A Nest of Rebel Pirates 

Review by George Thurmond (Georgia Society SAR)

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Mostly, we think of the American Revolution as being fought as land battles, and lots of them at that. In truth, there were a lot of other activities that developed during this amazing period in our history. Remember that the Marines got their beginning when they sailed to the Bahamas in ships known as Washington's Cruisers to raid British stores to bring back much needed arms, cannon, and gunpowder. The landing party that pulled off this valiant mission was led by Colonel Gadsden, with what became the United States Marines. Author Franklin W. Kemp published A Nest of Rebel Pirates in 1966 after considerable research on a little known part of the American Revolution - that of Privateering. Shipping was not only a normal course of commerce between England and the Colonies, but was critical to keeping the British Army and Navy supplied. Interrupting that commerce was a productive and profitable venture, especially to a little known port of Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey. Located near present day Atlantic City, the area proved to be highly successful in commandeering British ships - too successful, for Commander Henry Colins and Captain Patrick Ferguson (yes, that Ferguson) were dispatched from New York to put a stop to this activity. Ferguson was in charge of the landing party whose mission was to capture the ships docked there and destroy the port facilities at Little Egg Harbor. A few ships made a hasty get away, some sailed up river to safety, but most were caught at bay, quickly becoming the newest (or repossessed) ships in the British Navy. General Washington dispatched a newly commissioned Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski and Lt Colonel Bose, Commander of the Polish Legion Infantry to contest the landing. The British landed on October 6, 1778, after considerable difficulty with the weather and shallow water. The major battle was fought on October 15 when Ferguson led a highly successful night attack during which Colonel Bose was killed along with about 50 other Legion members of the Infantry. When Pulaski learned of the attack, he promptly led a charge to overtake Ferguson, but was out-foxed as Ferguson had the forethought to previously remove the nails in the planks of a bridge over a swampy area. It is interesting to observe that the opposing commanders at Little Egg Harbor had similar careers. Both began their military careers at an early age; both were youthful opponents at Little Egg Harbor; shortly after this encounter, both were transferred to the southern theater where they both lost their lives in battle. Strangely, both were killed in the anniversary month of Little Egg Harbor, Pulaski at age 31 on October 9, 1799 in Savannah and Ferguson at age 34 on October 7, 1780 at Kings Mountain, South Carolina. Commercial development and time has been most unkind to this historical area. Some monuments and historical markers exist, but little else remains. Of interest to Piedmont Chapter members is that Brigadier General Pulaski carried the Pulaski banner into battle at Little Egg Harbor. The twenty-inch square red banner was made for his Legion by the Moravian Sisters in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in the Spring of 1778. The banner contained the letters US for the first time and the all-seeing eye found on the great seal. In 1976, the Sisters made two replica banners, one being presented to the Sons of the American Revolution. That second banner was brought to the Pulaski Monument Rededication on October 9, 2001, and was carried by our Maryland Compatriots at the Piedmont member grave marking service for Bill Winn the following day. This is recommended reading for all who are interested in the Battles of the American Revolution. My reading was through the recommendation of Compatriot Dick Hansen, to whom I am gratefully indebted. This book is available through the Interlibrary Loan program.

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