[Illustration: Lemuel Lyon
FAC-SIMILE OF A PORTION OF THE MANUSCRIPT JOURNAL.]
April 5 1758. I Lemuel Lyon of Woodstock Inlisted under Captain David
holms of Woodstock in newingLand For this present Cannody
Expordition[1]--I Received of Captain Holms £2.0s.0d.
[Footnote 1: Canada expedition.]
May 30. Received £3,-16-0.
June, 2nd. We arrived at Colonal Maysons at 12 o'Clock and marched
from their to Landard[2] Abits & Sergent Stone treated us their--then
we marched to mansfield to Deacon Eldridgs about four o'clock--then we
marched to Bolton to Landard trils, and we gave 7d a night for horse
keeping.
[Footnote 2: Landlord. The proprietor of an inn or
tavern was universally called _landlord_. The title
is still very prevalent.]
Wednesday 7th. We had Carts to press,[3]--then we marched of from
their to Landard Strengs in Harford and from their to Landard Geds &
had raw Pork for dinner--then we marched to Landard Crews and the
Chief[4] lodges their--My mess lodged at a private house one Daniel
Catlins.
[Footnote 3: To take carts for the military
service. Under martial law, any private property
may be used for the public good. A just government
always pays a fair price for the same.]
[Footnote 4: Probably General Lyman, who was the
commander-in-chief of the Connecticut forces at
that time.]
Thursday 8th. Marched of and arived at Landard Gessels and their we
went to Brecfirst and then we marched from their to our stores in
Litchfield[5] to Squire Sheldings and then to Landard Buels and lodged
their and our Captain was sent for to a man in another Company that
had fits.
[Footnote 5: In Litchfield county, Connecticut.]
Friday 9th. Then marched from their and we had nu teams presed their
and we arrived at Landard Hollobuts in Goshen from their to widow
Leggets in Cornwell[6] and from their to Coles in Cainan[7] & lodged
their.
[Footnote 6: Cornwall.]
[Footnote 7: Canaan.]
Saturday 10th. Marched to Lawrences and from thence to Landard Bushes
in Shefield 7 mile and went to diner--thence marched and arived at one
Garnt Burges and lodged their and our Ensign went to Prayer with us--
Sonday 11th. Marched into the Paterroon Lands[8] to Landard Lovejoys &
went to diner had a hard shower then marched into Cantihook[9] to one
Hayer Carns the Stone house & lodged their & from thence to Cantihook
Town to one Bushes and slept their.
[Footnote 8: Livingston's manor, in Columbia
county. The estates of Livingston, Van Rensselaer,
and others, who received grants of land from
government, on certain conditions, in order to
encourage immigration and agriculture, were called
Patroon Lands, and the proprietors were entitled
Patroons, or patrons.]
[Footnote 9: Kinderhook.]
Monday 12th. At Cantihook.
Tuesday 13th. Marched and arived at the half way house in Albany &
Bated, & then into Green Bush[10] by Son down and lodged their in
Ranslays Barn.
[Footnote 10: Now East Albany, on the east side of
the Hudson river.]
Wednesday 14th. Stil at Albany and their I first shifted my clothes
and washed them--then we had 6 rounds of powder & ball & had orders
from Colonel Whiting to go to Senakada[11]--this day Asel Carpenter
came to Albany.
[Footnote 11: Schenectady.]
Thursday 15th. We went over the River Early to receive our rations in
provision and in money and we marched 2 Miles and stoped and refreshed
ourselves their half an hour and Lieut. Smith came up and we received
our Abilitan money.[12]
[Footnote 12: Billeting-money--that is, money to
pay for lodgings at private houses. When soldiers
are quartered at private houses, it is said that
such ones are _billeted_ at such a house, &c.]
Friday 16th. We had Prayers in our company at 3 Ock then all marched
of but 14 and they stayed here to guard Lieut Smith and the money and
yesterday Mr. Holmes sot of for Home and I giv 5 pence for carring my
letter--we stayed here til 5 oclock this afternoon and we heard
nothing from Lieut Smith and we had no provisions so we marched for
Scanacata[13] and we got in at Son down well & their was a Larrom[14]
this night.
[Footnote 13: Schenectady.]
[Footnote 14: Alarum, or alarm.]
Saturday 17th. Stil at Schenacata[15] and we moved into our Barrocks
and Barnabas Evings was taken poor with a working in the Body Ben
denny was taken very poor.
[Footnote 15: Schenectady.]
Sonday 18th. I was first called upon guard with 15 more. My turn came
first at 11 oclock--this afternoon 3 ock Lieut. Smith come up with our
abilitan money.
Monday 19th. Stil at Schenacata and their was a rigiment of province
men[16] come up to Schenacata and this night 25 of our men went over
the River west 1 mile to guard wagon Horses--this day a short training
1 Regiment.
[Footnote 16: Provincial troops, or American
soldiers. The English troops were called regulars.]
Tuesday 20th. Their marched of 3 Hundred of the Bay Forces[17] for
Fort Edward[18] and I received my abilitan in full £1.8s.0d.
[Footnote 17: Massachusetts Bay troops. The
Massachusetts colony was called _Massachusetts Bay_
until after the War for Independence.]
[Footnote 18: Fort Edward was situated upon the
east bank of the Hudson, about fifty miles north
of Albany. The fort was built by General Lyman, of
Connecticut, in 1755, while that officer was
encamped there with about six thousand troops,
awaiting the arrival of General William Johnson,
the commander-in-chief of the expedition against
the French at Ticonderoga and Crown Point. A
portion of the site of the fort is now (1854)
occupied by the flourishing village of Fort Edward.
Some of the embankments are yet visible near the
river. It was near this fort that Jane McCrea was
killed and scalped, in 1777.]
Wednesday 21st. Stil hear and we were imbodied for prayers in the
morning and then trained a little. Corperal Carpenter was taken poor.
