Chapter XXIII: Letter I: have had time to write--please to mention to some of your (6)

... When we Shall Return Home is unceartain we have Been Busy a Hunting up and Disarming the Tories ever Since we Have Been Here. Have collected upwards of two Hundred Muskits with ammunition &c. We was two nights at Jamaica where I had to take Jonathan Rowland an own uncle to Roberts wife. Likewise Saml Doughty an acquaintance of Roberts. Charles Jackson is well and Desires to Be Remembered to his fammily and I Request of you to Show his wife this Letter. I Remain yours &c.,

NATHL. FITZ RANDOLPH.

HEMPSTEAD, Jan. 24th, 1776.

P.S. We proceed from Here to Oyster Bay.]

MY DEAR SPOUSE--these with my Love to you and Children may informe you of my present situation, which is that I am wounded in the head and arm but not dangerous. Should be glad that you will send me some necessary Clothing as I now remain in close confinement. I would not have you make yourself uneasy about me as I have been treated with the greatest kindness by Col. Prescott who commanded the party of King's Troops whose hands it was my misfortune to fall into. Likewise by most of the officers of the 28th and 35th Ridgements. I have been before Lord Cornwallace, who I believe looks upon my conduct nothing more than becoming a soldier--and Major Generl. Grant has for my conduct in taking his steward and stores kindly sent me word that I may send to him for any necessarys which I may want and shall be wellcome to. I would request to procure some person to bring what necessarys you may send to me and believe they will not be molested or detained if received protection. I now conclude wishing you every happyness these times can afford and remain your ever affectionate Husband,

NATHL. FITZ RANDOLPH.

ON BOARD GAURD HOUSE AT NEW BRUNSWICK Jan. 26th, 1777.

P.S. Joseph Combes is well and hearty, and desires that his brother Stephen may send him some clothes, but in particular to send a pair of Buckskin Breeches.

To Mrs. EXPERIENCE FITZ RANDOLPH--
to the care of
John Hampton
at
Woodbridge.

I make no doubt but every intelligence you have had concerning me has been favorable and wish it was in my power to send you such intelligence now--But must informe you in as few words as possible that the wound in my head is verry painfull and dangerous and am now close confined in the Provost Goal, By a positive order from Generl. Howe. I would not have you make yourself uneasy about me as it will be of But Little Service to either of us--But wish you every Happyness the world can afford and remain your ever affectionate Husband,

NATH'L. FITZ RANDOLPH.

NEW YORK Feb. 25th 1777.

P.S. Our men who are prisoners here is verry sickly and are Dying Dayly--John Parker an Indian Israel dyed here a few days ago--Please to send enclosed by some safe hand.

To Mrs. EXPERIENCE FITZ RANDOLPH
in
East Jersey.

These with my love to you and Children may informe you that I remain close Confined in the Provost Goal but in vain might attempt to discribe in a particular manner the misserys that attend the Poor Prisoners Confined in this Horrid place, they are dying dayly with (what is called here) the Goal fever but may more properly be called the Hungry fever which rages among the prisoners here confined in goals they being deprived of allmost every necessary of Life. As to the treatment I have received since a prisoner has been varrious Sometimes like a Gentleman other times like a Ruffin, have been for a week without a Surgeon to attend me. At other times have been attended by eight or ten different Surgeons in one day, But have for three weeks past had verry regular attendance. My wounds is in a fair way of doing well and am in prety good Health. Being in great haste must conclude, desireing you to make your self as happy as possible in your present Situation and wait with patience until time brings a change. I remain with sincere affection, ever your affectionate Husband,

NATHL. FITZ RANDOLPH.

NEW YORK, March 10, 1777.

P.S. David Tappin is confined in a Room where the Small Pox is and Reuben Potter has been unwell for some days past.

[Originals in possession of Captain John Coddington Kinney,
Hartford, Conn.]

[No. 57.]

