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Clark's spies had failed to apprise him of Cornwallis's foraging expedition into Lower Merion Township on December 11-12 which nearly brought on al clash with Washington's vanguard as it marched from Whitemarsh towards Gulph Mills. however, with rumor prevalent in the city that the enemy were again apparently intending to move, and with the failure to notify Washington of Cornwallis's recent march in mind, Clark hastily "despatched several spies into the city, to endeavour to find the intended form of the enemy's march," only to discover that there was "no talk at present of their moving," though "their light horse were reconnoitering on Marshall's Road" in Darby Township west of the city, "and very inquisitive." The only apparent enemy activity was "cutting and hauling wood from this side the Schuylkill to the other without any annoyance; my spy says he thinks they might be easily caught" by light parties of Americans. Clark again protested that "the country people carry in provisions constantly" to the enemy. "I hope an example will be made to deter" this intercourse. Clark was desperately in need of a horse to substitute for his won, which had broken down with hard service, as he was "obliged to ride from 20 to 60 miles a day to meet" his spies coming from Philadelphia "to prevent suspicion" that might be engendered by constantly meeting them at one place. Loyalist spies were often about, and not every apparent Patriot could be trusted.
On the 20th, the day after the Continental Army marched from Gulph Mills to Valley Forge, Clark notified Washington, that near one thousand of the enemy crossed over to Jersey yesterday, with six field-pieces from four to six pounders, with design to let the country people" come in to trade with the enemy. "This day about thirty wagons, escorted by one hundred Hessians, went a foraging party towards Derby, and returned loaded with Hay and Rye straw, without interruption. I was reconnoitering" -- Washington had directed General Potter to furnish Clark with a new horse -- "and got notice of it, but it was too late to inform you." Clark then warned that the enemy "intend to make another foraging excursion...and then pull up and destroy the bridge" at the Middle Ferry "and remained quiet in winter quarters, for the remainder of the season." If the latter information was correct, Washington could be reassured that the enemy had little or no intention of attacking his ragged, starving army at Valley Forge. Nevertheless, he would have to remain very watchful.
By the 21st Clark could notify Washington more specifically that a spy "confirms the account of the enemy's intentions to plunder. They intend to visit Derby, Marple, and Springfield townships this week...I am informed Morgan's corps is in this neighborhood; should the enemy make any sudden move I will give the Col. notice, and every thing in my power shall be exerted to secure you the most instant intelligence of" the enemy's motions. His spies "say that we may expect a much larger foraging party this week than last." The enemy intentions in New Jersey had been accomplished, and the troops had returned to Philadelphia "loaded with beef, corn &c." He also noted that "The enemy are busy turning the inhabitants of Philadelphia "out of their houses, and quartering troops in them. Many of the citizens are obliged to live in their kitchens, and permit those tyrants to occupy their houses."
A major enemy forage towards Chester commenced on the 22nd. "I have just returned from Springfield," Clark immediately wrote to Washington, "having met one of my spies on the road; he informs me that Gen. Sir Wm. Howe and Sir Wm. Erskine, and a number of other generals, are with the army at Derby...they have a very formidable body with them...intelligence from another (spy) says they have 300 wagons with them...I have alarmed Gen. (Sic Colonel) Morgan...If a corps were thrown instantly toward the Middle Ferry," the enemy's "retreat is inevitably cut off." Washington, upon this notification, attempted to assemble a division under Major General Lord Stirling to oppose the enemy forage, but, because of the debilitated condition of his troops, was only able to muster a few men capable of sustaining such a march; far too few to effectively resist Howe's powerful corps, which consisted of the greater part of the British Army.
On the 23rd Clark was able to give Washington an intimate account of the location and units of the British foragers, who, he had learned, "intent to forage all" the country between Philadelphia and Chester, "burn the farms, plunder the inhabitants, and then return" to the city. Clark "fell in with a party of Lee's dragoons," with which he attempted to capture "a party of the enemy, in number about 30," but was unsuccessful. Indeed, Clark himself was almost captured, but since he "knew the road" better than the enemy he got off unscathed. Skirmishing between small parties of the Americans and British occurred, and the Americans were driven off. "The wretched situation of the (American) Troops," Clark wrote to Washington, "is much to be lamented; no provisions provided for them, ill clothed, many of them no shoes, and they are scattered...about the neighbourhood; in short, they had better be called away," since of little use in opposing the enemy. "If we had at this time 200 Light Dragoons in this quarter, we might catch the enemy by dozens...but as matters are at present in this quarter, the enemy will do what they please, almost unmolested."
