Details
[BROADSIDE]. Bucks County, December 14, 1776. The progress of the British and Hessian Troops through New Jersey, has been attended with such scenes of Desolation and Outrage, as would disgrace the most barbarous Nations...., n.p., [Philadelphia? l776]. 4to, edges untrimmed, several weak patches at folds, but in generally fine condition. Evans 15037.
BRITISH RAPINE! "SUCH SCENES OF DESOLATION AND OUTRAGE, AS WOULD DISGRACE THE MOST BARBAROUS NATION"
A very rare, breathless piece of Revolutionary War propaganda (although probably founded on fact), reporting in highly colored and inflammatory style on the New Jersey campaigns of General Cornwallis. Opposed only by a weak, poorly equipped force commanded by Washington, the British commander marched south from New York on November 29, bragging that he would catch Washington "as a hunter catches a fox." Wisely, Washington retreated to Brunswick and then, with no time to spare, across the Raritan River, before Cornwallis called a halt to his pursuit. The present broadside describes British acts of rapine and plunder during that march, claiming that "among innumerable other instances the following are authenticated in such a manner, as leaves no doubt of their truth." William Smith, of Woodbridge, New Jersey, "hearing the cries of his daughter, rushed into the room, and found a Hessian Officer attempting to ravish her, in an agony of rage and resentment, he instantly killed him; but the Officer's party soon came upon him, and he now lays mortally wounded at his ruined, plundered dwelling." The looting of the house of Samuel Stout of Hopewell is detailed: the British soldiers "destroyed his deeds, papers, furniture and effects of every kind"; and a neighbor, "Old Mr. Philips, they pillaged in like manner, and then beat him." Other depredations include the brutalities against three women who came to the Jersey shore "in great distress," and who, it appeared, "had been all very much abused, and the youngest of them, a girl of about 15, had been ravished that morning by a British Officer." Continuing the litany of inhumanities: "the fine settlements of Maidenhead and Hopewell are intirely broke up; no age, nor sex has been spared....hundreds of families have been reduced from comfort and affluence to poverty and ruin, left at this inclement season to wander through the woods without house or clothing...." The broadside concludes with a call to arms: "If these scenes of desolation, ruin and distress, do not rouse and animate every man of spirit to revenge their much injured countrymen and countrywomen, all Virtue, Honour and Courage must have left this Country, and we deserve all that we shall meet with, as there can be no doubt the same scene will be acted in this Province [Pennsylvania] upon our own Property, and our beloved Wives and Daugters."
BRITISH RAPINE! "SUCH SCENES OF DESOLATION AND OUTRAGE, AS WOULD DISGRACE THE MOST BARBAROUS NATION"
A very rare, breathless piece of Revolutionary War propaganda (although probably founded on fact), reporting in highly colored and inflammatory style on the New Jersey campaigns of General Cornwallis. Opposed only by a weak, poorly equipped force commanded by Washington, the British commander marched south from New York on November 29, bragging that he would catch Washington "as a hunter catches a fox." Wisely, Washington retreated to Brunswick and then, with no time to spare, across the Raritan River, before Cornwallis called a halt to his pursuit. The present broadside describes British acts of rapine and plunder during that march, claiming that "among innumerable other instances the following are authenticated in such a manner, as leaves no doubt of their truth." William Smith, of Woodbridge, New Jersey, "hearing the cries of his daughter, rushed into the room, and found a Hessian Officer attempting to ravish her, in an agony of rage and resentment, he instantly killed him; but the Officer's party soon came upon him, and he now lays mortally wounded at his ruined, plundered dwelling." The looting of the house of Samuel Stout of Hopewell is detailed: the British soldiers "destroyed his deeds, papers, furniture and effects of every kind"; and a neighbor, "Old Mr. Philips, they pillaged in like manner, and then beat him." Other depredations include the brutalities against three women who came to the Jersey shore "in great distress," and who, it appeared, "had been all very much abused, and the youngest of them, a girl of about 15, had been ravished that morning by a British Officer." Continuing the litany of inhumanities: "the fine settlements of Maidenhead and Hopewell are intirely broke up; no age, nor sex has been spared....hundreds of families have been reduced from comfort and affluence to poverty and ruin, left at this inclement season to wander through the woods without house or clothing...." The broadside concludes with a call to arms: "If these scenes of desolation, ruin and distress, do not rouse and animate every man of spirit to revenge their much injured countrymen and countrywomen, all Virtue, Honour and Courage must have left this Country, and we deserve all that we shall meet with, as there can be no doubt the same scene will be acted in this Province [Pennsylvania] upon our own Property, and our beloved Wives and Daugters."