Thursday 22d. Had orders to march to the half moon[19] and Captain
Leneses company to & at 7 oclk we marched and arivd at Tess-ceune[20]
and Lodged their at Landard Abraham Grotes.
[Footnote 19: Near Waterford, on the west side of
the Hudson river, thirteen miles north from
Albany.]
[Footnote 20: Niskayuna, a short distance from
Waterford, and remarkable as a settlement of
Shaking Quakers.]
Friday 23d. Marched in the rain and very gresy traviling it was and we
Arivd at Teburth and from thence to the place cald Lowdins Ferry[21]
to Landard Fungdors and from thence to the half moon & Lodged their.
[Footnote 21: On the Mohawk, about five miles above
Cohoes Falls. It was the chief crossing-place for
troops on their way north from Albany. There the
right wing of the American army, under Arnold, was
encamped, while General Schuyler was casting up
entrenchments at Cohoes Falls, a few weeks before
the Saratoga battles, in 1777.]
Saturday 24th. I received a Letter from John at the half moon and from
thence we marched & Arived at Stil Water[22] & Lodged their & Barnabas
Evings was poor.
[Footnote 22: Stillwater is on the west bank of the
Hudson, in Saratoga county, twenty-four miles north
from Albany. The battle of Bemis's heights was
fought near there, in 1777, and is sometimes known
as the battle of Stillwater. Opposite the mouth of
the Hoosick river, at Stillwater, was a stockade,
called Fort Winslow.]
Sonday 25th. We got 2 Battoes[23] to carry our packs up to
Salatogue[24] and we went a foot & 8 of our men were draun out to stay
at Salatogue--Captain Lewis shot at an Indian and kild him & sot in
the Battoe--from Salatogue we marched on to Fort Miller[25] and Lodged
their.
[Footnote 23: A batteau is a kind of scow or
flat-boat, used on shallow streams like the Hudson
above Waterford.]
[Footnote 24: Saratoga. This settlement was near
the mouth of the Fish creek, on the south side. The
village of Schuylerville is just across the stream,
on the north side. On the plain, in front of the
village of Schuylerville, was a regular
quadrangular fortification, with bastions, called
Fort Hardy. It was erected in 1756, and named in
honor of the governor of New York at that time.]
[Footnote 25: On the west side of the Hudson, six
or eight miles below Fort Edward. The river is
there broken by swift rapids. During this campaign,
Major (afterward General) Putnam was here surprised
by a party of Indians, and boldly descended the
rapids in a canoe, and escaped. It was a feat they
never dared to attempt, and they felt certain that
he was under the protection of the Great Spirit.
Here a stream called Bloody Run enters the Hudson.
It is so named because a party of soldiers from the
garrison, in 1759, went there to fish, were
surprised by the Indians, and nine were killed and
scalped.]
Monday 26th. Rainy and wet--I come up the River in a Battoe to Fort
Edward to the incampment--their we drad 1/2 a pound of powder and 10
Bullets a peace and 8 days provision in order for to march to the
Lake[26]--Barnabas Evings was very poor with fever nago[27] and was
forst to stay behind & David Bishop with him--we Lodged in Bush tents
and very wet it was.
[Footnote 26: Lake George.]
[Footnote 27: Fever-and-ague.]
Tuesday 27th. Marched all of Colonel Phiches[28] Regiment that were
hear with 3 teams to carry the officers we arrived at the half way
Brook[29] and their a great percel stashond for a while & from thence
we Marched to Lake George and went over upon the hill East & their
Encamptt one with myself went upon guard this night.
[Footnote 28: Fitch's.]
[Footnote 29: Afterward called Snook's creek. It
enters the Hudson three miles below Fort Edward.]
Wednesday 28th. We cleard our ground and pitchd our tents I sent 2
letters home.
Thursday 29th. Stil here General Limon[30] & Colonel Phiches Regiments
come up to the Lake this day I washed my Cloths 1 more rigiment come
up.
[Footnote 30: General Phineas Lyman, who built Fort
Edward. He was a native of Durham, Connecticut,
where he was born in 1716. He completed his
education at Yale college, and afterward became an
eminent lawyer. He was appointed commander-in-chief
of the Connecticut forces in 1755, and in the
expedition to Lake George deserved all the honor
awarded to General Johnson, who was jealous of
Lyman's abilities as a soldier. Lyman did his duty
nobly, and was but little noticed. Johnson was
unfit for his station, but being a nephew of Sir
Peter Warren, then a popular English admiral, he
received the honor of knighthood, and the sum of
twenty thousand dollars, for his services in that
campaign! General Lyman served with distinction
until the close of the campaign in 1760, and in
1762 commanded the American forces sent against
Havana. He was in England about eleven years, and,
after his return, went with his family to the
Mississippi, where he died in 1788.]
Friday 30th. This day there was a very unhapy mishap fel out in the
province forces & that was 1 **** shot one **** partly through the
body but did not kil him the man which was shot lived at Bridgwater
to day they drawd out 9 men to go in Battoes up the Lake.
Saturday July 1st. Colonel Worster[31] & his rigiment came up to day &
3 of our sick men 1 of them Brot nuse that one man shot another by
accident at Schenacata & an hour after he died to day our Chapling[32]
came up &. 1 of Magor Rogers[33] men came in that had bin gorn 7 days
& Expected to be gorn but 2 he was so beat out that he could not tel
what had becom of tother. this night I went upon a batto and guarded
Colonel Phiches Tub of Butter.
