The Federal Hill Mutiny, Pompton, N.J.

LETTERS DOCUMENT DRAMATIC EVENTS OF JANUARY 1781

Note: These letters are in the Library of Congress web site. If the links do not respond, simply try again at another time. If you continue to have problems, email me.

SATURDAY, JAN. 20, 1781

MUTINY IN POMPTON

Troops Marching Toward Trenton, Commander Tells Washington

Pompton Camp, 20 Jan 1781

"Dear General [Washington],
It is with pain that I inform Your Excellency that the troops at this place revolted this evening, and have marched towards Trenton: their behavior and demands are similar to those of the Pennsylvania Line; though no blood has been spilt. I was informed by a woman of their intentions, late this afternoon, and immediately ordered all the men off duty to be paraded; with an intention to detach them in different parties for the night; but found but very few that would turn out. I was amongst them for some time but could not prevail upon them to desist. They have lately received a part of the depreciation of their pay, and most of them are much disguised with liquor. Col. Frelinghauyen, one of the Commissioners of the State is now here." -- Pompton Camp Commander Col. Israel Shreve

 SUNDAY, JAN. 21, 1781

"The Army is Ruined" if Mutiny Succeeds, Washington tells Pompton Commander

[To Col. Israel Shreve:] "Dr. Sir: With not less pain than you communicate it, I receive the information contained in your letter of yesterday. This affair, if possible, must be brought to an issue favourable to subordination, or the army is ruined. I shall therefore immediately march a detachment from these posts to quell the mutineers. Col Freelinghuyssen will impart to you what I have written to him. In addition to that, I am to desire you will endeavour to collect all those of your regiments who have had virtue enough to resist the pernicious example of their associates. If the revolt has not become general, and if you have force enough to do it, I wish you to compel the mutineers to unconditional submission. The more decisively you are able to act the better. I am &c" [-- George Washington]

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  MONDAY, JAN. 22, 1781

"Compel the Mutineers to Unconditional Submission and ... Instantly Execute a Few," Washington Orders Howe

West Point, January 22, 1781.

[To General Robert Howe] "Sir: You are to take the command of the detachment, which has been ordered to march from this post against the mutineers of the Jersey line. You will rendezvous the whole of your command at Ringwood or Pompton as you find best from circumstances. The object of your detachment is to compel the mutineers to unconditional submission, and I am to desire you will grant no terms while they are with arms in their hands in a state of resistance. The manner of executing this I leave to your discretion according to circumstances. If you succeed in compelling the revolted troops to a surrender you will instantly execute a few of the most active and most incendiary leaders.

You will endeavour to collect such of the Jersey troops to your standard as have not followed the pernicious example of their associates, and you will also try to avail yourself of the services of the Militia, representing to them how dangerous to civil liberty the precedent is of armed soldiers dictating terms to their country.

You will open a correspondence with Colonels Dayton and Shreve of the Jersey line and Col Freelinghuosen of the Militia or any others." -- G. Washington

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 "Two of Them were Executed on the Spot," Howe Reports

 

"The Mutineers were Unexpectedly Surrounded and Awed into Unconditional Surrender," Washington Tells N.J. Governor

[To NJ Governor Livingston:] "Dr. Sir: I have the pleasure to inform your Excellency, that the measures concerted for quelling the mutiny in the Jersey line were this morning carried into full execution. The mutineers were unexpectedly surrounded and awed into an unconditional surrender with little hesitation and no resistance. Two of the principal actors were executed on the
spot, the rest pardonned. The spirit of mutiny seems now to have completely subsided and to have given place to a genuine repentance. This was very far from being the case previous to this step, notwithstanding the apparent submission which the assurances of redress had produced; they still continued insolent and refractory and disobedient to the commands of theirofficers.

"A general pardon was promised by Colonel Dayton, on condition of an immediate and full return to duty. This condition was not performed on the part of the mutineers and of course they were not entitled to the benefit of the promise; besides which the existence of the Army called for an example. I have the honor etc."

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Another letter written by Washington that day: "The mutinous disposition of the troops is now completely subdued and suceeded by a genuine penitence." Transcript ----See the actual letter