General Joseph Martin Chapter

Cumberland Gap, TN

 


Cumberland Gap Patriot



Johannes Schlosser

 
Johannes Schlosser was born in Lebanon County Pa, the son of German Immigrants. By 1775, Schlosser had moved to Maryland.  In June, 1775, at the age of 21, Schlosser joined the Maryland Militia in the cause of freedom and to fight the British. He was first sent to Perth Amboy NJ to help guard the New Jersey coast from invasion from England. He stayed there until August 1776, when he ordered to Long Island New York to participate in the upcoming battle there.
  On August 27, 1776, the Maryland militia was positioned near the Delaware Continentals on the Right Flank near Flatbush road on Long Island. The night before, The British forced a Tavern keeper to show them a route around the American lines so they could sneak up behind them and attack them from the rear. At 6Am the next morning, the British surprised the Americans by attacking them in a frontal assault on their left flank and by attacking their rear simultaneous. The left and center defense of the Continentals disintegrated in the surprise attack. The Hessians and British Highlanders bayoneted most of the Continentals to death. This put the right flank where the Maryland militia was located in a difficult position making it nearly impossible to escape. Most of the Maryland Continentals and militia retreated with the Delaware continentals while 250 Maryland Militia decided to stay and fight the British allowing the rest of the Continental army to escape. This 250 Maryland Militia led by Mordecai Gist being out numbered 25 to 1 attacked over 6500 British and Hessian troops six times in a frontal assault . Out of the 250 men Only 10 would survive.
The battle of Long Island was the worst defeat of The Continental army in the Northern Campaign. Most military analyst believe if Washington had  placed troops from his Virginia light horse Infantry in a position to guard the rear the surprise attack would not have happened. Also General Nathaniel Greene was deathly sick that day and unable to participate in the battle. Had he been able to participate, the out come of the battle may have been different.
  The next battle Schlosser would participate in was the battle of White Plains NY on October 28, 1776. Schlosser and the Maryland Militia were under the command of Col Haslett and were positioned on Chatterton Hill.  At the start of the Battle the British 17 Dragoon charged up the 180 feet high hill. It was the first Cavalry charge of the American Revolution. The Americans were forced to retreat and cross the Delaware River into PA.
The next battle Schlosser would participate in was the battle of Trenton NJ on December 26, 1776. The time period between December 25, 1776 when Washington crossed the Delaware River and January 3, 1777 at the Battle of Princeton are considered the ten most critical days of the American Revolution. During these 10 days, Washington would cross an Ice field river which most of his aides thought was impossible and win victories at Trenton and Princeton.
 On December 5, 1776, Schlosser would arrive in Pa under the command of General Cadwalder. During the battle of Trenton, the Maryland militia supposing was to attack a British garrison south of Trenton to act as a diversionary Tactic. The Maryland Militia was unable to attack the garrison because their cannon got stuck in the mud.
 Meanwhile at the Battle of Trenton, Washington attacked the Hessian Garrison under the command of Col Johann Rall. The Hessians were paid mercenaries in the British Army. King George III paid the princes of Germany over 100 thousand pounds (about 150000 dollars) for use of their troops. The Hessians were in a drunken stupor from their Christmas party the night before. When the Continentals attacked the garrison at 8 am most was still asleep.
 When the Hessians heard the alarms of attack they sprang to their cannons but were unable to fire them because the powder was wet from the heavy snowfall from the night before. The Hessians soon surrendered.
 At the end of the battle the Hessians had 22 killed, 92 wounded. The American had 4 killed but 3 froze to death on the march to Trenton because they were barefooted.
 The next battle Schlosser would participate in was the Battle of Brandywine Pa In September 1777.  At 4pm, The Maryland Militia under the command of General Sullivan was attacked by a brigade of Hessian Grenadiers. Schlosser was severely wounded in this battle. It would be the last battle he would participate in.
 In 1779, Schlosser would marry Christina Johannes (Johns). They would have 6 children from this union. In 1799, Schlosser would move to Harlan County Ky. While at Harlan, his children changed their last name to Slusher and decided to stay there until this date.  By 1835 Schlosser had moved to Montgomery County VA when he died on June 1840. Today most of Schlosser descendents live in Harlan and Bell county KY. Area
 

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