CHAPTER XXI.

JAMES CALDWELL.

HIS BIRTH AND ANCESTRY. -PERSONAL APPEARANCE.-POWER OF HIS VOICE.-HIS CHARACTER. HIS CONGREGATION AT ELIZABETHTOWN.-MADE CHAPLAIN.-HIS TOAST ON THE RECEPTION OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. HIS ACTIVITY. REWARDS OFFERED FOR HIS CAPTURE.-REMOVES TO CONNECTICUT FARMS.-GOES ARMED.-IIIS SERVICES.-LETTER TO LEE.-ASSISTANT COMMISSARY GENERAL.-LAST INTERVIEW WITH HIS WIFE.-HER MURDER.-FIGHT AT SPRINGFIELD.-"GIVE EM WATTS."-MURDER OF CALDWELL.-IIIS FUNERAL.HIS CHILDREN.-MONUMENT TO HIM.

No man is more deserving of a prominent place in the history of the Revolution than Rev. James Caldwell. He was born in a settlement of Charlotte county, Virginia, called "Cub Creek," and was the youngest of seven children. He graduated at Princeton College in 1759, was licensed to preach in 1760, and the next year receiving ordination was settled over the parish of Elizabethtown, New Jersey. His ancestors were Huegenots, who were driven from France to England by religious persecution, from thence to Scotland, and at last to Ireland, from which his father emigrated to this country. He thus inherited a spirit of independence and of resistance to tyranny which made him from the outset of our troubles enlist heart and soul in the cause of American independence. Though of middle height, he was powerfully made and capable of great endurance. His countenance in repose had a tranquil and somewhat pensive expression, but when

roused with heroic daring there was stamped on every lineament the most dauntless, unconquerable resolution. His voice exhibited the same striking contrasts. On ordinary occasions it was low, sweet and musical, captivating the hearer by its winning tones; but when he stood in front of a regiment, haranguing the soldiers, it rose clear and distinct over the roll of the drum and piercing notes of the fife. Of refined feelings, warm and generous sympathies, and possessing true genius, he won all hearts, and fastened himself so deeply in the affections of his people that to this day his memory is tenderly cherished among the inhabitants of Elizabethtown.

In the exciting scenes that immediately preceded the Revolution he bore a prominent and leading part. His congregation upheld him almost to a man, and when we remember that such patriots as Elias Boudinot, William Livingston, Francis Barber, the Daytons and Ogdens composed it, we can not wonder that both pastor and people were looked upon as head rebels of the province, and became peculiarly obnoxious to the loyalists. In intelligence, valor and patriotism, they had no superiors, and formed a band of noble men, of which New Jersey is justly proud.

At the first call to arms the State offered its brigade for the common defence, and Mr. Caldwell was elected its chaplain-Col. Dayton, his parishioner, being the commander. Col. Ebenezer Elmer, commanding one of the regiments, gives the following account of the manner the declaration of independence was received by the brigade. The courier bearing the news arrived

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at head quarters on the 15th of July, 1776, causing the most intense excitement and enthusiasm. "At twelve o'clock," says the Colonel, "assembly was beat that the men might parade in order to receive a treat, and drink the State's health. When having made a barrel of grog, the declaration was read, and the following toast was given by parson Caldwell:- Harmony, honor, and all prosperity to the free and independent United States of America: wise legislators, brave and victorious armies, both by sea and land, to the United States of America.' When three hearty cheers were given, and the grog flew round a-main." Mr. Caldwell's activity and energy would not allow him to confine himself to the duties of chaplain. The timid were to be encouraged, the hesitating brought over to the side of liberty, and the tories met and baffled at every point. Hence, he would be on the Sabbath with his parish, the next day in the army, and then traversing the country to collect important information, or set on foot measures to advance the common cause. His immense popularity gave him an influence that filled the tories with rage, and made his name common as a household word among the British troops. He at length became such an object of hate and dread that large rewards were offered for his capture. Consequently, when the enemy obtained possession of New York and Staten Island his position became one of extreme peril, for his residence was as well known to them as the head quarters of the army. He, therefore, took the advice of his friends and removed his family to Connecticut Farms, a small place a few miles

from Elizabethtown. As an additional precaution, he went armed, and it was well known that no two or four men would take him alive. Often when preaching in the "old red store," as it was called, he would walk up to the table, and unbuckling a brace of pistols lay them before him, and then commence the services of the Sabbath. Strange as such a proceeding may seem at the present day, this good man at the time did. not deem it to demand a passing explanation. He was engaged in what he firmly believed to be the cause of God, and that cause he did not consider would be advanced by yielding himself unresistingly into the hands of a skulking tory to be dragged to the scaffold. His country needed his services, not his death in this manner, though his life he held cheap enough whenever liberty should call for the sacrifice.

The retreat of Washington through New Jersey, hotly pursued by Cornwallis, coming as it did on the heels of the fall of New York and Forts Washington and Lee, paralyzed the inhabitants with terror. At the very outset they saw their State overrun with hostile troops, and the struggle that had opened so auspiciously at Bunker Hill, seemed about to close in sudden night. Mr. Caldwell, however, did not share in the general despondency produced by this gloomy state of affairs. The darker the prospects became, the higher rose his resolution, and the more complicated and disheartening the condition of the army grew, the more persevering were his efforts, and the more tireless his unsleeping activity. He seemed ubiquitous, for scarcely would he be reported in one place when his

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presence was announced in another, and nothing seemed to escape his keen, penetrating scrutiny. His spies were everywhere, and the enemy could not make a movement that eluded his watchful eye. The aid he furnished at this time to the American army in keeping it advised of every step taken by the invading force was of incalculable service.

Washington at length crossed the Delaware and drew up his enfeebled army on its farther shore, where he waited with deep anxiety the advance of Lee from the banks of the Hudson to his assistance. This officer, ambitious of performing some brilliant achievement which should place him in enviable contrast to Washington, lingered on his way, and from one pretext and another deferred obeying the peremptory orders of his commander. Even when he reached Morristown he postponed farther advance in hopes of making an independent movement and cutting in two the extended lines of the British. In order to effect this he constantly wrote to Caldwell to keep him advised of the motions of the enemy. The latter, though he knew Lee's orders were to move forward with all possible despatch to the main army, willingly furnished him all the information in his power. Lee's last letter to him was written on the 12th of December. Caldwell immediately replied to it, telling him that the British army had moved forward, leaving nothing behind but the guards of the several posts, and then added significantly that the American militia had been moved back to Chatam, where they would be in a situation to be of more service than if farther in advance,