avarice further led them to rob me of my pocket-handkerchief, and a little old tobacco box. They then bade me march towards the main body, which was about twelve rods distant; when some officers inquired of me who I was, I gave them my name, station, and character, and begged their protection, that I might not be any more abused or hurt by the soldiers. They promised me their protection. But I was robbed of my shoes, and was committed to one of the most unfeeling savages that ever breathed. They then drove me with the main body, a hasty march of five miles or more. I was insulted in the most shocking manner, by the ruffian soldiers, many of which came at me with fixed bayonets, and swore that they would kill me on the spot. They damned me, those that took me, because they spared my life. Thus, amidst a thousand insults, my infernal driver hastened me along faster than my strength would admit, in the extreme heat of the day, weakened as I was by my wounds, and the loss of blood, which at a moderate computation could not be less than one quart. And when I failed in some degree, through faintness, he would strike me on the back with a heavy walking staff, and kick me behind with his foot. At length, by the supporting power of God, I arrived at the green, in New Haven. But my life was almost spent, the world around me several times appearing as dark as midnight. I obtained leave of an officer to be carried into the widow Lyman's, and laid upon a bed, where I lay the rest of the day and succeeding night, in such acute and excruciating pain as I never felt before."

THE MURDER OF MR. AND MRS. CALDWELL. 255

THE MURDER OF MR. AND MRS. CALDWELL.

THE Rev. James Caldwell, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Elizabethtown, N. J., acted as Chaplain of the American army while in New Jersey, and by his zealous patriotism, and patriotic appeals, often contributed to arouse the spirits of the soldiers, and to inspire them with a greater energy in the performance of their trying duties. He was very popular in the community, and received the unlimited confidence of Washington.

But his lofty patriotism, and unflinching zeal in the American cause, made him hated by the enemy, who sought every means to get him into their power, and a price was set upon his head. When preaching, he frequently was compelled to lay his loaded pistols by his side in the pulpit. At one time he resided in Springfield, but afterwards removed to "Connecticut Farms," about four miles from Elizabethtown. Here was enacted the first part of the tragedy we are about to relate.

A company of British troop from New York, under command of the Hessian General, Knyphausen, landed in Elizabethtown in June of 1780, and marching directly into the interior, proceeded to wreak their cruelty upon every living thing that fell in their way. Houses were fired, cattle destroyed, helpless people murdered, or left without shelter, clothing, or food. Mr. Caldwell heard of their approach, and immediately prepared to escape. He put his elder children in a wagon, and sent them on to some of his friends for protection. He then desired his wife, with the younger children, to take means of flight, but she announced her determination of remaining, as none would have cause to offer injury to her. Finding she would not yield to his persuasion, and

believing it impossible that their resentment could extend to an unprotected mother, with her babe clasped to her heart, Mr. Caldwell resolved to leave them, and seek his own safety alone. He was mounted, and receiving the last assurance of her resolve to stay, when the gleam of arms announced the approach of the enemy, and he rode rapidly off.

Mrs. Caldwell having concealed what things were of value, took her infant in her arms, and retired to her chamber, the window of which commanded the road. Here, with her three little ones around, she awaited the approach of the enemy, feeling conscious that her unprotected state would secure respect and safety. One little girl was standing by the window watching the approach of the troops, when one of the soldiers left the road, and came to the window, which he had no sooner reached, than he placed the muzzle of his gun against it, and deliberately fired, when Mrs. Caldwell fell suddenly back, and almost instantly expired.

Not content with depriving her of life, the inhuman monsters wreaked their cruelty on her senseless body. Her clothes were nearly torn off, and her body removed to the road side, where it was subjected to every indignity, while the torch was applied to the dwelling, and then the work of destruction was done.

The effect of this terrible blow upon the husband can only be imagined. He was that morning standing upon the heights of Springfield, and by the aid of a spy-glass could see the smoke from the burning houses. "Thank God," he exclaimed, "the fire is not in the direction of my house." He was too soon to learn the sad mistake.

The royalists attempted to throw off the responsibility of this act, by asserting that Mrs. Caldwell was killed by a chance shot. But all the evidence goes to show that it was deliberately planned,

and that the soldier by whose hand the bloody deed was committed, only acted in accordance with his orders. The fact that her body was allowed to be so rudely treated, while many of the officers felt their abhorrence for the deed, proves that although they felt respect for her remains, they knew the will of their superiors, and therefore dared not show it.

The following anecdote, connected with this invasion, shows pretty clearly who were the murderers of Mrs. Caldwell. The flames from the burning dwelling could be seen from "Liberty Hall," the residence of Gov. Livingston, who was at that time absent from home. Parties of soldiers were continually passing the house, but for some reason it was spared. But about midnight a party of soldiers, partially intoxicated, rushed into the house. The maid-servant-all the males in the establishment having taken refuge in the woods early in the day, to avoid being made prisoners-fastened herself in the kitchen; and the ladies, (Mrs. Livingston and her daughters) crowded together like frightened deer, locked themselves in another apartment. Their place of retreat was soon discovered by the ruffians; and afraid to exasperate them by refusing to come out, one of Governor Livingston's daughters opened the door. A drunken soldier seized her by the arm; she grasped the villain's collar, and, at the very moment, a flash of lightning illuminated the hall, and falling upon her white dress-he staggered back, exclaiming, with an oath, 'It's Mrs. Caldwell, that we killed to-day.' One of the party was at length recognized, and by his intervention, the house was finally cleared of the assailants."*

But the vengeance of Mr. Caldwell's enemies was not yet sa

* Life of Livingston.

THE MURDER OF MR. AND MRS. CALDWELL.

258 tiated; the tragedy so far was incomplete. It was on the 24th of November, 1781, that he himself fell beneath the ruthless murderer's hand, and the blow this time came from a source where he thought himself secure. On the day above mentioned, he went to Elizabethtown Point, for a Miss Murray, who had come from New York, under a flag of truce. After conducting her to his gig, he returned to the boat, to obtain a bundle which had been left behind. As he came on shore, the American sentinel challenged him, and demanded what "contraband goods" he had there. Mr. Caldwell stepped forward to tender the bundle to the proper officer, not wishing to enter into a dispute about it then, when the report of a musket was heard, and he fell dead, pierced by two balls. He had been shot by a man named Morgan, who had just been relieved from duty as a sentinel. He was arrested, tried, condemned, and was executed. There can be no doubt but that he was bribed to the deed by British gold, as there was no shadow of a cause to suppose that enmity existed between Mr. Caldwell and him.

Viewed from any point, these two murders were among the most atrocious acts perpetrated by the invaders of our country, and in a history full of atrocities, they will always rank as bloody, fiendish and treacherous.