Chapter L: Military Journal for 1758 (2)

Friday 27th. Being lowry & wet one of our men Discharged home & sot of--Nathaniel Barnes a number of teams sot out for the Brook & returned again before son down.

Saterday 28th. Being stil cold all our men turned out to work son rise & that want a Nuf & they sent for every weighter[90] & every one that belongs to the rigiment--a number of teams sot out down Home ward & 3 of our company went with them viz. Sergt. Armsba Jonathan Child and Pain Convis--this after noon the orders came out that every setler[91] that Belongs to the Provinshols should Quit this place by the first of November.

[Footnote 90: Waiter.]

[Footnote 91: Sutler.]

Sonday ye 29th. Rany & wet--about 9 o clock in the morning Every man in the Rigiment that could go went to the falls[92] to help Draw down the battoes and very muddy it was.

[Footnote 92: The "third fall," as it was called,
in the Hudson, at Sandy Hill.]

Monday ye 30th. Being very pleasant in the morning we were all turned out after Battoes up to the falls & we went twice apeace.

Tuesday ye 31st. All our men turned out by the Revallies[93] Beating to go after Battoes & jineral Provorce[94] was out amongst our tents to help turn us out & he said it was the last work we should do that was flung up to day--I went upon the Quarter guard at noon and they got down all the Battoes.

[Footnote 93: Reveillé.]

[Footnote 94: Provost.]

Wednesday November ye 1st. Lowry & wet I come of guard our men all upon works & 3 rigiments of our Conneticuts came down about noon & Colonel Whitings had orders to go over to the Royal Block House and their to remain til further orders and tother 2 rigiments Sot of Home in Battoes & 2 or 3 rigiments of lobsters--we had orders com out that we should have 2 days to clean up in & to set for Home on Sonday--this day I wrote a Letter & sent to John.

Thursday ye 2nd. Very cold--our men turned out to cutting fashheens & the orders were that it was the last days work that we should do.

Friday ye 3d. Very cold--our men all turned out upon works notwith Standing yesterdays promise--our men had but poor incouragements to work & laid but Little weight to what the jineral promised them for he said the first man that disobeyed his orders again should be shot to death whatsoever soldier or officer.

Saturday 4th. I was orderly after the jineral & our men all to work a drawing in Canon into the fort & our quorter guard was not releaved til after noon & after that orders com out that we should strike our tents by 8 oclock and be ready to march by 9--one Cimbals got his discharge from the regular service to day.

Sonday ye 5th. Being very cold it began to rain so that we were detained but Colonel Whiting Marched of--rainy all day Long--we had orders to be ready to march at 7 Oclock in the morning.

Monday ye 6th. Cloudy stil--at 8 Oclock we struck our tents & at 9 aclock we marched of & about half after 12 we arrivd at Fort Miller and made a little stop then marched again and arived at Saratoga Son about one hour high & made no stop their but marched on about 3 mile & Encampt in the woods.

Friday ye 10th. Very stormy & snow in the Morning--we drawd 2 days alowance of provissions but no money and about 2 o clock we sot out from Green Bush & arivd at Cantihook Town about ten a clock at knight--13 of us & Lieutenant Larnard.

Saturday 11th. From thence we marched son two Hours high & arivd at John Hug gar Booms[95] & revived our selves a little & bought som rum that belonged to Colonel Whitens Rigiment & from thence to Love Joys & went to supper & from thence to Robberses & lodged their in the Patterroon lands.[96]

[Footnote 95: Hogeboom's.]

[Footnote 96: See note 8.]

Sonday 12th. Being stil cold we sot out at Son rise & arived at Bushes in Sheffield and had a good brecfirst & their was moore with Horses & from thence to Larrances & revivd our selves their--to Coles & thence to Seggick in Cornwel & then to Wilcocks in Goshen & Lodged their.

Monday 13th. Cold--I com up to Holleboate & sent my Pack a long from goshen & then we marched and arived at Litchfield & then to Herrintown to Wiers & from their to Strongs in Farmingtown & Lodged their.

Tuesday 14th. Very cold & frosty--marched 5 mile through the Meadows & went to Brecfast and com to Mercies and stayed their & capt.n Holmes came up.

Wednesday 15th. We marched & arived at Chenys in Bolton and from thence we marched and Arived at Lees in covantry[97] & Lodged their--very rainy Stephen Lyon met us with the Horses.

[Footnote 97: Coventry.]

Thursday 16th. Being warm & pleasant we arived at Woodstock.

NOTE.--The soldiers had, necessarily, a great deal of leisure
during permanent camp-duties, and contrived various ways to amuse
themselves, and "kill time." In those days the common soldiers
carried their powder in the horns of cows or oxen, and many
amused themselves by ornamenting them by a skilful use of their
knives. Below is a specimen of one of these ornamented horns,
prepared during the campaign of 1758. Upon it is neatly cut the
figure of a fortified building (a part of which is seen in the
engraving), the owner's name, and a verse, as follows:--

"Eluathan Ives His Horn, Made at Lake George, September ye 22d,
Ad. 1758.

"I, powder, With My Brother Baul
A Hero like do Conquer All.
Steel not this Horn For Fear of Shame
For on it is the Oners name.
The Roos is Red, the Grass is Green--
The Days Are past Which I Have Seen"

A JOURNAL FOR 1775, A. D.

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.