[Footnote 31: Colonel David Wooster, of
Connecticut, the eminent general of the Revolution,
who was killed at Ridgefield, while engaged in the
pursuit of Tryon, after the burning of Danbury, in
the spring of 1777. He was born in Stratford,
Connecticut, in March, 1710, graduated at Yale
college in 1738, and soon afterward received the
appointment of captain of a vessel of the
coast-guard. He was in the expedition against
Louisburg in 1745. He afterward went to England,
where he was a favorite at the court of George II.,
and received the appointment of captain in the
regular service, under Sir William Pepperell. He
was promoted to a colonelcy in 1755, and rose to
the rank of brigadier before the close of the
French and Indian war. He was one of the most
active men in getting up the expedition against
Ticonderoga, in 1775, which resulted in the capture
of that fortress, and also Crown Point, by Colonel
Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold. Wooster was
appointed one of the first brigadiers of the
continental army, in 1775, and third in rank. He
was also appointed the first major-general of the
militia of his state, when organized for the War
for Independence; and in that capacity he was
employed, with Arnold, Silliman, and others, in
repelling British invasion in 1777. He lost his
life in that service. His remains were buried at
Danbury; and in 1854 a monument was erected over
his grave by his grateful countrymen, at the
expense of his native state.]
[Footnote 32: Chaplain.]
[Footnote 33: Commander of a corps of rangers, who
performed signal services during the greater part
of the French and Indian war. He was the son of an
Irishman, an early settler of Dunbarton, in New
Hampshire. He was appointed to his command in 1755,
and was a thorough scout. In 1759, he was sent by
General Amherst to destroy the Indian village of
St. Francis. In that expedition he suffered great
hardships, but was successful. He served in the
Cherokee war in 1761, and in 1766 was appointed
governor of Michilimacinac, where he was accused of
treason, and sent to Montreal in irons. He was
acquitted, went to England, and, after suffering
imprisonment for debt, returned to America, where
he remained until the Revolution broke out. He took
up arms for the king, and in 1777 went to England,
where he died. His "Journal of the French and
Indian War" is a valuable work.]
Sonday 2. In the fore noon I went to meting & heard Mr. Eals his text
was in the 5th Chapter of James 16th verse a good sermon I rote a
letter & sent home & in the after noon to meeting again.
Monday 3d. Yesterday Mager putnoms S Company came up and this morning
Mager putnom[34] come up and the Connetticuts rigiment were Imbodied
for to learn how to form your front to the Right and left for Jineral
Abbacromba[35] and his A de Camp to vieu.
[Footnote 34: Israel Putnam, afterward the
Revolutionary general. He was born in Salem,
Massachusetts, in January, 1718. He was a vigorous
lad, and in 1739 we find him cultivating land in
Pomfret, Connecticut, the scene of his remarkable
adventure in a wolf's den, so familiar to every
reader. He was appointed to the command of some of
the first troops raised in Connecticut for the
French and Indian war in 1755, and was an active
officer during the entire period of that conflict,
especially while in command of a corps of rangers.
He was ploughing in his field when the news of the
skirmishes at Lexington and Concord reached him. He
immediately started for Boston, and, at the head of
Connecticut troops, was active in the battle of
Bunker Hill. He was one of the first four
major-generals of the continental army appointed by
Congress in June, 1775, and he was constantly on
duty in important movements until 1779, when a
partial paralysis of one side of his body disabled
him for military service. He lived in retirement
after the war, and died at Brooklyn, Windham
county, Connecticut, on the 29th of May, 1790, at
the age of seventy-two years.]
[Footnote 35: General James Abercrombie, the
commander-in-chief of the campaign. He was
descended from an ancient Scotch family, and,
because of signal services on the continent, was
promoted to the rank of major-general, the military
art having been his profession since boyhood. He
was superseded by Lord Amherst, after his defeat at
Ticonderoga, and returned to England in the spring
of 1759.]
Tuesday 4. This day I cut my hat and received my amanition and
provision for 4 days and made radey for to go on.
Wednesday 5th. This day the Army by son rise got ready for to March
and Marched of by Water, and Arived at the Saberday point[36] & stayed
their til midnight then Marched again to the first narrows & Landed
their and went down.
[Footnote 36: Sabbath-day Point. This is a fertile
little promontory, jutting out into Lake George
from the western shore, a few miles from the little
village of Hague, and surrounded by the most
picturesque scenery imaginable. It was so named, at
this time, because it was early on Sunday morning
that Abercrombie and his army left this place and
proceeded down the lake. There a small provincial
force had a desperate fight with a party of French
and Indians, in 1756, and defeated them.
Abercrombie's army went down the lake in batteaux
and whaleboats, and reached the Point just at dark.
Captain (afterward General) Stark relates that he
supped with the young lord Howe that evening, at
the Point, and that the nobleman made many anxious
inquiries about the strength of Ticonderoga, the
country to be traversed, &c., and, by his serious
demeanor, evinced a presentiment of his sad fate.
He was killed in a skirmish with a French scout two
days afterward. His body was conveyed to Albany, in
charge of Captain (afterward General) Philip
Schuyler, and buried there. He was a brother of the
admiral and general of that name, who commanded
the British naval and land forces in America in
1776.]
Thursday 6th. 12 A Clock at night we marched of again[37] & landed at
the 1st narrows & then we Marched on to the falls[38] within 2 miles
of the fort and there we was attackt by the Enemy[39] and the
Engagement held 1 hour and we kiled and took upwards of 2 & 50, & of
Captain Holmes Company we had 3 Men wounded. Sergent Cada Sergent
Armsba and Ensign Robbins & at Sondown the French come out again 5
thousand strong and our men came back again to the Landing place &
Lodged their.
[Footnote 37: "The order of march," says Major
Rogers, "exhibited a splendid military show." There
were sixteen thousand well-armed troops. Lord Howe,
in a large boat, led the van of the flotilla,
accompanied by a guard of rangers and expert
boatmen. The regular troops occupied the centre,
and the provincials the wings. The sky was clear
and starry, and not a breeze ruffled the dark
waters as they slept quietly in the shadows of the
mountains. Their oars were muffled, and, so
silently did they move on, that not a scout upon
the hills observed them; and the first intimation
that the outposts of the enemy received of their
approach was the full blaze of their scarlet
uniforms, when, soon after sunrise, they landed and
pushed on toward Ticonderoga.]
[Footnote 38: Rapids in the stream which forms the
outlet of Lake George into Lake Champlain. Here are
now extensive saw and grist mills. The distance
from the foot of Lake George to Fort Ticonderoga is
about four miles.]
