Major Richard Howell's Continentals Camp at Black Point

The naval stand-off between the British and French fleets off Sandy Hook in July 1778 pushed George Washington toward action that he had previously resisted—stationing Continental troops in Monmouth County on a long term basis. Starting with Benjamin Tupper’s futile attempt to capture Sandy Hook in June 1776, detachments of Continental troops entered Monmouth County for specific, short-term purposes—e.g., Daniel Morgan’s Rifle Regiment shadowed the British Army on their march through the county (June-July 1778). But only David Forman’s Additional Regiment (raised from Monmouth County for the defense of Monmouth County) spent more than a month in-county.

There were good reasons to resist stationing men in Monmouth County. When Governor William Livingston asked Washington to do so in April 1778, Washington declined, writing that a regiment of Continentals “would do rather more harm than good” by provoking attack from larger British forces without having the strength to resist them. He also feared the effect of placing his soldiers in daily contact with disaffected locals who might dispirit the men and increase misconduct.

Nonetheless, the difficulties experienced while provisioning the French fleet in July 1778 convinced Washington of the need to send men into Shrewsbury Township. On July 19, he wrote General William Maxwell, leading the New Jersey Line, “You are to detach a good officer with about 200 men to Monmouth; they will be sent to keep that part of the Country in order, and will preserve the communication between us and the French fleet."

Maxwell was slow to comply. His men had not arrived in Shrewsbury by August 4, prompting Colonel Asher Holmes of the Monmouth County militia to complain to Governor Livingston:

Sometime past, Col Hendrickson [Daniel Hendrickson] with myself wrote your Excellency respecting a guard for the County of Monmouth but received no answer, I now make the same application as the enemy on Sandy Hook are very strong; deserters come from the Hook say there are 2,500 men at that place... The inhabitants of the lower part of the County are much exposed.

Holmes predicted a British foraging raid as “the country abounds with grain and forces are not sufficient to oppose the enemy in case they should come, which I have the greatest reason to believe they will, as it is in their power at any time.” He noted that “not one Continental soldier [is] near for our defence.” He referred to people near Sandy Hook as living on a “frontier” and concluded “they are now left at the mercy of the enemy, without assistance." Holmes’s complaint made it to Washington who, on August 8, again directed General Maxwell to send men to Monmouth County:

I am uncertain whether you may not already have a party somewhere in Monmouth County, but however this may be, it is my wish you should without delay have one of 50 men stationed under a very vigilant and intelligent Officer.

Washington specifically requested that Maxwell put the men under the command of either Lt. Colonel David Brearley, Lt. Colonel David Rhea, or Major Richard Howell. Brearley and Rhea were the seniormost Continental Army officers from Monmouth County; Howell was not from Monmouth County, but apparently spent time there before the war. Washington further asked for a mounted party to accompany the men, as it would be needed to quickly relay information about the British or French fleets at Sandy Hook (though the French had left for Rhode Island). The practical commander-in-chief likely knew he had lowered his request for the Monmouth contingent from 200 to 50—a change presumably made to improve the chances that Maxwell would promptly comply with the order.

A captured British vessel may have figured in the final decision of Maxwell to send troops to Shrewsbury. On August 12, the New Jersey Gazette reported that “this day, a row galley, carrying one 18 and 2 four pounders, belonging to the Enemy at New York, was drove ashore near Shrewsbury, and fell into our hands with 30 men [on board]." The Loyalist New York Gazette provided more information on the vessel: "The ferret galley, Capt. O'Brien, was cast away near Shrewsbury in a late violent gale of wind, and the crew are prisoners, on their parole at Princeton.” The hope of capturing another enemy vessel, a high prestige and often lucrative activity, likely hastened the arrival of Richard Howell at Shrewsbury.

Richard Howell Camps at Black Point

On August 21, Washington wrote General Nathanael Greene that Howell was now at Black Point (present-day Rumson). Howell’s first surviving letter from there is a personal letter dated August 23. Howell writes about preparations for a visit from "the lovely Kizey Burr” (a relative of Aaron Burr) whom he was courting. He worried about the implications of hosting a woman at his current camp with nothing to entertain her "but a few dusty law books and a sword."

Howell’s first surviving military letter from Black Point is an August 26 letter to General Maxwell. Howell discussed hiring a local to get information from the British, “a fisherman for intelligence.” Howell also wrote about efforts to infiltrate the Pine Robber gangs that were operating on the shore:

I sent out two men who pass for deserters to join the wood Tories, but could not join them, from their caution, having been deceived before. Since that measure was defeated, I now propose to go down by night & surround the swamp in which they are from, with this intelligence, and burn their cabins.

Four days later, Howell had not moved on the Pine Robbers, but wrote Maxwell that he expected to:

A few days past, the wood Tories attacked a man & robbed him -- they have said they will make their fortunes tomorrow out of the inhabitants on their way to the sale of a ship and cargo at Toms River -- I shall march all night and may perhaps mar their sport in the morning.