EXTRACT FROM THE JOURNAL OF CAPT. JAMES MORRIS, PRISONER AT FLATBUSH, L.I.[251]

[Footnote 251: Captain James Morris was a Connecticut officer. He first entered the service as ensign in Colonel Gay's Regiment, and was engaged in the battle of Long Island. In the following year, as lieutenant, he fought at the battle of Germantown, where he was taken prisoner, and closely confined in Philadelphia until removed to Long Island. When released, in 1781, he was detailed to Scammell's Light Infantry Corps, and took part in the capture of Yorktown, Virginia. One of his letters, written from Flatbush while prisoner, is as follows:

FLATBUSH, LONG ISLAND, June 30, 1778.

Wednesday, the 17th inst., the American Prisoners of war left Philadelphia. I embarked on board the Sloop Nancy, Capt. Hill. Sailed as far as Billings Port; then went on board the Brig Minerva, Capt. Smith, in order to sail for New York. After a passage of 12 days arrived at New York, being the 28th inst. The 29th I was paroled upon Long Island, and went to live at the House of Mr. John Lott. Our treatment, both officers and soldiers, while on board the shipping, was much better than I expected; our situation was as agreeable as circumstances would admit. We had the liberty of any part of the ship, and both officers and soldiers had a supply of provisions and a gill of Rum per man per day.]

"I was put on board with the other prisoners of war [at Philadelphia] and sailed down the river Delaware, and went to New York. We were 12 days on our passage. I was then put on my parole of honour and boarded with a plain Dutch family in Kings County, at the west end of Long Island. We were confined within the limits of said County.

At Flat Bush I became acquainted with a Mr Clarkson a man of science and of a large property, he owned the most extensive private Library that I had ever known in the United States, his wife had a capacious mind and she was remarkably distinguished for her piety. Mr. Clarkson made me a welcome visitor at his house and gave me access to his library. He allowed me to take as many books as I chose and carry them to my lodgings. I there lived two years and six months devoting my time to reading. I read through a course of ancient and modern history. My exercise was hand labour and walking. I tended a garden one summer upon shares and my net profits were about twelve dollars. The next summer I obtained the use of a small piece of Land and planted it with potatoes from which my net profits were 30 dollars. I was treated with great kindness by the family with which I lived. I endeavored to be always on the pleasant side with them and to be sure, not to be wanting in my attentions to my landlady. Here I learned that the little nameless civilities and attentions were worth a great deal more than they cost me. Here I was peculiarily situated to learn the human character: for the inhabitants in this county were all attached to the British Government and said the officers paroled there were all rebels, and that they would finally be hung for their rebellion, so that if any of us received any injury or met with any abuse from the inhabitants we could have no redress we must patiently bear it. The Dutch inhabitants were uncultivated yet many of them possessed strength of mind and were intelligent. They were mostly strangers to the sympathies and tender sensibilities which so much rejoiced the heart of friends with friends and promote the happiness of society. But notwithstanding I was thus secluded from my particular friends and acquaintances yet I enjoyed my share of comfort and worldly felicity. I felt no disposition to murmer and repine in my then condition. Every day afforded me its enjoyments excepting a time when I had a pretty severe attack with the ague and fever which reduced me low. The whole term of my Captivity was three years and three months lacking one day. I was exchanged on the 3rd day of Jany 1781. I was taken from Flat Bush to New York and from thence conveyed to Elizabethtown in New Jersey and set at liberty."

[Original in possession of Hon. Dwight Morris, Bridgeport,
Conn.]

[No. 58.]

BRITISH PRISONERS TAKEN BY THE AMERICANS ON LONG ISLAND

KINGS BRIDGE, August 29, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I send to your care and safe keeping the following prisoners of war, taken on _Long Island_, on the 27th instant viz: Lieutenant _John Ragg_, of the Marines, Sergeant _David Wallace_, Corporal _Thomas Pike_ and _Edward Gibbon_, _William Smith_, _Isaac Hughs_, _Thomas Haraman_, _John Woodard_, _Edward Cavil_, _William Williams_, _William Coortney_, _Stephen Weber_, _John Smith_, _Samuel Morral_, _Thomas Sarral_, _Joseph Distant_, _Benjamin Jones_, _William Jones_, _William Pearce_, _John Hopkins_, _Henry Weston_, _Evan Evans_, and _John Morten_, Privates.

You will please to secure them in such manner as to prevent their escape, observing the order of Congress in this respect.

I am, gentlemen, with Esteem,
Your humble Servant
W. HEATH, Major General.