[Footnote 39: The English lacked suitable guides,
and became bewildered in the dense forest that
covered the land. Lord Howe was second in command,
and led the van, preceded by Major Putnam and a
scout of one hundred men, to reconnoitre. The
French set fire to their own outpost, and
retreated. Howe and Putnam dashed on through the
woods, and in a few minutes fell in with the French
advanced guard, who were also bewildered, and were
trying to find their way to the fort. A smart
skirmish ensued, and, at the first fire, Lord Howe,
another officer, and several privates, were killed.
The French were repulsed, with a loss of about
three hundred killed, and one hundred and forty
made prisoners. The English battalions were so much
broken, confused, and fatigued, that Abercrombie
ordered them back to the landing-place, where they
bivouacked for the night.]
Friday 7th. Majer Rogers went down to the mils and drove them of there
from & kild and took upwards of 150 & at Son down the last of the Army
marched down to the Mils and Majer putnom made a Bridge over by the
Landing place this night we lodged by the Mils.
Saturday 8th. Then marched back 2 or 3 rigiments to the Landing place
to guard & help Get up Artillira and we worked all the fore noon
onloading the Battoes and at noon we set out down to the Mils with the
Artillira & we got near the Mils and we had orders to leave the
Artillira[40] their and go back & get our arms and we went down to the
Mils of our rigiment 2 Hundred were ordered to go over on the point to
keep the French from Landing their and we stayed while next morning
son 2 hours high & when we came in all our army and Artillira was gorn
back & the Mils fired and we marched back to the Landing place and had
to secure matter of 200 Barrels of Flour & we heard the French were a
coming upon us and we stove them all and come of us as soon as we
could and about 10 Ock we sot sail and & by Son down we arrived at
Lake George[41] according to all accounts the Engagement began about
10 clock and held 10 Hours steady and we lost 3 Thousand rigulars.
[Footnote 40: This was Abercrombie's fatal mistake.
He sent an engineer to reconnoitre the fort and
outworks. The engineer reported the latter to be so
weak, in an unfinished state, as to be easily
carried, without artillery, by the force of English
bayonets. The difficulties in the way of heavy
cannons, in that dense forest, were very
formidable; and Abercrombie was willing to rely
upon sword and bayonet, on the strength of his
engineer's report. That functionary was mistaken;
and when the English approached the French lines,
they found an embankment of earth and stones, eight
feet in height, strongly guarded by _abatis_, or
felled trees, with their tops outward. The English
made a furious attack, cut pathways through these
prostrate trees, and mounted the parapet. They were
instantly slain, and thus scores of Britons were
sacrificed, by discharges of heavy cannons. When
two thousand men had fallen, Abercrombie sounded a
retreat, and the whole British army made its way to
the landing-place at the foot of Lake George, with
a loss of twenty-five hundred muskets. They went up
the lake to Fort William Henry, and the wounded
were sent to Fort Edward and to Albany. At his own
solicitation, Colonel Bradstreet was sent to attack
the French fort Frontenac, where Kingston now
stands, at the foot of Lake Ontario; and General
Stanwix proceeded to erect a fort toward the
head-waters of the Mohawk, where the village of
Rome now flourishes.]
[Footnote 41: The head of the lake was especially
designated as "Lake George." There was the
dilapidated fort William Henry, built by Sir
William Johnson, in the autumn of 1755; and, about
half a mile southeast from it, Fort George was
afterward erected. The ruins of its citadel may yet
(1854) be seen.]
Monday 10th. Stil at Lake George in our old encampment 2 Cannon and 2
morter peaces all of them Brass come into Lake George to day.
Tuesday 11th. I washed my Clothes to day had Tea for Brecfirst.
Wednesday 12th. To day I was cald upon guard. Stephen Lyon went to
Fort Edward.
Thursday 13th. To day washed My Clothes.
Friday 14th. Nothing remarkable.
Saturday 15th. Nothing remarkable cald out to work.
Sonday 16th. Went to meeting to hear Mr. Pommerai[42] & his text was
in the 16th Chapter of Isaiah the 9th verce in the afternoon went to
hear Mr. Eals and his text was in 4th Chapter of Amos & the 12th verce
Sung the 45 Salm the last time sung the 44th Salm this day Colonel
Dotays Rigiment marched of.
[Footnote 42: Pomeroy.]
Monday 17th. This day Sergent Joseph Mathers had a new shirt put on of
70 stripes[43] I washed and at night was caled upon the picket guard
Barny went down to the halfway brook[44] and back again to guard
Artillira.
[Footnote 43: Flogging was facetiously termed
"putting on a new shirt." Seventy lashes was a
pretty severe punishment.]
[Footnote 44: This was the outlet of three little
lakes, situated about half way between the head of
Lake George and the bend of the Hudson at Sandy
Hill. They are the head-waters of Clear river, the
west branch of Wood creek, which empties into Lake
Champlain at Whitehall.]
Tuesday 18th. One Samuel Jonson died very suddenly he belonged to
Captain Latimer Company of new Cannen, Nehemiah Blackmore was whipt 10
stripes for fireing his gun.
Wednesday 19th. This day to work upon the Hospetal gitting timber to
it I went upon the Island[45] to stay thair a week.
[Footnote 45: This was Diamond island, lying
directly in front of Dunham's bay, and not far
from the village of Caldwell. It was so called
because of the number and beauty of quartz-crystals
found upon it. Burgoyne made it a depôt of military
stores when on his way from Canada, by the way of
Lake Champlain, in 1777. It was the scene of a
sharp conflict between the little garrison and a
party of Americans under Colonel Brown, on the 25th
of September, 1777, while Gates and Burgoyne were
confronted at Saratoga. Brown was repulsed.]
