Quinton Bridge

A Second Forage War

Mad Anthony Wayne

The winter of 1777-1778 was especially tough for the Americans, but both sides often sent out significant forces to forage for their own troops and to disrupt the other's foraging efforts. On February 19th, 1778, with the Continental Army desperately needing supplies, Brigadier General "Mad" Anthony Wayne led a force across the Delaware River south of Philadelphia on a foraging mission through southern New Jersey. General Howe responded by sending about 4,000 men to disrupt Wayne. However, Wayne moved quickly north, collecting provisions, forcing residents to move supplies he couldn't take, and occasionally skirmishing with the British pursuing him. Howe sent another force in March under Lieutenant Colonel Charles Mawhood to forage and try to force Wayne into a fight.

Lord Howe

Simcoe

British Move into the Jerseys

On March 17th, Mawhood led a force of 1,200 British regulars and Loyalist companies of the New Jersey Volunteers, along with John Graves Simcoe's Queen's Rangers, across the Delaware River into Salem County, New Jersey. Scouts alerted Wayne to the British movement. He had finished his work and was preparing to return to the Continental Army encampment at Valley Forge.

19th Century Map of Salem Co.

Americans Defend

Alloway Creek in Salem County served as a natural line of defense. The local militia, who were very active in NJ, quickly established strong defensive positions at the two crossings nearest the Delaware River—Quinton's Bridge and Hancock's Bridge—after learning of the British movement, to prevent crossing attempts. Mawhood led his force to Salem, where they were met by local Loyalists who informed them that Colonel Benjamin Holmes, along with 300 militia, was at Quinton's Bridge, only three miles (4.8 km) to the southeast. Holmes had positioned his forces on the north side of the bridge and had taken up the bridge's planking to block easy passage.

The Militia had good positions along  the creek

Ruse de Guerre

Before dawn on March 18th, Mawhood moved several detachments of men into position on the side of the creek opposite the American forces. Captain William Smith was the senior officer with 300 local militiamen under his command defending the area around Quinton Bridge. Mawhood realized the rebels held strong defensive positions behind the creek, so he devised a plan to draw out the patriots. Under cover of darkness, the British concealed small detachments of the 17th and Simcoe's Rangers in and around Weatherby's Tavern on the Salem side of the creek, just northeast of the road. On the morning of the 18th, Mawhood baited his trap by ordering an element of the 17th Foot to stage a retreat toward Salem.

Simcoe's Queen's Rangers

Punked Patriots

The rebels fell for the trap. Captain Smith left one-third of his troops to defend the defenses while he led about 200 men across the creek in what turned into a chaotic chase. Without proper flank security, the militiamen headed up the road past the tavern. When they had gone roughly two hundred yards beyond the bridge, the British and Loyalists opened fire from all directions. Surrounded by a hail of musket balls from the front, sides, and back, they panicked and ran toward the creek for safety. However, they left around 40 of their comrades dead in the crossfire. Additionally, some of the fleeing patriots drowned trying to cross the creek. One patriot, Andrew Bacon, risked the

Smith's Militia Retreating (Rare color photo!)

Frustrated British

By that time, help arrived in the form of Colonel Elijah Hand's militia and two cannons. They reinforced the south side of the creek. Frustrated, Mawhood pulled back his forces and moved on to another objective—Hancock's Bridge—before ultimately returning to Philadelphia. The engagement at Quinton's Bridge was small but typical of the war. There was no clear winner or loser. The significant loss of lives was balanced by the quick reinforcement of the creek and Mawhood's decision to seek his luck elsewhere.

The Patriot Seaman

A Strategy of Sorts

The American Revolution was intensely complex. It started as a political movement and then turned into an armed uprising that developed into a war for independence, along with aspects of a civil war, a secret war, and ultimately a global conflict. But it was also an economic war. The British aimed to control and shut down American commerce, which was the colonies' vital lifeline. In some ways, British actions during the ten years leading up to Lexington and Concord were about gaining the most from the colonies without letting them become too wealthy, large, or influential. Some in Parliament and British leadership worried that someday the American colonies would surpass Britain in population, strength, and reputation. How right they were! Yet, instead of figuring out how to benefit from this, they tried to prevent it.

Down to the Sea in Ships

When war broke out, the British strategy involved surrounding the Americans with Indian and Canadian allies to the west and north. The east and south would be handled by the Royal Navy. So, a naval war became the less discussed but equally important, if not more so, than the land war. Great Britain had the largest and most powerful navy in the world, while the American colonies had none. America did have a growing and capable merchant marine, along with the raw materials to build ships. As a result, it began creating its own small navy and converting its merchant ships into privateers and naval vessels. This success was only possible thanks to the brave and determined men who sailed the ships and the resourceful, resolute men who captained them. This is one such captain's story.

