[Illustration: A Journal for 1775 in Wrentham April the 19 Samuel Haws
FAC-SIMILE OF A PORTION OF THE MANUSCRIPT JOURNAL.]
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.]