Thursday 20th. Stil at work Colonel Worster sot out to go down to
Albany and a number of men with him this morning 10 Men were a going
to the half way Brook to guard the Post and the Indians way laid them
and kild 9 of them & 1 got in safe and they rallyd out from the Brook
100 & went back to see what was the Matter and they laid wait for them
& they fired upon the front first and kiled 2 Captains and 2
Leiutenants on the spot & our men were supprised and run back all but
a few and they stood a little while & lost 17 men the engagement began
son 2 hours high about a nowr after Leiut. Smith & 200 of our men went
down to help guard the teames down to Fort Edward.
Friday 21st. This day at knight Leiut. Smith came back & very poor he
was the rest of the guard returned well.
Saturday 22d. This day Colonel Partrages[46] rigiment were resolved to
have their full Allowance or go of and they got it[47]--a small shower
& at night our post came in and our Men that stayed behind came up I
received a letter from Home.
[Footnote 46: Partridge's.]
[Footnote 47: They were volunteers.]
Sonday 23d. Went to meeting and the text was in the 3 chapter of John
& the 16 verse & in the after noon the Text was in the 6 chapter of
Micah 6 & 7 verses this day wet & hard showers.
Monday 24th. This day a week ago Ensign Robins died at Albany this day
Henry Morris came up to Lake George with 2 Waggon Loads of Rum and
sold it right of--
Tuesday 25th. Captain Holmes and 5 of our men went down to the half
way Brook to be stashoned their til Furder orders--at 9 Ock one James
Makmehoon[48] was hanged upon the galloes upon the top of the Rockka
noose[49] our post came in and I was released from the Haspital work.
[Footnote 48: M'Mahon?]
[Footnote 49: This locality can not be identified.]
Wednesday 26th. Majer putnom had orders to list 400 ranjers and listed
some to day.
Thursday 27th. This day the Captains of the Companys drawed out 9 men
of a company for ranjers.
Friday 28th. There was about 40 teams & wagons a coming up about half
way between Forte Edward and half way Brook and a scout of French &
Indians way laid them and kiled every ox and destroyed all their stors
every thing[50] and about midnight our camps were alarmd of it and
Majer putnom rallyd about a 1000 Men & went after them.
[Footnote 50: Rogers, in his Journal, speaks of
this occurrence. He says it was on the 27th, and
that one hundred and sixteen men were killed, of
whom sixteen were rangers.]
Saturday 29th. This day Rogers went upon the track with his
ranjers[51] and sent back for all the picket guard and they went &
this day I was very poor & took a portion of fizik.
[Footnote 51: He went out with seven hundred men,
to intercept the marauding party, but they
escaped.]
Sonday 30th. This morning by break of day som of Majer putnoms men
that he left with the Battoes spied some more a coming down the Lake
and they com & told & Limon rallyd up about 2000 men and went up the
Lake I was poor and went to meeting Mr. Ingarson[52] preach'd & his
text was in salms the 83 & the 14 & 15 & the after noon the text was
in Duteronemy 32 & 29 verse.
[Footnote 52: Ingersoll.]
Mon. 31st. 9 of our Newingland Men were put under guard for making a
false larrom about the battoes coming down upon us & also one regular
that Rogers took that desarted last year to the French from us.
Tuesday August 1st. Their was about 700 men went down to the Half Way
Brook to be stashond their and 8 of our company and Captain Holmes
came back.
Wednes. 2. To day Jineral Limon came in of a scout & the men that went
with him and Rogers and putnom went of a scout with 14 or 15 hundred
for 10 days[53] this day Craft died and was buried Stephen Lyon come
of scout.
[Footnote 53: Rogers says that, on his return from
his attempt to intercept the marauding party, he
was met by an express, with orders to march toward
the head of Lake Champlain, at South and East bays,
to prevent the French marching upon Fort Edward.
There he was joined by Major Putnam and Captain
Dalyell or D'Ell.]
Thurs. 3rd. Two of our men went out a fishing for 2 days but had poor
luck.
Friday 4th. We had orders to march to Fort Edward & I washed up my
clothes.
Sat. 5th. This morning about half our rigiment marched forward to
build brest Works along upon the road in some bad places we arived at
Fort Edward at 9 O clock & we Built 2 Brest works.
Sonday 6th. We drawd 3 days provision and this afternoon the Rest of
our Rigiment came down and the teams that went up the day Before we
received our pacet[54] of letters from home.
[Footnote 54: Packet.]
Monday 7th. Cap.n & all that were able to go were ordered to guard
down to Fort Miller and back again.
Tues. 8th. In the morning we were drawd out for work and worked the
fore noon then we were ordered to fix every Man in the rigiments to
make ready, to go out to help Majer putnom and we met them a coming in
about son down and we helpt them a long as far as we could & that nite
& lay out that nite & 3 of the wounded men died there and Ben Deny for
one.[55]
[Footnote 55: A severe engagement took place on
Clear river, the west branch of Wood creek, about a
mile northwest from Fort Anne village (then the
site of a picketed blockhouse, called Fort Anne),
between a party of rangers and provincials under
Rogers, Putnam, and Captain Dalyell, or D'Ell, and
about an equal number of French and Indians under
Molang, a famous partisan leader. The English
troops were marching when attacked: Putnam was in
front, with the provincials; Rogers was in the
rear, with his rangers; and D'Ell in the centre,
with the regulars. Molang attacked them in front,
and a powerful Indian rushed forward and made
Putnam a prisoner. The provincials were thrown into
great confusion, but were rallied by Lieutenant
Durkee, who was one of the victims of the Wyoming
massacre twenty years afterward. D'Ell, with Gage's
light infantry, behaved very gallantly, and the
rangers finally put the enemy to flight. The latter
lost about two hundred men. Colonel Prevost, then
in command at Fort Edward, sent out three hundred
men, with refreshments for the party, and all
arrived at Fort Edward on the 9th. This was the
relief-party mentioned in the text, under date of
the 8th.]
Wed. 9th. We got in about 8 a clock & Buried the dead & the wounded
were dresd & carried over on the Island[56] Powers came up with a load
of Settlers[57] stores and treated us well.