The following is a literal transcript of a Journal kept by a common soldier named SAMUEL HAWS, of Wrentham, Massachusetts, who appears to have been one of the _minute-men_, organized toward the close of 1774 and early in 1775. At that time there were about three thousand British troops in Boston, under General Thomas Gage, who was also governor of the colony of Massachusetts. He was popularly regarded as an oppressor; and act after act of the British government, during a year preceding, had convinced the American people that they must choose the alternative to submit or fight. They resolved to fight, if necessary. During the summer of 1774, the people commenced arming, and training themselves in military exercises; the manufacture of arms and gunpowder was encouraged; and throughout Massachusetts, in particular, the people were enrolled in companies, and prepared to take up arms at a moment's warning. From this circumstance they were called "MINUTE-MEN."

With his strong force, Gage felt quite certain that he could suppress the threatened insurrection, and keep the people quiet. Yet he felt uneasy concerning the gathering of ammunition and stores by the patriots at Concord, sixteen miles from Boston; and on the night of the 18th of April, 1775, he sent a detachment of soldiers to seize them. They proceeded by the way of Lexington, where they arrived at dawn of the 19th. The expedition became known, and the country was aroused. When the British approached Lexington, they were confronted by about seventy minute-men. A skirmish ensued: eight patriots were killed, and several were wounded. _That was the first bloodshed of the Revolution._ The British then went on to Concord, to seize the stores, where they were again confronted by minute-men. Indeed, they had been annoyed all the way by them, as they fired from behind buildings, stone-walls, and trees. They destroyed the stores, and in a skirmish killed several more American citizens. The country was now thoroughly aroused, and the minute-men hastened toward Lexington and Concord from all directions. The British found it necessary to retreat, and nothing saved the whole troop sent out the night before from utter destruction, but a strong reinforcement under Lord Percy. The whole body retreated hastily to Charlestown, and across to Boston, with a loss, in killed and wounded, of two hundred and seventy-three men. Intelligence of the tragedy soon spread over the country, and from the hills and valleys of New England thousands of men, armed and unarmed, hastened toward Boston, and formed that force (of which our Journalist was one) that, for nine months, kept the British army prisoners upon the peninsulas of Boston and Charlestown. By common consent, Artemas Ward, a soldier of the French and Indian war, was made commander-in-chief, and he performed the duties of that office with zeal until he was superseded by Washington, early in July, 1775.

A JOURNAL FOR 1775.

WRENTHAM,[98] April the 19.

About one a clock the minute men[99] were alarmed and met at Landlord Moons We marched from there the sun about half an our high towards Roxbury for we heard that the regulars had gone out and had killed six men and had wounded Some more that was at Lexinton then the kings troops proceded to concord and there they were Defeated and Drove Back fiting as they went they gat to charlstown hill that night[100] We marched to headens at Walpole[101] and their got a little refreshment and from their we marched to Doctor cheneys and their we got some victuals and Drink and from thence we marched to Landlord clises at Dedham[102] and their captain parson and company joined us and then we marched to Jays and their captain Boyd and company joined us and we marched to Landlord Whitings we taried their about one hour and then we marched to richardes and Searched the house and found Ebenezer aldis and one pery who we supposed to Be torys and we searched them and found Several Letters about them which they were a going to cary to Nathan aldis in Boston but makeing them promis reformation We let them go home then marching forward we met colonel graton[103] returning from the engagement which was the Day before and he Said that he would be with us amediately then we marched to Jamicai plain[104] their we heard that the regulars Were a coming over the neck[105] then we striped of our coats and marched on with good courage to Colonel Williams and their we heard to the contrary We staid their some time and refreshed our Selves and then marched to Roxbury parade and their we had as much Liquor as we wanted and every man drawd three Biscuit which were taken from the regulars[106] the day before which were hard enough for flints We lay on our arms until towards night and then we repaired to Mr. Slaks house and at night Six men were draughted out for the main guard nothing strange that night.

[Footnote 98: In Norfolk county, Massachusetts,
thirty-two miles southwest from Boston.]

[Footnote 99: See introductory remarks. The
skirmishes at Lexington and Concord occurred early
in the morning of this day.]

[Footnote 100: See introductory remarks.]

[Footnote 101: Twenty-one miles from Boston.]

[Footnote 102: Thirteen miles from Boston.]

[Footnote 103: Colonel John Greaton. He was a bold
officer, and commanded a corps which performed a
sort of ranger service. At this time he was only a
major. In June following he carried off about eight
hundred sheep and lambs, and some cattle, from Deer
island. About that time he was promoted to the rank
of colonel. In the middle of July, he led one
hundred and thirty-six men, in whaleboats, to
destroy forage and other property on Long island,
in Boston harbor; and at one time he captured a
barge belonging to a British man-of-war. In April,
1776, he accompanied General Thompson to Canada. He
was promoted to the rank of brigadier in the
continental army, in January, 1783.]

[Footnote 104: Jamaica Plain, six miles from
Boston.]

[Footnote 105: The isthmus that connected the
peninsula of Boston with the main, at Roxbury.]

[Footnote 106: The British soldiers were all called
regulars. This word denotes soldiers belonging to
the regular army, as distinguished from militia.]

D 21. Nothing remarkable this day.

D 22. Nothing Strange this D nor comical.

D 23. Being Sabath day we marched on to the parade their was an alarm this night but it prouved to be a falce one Some of our men went to Weymoth.[107]

[Footnote 107: Twelve miles southeast from Boston.]

D 24. Nothing strange to day.

D 25. Nothing remarkable to day.

D 26. We were guarded and a party draughted out for the mane guard.

