FOOTNOTES to “SECRET SERVICE SECRETS”:
[16] See Memoir of Colonel Benjamin Tallmadge, p. 130.
[17] It was this Austin Roe who fell from his horse and broke his leg while hurrying to keep an engagement with George Washington in 1790. The President was then touring Long Island and, probably without disclosing his reason to any one, requested the presence of those who had faithfully served him during the Revolution. Austin Roe had long occupied the Setauket homestead, later known as the Dering property, and still later owned by the Irwins who in 1936 moved the house to a new location. Roe’s brother, Captain Daniel Roe, was at the time occupying the Roe homestead at Port Jefferson, then called the Townsend house. Captain Nathaniel Roe was a cousin, not in the neighborhood at the time. Austin “bore the title of Captain,” his biographer says, but few knew what he commanded.
[18] Colonel Simcoe had been captured and was at the time a prisoner in New Jersey.
[19] Washington Papers, March 23d, 1780, No. 17458.
[20] Austin Roe might justly be called the Paul Revere of New York, with this difference, that instead of taking one wonderful ride Roe took a hundred. Paul Revere at his fastest speed did not equal this ride of Austin Roe that saved Newport from the British. Fifty-five miles he rode to reach Abraham Woodhull while Brewster waited to carry the message from Robert Townsend across the Sound. It gave General Washington the information that 8000 British troops were embarking at Whitestone destined for Newport, and that Admiral Graves with eleven ships was already on the way to Rhode Island to meet the French Fleet which they were assured consisted of only seven sail. The message reached Washington in time to get the information to British headquarters that an immediate attack upon New York was contemplated and therefore the forces were withdrawn from Newport before they had an opportunity to accomplish the work of destruction.
[21] On the tenth of July, 1780, a powerful fleet under Admiral Tarnay arrived in Newport Harbor, having on board some six thousand troops under the command of Count de Rochambeau. The expedition had been secretly fitted out at the instance of Lafayette, and nothing was known of it by the Americans until his return in May. On the 17th Lafayette left headquarters with full authority to arrange plans with the French commanders for future operations. Hall’s “Life of Parsons,” p. 296.
[22] As early as 1778 the British on Long Island had a method of transmitting important news that was as rapid almost as the telegraph is today. For this purpose beacons were established and a system of signals arranged. Among the papers of Major John Kissam have been preserved some of the instructions which so clearly state the eminences upon which these beacons were erected that there would be little trouble in locating them at the present day. Following are unabridged copies of these instructions:
Signals: Col. Hamilton will be so good as to place a man at the most convenient heights, to see Laurel Hill and Morris’s house. He will observe what signals are made from there—if there are 3 guns from Laurel hill and 3 fires from there or Morris’s house,
2 guns and 2 fires ditto, or
1 gun and 1 fire from ditto, and report the same to the commander in chief on board the Grand Duke at Whitestone. Ol. DeLancey, Aid de Camp.
Signals by day and night for Long Island and Kingsbridge. To be made from Norwich hill, Sutton’s hill and Flushing Heights in Queens County, L. I. viz.
1st. On the Enemy’s landing in force eastward of Norwich: by night, 1 beacon fired at each, by day 1 large smoke at each.
2d. On Enemy landing in force westward of Norwich hill; by night 2 beacons fired at each; by day, 2 large smokes at each.
Signals acknowledged from Morris’s house. By night; 1st signal, 1 rocket, 2d. signal, 2 rockets. By day none none
N.B. The fires and smoke to be kept up while the Enemy remain on the Island, or until otherwise observed. After every signal a Light Dragoon to be sent from Morris’s house to Head Quarters with the intelligence.
Mem. Norwich hill is 2 miles south of Oyster Bay, Sutton’s Hill [now Beacon hill] is 3 miles from Cowneck Point; Flushing Heights are near Ustic’s house.
Appointed by the Commander in Chief,
Wm. Tryon M. G.