[Footnote 56: This is an island in the Hudson,
opposite Fort Edward, and known as Rogers's
island.]
[Footnote 57: Sutler's.]
Thur. 10th. I was cald out to work upon the Block house this day our
post went of home with our letters.
Friday 11th. We went up to guard teams to Half Way Brook and to Build
a Brest Work 36 Ox teams & 6 Wagons.
Sat. 12th. Colonel Phich[58] had a letter from Major putnom at
tiantiroge[59] he is taken prisoner.[60]
[Footnote 58: Fitch.]
[Footnote 59: Ticonderoga.]
[Footnote 60: The Indian who seized Putnam tied him
to a tree, and for a time he was exposed to the
cross-fire of the combatants. His garments were
riddled by bullets, but, strange to say, not one
touched his person. He was carried away in the
retreat, his wrists tightly bound with cords. The
Indians rejoiced over the capture of their great
enemy, and he was doomed to the torture. In the
deep forest he was stripped naked, bound to a
sapling, wood was piled high around him, the
death-songs of the savages were chanted, and the
torch was applied. Just then a heavy shower of rain
almost extinguished the flames. They were again
bursting forth with fiercer intensity, when a
French officer, informed of what was going on,
darted through the crowd of yelling savages, and
released the prisoner. He was delivered to Montcalm
at Ticonderoga, then sent to Montreal, and, after
being treated kindly, was exchanged for a prisoner
taken by Colonel Bradstreet at Frontenac.]
Son. 13th. Day the chief of our men upon duty and the rest went to
meeting the afternoon the text was in the 2nd of timothy the 1st
chapter & 10 verce.
Mon. 14. I had nothing to du I rote a letter to John.
Tues. 15. I was upon picit[61] guard & wet and stormy it was 1 of the
regalars whipt for sleping upon guard.
[Footnote 61: Picket.]
Wednesday 16. The ranjers discoverd a scout of French & com in to Fort
Edward and all that were able were ready at a minits warning to day I
sent a Letter to John Lyon.
Thursday 17th. w, p, 31 stripes stil & Nothing to do the Liev.ts fixed
up their tents.
Friday 18th. 6 of our men were ordered to go over to work upon the
Block House over the river I was raly tired at night.
Saturday 19th. I washed My clothes Col fitch at Salatogue.
Sonday 20th. We were almost all out upon duty to work at the High Ways
and in the after noon a very hard shower which sot our tents all
aflote.
Monday 21st. I went down to Fort Mizerey[62] & I heard of John Day's
death at Saletogue this day Morris came up and we lived well.
[Footnote 62: Fort Misery was a breastwork at the
mouth of Moses's kill, or creek, a short distance
from Fort Miller, on the east side of the Hudson.]
Tuesday 22d. I went up the river to look for a horse Steven & I was
cald upon picit guard.
Wednesday 23d. I went out to look oxen and was treated well 1 mans gun
went of and cut of his finger we drove out the 2 men out of the Block
House kep the great Cattle.
Thursday, 24th. I was cald out to guard up teams and to work on the
road & had a Jil of rum for it Zachariah Catlin died at Fort Edward.
Friday 25th. I was cald upon the quorter guard & we heard the great
guns that were fired at the Lake[63] they shot at a mark and our
Provinshals beat them & it made them very mad.
[Footnote 63: At Fort George, at the head of Lake
George.]
Saturday 26. David Lyon and Barnes sot out to go to Albany sick this
day they held a rigimental Court Mershal upon 3 deserters of Captain
Mathers company one William Cannody & William Clemanon were Judged to
have 1000 Lashes and to day receved 200 & 50 stripes a peace tother
was forgiven.
Sonday 27. I was out upon the works at the great Block House we were
out of provision we drawed for 7 days & but 4 gorn so the regalers
shot Pigeons and our men did so to.
Monday 28th. Every Private in our company was out upon duty that was
able, & about 4 a clock we came in and the orders were that every man
should make ready to fire 3 valleys[64] and first they fired the
cannon at the Fort one after tother round the Fort which is 21 then
the small arms & so 3 rounds a piece and then made a great fire on the
Perrade and played round it & 1 Jil of Rum a man aloud for the frollic
& a Barrel of Beer for a Company[65] & very wet knight.
[Footnote 64: Volleys.]
[Footnote 65: It was the king's birthday. The
firing of twenty-one heavy guns formed a royal
salute.]
Tuesday 29th. Very wet in the Morning then cleared of cold I went upon
duty and sent a Letter Home.
Friday September ye 1st. Our duty was to help git out the Cannon out
of the Bottom of the river that was dropt in by the means of going to
near the end of the Brig[66] and sunk the scows and drownd 1 ox very
cold work A woman whipt 70 stripes & drumed out of Camp.
[Footnote 66: Bridge.]
Saterday 2nd. I was cald upon the pickit guard to day last nite I went
down to Fort Misketor[67] & Smith Ainsworth treated us well.
[Footnote 67: Fort Musquito was a breastwork cast
up at the mouth of Snooks' creek.]
Sonday 3rd. I was out upon the escort and every man upon som duty I
went to meeting part of the fore noon and the text was in acts 24 & 25
Charles Ripla was put in Ensign.
Monday 4th. Our Post sot of home I went down to Fort Misketor to guard
teams and the Post and the Lobster's[68] and our men hopt &
rassled[69] together to see which would beat and our men Beat.
[Footnote 68: This was a nickname for the regular
troops, who were dressed in scarlet uniforms.]
[Footnote 69: Wrestled.]
Tuesday 5th. Stil & Nothing strange.
Wednesday 6th. Most all of our men upon duty I was to work a making a
road to go up to the great Block House.
Thursday 7th. All our men out upon works guardin teams a great number
of them nigh 100 & when we came back their was a scout com in to Fort
Edward that went out from the Lake they discoverd nothing.
