and cut off the retreat of the Hessians toward Bordentown. Sullivan's men shot the artillery horses and captured two cannon attached to Knyphausen's regiment.

Dec.26, 3 p.m. -- . . . We have taken nearly 1000 prisoners, six cannon, more than 1000 muskets, twelve drums, and four colors. About forty Hessians were killed or wounded. Our loss is only two killed and three wounded. . . .I have just been with General Washington and Greene to see Rall. He will not live through the night. He asked that his men might be kindly treated. Washington promised that he would see they were well cared for.

Dec. 27. 1776. - Here we are back in our camp with the prisoners and trophies. Washington is keeping his promise; the soldiers are in the New Town Meeting-house and other buildings. He has just given directions for tomorrow's dinner. All the captured Hessian officers are to dine with him. He bears the Hessians no malice, but says they have been sold by their Grand Duke to King George and sent to America, when if they could have their own way they would be peaceably living in their own country.

It is a glorious victory. It will rejoice the hearts of our friends everywhere and give new life to our hitherto waning fortunes. Washington has baffled the enemy in his retreat from New York. He has pounced upon the Hessians like an eagle upon a hen and is safe once more on this side of the river. If he does nothing more he will live in history as a great military commander.

• Battle of Princeton, 3 Jan 1777. ¹⁷² Princeton, New Jersey Note: It is thought that Andrew's brother, John died during this battle.

Americans Commanded by Gen George Washington
Forces Killed Wounded Captured
4000 30 75

British Commanded by Lt Col. Charles Mawhood
Forces Killed Wounded Captured
1,200 60 150-244

Conclusion: American Victory

Following his surprise victory at Trenton on December 26, 1776, General George Washington decided to use his momentum and grab another victory before entering winter quarters. On December 30th, he crossed the Delaware River back into New Jersey. Washington had to keep his army together somehow since their enlistments ran out at midnight on December 31st. At now abandoned Trenton, Washington offered a special bounty of ten dollars to all of us who would reenlist for another six weeks. He managed to convince a number of us to stay.

General Washington started 1777 with 1,600 Continental troops with a number of New Jersey and Pennsylvania militia who had come in after Trenton. He knew the British had over 6,000 troops scattered throughout New Jersey with a large number of these at garrisons at Brunswick and Princeton. He now ordered his troops to concentrate at Trenton and sent a covering force toward Princeton to delay an anticipated enemy approach.

By January 1st, the covering force was in position along Five Mile Run and on January 2nd, the British appeared under the command of Lt. General Charles Cornwallis. Colonel Edward Hand delayed Cornwallis long enough that by the time the British moved through Trenton to where General Washington and his main force were located darkness was falling. We left our campfires burning and slipped behind the British force and marched toward Princeton.

General Washington left 400 men in camp to keep up the appearance of an occupied camp. He moved the baggage and heavy artillery south to Burlington. At 1 A.M. on January 3, 1777, the rest of our forces set out. Secrecy and silence were maintained with only the generals knowing the expedition's destination and the wheels on our wagons and equipment were wrapped in rags. In Princeton, General Cornwallis had left 1,400 British troops under the command of Lt. Colonel Charles Mawhood.

General George Washington had a simple plan of attack for Princeton. First, a 350-man force under Brig. General Hugh Mercer was to destroy Stony Brook Bridge cutting Princeton off from reinforcement from Lt. General Charles Cornwallis' force at Trenton. Around 8 A.M., the British spotted Mercer's force. Lt. Colonel Charles Mawhood, left in 's Orchard.

We charged and drove the British back. The two forces then formed battle lines and the 17th British Foot soldiers launched an attack that drove us back, mortally wounding General Mercer. General Washington moved forward with Colonel John Cadwalader's Pennsylvania militia to prevent a complete rout. Washington, Cadwalader and Maj. General Nathanael Greene then moved among the troops to rally us.

Once the main body of our forces had moved up, General Washington led us against the British line. At a distance of 30 yards, he halted and ordered us to fire and the British returned fire. The field was filled with smoke, obscuring Washington. When the smoke cleared, Washington was unharmed and the British line had broken. The 17th British Foot Soldiers fought toward Trenton while the rest of the British force retreated back toward Princeton.

The rest of the action followed after the British retreat through Princeton and then northward as we moved behind them. General Cornwallis had heard the fighting begin and hurried to bring up reinforcements from Trenton, but the last our forces were slipping out of Princeton as the first of Cornwallis' troops were arriving. General Washington wanted to push on to Brunswick, but his troops were too tired. He instead marched to Morristown, arriving on January 5th and 6th and entered winter quarters

• Family Death, 1777. My brother John was killed in action during the Revolutionary War. His wife Hannah had to go to Philadelphia to file administrative papers.

• Revolutionary War, Sep 1777. ¹⁷³ As a part of General Anthony Wayne's Pennsylvania Division, the 2nd Regiment took part in the battle at Brandywine Creek on September. 11, 1777. During the bloody British attack at Paoli, the 2nd Pennsylvania lost heavily but withdrew in a reasonably orderly manner. The unit played a prominent role in the surprise American assault at Germantown on October 4th, pushing back the enemy until ammunition shortages forced their retirement. The regiment then went into winter quarters, enduring the nightmare at Valley Forge.

By the spring of 1778 the 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment was a battle-hardened group of veterans. In June we engaged the British at Monmouth and fought our enemies to a standstill. As part of a reorganization of the Pennsylvania Line, the 13th Pennsylvania Regiment was absorbed into the 2nd. Our new commander was Col. Walter Stewart of the 13th Regiment.

During 1779 and 1780 the 2nd Pennsylvania led a much quieter existence than in previous years. A routine of patrolling, raids, guard duty and training took up the majority of our time. Also during this period, we endured one of the most terrible winters of the 18th century. Encamped at Jockey Hollow, near Morristown, we suffered through snows several feet deep and storms that caused supplies to fail to reach us for days. It was a true test of endurance, and we passed it well.

The darkest hours of the Pennsylvania Line came on Jan. 1, 1781, when we were again at Morristown. Worn down by miserable conditions, poor rations, and an almost complete absence of pay, several Pennsylvania regiments broke into open mutiny. Initially the 2nd refused to participate, but when the mutineers threatened our regiment with cannon, we reluctantly joined the protest. Marching upon Philadelphia, we were mollified by a promise of a redress of grievances. The days of the proud Pennsylvania Line were over, however. Over a thousand men were discharged, and those remaining were placed into three new provisional battalions, where we would serve for the rest of the war. The veterans of the 2nd Pennsylvania continued to serve at the Siege of Yorktown, and saw much campaigning in the southern theater. They were officially discharged in 1783, at the end of the war.

Andrew married Mrs. Unknown Ziegler before 1771. (Mrs. Unknown Ziegler was born about 1750 and died after 1782.)