D 27. The inlistment came out to inlist men for the masechusetts Service Some of our minute men inlisted the Same day but captain Pond went home and several of his company they went as far as Doctor cheanys that night and the next morning reached home on monday the company were called together in order to inlist men Lietunant messenger with a party went down to Roxbury and we Still remaing in Mr. Slaks house also on the same day their war four tories caried throug roxbury[108] to cambrigg[109] from marshfield[110] and their was a great Shouting when they came through the camp.[111]

[Footnote 108: One mile from Boston.]

[Footnote 109: Three miles northwest from Boston.]

[Footnote 110: Thirty-one miles southeast from
Boston.]

[Footnote 111: Tories were those who adhered to the
British. It is a name derived from the vocabulary
of English politics in the time of Charles II. A
_tory_, then, was an adherent of the crown; a
_whig_ was an opposer of the government. The word
was first used in America about 1770.]

D 28. This day our regement paraded and went through the manuel exesise then we grounded our firelocks and every man set down by their arms and one abial Petty axedentely discharged his peace and shot two Balls through the Body of one asa cheany through his Left side and rite rist he Lived about 24 hours and then expired he belonged to Walpole[112] and he was caried their and Buried on the 30 day of April on Sunday after meting this young man was but a few days Before fired at by one main guard in atempting to pass the guard and was not hurt in the least.

[Footnote 112: Twenty-one miles southwest from
Boston.]

D 29. About nine o clock the said cheney died about fore in the afternoon We had another alarm but their was nothing done.

30th. Being the Lord's day we went to meeting and heard Mr. Adams[113] and he preached a very Sutable Sermon for the ocation.

[Footnote 113: Rev. Amos Adams, a minister at
Roxbury. He was a graduate of Harvard college. He
died of dysentery, which prevailed in the camp, at
Dorchester, on the 5th of October, 1775, in the
forty-eighth year of his age.]

MAY.

1d. Nothing very remarkable this day.

2d-11. Nothing of consequence hapened.

12-14. No great for news.

15, 16. No news worth mentioning.

17. At night their was a fire broke out in Boston ocationed by the kings troops that were a dealing out their Stores when one of the Soldiers letting a candle fall amongst some powder and set it on fire which ocationed the Destruction of a great number of Buildings and killed some Soldiers and destroyed a considerable deal of their amunition Besides a great quantity of flower.

18, 19. Nothing very remarkable.

20. Nothing strange to day.

21. Being Sunday about eight o clock we were alarmed we heard that the regulars were a landing at Dorchester Point and that there was two Lighters gone to Weymoth Loaded with the Kings troops but it was a false alarm and their was nothing done.[114]

[Footnote 114: On Sunday morning, the 21st of May,
the British commander sent two sloops and an armed
schooner to take off a quantity of hay from Grape
island. They were opposed by the people who
gathered on the point nearest the island. These
finally got two vessels afloat, went to the island,
drove the British off, burnt eighty tons of hay,
and brought off many cattle. There was some severe
fighting during the affair. Mrs. John Adams,
writing to her husband, said: "You inquire who were
at the engagement at Grape island. I may say with
truth, all of Weymouth, Braintree, and Hingham, who
were able to bear arms.... Both your brothers were
there; your younger brother with his company, who
gained honor by their good order that day. He was
one of the first to venture on board a schooner, to
land upon the island." Mr. Adams was then in the
Continental Congress, at Philadelphia.]

22. Nothing to day for news.

23-26. Nothing remarkable.

the 27. At night we heard the report of cannon and of Small arms but we could not tell from whence it was.[115]

[Footnote 115: On Saturday, May 27th, a detachment
of Americans was sent to drive all the live stock
from Hog and Noddle's islands, near Boston. They
were observed by the British, who despatched a
sloop, a schooner, and forty marines, to oppose
them. They were fired on from the vessels, and
quite severe skirmishing continued through the
night. The Americans sent for reinforcements, and,
at about nine o'clock at night, some three hundred
men and two pieces of cannon arrived, commanded by
General Putnam in person, and accompanied by Dr.
Warren as a volunteer. They compelled the British
to abandon their sloop, and the Americans took
possession of it. The British lost twenty killed
and fifty wounded. The Americans had none killed,
and only four wounded. They captured twelve swivels
and four four-pound cannon, besides clothing and
money.]

the 28. Being Sunday we were informed that the firing we heard yesterday was at Nedlers[116] Island between the Kings troops and our men, our men killed several of them and took a number of field pieces and burnt two Schooners and they did not hurt any of our men.

[Footnote 116: Noddle's.]

the 29. Nothing remarkable this day.

the 30. Captain Ponds company moved to comodore Lorings house.[117]

[Footnote 117: Probably the house of Joshua Loring,
jr., near Roxbury, who was a violent loyalist.
General Gage made him sole auctioneer in Boston. He
was afterward commissary of prisoners in New York.
His wife is referred to in Hopkinson's poem, "_The
Battle of the Kegs_."]

the 31. Being election day we drank the Ladies health and success.

June the 1. Nothing remarkable hapened this day.

the 2-8. Nothing remarkable hapened.

the 9. We passed muster Before colonel Robinson[118] and received one months pay.

[Footnote 118: Colonel John Robinson, who was
second in command in the skirmish at Concord on the
19th of April. He commanded the detachment that
guarded Boston neck, for some time. Speaking of
that duty, Gordon remarks: "The colonel was
obliged, therefore, for the time mentioned, to
patrol the guards every night, which gave him a
round of nine miles to traverse."]

the 10. Their was a man Whiped for Stealing.

the 11. Their was a soldier died at the hospittle which was the first that had died of Sickness since we incampt the same day their was two fire Ships[119] drumed out of the rhodisland compy.