Friday 8th. This day sergent Erls went out to Fort An[70] after the
Con-nu[71] & Lieut. Larnard & Ephraim Ellinghood Knap & John Richason
and Jeb Brooks & Hezekiah Carpenter they 6 of our company 40 in all
went along I went to work at the high way & had half a pint of Rum
for it.
[Footnote 70: Fort Anne was erected in 1757, a year
before the occurrences here narrated took place. It
was a strong blockhouse of logs, with portholes for
cannon and loopholes for musketry, and surrounded
by a picket of pine-saplings. When the writer
visited the spot in 1848, he dug up the part of one
of the pickets yet remaining in the earth, and, on
splitting it, it emitted the pleasant odor of a
fresh pine-log, though ninety years had elapsed
since it was placed there. This fort was near the
bank of Wood creek, about eleven miles from the
head of Lake Champlain, at the village of
Whitehall. It was in the line of Burgoyne's march
toward the Hudson, in 1777; and near it quite a
severe skirmish took place between Colonel Long, of
Schuyler's army, and a British detachment under
Colonel Hill, on the 8th of July, the day after
Ticonderoga was abandoned to the enemy. Victory was
almost within the grasp of Colonel Long, when his
ammunition failed, and he was compelled to
retreat.]
[Footnote 71: Canoe.]
Saterday 9th. I was warned a quarter guard and I changed with Moses
Peak and went upon the Escort & got in by 12 a clock I was warned out
to work but did not do much sergent Erls com in with his Con-nu--and
the Jineral was much pleased with it.
Sonday 10. I was upon guard but went to meeting a part of the fore
noon and the text was in the 24 of Acts & 25 verce & the Afternoon the
text was in James the 6th & 12 verce.
Monday 11. I took 4 days provision & Josh Barrit and one ranjer with
me & we went out near fort An and we spied a fire and som person and
we com back and made our report to the Jeneral & he blamed us som and
said we should have a new pilot and go again. Jo Downer put under
guard.
Tuesday 12th. I was freed from duty and we went & split out som plank
to du up our tent.
Wednesday 13th. To work in the Fort a wheeling gravel all day 4
regulars whipt in Fort som for gaming & one for being absent after
being warned upon guard.
Thursday 14th. I was warned on Escort down to Mizzery[72] and flankt
all the day Tuesday 12 at night there was 2 Bonfires & 2 Barrels of
Rum aloud for the Rejoicing of Broad Street's taking Catarocrway.[73]
[Footnote 72: Fort Misery.]
[Footnote 73: The Indian name of the site of Fort
Frontenac (where Kingston, Upper Canada, now
stands), taken by Colonel Bradstreet, was
Cataraqua. That was also the Indian name for Lake
Ontario.]
Friday 15th. Day I was to work over upon the Island & worked hard a
shovling dirt &c Ephraim Ellinghood taken poorly.
Saturday 16th. Day I went to cuting fassheens[74] & stented 4 a peace
in half a day & 12 stakes.
[Footnote 74: Fascines--bundles of sticks, mixed
with earth, and used for filling ditches in the
construction of forts.]
Sonday 17th. All our men upon works Mr. Pomri[75] preachd 1 sermon &
his text in James Chapter 5th & 12 verce Stephen child had a post to
Albany and sot out this day one regular com in that was a fishing at
half way Brook.
[Footnote 75: Pomeroy.]
Monday 18th. I was to work over to the Block House and took my Farewel
of working their & all our sick were drawd up & som dischargd.
Tuesday 19th. 4 of our company had a final discharge from the Campain
& sot of home Seth Bassit Jonathan Corbin John Peak & Silas Hoges.
Wednesday 20th. Stil Here the main of us & Nothing remarkable only
almost all our woodstock men came up & with great Joy we recived them
& much more the things that were sent us, I receved a letter from Ben
Lyon.
Thursday 21st. Nothing remarkable this day.
Friday 22nd. Our Woodstock Old melisha[76] sot out home & Lieutenant
Smith & Corperal Peak & William Mercy & Samuel Leavins had a pass to
Albany and went with them along down and Many more that did not Belong
to our Company.
[Footnote 76: Militia.]
Saturday 23d. Our Post came up and I received a Letter from home.
Sonday 24th. Mr. Pomry[77] preachd one sermon in the middle of the day
so that the work men might Have som opportunity to hear som his text
was in Ezekiel the 37 Chapter & 36 verce I was to work upon the Island
& I heard part of the sermon.[78]
[Footnote 77: Pomeroy.]
[Footnote 78: The channel between Rogers's island,
on which the great blockhouse was built, and Fort
Edward, does not exceed two hundred feet in width.]
Monday 25. Nothing remarkable only Stephen Lyon got hurt Samuel Morris
& Chub went down along to Albany.
Tuesday 26th. One scout went out for 3 days this day a great number of
teams came down from the Lake.
Wednesday 27th. The Thompson men that came up to see us sot out for
newingland and sergent Cromba had a pass to Albany & went down along.
Thursday 28th. Nothing remarkable only the scout came in that went out
for 3 days.
Friday 29th. Nothing remarkable only very long orders &c.
Saturday 30th. Nothing remarkable only the crissning[79] of the Royal
Block House and the whole of our rigiment that were able went over to
work and had a good frolick to drink the Men in Jeneral worked well at
the intrenching round the Block House the trench 3 foot deep.
[Footnote 79: Christening.]
Sonday October ye 1st. Nothing remarkable but somthing very strange, &
that is the Camps were so stil and no work going foward nor no prayers
nor no sermon & a Jil of Rum into the Bargain this we had from the
Jenerals our month promised to us yesterday Mr. Pomri went down to
Seratoga to see his son that was sick and to day he come back &c.
Monday ye 2nd. All the rigiment that were able to work went over to
the Block House besides what wos upon guard and they were divided into
4 parties and they that got don first was to have the Best fat sheep 1
sheep to each party I was upon the grass Guard & at night I found it
very tedious Lying out for it stormed exceding hard all night.