Scorpion
A copy
P. Brown.
* * * * *
Hempstead Plains, July 30, 1778.
To Major Kissam. Sir, In the absence of Col. Hamilton you will take command of the Queens County Militia, & execute such measures as you shall think necessary for the benefit and protection of the County. In particular you will observe the following directions respecting the Beacons on Cow Neck and near Norwich, and take steps requisite for their being carried into execution.
Whenever any Beacons to the Eastward are seen on fire, you will immediately set fire to those under your care, making one fire or more, as you observe those to the Eastward have done, in every instance following their example: and whenever you have so done, you will send an express to the commanding officer of the King’s forces at Jamaica, informing him that 1, 2, or 3 beacons (as the fact shall be) are fired to the Eastward.
In all cases when you have certain intelligence of the Enemy being landed on this Island in force, you will fire all the 3 beacons, and dispatch an express as above with the information, always keeping up the fires until the intelligence shall have reached New York. You will of course have a distinct beacon at each place in readiness to be fired, and if it should happen in the day time, encourage the smoke as much as possible.
A corporal and 4 men are to mount guard at each place on them, night and day, always keeping a centinel looking out for signals. These men you will change weekly, or at your discretion and excuse them from all military duty. A compensation will moreover be made them in proportion to their diligence and service.
These directions are to be strictly observed by the Guard at each of the 2 places fixed on by Brigr. Genl. DeLancey for the erection of the beacons, and the guard stationed on the hill near Norwich will also observe to send an express to Cow neck whenever the beacons under their care are fired. Wm. Tryon. M: G:
* * * * *
Scorpion off New City Island, Jan. 30, 79
Signals.—If the Rebels are attacking any vessels; or landing or landed between this station and Hempstead Bay; the Signals by night are 2 fires on Lawrence Hewlett’s Point; by day, 2 smokes on the same.—If the attack is made in Cow Bay the signal by night is 1 fire on Lawrence Hewlett’s Point: if by day 1 smoke on the same.—The above signals will be answered from the Scorpion; by day by hoisting the colors, or hauling them down, if hoisted previously; by night with lights, false-fires or musquets. Philip Brown.
[23] The Spies of Washington did not record the names of the British vessels in Gardiner’s Bay but the heir to the island, John Lyon Gardiner, who was a boy ten years old when the fleet arrived, made record on February 9, 1796, in which he says: “There were eleven ships of the line and perhaps some frigates. They came in August, 1780, and went out in March, 1781. There was the ‘Royal Oak,’ 74 guns, Vice Admiral Arbuthnot, ‘London,’ 90 guns, Rear Admiral Graves, ‘Colloden,’ 74 guns, Capt Sweeny, ‘Bedford,’ 74 guns, Capt Affleck, ‘Prudent,’ 74 guns, Capt. Charles Ogle, ‘Robuste,’ ‘America,’ ‘Shrewsbury,’ ‘Europe,’ ‘Rising Sun’ and ‘Swan.’”
[24] Note. Before these accounts are finally closed, justice and propriety call upon me to signify that there are Persons within the British Lines—if they are not dead or removed, who have a claim upon the Public under the strongest assurances of compensation from me for their services in conveying me private intelligence; and which when exhibited I shall think myself in honor bound to pay. Why these claims have not made their appearance ere this, unless from either of the causes above mentioned—or from a disinclination in them to come forth till the B. force is entirely removed from the United States, I know not—But I have thought it an incumbent duty on me to bring the matter to view that it may be held in remembrance in case such claims should hereafter appear. Go: Washington. [The private account book of Culper Senior, in the Library at East Hampton, L. I., shows that he received the balance due him on August 2, 1790. There is nothing to show that Robert Townsend ever asked for or received his. Before the capture of Major André he was anxious for assurances that if he used his own money to promote the service he would be compensated at the close of the war. Later it is probable that he preferred not to risk discovery by preparing an itemized bill, as Woodhull was obliged to do.]