[Footnote 119: Harlots.]

the 12. Nothing Strange this day.

the 13. Dito.

the 14. The general[120] seing the reinforcement of the Kings troops come to Boston ordered the comps to be in readeness also ordered that a number of teams be imploid in carting fusheens[121] and other materials for building Brest Works this being on thursday.

[Footnote 120: General Thomas, who had command of
the right wing, extending from Roxbury to
Dorchester. General Artemas Ward was the
commander-in-chief until the arrival of Washington,
early in July.]

[Footnote 121: Fascines. See note 74.]

the 15. Nothing remarkable this day.

the 16. Nothing of consiquence this day.

the 17. It being Saturday the Kings troops Landed at charlestown and set the whole town on fire and Laid it all in ashes then they proceeded to Bunkers hill[122] where colonel putnam intrenchet and after an engagement which Lasted the afternoon the troops took the Hill and it is said that the nearest computation of the Loss of the enemy was about 1500 is killed and wounded were alarmed about one o clock that day and went down to our alarm post and we lay their all the afternoon and about six o clock the troops fired from their Brest Work on Boston neck at our people in Roxbury and we staid until the firing was over and then our regiment was ordered to cambridge to asist our forces and we reached their about twelve o clock at night and Lodged in the meting house until break of day being Sunday we turned out and marched to prosket hill[123] expecting to come to an ingagement we halted at a house at the bottom of the hill and fixed for a battle then we marched up the hill where we went to intrenching about 12 o clock Some of our men went down the hill towards the troops after Some flower and the troops fired at them and wounded David Trisdale in the shoulder and another in the Leg about 4 o clock colonel Reed[124] ordered his regiment to march to roxbury and we arived their about sunset very weary.

[Footnote 122: This is a mistake. It was Breed's
hill, nearer Charlestown and Boston than Bunker's
hill. Colonel William Prescott, and not General
Putnam, was entrenched there, and was in command
during the engagement. He had been sent with a
company, the night before, about a thousand strong,
to throw up a redoubt on Bunker's hill. He made a
mistake, and performed the work on Breed's hill.
The British had no suspicion of the work that went
on during that sultry June night, and were greatly
alarmed when they saw a formidable breastwork
overlooking their shipping in the harbor, and
menacing the city. During the engagement, General
Putnam was on Bunker's hill, urging on
reinforcements for Prescott. Dr. Warren, just
appointed major-general, joined Prescott as a
volunteer during the battle, and was mortally
wounded just as the conflict ended. It must be
remembered that the writer of this Journal was in
General Thomas's division, which did not
participate in the battle of the 17th of June.]

[Footnote 123: Prospect hill. The Americans
retreated from Breed's and Bunker's hills to Winter
and Prospect hills, and Cambridge. The remains of
the American entrenchments on Prospect hill were
demolished in 1817.]

[Footnote 124: Colonel James Reed, of New
Hampshire. He was active in the battle of the 17th.
He was a brave officer, and was at the head of a
regiment at Ticonderoga the following year.]

the 19. Nothing remarkable this day.

the 20. Dito.

the 21. Nothing worth a mentioning.

the 22. Dito.

the 23. Nothing remarkable to day.

the 24. The enemy fired again upon Roxbury about 3 o clock and the guards fired upon each other and their was one man killed and we were alarmed.[125]

[Footnote 125: The Americans were alarmed on the
24th by indications that the whole British army in
Boston was about to force its way across Boston
neck. At noon they commenced throwing bombshells
into Roxbury, but the alert soldiers prevented
damage from them, and saved the town. Colonel
Miller, of Rhode Island, said in a letter--"Such
was the courage of our men, that they would go and
take up a burning carcass or bomb, and take out the
fuse!"]

the 25. Sunday Nothing remarkable.

the 26. This morning very early our men went to set Browns house on fire but did not efect it.[126]

[Footnote 126: The house and barns of Thomas Brown
were on the neck, about a mile from Roxbury
meeting-house, and were occupied by the British
advanced guard. Two Americans tried to set fire to
the barn on the 24th, and were killed.]

the 27. Nothing remarkable this day.

the 28. We moved to a little house that capt Bligs formerly Lived in but we Soon moved from there to Slaks house again.

the 29. Nothing remarkable this day.

the 30. Nothing hapened only there was a Smart shower.

JULY.

the 1. Nothing remarkable this day.

the 2. Dito.[127]

[Footnote 127: The British again hurled some shells
into Roxbury on Sunday, the 2d of July, but the
extent of the damage was setting fire to one house,
which was consumed.]

the 3. Dito.[128]

[Footnote 128: George Washington was chosen
commander-in-chief of the continental armies on the
15th of June, 1775. He set out for the headquarters
of the army at Cambridge on the 21st, reached there
on the 2d of July, and took formal command of the
army on the morning of the 3d.]

the 4. Their was a flag of truce come out of town to our centry on the neck.

the 5. Nothing worth a mentioning to day.

the 6. Nothing remarkable this day.

the 7. Early in the morning we were alarmed and all of us repaired to our alarm Post and we had not been their Long before we Saw Browns house and Barn on fire and they were both consumed[129] these were Set on fire by some of our brave ameracans and they took one gun and too Bagonets and one halbert.

[Footnote 129: A party of volunteers, under Majors
Tupper and Crane, attacked the British advanced
guards, drove them in, and set fire to Brown's
house. They took several muskets, and retreated
without loss.]

the 8, 9. Nothing remarkable.

the 10. About Eleven o clock their was a party of Soldier sent to germantown[130] to get some whale Boats they marched down their that night the next night being clear they set out for Long island and arived there in a Short time then they Plundred the island and took from thence 19 head of horned cattle and a number of Sheep and three Swine[131] also eighteen priseners and amongst them were three women.