Tuesday ye 3rd. Our mes being all of duty we made us up 2 Straw bunks
for 4 of us to lay in and as it hapened we did it in a good time for
it was a very cold night.
Wednesday ye 4th. Being very cold Corperal Sanger & Eliezer Child had
a pas down to Albany & Likewise a small scout went for Number four &
we made our chimney serjant Kimbal was broke and turned into the
ranks.
Thursday 5th. Jeneral Ambross[80] arrived at Fort Edward about 12 a
clock & immediately he went of to the Lake nothing more remarkable to
day.
[Footnote 80: General Amherst.]
Friday 6th. Henry Lyon and Ephraim Ellinghood poorly and cleared from
duty 3 men whipt about 3 hundred lashes apeace & 1 woman 2 & 50
Lashes on bear rump.
Saterday 7th. Our Picket went up toward the Half way brook to meet
jeneral Ambros[81] & about 3 a clock he arrived at Fort Edward and at
2 a clock the picket went down with him again and his wagon & 6
horses.
[Footnote 81: Amherst.]
Sonday 8. In the fore noon all our men upon works in the afternoon we
were aloud to attend meeting & Mr Pomy[82] Preached one sermon & his
text was in Ezekiel 36 & 37 verce our family this day had a great
rariryty for diner and that was a Bild Puden.
[Footnote 82: Pomeroy.]
Monday 9. Nothing remarkable among us this day.
Tuesday 10. I was upon Guard and a very stormy day & Night it was
orders came out strickt that all fires should be put out by 8 of the
clock in the morning and not to have no more til 6 at night & they
that dont obey the orders are to have their chimney tore down & not to
have no other during this campaign Colonel Fitch lost a Barrel of
wine.
Wednesday 11th. Stil warm & wet som of our Rigiment discharged Home
but none of our company.
Thursday 12. A very clear cold morning all our men upon works & upon
guard that were able Colonel Harts Rigiment of the Hampshier march
down to Fort Edward in order for Home.
Friday 13th. All our men upon works again to day 3 dischargd vis
Richard jordin, Stephen Lyon & John Howlet, at night 300 of the Bay
men came down sick & 2 of them that carrad their packs died in the
night.
Saturday 14th. All warned out upon works but the stormy wether defeted
them in it the Regulars which came down from the Lake with us have
orders to march next friday down along in order for their winter
quorters at Hallefax[83] this night the sentry which stood at the
Southerd of the store House spied a man a gitting of Flour and he
haild him 3 times but he would not stop and the sentry fired but did
not hit him & in his hurry he left his tom me hawk[84] & one shoe.
[Footnote 83: Halifax, Nova Scotia.]
[Footnote 84: Tomahawk.]
Sonday ye 15. Very cold all upon works & guard by son rise this
evening their came in a great number of teams & Samuel Peak Brought
the malancoly news of Stephen Childs being Kilde and skulpt[85] and
another Captivated I was out upon the grass guard.
[Footnote 85: Scalped.]
Monday 16th. All upon works & all the teams sot of for the Lake 12 men
taken from the quorter guard to guard teams this evening there came in
a great number of waggons and hundred or better.
Tuesday 17th. Being very pleasant in the Morning then showery & wet
all the rest of the day til 10 a clock at knight--about 12 oclock at
night the teams came in with the Artillira--this day a number of our
men went down to Fort Miller in battoes to carry the sick and Cap.ns
Bag went down & the men stayed out.
Wednesday 18th. Being cold the teams sot out for the Lake--about 40 of
the Kings waggons--this afternoon their was a Lobster[86] Corperel
married to a Road Island whore--our men came in from Fort Miller.
[Footnote 86: British regular.]
Thursday 19th. Our rigiment was mustered by 9 a clock in the morning &
our Brigade-major cald over the role of each company and after that we
had a drink of flip[87] for working over at the Royal Block House--at
one of the clock our men were all calld to work--A Court morshol held
at Capt. Holmes tent & Captain Holmes President & at the role of the
Pickit guard their was one Isac Ellis whipt 30 stripes--was to had
50--Col. Henmans[88] men came in loaded with Artillira stores.
[Footnote 87: A mixture of beer and rum, warmed by
thrusting a hot iron into it.]
[Footnote 88: Hinman's.]
Friday 20th. Cold stil & our men all upon works--this afternoon Lieut.
Smith came up to us again from Green Bush, & Shubal child came to his
team.
Saturday ye 21st. Still cold--in the morning our men cald out to work
by sonrise or before & 6 of our company viz. David Bishop Ephraim
Ellingwood Samuel Mercey Nathaniel Abbott David Jewet and Drake
marched of with their Packs--this night their came down a great number
of teams from ye Lake here loded with cannon Balls and Bum shells.
Likewise a number of sick came down.
Sonday 22. The teams set out for ye Lake again--I was upon the quarter
guard--a large number of sick sot out for Home & it yet held cold &
at night it cleared of very clear & stil but very fresing cold & a
black frost.
Monday ye 23rd. I come of guard--Clerk Burrows began his Month with
bess--at night 3 rigiments of Province men came down from ye Lake &
Lodged in the wood near the uper Block House--a number of teames down
from ye Lake Loaded with Artilliry stores.
Tuesday 24th. A number of teames started for ye Lake again--I received
2 Letters from Capt. Benjamin Lyon & 1 from Joshua--the Post came up
yesterday to Fort Edward--This day our drawing & we had good pork--3
rigiments of Bay men moved down along which was Colonel Pribbels[89]
Colonel Williams & Colonel Nichols.
[Footnote 89: Prebles.]
Wednesday 25th. Jineral Abbacromba arived at Fort Edward near night
and all our rigiment there were of duty were ordered to be out upon
the perrade with their side arms on but the jineral for Bid it--Col.l
Partrages rigiment came down & some of the Lather caps & stayed Here.
Thursday ye 26th. Stormy morning--snow pretty wet & raw cold--I went
upon the pickit last night and had one Quort of rum for keeping sheep.
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"
[Illustration: Horn]