The strength of the British column protecting the foragers had again denuded Philadelphia of most of its defenders, and Clark again hopefully wrote to Washington on the 26th, "My spy from the city has just arrived, and informs me General Knyphausen commands in the city, and has but very few troops with him, chiefly Hessians, one Regt. of English," but the Continental Army was in no condition to take advantage of this enemy weakness. He also reported, "At Gray's Ferry" the enemy "having a very good Bridge of Boats, and chief of the hay" gathered by the foragers "is taken over it" across the Schuylkill to the city; and as the enemy had "nearly completed their business, I imagine they'll return this evening...The country people are carrying in their produce" to Philadelphia "through fear of being plundered as the enemy returns."
The enemy, however, sis not begin to retire to Philadelphia until the 27th, when a spy, in the evening, notified Clark that "Sir Wm. Howe had just arrived" in the city when the spy left it, "and the van of his army got over Schuylkill," the balance of the enemy troops following over the river on the 28th. On the 30th Clark informed Washington that all the enemy troops were over the Schuylkill "except a guard at the middle ferry. They have taken up their Bridge at Gray's, and say that as soon as they have hauled their wood from this side" of the river, "will take up that at middle ferry also, and continue boats" to transport supplies purchased from "the market people" across the river.
The balance of Clark's December 30 letter was concerned with "a set of gentry that infest the public roads between this (place) and Schuylkill; and call themselves 'volunteers'; they are under no authority, and pay no respect to persons having passes or not, and indeed are no better than so many highway robbers, and unless they are speedily removed will make many enemies of those who are now our friends...These people rob, steal, and plunder persons without distinction, and lay it on the army, and 'tis believed" by the victims "they've orders for doing so; nay, they threatened the lives of the inhabitants if they go" to the authorities "to complain." Several of Clark's spies had been accosted by these "gentry," thereby preventing his full access to information from Philadelphia.
But Clark, a sick and exhausted man, was now near the end of his immediate services to Washington. "As the armies are both gone into winter quarters," he closed this letter to the Commander-in-Chief, "I presume nothing further will be wanting in my department, therefore," as Washington had previously promised verbally, "beg your permission to visit Mrs. Clark" at York. "I shall also be much obliged to you for a letter to the President," Henry Laurens, "and Congress, with such character as you think I may deserve...the bearer will bring them (sic) to me. So soon as he returns I shall set off."
On January 2, 1778 Washington "obliged" Clark with a letter to Laurens stating that Clark "is active, sensible and enterprising and has rendered me very great assistance since the army has been in Pennsylvania by procuring me constant and certain intelligence of the motions and intentions of the Enemy. It is somewhat uncertain whether the State of the Major's health will admit of his remaining in the military line, if it should, I may perhaps have occasion to recommend him in a more particular manner to the favor of Congress at a future time." General Greene also sent a similar letter of recommendation to Congress.
These letters had their effect. On January 13 Clark, evidently recovering in health, could write to Washington from York that Congress "have appointed me an auditor with Mr. (Matthew) Clarkson, to settle and adjust the accounts of the main army." This service would be far easier than the heavy duties imposed on him in his role of chief of spies. "Whether I am equal to the task assigned to me or not, I cannot presume to say...My utmost exertions shall be tried to give general satisfaction." Since the position of Auditor had no rank in the army, he requested permission to resign his commission as Major and Aide-de-Camp to Greene, which request would be presently granted. Clark closed by thanking Washington "for all favors" which the Commander-in-Chief had bestowed on him, "but in particular manner for your letter to the President, which, with General Greene's, without any solicitation on my part, have procured me what I did not expect," i.e., the auditorship.
On January 24 Washington replied, requesting Clark to "repair as soon as you possibly can to the Army, to enter upon the duties" of Auditor, since the army accounts were in an exceedingly disordered state because of a lack of adequate supervision. Apparently Clark was unable to assume this duty until the latter part of March, however; for it was not until the 25th of that month that General Orders at Valley Forge notified the army that he and Clarkson had been appointed.
Later, Clark returned to active service, being commissioned captain in the 13th Pennsylvania Regiment, transferring to the 8th Pennsylvania on July 1, 1778, to the 1st Pennsylvania in 1781, and to the 3rd Pennsylvania in 1783. He retired June 3 of the latter year because of the recurrence of ill health, resuming his law practice in York and "adjoining districts" until his death in 1819. In the interim between the Revolution and his death he experienced one more brief military service. In 1814, with the British invasion of Maryland during the War of 1812, he volunteered as an aide to Major General Samuel Smith for the defense of Baltimore, again retiring from service when the British receded from Chesapeake Bay. There was patriotic fire in John Clark's veins that even aging could not quench.
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By John F. Reed, from The Picket Post, Valley Forge Historical Society, Winter 1976
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05-28-2004 07:37 PM