[Footnote 130: It is impossible to identify this
place. A letter, dated on the 12th, says, "We have
just got, over land from Cape Cod, a large fleet of
whaleboats," &c., &c. The place alluded to in the
text was probably near Boston.]

[Footnote 131: This party went from Roxbury camp.
The report says that they brought from Long island
"fifteen prisoners, two hundred sheep, nineteen
cattle, thirteen horses, and three hogs." The
prisoners were taken to Concord.]

the 11. Nothing remarkable this day.

the 12. Major Tupper and his company returned to Roxbury with their prisoners and the same day their was a Party draughted out to go to Long island to burn the Buildings their when they were atacked by the Kings troops and had a smart engagement[132] but we Lost but one man and he belonged to Captain Persons company of Stoughton.[133]

[Footnote 132. The party under Colonel Greaton,
mentioned in a preceding note.]

[Footnote 133: Twenty miles south from Boston.]

the 13. Nothing remarkable this day.

the 14. Nothing remarkable untill night and then their was a man killed at the main guard with a canon Ball.

the 15-17. Nothing remarkable.

the 18. Nothing remarkable this day.[134]

[Footnote 134: A strong party of Americans took
possession of an advanced post in Roxbury, upon
which the British kept up an incessant fire.]

the 19. We had an alarm and we went to our alarm Post and stayed their about one hour and could not discover any thing and so we returned to our Baracks again.

the 20. Their was a man killed who belonged to captain Bachelors company in Col Reeds Regiment he was killed by a guns going accidentely of, he was shot about Seven o clock and died about nine o clock the same night his name was Wood Belonged to upton[135] he was about 24 or 25 years of age.[136]

[Footnote 135: Upton is thirty-five miles southwest
from Boston.]

[Footnote 136: The 20th was observed throughout the
camps as a day of fasting and prayer. Before
daylight that morning, a party from Heath's
regiment landed on Nantasket point, set fire to the
lighthouse, and brought away a thousand bushels of
barley and a quantity of hay.]

the 21-24. Nothing remarkable.

the 25. Our Regement with four more were under arms and marched towards cambridg to meet general Ward.

the 26. General Heaths regement moved from Dorchester to cambridg and Jeneral Wards regement moved from cambridg to Dorchester and took general Heath's Baracks.

the 27. Nothing remarkable this day.

the 28. Dito.

the 29. Nothing bad.

the 30. Being Sunday we had an alarm and went to our Fort[137] the same day there was a party of men draughted out to go to the Light house and major tupper was comander of the party.[138]

[Footnote 137: This was a very strong quadrangular
work, on the highest eminence in Roxbury. It had
four bastions, and in every respect was a regular
work. It is now well preserved, the embankments
being from six to fifteen feet in height from
without.]

[Footnote 138: On that day the British, five
hundred strong, marched over the neck, and built a
slight breastwork to cover their guard. The
American camp was in alarm all the day, and that
night the troops lay on their arms. The tories in
Boston were also alarmed, for they dreaded an
invasion of the city by their exasperated
countrymen.]

the 31. This day major tupper and his men returned to Roxbury with between thirty and forty prisoners some regulars and some torys and some mariens[139] and had something of a battle and we lost one man and another wounded and our men Burnt the Light house and took some plunder[140] thar was an alarm the firing began first at the floating Battery and then at the Brest Work and then the troops marched out and set the george tavern[141] on fire our men took one prisoner and the same night one of the enemy deserted and came to our centrys at Dorchester point and brought away with him too guns and too cartridg Boxes and 60 rounds of cartridgs all in good order and their was several more deserted to cambridg the same night.

[Footnote 139: Marines.]

[Footnote 140: The British commenced rebuilding the
lighthouse on Nantasket point. Major Tupper, with
three hundred men, attacked the working-party,
killed ten or twelve men, and took the rest
prisoners. He then demolished the works, but,
before he could leave, some armed boats came to
oppose him. In the skirmishing that ensued,
fifty-three of the British were killed or captured.
Tupper lost one man killed, and two wounded.]

[Footnote 141: A party of British troops sallied
out toward Roxbury, drove in the American pickets,
and burned the tavern which was situated upon the
portion of the neck nearest Roxbury.]

AUGUST DOMINA 1775.

the 1. The floating Battery[142] went up towards Brookline fort[143] then our men perceiving her move they began to fire at her out of colonel Reeds fort untill they drove her back to her old place the same day they fired from Roxbury hill fort and it was said that they fired through their Baracks.

[Footnote 142: When the British built their
breastwork on the neck, the Sunday previous, they
had a floating battery brought into Charles river,
and moored it within three hundred yards of
Sewall's point.]

[Footnote 143: The Brookline fort was on Sewall's
point, between Roxbury and Cambridge. It commanded
the entrance to Charles river.]

the 2. Nothing remarkable this day.

the 3. Dito.

the 4. Nothing remarkable to day only I went to the main guard and the enemy fired at us as we came up.

the 5. Dito.

the 6. Being Sunday nothing remarkable at night I went on the piquet guard.

the 7. Nothing strange.

the 8. Dito.

the 9. Nothing remarkable this day only I went upon fatigue.

the 10. Nothing strange We had a great rain.

the 11. Their was three men whipt for deserting they were whipt ten stripes apiece they belonged to the conecticut forces.

the 12. Nothing remarkable to day I went upon fatigue to Dorchester.[144]

[Footnote 144: The village and church of Dorchester
was four miles from Boston. The heights of
Dorchester are in what is now called South Boston.]

the 13. Being Sunday we went to Hear Mr. Willard[145] and after Meting our Men went to Entrench down at the George tavern and About Brake of day they got Hom.