Howell wrote that he was receiving intelligence from locals: "I have established connections with both Whigs and Tories in this place & hear everyday from the Hook and N. York." In addition, Howell noted that while the British have moved ships away from the Hook, they had left in place their floating battery, "the Leviathan lays off the Hook with one tier of guns, as a battlement."

Washington originally wanted 200 Continentals to camp near Sandy Hook, but then revised his request to 50 men. But on August 30, Howell had only 30 men with him. This led Maxwell to send a few more men. Muster rolls indicate that four men from Nathaniel Polhemus’s Essex County company were sent to Monmouth in September and October, seven in November, and five in December.

Howell’s reports on British activities apparently declined in frequency. Washington grew frustrated with the lack of intelligence, writing on October 5:

Of the different observers in New York and those places proper for attending the motions of the fleet, not one has made any return of such an occurrence. Major Howell in particular whose station is at Black Point for the express purpose of watching the fleet, and giving regular information of their movements, has afforded me no light on this subject.

He wrote Howell that day about a report claiming that a British fleet had left New York to attack French:

I cannot suppose this account to be well founded because I have heard nothing of the kind from you; and I have too good an opinion of your vigilance to suppose it possible a circumstance of such importance could escape your knowledge—I shall however be glad to hear immediately from you; and must desire you will take measures to ascertain the truth or falsehood of this report—I must also desire, that besides communicating instantly any event of importance that takes place among the enemy’s shipping, you will every two or three days let me hear from you, if it be only to inform me that nothing new has occurred.

The British fleet that cleared Sandy Hook was not attacking the French. It was carrying a 1,000-man raiding party headed for Egg Harbor to destroy the village of Chestnut Neck and the privateers based there. Lord Stirling [William Alexander] informed Washington of this on October 7. Stirling was disappointed that he did not learn of the raid from Howell: “I am much surpriz’d at Major Howels [Howell’s] silence.” Stirling reported that he had ordered Captain Jonathan Forman (of Middletown Point) to the Highlands to provide intelligence due to Howell’s silence:

Genl Maxwell has sent two Messengers to Major Howell for Intelligence, I have now desired him to send Capt. Forman (who is well acquainted in that Country) to go to Middletown, Naversink &c. and get all the Intelligence he can and immediately to return.

Two days later, Howell defended his conduct in a letter to George Washington. He said "nothing can escape my notice" and provided information on the Egg Harbor raid "based on a spy I sent last evening." Howell noted the danger of camping men on the Highlands to observe British movements: "I have but thirty men, insufficient to guard this little post & I am unable to dispatch a party on so dangerous a command.” He remained confident in the locals who were reporting to him, "I have made good connections and believe I shall be master of every intelligence so as to communicate it speedily."

On October 11, two letters from Howell reached Lord Stirling via Captain John Burrowes, (who went to Middletown instead of Forman). Howell reported on the attack on Egg Harbor and forces sent to defend the area. Stirling forwarded these letters to Washington and also reported that “two classes of the Militia of Monmouth County are now out… I hope to quiet Major Howells’ fears and give him an opportunity of affording us somewhat better Intelligence."

Howell next wrote on October 15. He reported on the return of the British raiders from Egg Harbor. He also discussed an unusual prisoner: “We receiv’d a prisoner as a Spy taken by some men on the shore—He is a genteel well bred man came from No. Carolina” and “hid in a barn when pursued.” Howell asked his commanders for information on the man and noted that “he is under the direction of the militia who took him.” From the earliest days of the war to the end of the war, Loyalists journeyed from other states to enter British lines at Sandy Hook.

On October 21, Washington wrote Lord Stirling with a new concern about Howell’s party. He wrote that "instances of commerce between the inhabitants and the Enemy may be have been tolerated [by Howell’s men]." Washington asked Stirling to investigate, "if you discover any improper connivance on the part of the officers at Shrewsbury, that you will take proper care measures not only to prevent it in the future, but to punish it in the past." The outcome of the investigation is unknown, but it would not be the last time that Continentals camped in Monmouth County turned a blind eye to illegal trading.

Howell’s next surviving letter is from November 23. He reported on British ships arriving at Sandy Hook. He also wrote of two American ships taken near Sandy Hook, a Philadelphia vessel, Abingdon, and a vessel from Egg Harbor. He further reported on two Loyalist boats that landed near Black Point “with a party plundering most villainously an old man." Howell attempted to take the raiders: "I received intelligence and marched after them and marched as fast as possible against them, but they run off & soon the [New Jersey] Volunteers made their escape." On December 1, Stirling wrote Washington of another small Loyalist raid: "the troops from the Hook went towards Middletown last night, are gone; the night before last, the militia of that place firing in a boat in the Gut kill'd one of the enemy."

