Yorktown, 25 October, 1777.
This town is a small one, not larger than Plymouth. There are in it two
German Churches, the one Lutheran, the other Calvinistical. The
congregations are pretty numerous and their attendance upon public
worship is decent. It is remarkable that the Germans, wherever they are
found, are careful to maintain the public worship, which is more than
can be said of the other denominations of Christians, this way. There is
one Church here, erected by the joint contributions of Episcopalians and
Presbyterians, but the minister, who is a missionary, is confined for
Toryism, so that they have had for a long time no public worship.
Congress have appointed two chaplains, Mr. White and Mr. Duffield, the
former of whom, an Episcopalian, is arrived, and opens Congress with
prayers every day. The latter is expected every hour. Mr. Duche, I am
sorry to inform you, has turned out an apostate and a traitor. Poor man!
I pity his weakness and detest his wickedness.
As to news, we are yet in a painful suspense about affairs at the
northward, but from Philadelphia we have accounts that are very
pleasing. Commodore Hazelwood with his galleys and Lieutenant-colonel
Smith in the garrison of Fort Mifflin have behaved in a manner the most
gallant and glorious. They have defended the river and the fort with a
firmness and perseverance which does honor to human nature. If the news
from the northward is true, Mr. Howe will scarcely venture upon
winter-quarters in Philadelphia. We are waiting for news from Rhode
Island.
I am wearied with the life I lead, and long for the joys of my family.
God grant I may enjoy it in peace. Peace is my dear delight. War has no
charms for me. If I live much longer in banishment I shall scarcely know
my own children. Tell my little ones that if they will be very good,
papa will come home.