[Footnote 145: Joseph Willard, D.D., who was made
president of Harvard college in December, 1781. He
died in New Bedford, in 1804, at the age of
sixty-four years.]

14. Their was Nothing Remarcable I went upon fatigue down to the George tavern.

15. Two Oclock this Afternoon when the Lobsters[146] fired on our guards which was returned by our Roxbury fort the fireing was continued for some time but how much to their Damag we dont know one of our men was slitely wounded their fireing was from a floating Batery and it is thought would have killed one or too men if they had not have Lain down for the Ball passed within about 4 foot of our Barack the night passed without any alarm.

[Footnote 146: A nickname given to the British
regulars, on account of their red suits. They were
so called in England, as early as the time of Queen
Anne.]

the 16. This day they fired at our main guard but no material Damage was done the remaining part of their mallice seemed to be postponed to a future season our american guard kept their ground and the night passed without any alarm &c. &c.

the 17. About nine Oclock the enemy fired upon our main guard and fatigue men they through 4 Balls and 2 Bombs and one of the Balls struck 2 guns which belonged to the main guard and the men had them on their Shoulders but did not hurt them much.

the 18. Behold their Spite this morning before the sun rise the enemy fired at our working party on the neck this side the george tavern our rifle men fired at them and it is thought killed too of them but notwithstanding all their fireing of balls and bombs though some of them came so near that it could hardly be called an escape yet their was not one man wounded on our side one bomb was thrown in the evening but did no Damage one of the enemy came to our centrys and is now in our guard house.

the 19. I went upon fatigue the morning began with fireing from the wicked enemy at our guard but did no hurt in the afternoon they rifle men fired at the enemy and they enemy at them and they wounded one of the rifle men in the foot Slitely but what Damage we did them is uncertain let this Suffice for a short acount of the tranactions of the 19 day.

the 20. I went upon the main guard at night our boats went up with in gun Shot of the comon[147] and alarmed them by fireing Several guns and then returned without any Loss on our side.

[Footnote 147: The large park, known as Boston
Common, extended down to the water's edge, before
the flats were filled in.]

the 21. Nothing remarkable hapened this day at night one of the enemy deserted and came to us.

the 22. We paraded nothing remarkable I went down to the piquet.

the 23, 24. Nothing remarkable.

the 25. A flag of truce came out of town but for what I dont know.

the 26. This morning their was a man ran away from the floating battery.

the 27. Being Sunday but they make such a fireing over at Bunkers hill that it seems to be more Like the Kings birth day than Sunday but what Sucksess they have had we are not able to determine but we heard that they killed too men and wounded 3 or 4 four more[148]

[Footnote 148: About nine o'clock on Sunday
morning, the 27th, the British opened a heavy
cannonade from Bunker's hill (where they had built
a strong redoubt), and from a ship and floating
battery in Mystic river. The firing was directed
upon the American works on Winter, Prospect, and
Ploughed hills. They continued to bombard these
works daily until the 10th of September.]

the 28. But they still hold up their firing at Bunkers hill nothing more remarkable this day.

the 29. I went upon the piquet down to the george tavern and the enemy fired several small arms at us but did us no Damage.

the 30. Very rainy nothing extraordinary this day.

the 31. Nothing extraordinary this day only it was rainy at night Lieutenant Foster and four men went down to the piquet.[149]

[Footnote 149: There was a famous tree in Boston,
under which the patriots had often held meetings
since the time of the stamp-act excitement. On that
account it was called "Liberty-Tree." It was a
noble elm, and stood at the corner of the present
Washington and Essex streets. On the 31st of
August, 1775, the British cut it down, with no
apparent motive but the indulgence of petty spite.
An eye-witness of the event says: "After a long
spell of laughing and grinning, sweating, swearing,
and foaming, with malice diabolical, they cut down
a tree, because it bore the name of liberty." A
tory soldier was killed by its fall. A poet of the
day wrote:--

"A tory soldier, on its topmost limb--
The Genius of the Shade looked stern at him,
And marked him out that same hour to dine
Where unsnuffed lamps burn low at Pluto's shrine.
Then tripped his feet from off their cautious stand:
Pale turned the wretch--he spread each helpless hand,
But spread in vain--with headlong force he fell,
Nor stopped descending till he stopped in hell!"]

SEPTEM.

the 1. This morning very early just past one o clock the enemy began to fire from their Brest Work and their floating batery which ocationed an alarm their fireing Semed to be at our main guard and piquet they fired a number of guns and threw several bombs and they were permitted to kill too men the one belongd to Col Huntingtons[150] Regement and the other belonged to col Davidsons Regement and one of the riflemen was slitely wounded but see the Providence of god in it when 6 or 7 hundred men were before the mouths of their canon there was but too men killed We should not have thought it strange if they had killed 20 considering the Situation that they were in too of the regulars centrys deserted about a hour before the firing began this was the smartest fireing that ever has been this campaign in the afternoon they fired upon our fatigue party but did no Damage also about Sunset there was several guns fired on board the Ships there was several Ships came in to the harbour thus far the proceding of the 1 day.