To the Committee of the Town of Fairfield [Conn.]

[_Force_, 5th Series, vol. i, p. 1215.]

[No. 59.]

A RETURN OF THE PRISONERS TAKEN IN YORK DURING THE CAMPAIGN 1776

[Transcriber's Note: For readability, the vertical text in the following table has been reduced to abbreviations, as follows:

Gn--Generals Co--Colonels LC--Lt. Colonels Mj--Majors Ca--Captains Lt--Lieutenants En--Ensigns Ch--Chaplains QM--Q. Masters Ad--Adjutants Su--Surgeons Cm--Comissaries Eg--Engineers WM--Wagon Masters Vo--Volunteers Pr--Privates

Other text has been abbreviated as follows:

8/27--Augt. 27th 9/15-16--Sept. 15 & 16th 10/12--Octr. 12th 11/16--Novr. 16th 11/18--Novr. 18th

L.I.--Long Island Y.I.--York Island W.P.--White Plains F.W.--Fort Washington F.L.--Fort Lee]

WHEN WHERE COMMISSIONED OFFICERS STAFF OFFICERS & PRIVATES. TAKEN Gn Co LC Mj Ca Lt En Ch QM Ad Su Cm Eg WM Vo Pr WOUNDED

8/27 L.I. 2 3 4 2 18 3 11 3 -- 1 3 -- -- -- 3 1006 9 Officers,
56 Privates.

9/15-16 Y.I. -- 1 2 3 4 7 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 354

10/12 W.P. -- -- -- -- 1 2 -- -- 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- 35

11/16 F.W. -- 4 4 5 56 107 31 1 2 2 5 2 1 1 -- 2637 6 Officers,
53 Privates.

11/18 F.L. -- -- -- -- -- 1 1 -- 1 -- 3 -- -- -- -- 99

Total 2 8 10 10 79 160 43 4 4 3 11 2 1 1 3 4131

Copy

CHATHAM Jany 30th 1777

P.S. The original taken in New Jersey sent to Govr. Brooks.

A true copy taken from the Commissary General's, & brought from York by Major Wells.

[Original among Lieut.-Col. Henshaw's papers.]

[No. 60.]

LIST OF AMERICAN OFFICERS TAKEN PRISONERS AT THE BATTLE OF LONG ISLAND[252]

[Footnote 252: The left-hand column, naming the regiments, with the rank and number of officers captured, is taken from the report of Joseph Loring, the British Commissary of Prisoners.--_Force_, 5th Series, vol i., p. 1258. The names added opposite have been collated from official rolls, published and in manuscript, unless otherwise stated in notes.]

THREE GENERALS.

_Major General_ John Sullivan, _Brigadier General_ Lord Stirling, _Brigadier General_ Nathaniel Woodhull.[253]

[Footnote 253: Reference has already been made to Gen. Woodhull and Col. Johnston in the chapter on "The Battle of Long Island."]

THREE COLONELS.

Penn. Rifle Reg't 1 Col. Samuel Miles, Penn. Musketeers 1 Col. Sam. John Atlee, New Jersey Militia 1 Col. Phillip Johnston.[254]

[Footnote 254: [Transcriber's Note: see previous footnote.]]

FOUR LIEUT.-COLONELS.

Penn. Rifle Reg't 1 [Miles'] Lt. Col. James Piper,

Penn. Militia 2 { Lt. Col. Nicholas Lutz,
{ Lt. Col Peter Kachlein,

17th Continental Regt. 1 [Huntington's] Lt. Col. Joel Clark.

THREE MAJORS.

Penn. Militia 1 [Lutz's] Maj. Edward Burd, 17th Continental Reg't 1 Maj. Browne,[255] 22d Continental Reg't 1 [Wyllys's] Maj. Levi Wells.

[Footnote 255: Huntington's regiment appears to have had no major at this date; certainly none was taken prisoner. In the return of prisoners exchanged Dec. 9, 1776, there is this memorandum in regard to Maj. Browne: "Taken on Long Island, not in arms. It is preposed that he be exchanged for Major Wells, of Connecticut."]

EIGHTEEN CAPTAINS.