     

A Navy Built from Merchantmen

Connecticut Navy

Seth Harding was born in Eastham, Massachusetts, although he moved to Norwich, Connecticut, when he was a young man. Harding went to sea early in his life and commanded several merchant ships during the French and Indian War. By 1771, he had moved to Liverpool, Nova Scotia. At the start of the American Revolution in 1775, he returned to Connecticut and offered his services to its nascent navy. Harding was commissioned as commander of the state brig, Defence. Harding captured many British ships while in command of this vessel and two others. He was first sent on patrol near Boston Harbor, where on June 12, 1775, he captured the British armed transport ship, George. Along with the ship, he took several hundred Scottish soldiers of the 71st Highland Regiment and their commander, Lieutenant Colonel Archibald Campbell.

Naval Actions Were Small

Most American actions, including Harding's, were small-scale but still played a vital role in the war. Here is a contemporary letter that mentions one of Harding's exploits:

FAIRFIELD, MAY 13, 1776.

More Tory business. Last Sunday Captain Harding, in the brig Defence, had the happiness of taking a number of Tories who were crossing over to Long Island, on some of their pious errands, I suppose; among whom was one McNeal, a wretch you have often seen up town. He generally wore a white hat and blue silk jacket; in exchange for which, I hope, they will give him a coat-of-mail, that is, one of lime and stone.

It is said there were a number of letters found on them, giving an account of their diabolical schemes, together with the names of several of their associates. In consequence of which, a number of gentlemen resolved to break up the den, and set off to Ridgefield; among whom was the bold asserter of his country's cause, Major Dimon, who, I have this moment heard, had like to have lost his life, in reposing too much confidence in one of the villains. It seems he was very active in taking one Lyons, who, after he had surrendered, invited him in, where he had a number of the brother murderers concealed, that fell on him and would have put an end to his life, had not some of his friends very providentially come to his assistance. The Major, I am told, is much wounded in the head, but still had resolution to go in quest of the others.

You shall hear further in my next.





During his service with Connecticut's navy, Harding actually commanded two brigs named Defence and   Oliver Cromwell. His success led to bigger and better things.

John Jay

Continental Navy

In September 1778, Harding accepted a Continental Navy commission and took command of a new 32-gun frigate, Confederacy. In 1779, he sailed along the East Coast with two other ships, Boston and Deane, capturing three prizes and performing convoy duties. His ship was undermanned, so he had to impress several French prisoners being exchanged by the British. During this cruise, the American flotilla captured a British privateer, Pole, and a schooner, Patsey, in addition to several merchant vessels. Overall, good work. In September of that year, Harding was instructed to take John Jay, the newly appointed American Minister to Spain, to Europe, but a tremendous Atlantic storm struck them, and the ship was dismasted 10 days out. Harding, through skillful seamanship, sailed his ship to Martinique for repairs, while his passengers continued on another vessel.

Continental Navy

"The Harding" goes to Work

Once repaired, Harding got back to work. Confederacy raided British merchant ships and protected convoys until April 18, 1781, when, at the Delaware Capes, she had to surrender to two British ships, the 44-gun Roebuck and 32-gun Orpheus. In early 1782, Harding was exchanged. He then commanded the privateer Diana, but was captured again near Jamaica. And once more, he was released. This was fairly common. Wanting more action, Harding volunteered to serve as First Lieutenant to famous American naval Captain John Barry on the Alliance. In October 1783, Harding was wounded during the final battle of the war, fighting off the coast of France against HMS Sybill. By then, Harding had gained a reputation, especially in France, where he was held in high regard. The King of France, Louis XVI, called him "the Harding."

John Barry

Back to the Merchant Navy

After the war, Harding returned to the merchant marine, sailing and trading in the Virgin Islands. He even became a Danish citizen to improve his business opportunities there. By 1786, Harding's war wounds had weakened him enough to retire, and he first settled in New York City. Clearly, New York drained his resources, and over time, he sank into poverty. In 1807, Congress granted him a pension. The fighting merchantman died in Schoharie, New York, in November 1814. Harding's talents and achievements reflect the young American navy and merchant marine, which played vital roles in securing independence, peace, and prosperity for the young nation.

The World War I vintage USS Harding, DD-91, is named after this fighting first-patriot...