[Footnote 150: Colonel Jedediah Huntington, of
Norwich, Connecticut. The British now seemed
determined to make a general assault upon the
besiegers, and a heavy cannonade was opened
simultaneously upon the Americans at Roxbury and in
the vicinity of Cambridge.]

the 2. I went down to the right hand of the burying place and we had not been their Long before we were ordered of and the canon began to play upon the enemy from Roxbury fort on the hill and the field peices from the brest work in the thicket the ocation of our mens fireing upon them was this they had advanced about 30 or 40 rods this side their other brest work on the neck and were intrenching their[151] they fired several guns at us but did us no Damage in the afternoon we went down to our work again expecting every moment when they would fire at us but they never fired one gun in the afternoon at night thir was a platform caried down to the thicket in order to mount a canon their Nothing more remarkable to day.

[Footnote 151: They threw up a slight breastwork a
little in advance of their lines on the neck, and
not far from the George tavern.]

the 3. Being Sunday we turned out about day and went to our alarm post and it rained and we cam home and John coleman drinkt 3 pints cyder at one draught nothing more remarkable this day.

the 4. We turned out this morning before day and went to our alarm post nothing remarkable this day at night I went upon the piquet down to Lambs Dam[152] nothing more remarkable.

[Footnote 152: Lamb's dam was between Roxbury and
Dorchester. There the Americans completed a strong
work on the 10th of September, and mounted four
eighteen-pounders.]

the 5. Nothing remarkable only Benjamin Mc Lain sent home 10 Letters at one draught by Lieutenant Bacon and Lieutenant Foster had Likt to have been put under guard for playing ball.

the 6. Nothing remarkable this day at Night our men went down below the george tavern for a safe guard for the centrys.

the 7. We turned out early this morning and went to our alarm post and had a smart scrimmage[153] with no enemy and this day I went upon the creek guard several Ships sailed out of the harbour old White was buried and their was much joy.[154]

[Footnote 153: Skirmish.]

[Footnote 154: We can not explain this local
allusion.]

the 8. Came of the creek guard and nothing remarkable hapned onely they enemy fired at our fatigue party but did no damage at night upon the door guard.

the 9. In the morning the enemy fired upon our fatigue party but did them no Damage in the afternoon I went upon fatigue at night our men caried Several canon down into the thicket to the brest works their.[155]

[Footnote 155: The breastworks in the thicket were
the Roxbury lines of fortifications in advance of
the fort.]

the 10. Being Sunday our men went on fatigue and the enemy fired upon them and broke three guns that were paraded but hurt no man at night their was a man deserted from cambridg and went to the enemy.

the 11. We turned out and went to our alarm post and Ensign Parot shook one of his men for disobying orders this day their was a boat drove ashore belonging to the regulars and a Seargent and 5 men on board and they were all taken prisoners at night I went upon the piquet and was almost frozen to Death.

the 12. Our men went down to Lambs Dam to entrenching not above half a mile from the enemys brest work but nothing remarkable hapened.

the 13. Colonel Clap officer of the day our men took this day 26 prisoners in mistick[156] river as we heard.

[Footnote 156: Mystic.]

the 14. This morning I went upon fatigue down in the Street[157] and the enemy fired one shot at us and struck the brest work but did no Damage captain Pond[158] comanded of the party.

[Footnote 157: The road leading from Roxbury across
the neck into Boston.]

[Footnote 158: Captain Pond was from New Hampshire,
and was an officer in Colonel Stark's regiment.]

the 15. Their was a regular and too men of wars men[159] ran away Last night and this morning nothing more remarkable their was 3 guns fired on board the Ship in cambridg Bay.

[Footnote 159: From the vessels known as
men-of-war.]

the 16. Nothing remarkable hapened only the regulars fired several Shot at our men that were upon fatigue but did no Damage.

the 17. Being Sunday I went upon the fatigue and the enemy fired several times at our men but did no Damage and they threw several Bombs.

the 18. I came of the creek guard and the enemy fired several canon at our men but killed none and onely wounded one or too slitely and Last night their was several men ran away from a man of war and toward night the enemy fired several Shots from the Ship in cambridg bay and our men fired one Shot from Prospect hill at the Ship in the Bay but did not strike her.

the 19. The enemy began to fire about eight oclock into the street but did no damage except slitely wounding one or too at night I went upon the piquet and Nothing remarkable hapened also their was a man put under guard for comeing on to the parade Drunk.

the 20. Nothing remarkable hapened this day the enemy fired one shot at our fatigue party but did no damage they fired over at Bunkers hill and threw several Bombs.

the 21. Last night I was on the door guard and this morning the enemy fired small arms at our men but did no Damage in the afternoon they fired canon but to no purpose.

the 22. Last night I was upon the door guard this being the Kings crownation[160] the enemy fired a number of canon and toward night they put in balls but did no damage.

[Footnote 160: Coronation. George III. and his wife
Charlotte were crowned on the 22d of September,
1761. It was always a holyday next to that of the
king's birthday.]

the 23. I went upon fatigue down in the street and the Enemy began to fire at us about 9 oclock and fired without intermition for some time bie the best acounts they fired above one hundred balls and our men fired 3 canon from our brest work near Lams Damb and one of the balls went into Boston amongst the housen but through the good hand of Devine providence in all their firing they did not kill one man nor wound any except one or too slitely.[161]

[Footnote 161: Frothingham says: "On the 23d, the
British discharged one hundred and eight cannon and
mortars on the works at Roxbury without doing any
damage."]

the 24. Being Sunday we went to meting and heard a fine Sermon from psalms 14-11 this day our men went on fatigue as usual but the enemy did not fire upon them.

the 25. I went on fatigue down in the thicket in the forenoon and at noon I was taken not well and did not go in the afternoon our men fired three field peices at the enemy but what execution they did we canot determine nothing more.

the 26. Nothing remarkable hapened this day onely their was 200 men draughted out to go to the governors Island to take some cattle.

the 27. Our men went to the Island and took 12 head of Cattle and 2 horses and came of without any Molestation[162] at night I went upon the piquet and it rained very hard and we turnd in to the housen and La their Colonel Clap[163] was officer of the piquet.