Penn. Rifle Reg't 2 { Capt. Richard Brown, 1st Batt.,
{ " Wm. Peebles, 2d Batt.

Penn. Musketeers 4 [Atlee's] { Capt. Thomas Herbert,
{ " Joseph Howell,*
{ " Francis Murray,*
{ " John Nice.*

Penn. Militia 5 { _Lutz' Battalion._
{ Capt. Jacob Crowle,
{ " Joseph Heister,*
{ " Jacob Mauser.*
{
{ _Kachlein's Battalion._
{ Capt. Garret Graff,*
{ " Henry Hogenbach,*
{ " Timothy Jayne.*

The officers designated by the asterisk were exchanged Dec.
9, 1776. See list in _Penn. Archives_, Second Series, vol.
i., p. 426.

17th Continental 4 { Capt. Joseph Jewett,[256]
{ " Ozias Bissell,
{ " Jonathan Brewster,
{ " Caleb Trowbridge,
{ " Timothy Percival,
{ " Eben. F. Bissell.

Train of Artillery 1 Capt.-Lieut. John Johnston.[257] Maryland Provincials 2 [Smallwood's] Capt. Daniel Bowie.[258]

[Footnote 256: There is a discrepancy here. The English give four Captains, while Huntington's return gives six. So also in Lieutenants and Ensigns.]

[Footnote 257: This name does not appear on any roll, but no doubt Johnston was the Captain intended, no other having been taken prisoner.]

[Footnote 258: Bowie was the only Maryland Captain taken, the rest being accounted for. Possibly one of the Lieutenants--six having been taken instead of five, as the English report--was rated by mistake as a Captain.]

FORTY-THREE LIEUTENANTS.

Provincial Rifle Reg'ts 11 { _1st Battalion._
{ 1st Lieut. William Gray,*
{ " John Spear,
{ " John Davis,
{ " George Wert,
{ 2d Lieut. Joseph Triesbach,
{ " Wm. McPherson,
{ " Luke Broadhead.*
{
{ _2d Battalion._
{ 1st Lieut. Matthew Scott,*
{ " Daniel Topham,
{ Lieut. Brownlee.
{
{ _Cunningham's Regiment._
{ Lieut. Patterson.

Penn. Musketeers 1 Lieut. Walter Finney.

Penn. Militia 6 { _Lutz' Battalion._
{ Lieut. Stephen Baldy.[259]
{
{ _Kachlein's Battalion._
{ Lieut. Lewis,
{ " Medow [Middagh]
{ " Shoemaker.

17th Continental Reg't 6 { Lieut. Solomon Orcutt,
{ " Jabez Fitch, Jr.,
{ " Thomas Fanning,
{ " Solomon Makepeace,
{ " Nathaniel Gove,
{ " Jonathan Gillet.

Delaware Battalion 2 { Lieut. Jonathan Harney,
{ " Alex. Stewart.

1st Battalion N.Y. } 5 { Lieut. Edward Dunscomb,
Continental [Lasher's] } { " Robert Troup,*
{ Adj. Jeronimus Hoogland,
{ Lieut. Gerrit Van Wagenen,[260]
{ " Wm. Gilliland.

11th Battalion Continental 1 [Hitchcock's] Lieut. John Blunt.

New Jersey Militia 1 [Johnston's] 1st Lieut. John Toms.

1st Batt. Maryland } 2 { Lieut. Samuel Wright, Independents [Veazey's Co.] } { " Edward De Courcy.

Long Island Militia 2 { Lieut. Coe,[261]
{ " ----.

Train of Artillery 1 Cadet John Callender.[262]

Maryland Provincials 5 { 1st Lieut. Wm. Sterret,
{ " Joseph Butler,
{ Lieut. Hatch Dent,
{ " Walter Ridgely,
{ " Walter Muse,
{ " Edward Praul.

[Footnote 259: There was but one Lieutenant taken in Lutz's Battalion. See Rolls in _Force_, Returns of Col. Haller's regiment.]

[Footnote 260: Lieuts. Van Wagenen and Gilliland did not belong to Lasher's battalion, but were taken with Dunscomb, Troup, and Hoogland, and probably rated with them.]