On December 20, Howell sent his last dispatch from Black Point, bundling reports from 16th, 17th, 19th and 20th. The reports mostly summarize ships coming in and out of Sandy Hook. Beyond that, the report for the 19th noted “a foraging party to go to the southward” into Monmouth County though Howell downplayed the threat. He also heard from a Loyalist informer: “Through the Tory channel… I heard that one Mount [James Mount], formerly a Major of militia in this place and now a refugee, lost his trading set and a number were taken prisoner.” Howell noted his inability to stop these incursions, “I went with some troops to patrol the shore at night to no effect." He reported on intelligence of three or four enemy vessels anchoring off Middletown that proved to be false.

By now, Washington and Stirling were ready to pull Howell’s small command out of Monmouth County and replace it with a larger detachment that might do better at curbing the illegal trade with Loyalists on Sandy Hook and Staten Island. Washington wrote Stirling on January 8:

I have received such repeated information of the trade that is carried on between Monmouth and New York… that I find it an absolute necessity of sending down a party to that quarter to put a stop to that intercourse. Be pleased therefore, to order about 250 men of the line under the command of a field officer to go immediately upon that service.  There will be a necessity of Major Howell's remaining in Monmouth until after the party goes down.

On January 30, Washington wrote Governor Livingston, "I had ordered a party under Colo. North [Caleb North] into Monmouth County with a view of restraining the malpractices which prevailed there, the measure may lighten the service of the militia." After more than five months at Black Point, Howell’s small detachment rejoined the Continental Army.

Howell’s men spent more time in Monmouth County than any army detachment besides Forman’s Additional Regiment. While Howell provided semi-regular reports on British movements, his small command was incapable of curbing illegal trade, battling Loyalist raiders, or suppressing Pine Robber gangs. North’s regiment, though far larger than Howell’s company, would also struggle against local Loyalists and their elusive disaffected allies. This is the subject of another article.

Caption: Major Richard Howell spent five months at Black Point watching the British fleet at Sandy Hook. His small detachment attempted to provide security to the region, but was unable to do so.

Related Historic Site: Portland Place

Sources: George Washington to William Livingston, John Fitzpatrick, ed., The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources (Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office, 1932) vol. 11, pp. 256, 436; Tench Tilghman to William Maxwell, Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 4, reel 50, July 1 9, 1778; Asher Holmes to William Livingston, Monmouth County Historical Association, Cherry Hall Papers, box 5, folder 9; George Washington to William Maxwell, Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/mgw:@field(DOCID+@lit(gw120326)); George Washington to James Caldwell, Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/mgw:@field(DOCID+@lit(gw120328)); Archives of the State of New Jersey, Extracts from American Newspapers Relating to New Jersey (Paterson, NJ: Call Printing, 1903) vol. 2, pp. 368, 380; Maryland Gazette, September 1, 1779; Library of Congress, Rivington's New York Gazette, reel 2906; George Washington to Nathanael Greene, Nathanael Greene, The Papers of General Nathanael Greene (Chapel Hill: U of North Carolina Press, 1976) vol. 2, p 487; Richard Howell to Hose Evers, Howell Family Papers, HM67368, HM67369, Huntington Library; Richard Howell to William Maxwell, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress, Series 4, Reel 5; Richard Howell to William Maxwell, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress, Series 4, Reel 6; Capt. John Polhemus, Muster Roll, National Archives, New Jersey Continental Army Muster Rolls, posted at: https://sites.google.com/site/garlandsboutique/home/McDonaldFamilyHistory/benjamin-mcdonald/soldier-of-the-american-revolution/1775---1780-new-jersey-continental-line; Richard Howell to William Maxwell, The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 16, 1 July–14 September 1778, ed. David R. Hoth. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2006, pp. 468–470, note 3; George Washington to Richard Howell, Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/mgw:@field(DOCID+@lit(gw130036)); George Washington to Richard Howell, The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 17, 15 September–31 October 1778, ed. Philander D. Chase. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2008, pp. 266–267; Lord Stirling to George Washington, The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 17, 15 September–31 October 1778, ed. Philander D. Chase. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2008, pp. 300–301; Richard Howell to George Washington, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress, Series 4, Reel 7; Lord Stirling to George Washington, The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 17, 15 September–31 October 1778, ed. Philander D. Chase. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2008, pp. 345–346; Richard Howell to Lord Stirling, The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 17, 15 September–31 October 1778, ed. Philander D. Chase. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2008, pp. 472–475, note 3; George Washington to Lord Stirling, Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/mgw:@field(DOCID+@lit(gw130091)); George Washington to Lord Stirling, John Fitzpatrick, ed., The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources (Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office, 1932) vol. 13, p 120; Richard Howell to Lord Stirling, New York Historical Society, William Alexander Papers, vol. 1, p. 207-10; Richard Howell to Lord Striling, Richard Howell to Lord Stirling, Rowan University Special Collections, NJ 03, MSS; Richard Howell to Lord Stirling, New York Historical Society, William Alexander Papers, vol. 1, p. 251; George Washington to Lord Stirling, John Fitzpatrick, ed., The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources (Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office, 1932) vol. 5, p 388.