[Footnote 162: This expedition was under Major
Tupper. They burnt a fine pleasure-boat just ready
to be launched, belonging to some British
officers.]

[Footnote 163: Of the Rhode Island "Army of
Observation," under General Greene.]

the 28. Nothing remarkable hapened this day there was too guns fired from the ship in Cambrige Bay.

the 29. This day the Ship sailed out of cambridge Bay and their was another came and took her place at night I went on the piquet without any supper nothing remarkable.

the 30. This morning our men fired one field peice as the regulars came to relieve their main guard and that afronted them and they began to fire their canon from their brest work and floating Batry and they fired about 30 canon but did no damage also last night their was too regulars deserted and came to our centrys on the neck nothing more remarkable this day.

OCTOBER A 1775.

the 1. Being Sunday I went to meting up to the conecticut forces and Mr. Wilard preacht a Sermon from chronicles the 20th chapter 10-11-12 v also in the afternoon Mr. Wilard preachd a sermon from 1st of corrintheans 15 ch 54 &. 55 vers, also Last night their was six mareens dessrtd from on board the Scarborough.[164]

[Footnote 164: This was a sloop-of-war, carrying
twenty guns.]

the 2. Nothing remarkable hapned this day General Thomas Brigade passt Mustter about Sunset as our piquet paraded on the grand parade the enemy fired 3 or 4 shots up to the meeting house one of the balls went through the shed by the Providence tavern but did no damage of consequence at night our chimney Swallow went on the piquet for nothing and found himself.

the 3. Nothing remarkable hapened this day at night I went upon the piquet.

the 4. We past muster nothing remarkble hapened this day onely their was four of the enemy deserted at night.

the 5. Nothing remarkable hapened this day onely their was 5 or 6 prisoners went through the camp that were taken at Dartmouth[165] on board the prize that our men took.

[Footnote 165: He probably refers to the prisoners
taken in the armed schooner _Margaretta_, at
Machias, Maine, in the month of May, by some
Americans under Jeremiah O'Brien; or they may have
been of the crew of two small cruisers afterward
captured by O'Brien. They were taken to Watertown,
where the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts was
in session.]

the 6. The enemy fired between 80 and 90 Canon at our men but killed nine onely cut of one mans arm and killed too cows So much for this day.

the 7. I went upon the creek guard and nothing remarkable hapned at night their was a regular deserted and the regular guard fired upon him but did not hurt him.

the 8. Being Sunday it rained and we had no preaching nothing remarkable hapned at night their was a regular deserted and came to our men and their was another set out but they were discovered and they took one of them.

the 9. About eight o clock their was a Rifle man whipt 39 stripes for Stealing and afterwards he was Drummed out of the camps if the infernal regions had ben opened and cain and Judas and Sam Haws[166] had been present their could not have ben a biger uproar.

[Footnote 166: The writer of this Journal.]

the 10. I went up on the creek guard and nothing remarkable hapened their.

the 11. Their was a Rifle man[167] Drummed out of the camps for threatning his offisers also I went to Cambridg with Boats.

[Footnote 167: These riflemen were from Maryland.
The company had been raised by order of Congress,
and placed in command of Captain Michael Cresap,
who, without a shadow of justice, was made to
figure unfavorably in the celebrated speech
attributed to Logan, the Mingo chief. Proof is
abundant that the stain put upon the character of
Cresap, by the speech of Logan from the pen of
Jefferson, was unmerited. Captain Cresap was taken
sick, and, at about the time here indicated, he
started for home, but died at New York, on the 18th
of October, 1775, at the age of thirty-three years.
His remains yet lie buried in Trinity churchyard, a
few feet from Broadway.]

the 12. This day nothing remarkable hapned only I went to work along with the general at Mr. Parkers at night I went upon the piquet.

the 13. I went a chesnuting with a number of respectable gentlemen that belonged to the army and we had a rifle frolick[168] and came home about 10 Oclock.

[Footnote 168: Shooting at a mark, for liquor.]

the 13. About 2 or 3 o clock their was one of our men taken and caried to the quarter guard for thieft abel Weatheril by name but it was made up and he was taken out at night and returned to his Duty.

the 14. This day nothing remarkable hapned.

the 15. Being Sunday I went upon fatigue down to the george tavern and their was a flag of truce went in and another came out.[169]

[Footnote 169: Communications are thus had between
belligerent armies. By common consent, as a rule of
war, a person approaching one army from another,
with a white flag, is respected as a neutral; and
to "fire upon a flag," as the phrase is when the
bearer is fired upon, is considered a great breach
of faith and honor.]

the 16. Nothing remarkable hapned Colonel Reeds Laidy came down to reveu the Regiment and treated them[170] nothing more this day.

[Footnote 170: The wives of officers often visited
permanent camps, and formed pleasant social
parties. Mrs. Washington visited her husband at
Cambridge, while he remained there. She also spent
a portion of the winter with him at Valley Forge,
and likewise at Morristown.]

the 17. I went a chesnuting up to neutown[171] and at night our floating Baterys went up towards the canon and fired 13 shots but unlucky for them one of their 9 pounders split and killed one man dead and wounded 8 more one of them it is thought mortally.

[Footnote 171: Newton, seven miles north from
Boston.]

the 18. I went upon the creek guard and John Bates was Lanch corporeal also in the afternoon their was 3 Boston men came out under pretence of fishing but they made their escape to Dorchester point.