[Footnote 261: In Onderdonk's Revolutionary Incidents it is stated that Coe was a Lieutenant of the troopers, and was taken the day after the battle. The other Lieutenant was taken at the time of Gen. Woodhull's capture, but his name does not appear.]

[Footnote 262: Callender is doubtless meant. He was rated as a Lieutenant afterwards, and was confined in officers' quarters.]

ELEVEN ENSIGNS.

Penn. Musketeers 4 { Ensign W. Henderson,
{ " Alexander Huston,*
{ " Michael App,*
{ " Septimus Davis.*

{ Ensign Anthony Bradford,
{ " Joseph Chapman,
{ " Cornelius Higgins,
17th Continental Reg't 5 { " John Kinsman,
{ " Elihu Lyman,
{ " Joel Gillet.

Maryland Provincials 2 { Ensign Wm. Courts,
{ " James Fernandez.

STAFF.

Adjutant 1 [Huntington's] Adj. Elisha Hopkins.

Surgeons 3 { _Miles' Battalion._
{ Dr. John Davis,
{ Dr. Joseph Davis.*
{
{ _Huntington's Regt._
{ Dr. Silas Holmes.

Volunteers 2 { Lieut. David Duncan,
{ " ---- Young.[263]

[Footnote 263: These were two Pennsylvania officers, and it is supposed that they were serving as volunteers at the battle. Their names appear in _Force_.]

[No. 61.]

LIST OF AMERICAN NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS TAKEN PRISONERS, KILLED, OR MISSING, AT THE BATTLE OF LONG ISLAND

COL. TYLER'S REGT.--TENTH CONTINENTAL [CONN.]

KILLED.--Antony Wolf. MISSING.--Samuel Everett, Amasa Pebody.

COL. HITCHCOCK'S REG'T.--ELEVENTH CONTINENTAL [R.I.]

_Captain Kimball's Company._

MISSING.--Richard Wallen.

_Captain Symond's Company._

KILLED.--John Elliott. MISSING.--Nath. Ramson, John Patten.

_Captain C. Olney's Company._

MISSING.--Caleb Herenden, Benjamin Foster, Daniel Williams, London Citizen [a negro].

_Captain Bowen's Company._

MISSING.--William Deputrin.

COL. LITTLE'S REG'T.--TWELFTH CONTINENTAL [MASS.]

_Captain Parker's Company._

KILLED.--Peter Barthrick.

_Captain Wade's Company._

MISSING.--Archelaus Puleifer.

_Captain Dodge's Company._

MISSING.--Elijah Lewis.

COL. HUNTINGTON'S REG'T.--SEVENTEENTH CONTINENTAL [CONN.]

_Captain Tyler's Company._

MISSING.--Bartlet Lewis, Elisha Benton, Sergeants; Reuben Bates, Olive Jennings, Joseph White, Jesse Swaddle, Corporals; Joseph Arnold, Joel Ballard, Azariah Benton, Lemuel Lewis, Seth Rider, John Smith, Jeremiah Sparks, Jonathan Witherd, Josiah Benton, Luke Kimball, Jonathan Barnard, James Lindsey, Privates.

_Captain Jewett's Company._

MISSING.--Stephen Otis, Rufus Tracy, Roswel Graves, Sergeants; Nathan Raymond, Peleg Edwards, Corporals; Joshua Blake, Billa Dyer, Theophilus Emerson, Jaspar Griffin, Elisha Miller, Adam Mitchel, Charles Phelps, Silas Phelps, Oliver Rude, Ebenezer Smith, Jacob Sterling, Timothy Tiffany, Peter Way, Lebbeus Wheeler, Nathan Wood, David Yarrington, Duron Whittlesey, William Eluther, Zadock Pratt, Eliphalet Reynolds, Rufus Cone, Privates.

_Captain Trowbridge's Company._

MISSING.--Daniel Ingalls, Daniel Farnham, Moses Smith, Sergeants; George Gordon, Levi Farnham, Corporals; Silas Bottom, Drum-Major; William Bedlock, Alexander Brine, Joseph Clarke, John Colegrove, Luke Durfee, George Forster, Caleb Green, John Gardner, Ebenezer Keyes, John Kingsbury; Robert Lithgow, Benjamin Lounsbury, Ishmael Moffit, Joseph Munsur, Daniel Malone, Solomon Mears, John Pollard, Stephen Potter, Joseph Russell, Allen Richards, Monday Smith, David Saunders, John Talmage, William Turner, John Thomas, Samuel White, John Winter, Privates.

