Gen. Joseph Brearley

From New Jersey in the American Revolution, Department of Defense Records, 2284, New Jersey State Library:

http://slic.njstatelib.org/slic_files/imported/NJ_Information/Digit...

To not a few Jerseymen, the debate over the proper constitutional relationship between Britain and America became academic after the outbreak of war; in the aftermath of Lexington and Concord, men such as the Brearley brothers rushed to take up arms in defense of their homes as well as their liberties - if not for independence.

At the time the following testimony of hardship and determination was written, Joseph (1742-1805) was serving as a captain in the 2nd New Jersey Regiment of the Continental Line; this regiment was a part of the Northern Army, commanded first by Gen. David Wooster, and then by Gen. John Thomas, that attempted unsuccessfully to take the British garrisons at Montreal and Quebec in May 1776. (The Northern Army consisted of remnants of and reinforcements to the force that had earlier failed in the same mission in November and December 1775.) Joseph was promoted to Major in 1777, and served for the rest of the war as an aide to Gen. George Washington.

David (1745-1790) was also a captain in the Second New Jersey, eventually rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He later enjoyed a successful political career, holding the positions of chief justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court (1779-1789) and delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1787.

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Montreal, 7th March 1776:

Dear Brother:

I have now the pleasure of an opportunity to inform you of our arrival at this place, after a very fatiguing march of 27 days, with the loss of only eight men by sickness on the road. Our arrival was on Sunday night last, the six days we lay at Albany are included in the 27 days.

Montreal is distant from Trenton about 500 miles, all which way our men performed with the greatest spirit imaginable.

We were obliged to lay out in the woods and on the lakes, three nights, the weather being extremely inclement. We suffered much. Eight or nine days we were crossing lakes Champlain and George, which at the crossing places are about 180 miles from land to land. Two days of the nine we waded through water and slush half leg deep, occasioned by a south-west storm of rain. The last of the two days, in the afternoon, the wind shifted around to the north and brought on a most dreadful storm of snow and hail, which came directly in our faces. Here we were all near perishing, had it not been for a few hardy fellows, who pushed on to an island at about the distance of 12 miles, where they kindled a fire, and then returned for those left scattered on the lake, many of whom, when they were taken up, were helpless, but with care they were brought along and seem now as hardy as the rest, except one, who at this time lays poorly... Having plenty of provisions, seemed in some measure to mitigate the distress.

I doubt if history can furnish us with greater performances in marching. One day with another averages nearly 24 miles. As for the lift we got in sleds, it was very trifling.

I hope our countrymen will now be convinced that although we are young and inexperienced soldiers, we are determined to persevere with firmness unto the end, and that they who think us Poltroons will cheat themselves. What but the glorious cause of Liberty could induce us, and our men, to expose ourselves to the many difficulties we have already surmounted?

I have now given you a sketch of our march, and in all probability this will be the last account you will have from me until my adventures will afford you something more agreeable. I will therefore give you notice of what is expected we are going to do.

General Lee [1], who is expected to take the command in the department, is hourly expected. His disposition and great spirit will, I presume, ere long prove the valiour of the troops. God grant that they may acquit themselves like soldiers, and more especially the Jersey Blues! May they be crowned with fresh laurels to add to their former greatness.

There is not the most distant prospect of the garrison of Quebec surrendering. Preparation for storming is daily making. Ladders for scaling the wall (which carry 12 men abreast) are now ready. Nothing delays our attack but a parcel of troops. The garrison consists of about 1,200 or 1,400 men. We are yet only 1,400 strong, but expect three times that number very soon.

Ere another month be past, expect to hear of the reduction, or at least the siege of Quebec.

We are animated with a thirst after Honor and the welfare of our Country, and hope to acquit ourselves like noble sons of Freedom, and show the dogs of tyranny, we dare to fight for Liberty.

Next Monday is the day we propose to set for the attack on Quebec.

Please give my kind respects to our family, and remember me to all enquiring friends. Please give my particularly regards to Major Brearley [2].

Adieu, Joseph Brearley, Capt.

Footnotes:

• 1. General Charles Lee, who later figured prominently in the Battle of Monmouth.
• 2. Probably a reference to their father, David Brearley (1703-1785) who lived on the family estate Spring Grove near Maidenhead (now Lawrence Township).