_Captain Ozias Bissell's Company._

MISSING.--Ebenezer Wright, Howard Moulton, Sergeants; Freegrace Billings, Nathan Barney, Abner Belding, Seth Belding, Daniel Church, Lemuel Deming, George Edwards, Thomas Green, Jesse Judson, David Lindsey, Michael Mitchel, Samuel Moulton, Joseph A. Minot, Giles Nott, James Price, Jonathan Price, Benjamin Ripnor, Timothy Risley, Joel Skinner, Daniel Thomas, Robert Wallas, Privates.

_Captain Brewster's Company._

MISSING.--Theophilus Huntington, Sergeant; Jabez Avery, William Button, Corporals; Simon Armstrong, Jesse Barnet, Joseph Ellis, Asa Fox, Samuel Fuller, Elijah Hammond, Solomon Huntley, Sanford Herrick, Luther Japhet, John Lewis, Thomas Matterson, Rufus Parke, Amasa Pride, Jehiel Pettis, Roger Packard, Samuel Tallman, John Vandeusen, Calvin Waterman, John Williams, Privates.

_Captain Percival's Company._

MISSING.--Roger Coit, Uriah Hungerford, Rous Bly, [killed,] Sergeants. Samuel Agard, Daniel Bartholomew, Silas Bates, John Bray, David Brown, Solomon Carrington, John Curtis, John Dutton, Daniel Freeman, Gad Fuller, Abel Hart, Jason Hart, Timothy Isham, Azariah Lothrop, John Moody, Timothy Percival, Isaac Potter, Elijah Rose, Elijah Stanton, Benjamin Tubbs, Abraham Yarrington, Jesse Roberts, Privates.

_Captain Fitch Bissel's Company._

MISSING.--Cornelius Russell, Eleazer House, Hezekiah Haydon, Sergeants; Samuel Bordman, Aaron Porter, Elisha Boardman, Corporals; Robert Newcomb, Drummer; John Atwood, Orias Atwood, William Craddock, Ira Clark, Roderick Clark, Lemuel Fuller, Abner Fuller, Roger Tyler, Carmi Higley, Erastus Humphy, Jonathan Halladay, John Willson, John White, John Fletcher, Privates.

_Captain Hubbard's Company._

MISSING.--William Talmage, Samuel Skinner, William Parsons, Ebenezer Coe, Sergeants; Eleazer Brooks, Samuel Buck, Jr., Cornelius Coverling, Aaron Drake, Benjamin Hills, Alexander Ingham, Elias Leet, Levi Loveland, Elijah Roberts, Reuben Shipman, Samuel Strictland, Seth Turner, Nathan Whiting, Job Wetmore, Privates.

COL. JONATHAN WARD'S REG'T.--TWENTY-FIRST CONTINENTAL [MASS.].

_Captain King's Company._

MISSING.--Moses Whitney, James Barker, Privates.

_Captain Bartlet's Company._

MISSING.--Cornelius Warren, Private.

COL. WYLLYS' REG'T.--TWENTY-SECOND CONTINENTAL [CONN.].

_Captain Pettibone's Company._

MISSING.--William Gaylord, Private.

_Captain Scott's Company._

MISSING.--Eliezur Loveland, Private.

_Captain Wright's Company._

MISSING.--Joel Taylor, Private.

_Major Holdridge's Company._

MISSING.--Abner Rider, Sherman Shadduck, Elijah Smith, Joseph Watrous, Privates.

_Captain Mills' Company._

MISSING.--Robert Lusk, Jonathan Ingham, Privates.

COL. MILES' REG'T.--[PENN.][264]

[Footnote 264: The returns of the losses in the Pennsylvania regiments, as here given, are copied from the original manuscript rolls in the public archives of that State. I am indebted to the Hon. John A. Linn, Assistant Secretary of the Commonwealth, Harrisburg, not only for the authenticated copies, but for several of the documents in