 Part 14 of the Military Journals of Two Private Soldiers, 1758-1775 This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org Recording by FNH The Military Journals of Two Private Soldiers, 1758-1775 By Abraham Tomlinson Part 14 The Ten 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 there was a man deserted from Cambridge and went to the enemy. The 11 We turned out and went to our alarm post and Enzine Parrot shook one of his men for disobeying orders. This day there was a boat drove ashore belonging to the regulars and a sergeant and five men on board and they were all taken prisoners. At night I went upon picket and was almost frozen to death. The 12 Our men went down to Lamb's Dam to entrenching not above half a mile from the enemy's breastwork but nothing remarkable happened. The 13 Colonel Clap, officer of the day, our men took this day 26 prisoners from Mystic, Mystic river as we heard. The 14 This morning I went upon fatigue down in the street the road leading from Roxbury across the neck into Boston and the enemy fired one shot at us and struck the breastwork but did no damage. Captain Pond Captain Pond was from New Hampshire and was an officer in Colonel Stark's regiment commanded of the party. The 15 There was a regular and two men of war's men from the vessels known as men of war ran away last night and this morning nothing more remarkable. There was three guns fired on board the ship in Cambridge Bay. The 16 Nothing remarkable happened. Only the regulars fired several shots 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 cannon at our men but killed none and only wounded one or two slightly and last night there were several men ran away from a man of war and towards night the enemy fired several shots from the ship in Cambridge Bay but 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 o'clock into the street but did no damage except slightly wounding one or two. At night I went upon the picket and nothing remarkable happened. Also there was a man put under guard for coming onto the parade drunk. The 20 Nothing remarkable happened 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 cannon but to no purpose. The 22 Last night I was upon the door guard, this being the king's crown nation. Coronation. George III and his wife Charlotte were crowned on the 22nd of September 1761. It was always a holiday next to that of the king's birthday. The enemy fired a number of cannon and towards night they put in balls but did no damage. The 23 I went upon fatigue down in the street and the enemy began to fire at us about nine o'clock and fired without intermission for some time. By the best accounts they fired above one hundred balls and our men fired three cannon from our breast work near Lambs Dam and one of the balls went into Boston amongst the housing but through the good hand of divine providence in all their firing they did not kill one man nor wound any except one or two slightly. Frothingham says on the 23rd the British discharged 108 cannon and mortars on the works at Roxbury without doing any damage. The 24 Being Sunday we went to meeting and heard a fine sermon from Psalms 1411. 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 pieces at the enemy but what execution they did we cannot determine nothing more. The 26 Nothing remarkable happened this day. Suddenly there was two hundred men drafted out to go to the governor's island to take some cattle. The 27 Our men went out to the island and took twelve head of cattle and two horses and came without any molestation. This expedition was under major tupper. They burnt a fine pleasure boat just ready to be launched belonging to some British officers. At night I went upon the picket and it rained very hard and we turned into the housing and lacurnal clap of the Rhode Island Army of Observation under General Green was officer of the picket. The 28 Nothing remarkable happened this day. There was two guns fired from the ship in Cambridge Bay. The 29 This day the ship sailed out of Cambridge Bay and there was another came and took a place at night. I went on the picket without any supper. Nothing remarkable. The 30 This morning our men fired one field piece as the regulars came to relieve their main guard and that affronted them and they began to fire their cannon from their breast work and floating battery and they fired about 30 cannon but did no damage. Also last night there was two regulars deserted and came to our sentries on the neck. Nothing more remarkable this day. October A 1775 The 1 Being Sunday I went to meeting up to the Connecticut forces and Mr. Willard preached a sermon from Chronicles the 20th chapter 10 11 12. V also in the afternoon Mr. Willard preached a sermon from 1st of Corinthians 15 chapter 54 and 55 verses. Also last night there was six Marines deserted from on board the Scarborough. This was a sloop of war carrying 20 guns. The 2 Nothing remarkable happened this day. General Thomas Brigade passed muster about sunset as our picket paraded on the grand parade the enemy fired three or four 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 picket for nothing and found himself. The 3 Nothing remarkable happened this day. At night I went upon the picket. The 4 We passed muster. Nothing remarkable happened this day. Only there was four of the enemy deserted at night. The 5 Nothing remarkable happened this day. Only there was five or six prisoners went through the camp that were taken at Dartmouth. He probably refers to the prisoners taken in the armed schooner Marguerita at Macaius, 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. On board the prize that our men took. The 6 The enemy fired between 80 and 90 cannon at our men but killed nine only. Cut off one man's arm and killed two cows. So much for this day. The 7 I went upon the creek guard and nothing remarkable happened. At night there was a regular deserted and the regular guard fired upon him but did not hurt him. End of Part 14 Recording by FNH Please visit my blog at felbrigg that's f-e-l-b-r-i-g-g dot blogspot dot com Part 15 Of the military journals of two private soldiers, 1758, 1775. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information on to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by FNH The military journals of two private soldiers 1758, 1775 by Abraham Tomlinson. Part 15 The 8 Being Sunday it rained and we had no preaching. Nothing remarkable happened. At night there was a regular deserted and came to our men and there was another set out but they were discovered and they took one of them. The 9 About eight o'clock there was a rifleman whipped 39 stripes for stealing and afterwards he was drummed out of the camps. If the infernal regions had been opened and Cain and Judas and Sam Hawks, the writer of this journal had been present. There could not have been a bigger uproar. The 10 I went up on the creek guard and nothing remarkable happened there. The 11 There was a rifleman These riflemen were from Maryland. The company had been raised by order of Congress and placed in command of Captain Michael Cressap 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 upon the character of Cressap by the speech of Logan from the pen of Jefferson was unmerited. Captain Cressap 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 33 years. His remains yet lie buried in Trinity Churchyard a few feet from Broadway. Drummed out of the camps for threatening his officers also I went to Cambridge with boats. The 12 This day nothing remarkable happened only I went to work along with the general at Mr. Parker's. At night I went upon the picket. The 13 I went to chestnutting with a number of respectable gentlemen that belonged to the army and we had a rifle frolic shooting at a mark for liquor and came home about ten o'clock. The 13 About two or three o'clock there was one of our men taken to the quarter guard for theft. Abel Weatherill 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 happened. The 15 Being Sunday I went upon fatigue down to the George Tavern and there was a flag of truce went in and another came out. Communications are thus had between the 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 honour. The 16 Nothing remarkable happened. Colonel Reed's lady came down to review the regiment and treated them. The wives of officers often visited permanent camps and formed pleasant social parties. Mrs. Washington visited her husband at Cambridge while he remained there. I also spent a portion of the winter with him at Valley Forge and likewise at Morristown. Nothing more this day. The 17 I went to Chestnutting up to Newtown Newton, seven miles north from Boston and at night our floating batteries went up towards the cannon and fired 13 shots but unlucky for them one of their nine pounders split and killed one man dead and wounded eight more. One of them is thought mortally. The 18 went upon the Creek Guard and John Bates was launched corporal. Also in the afternoon there was three Boston men came out under pretense of fishing but they made their escape to Dorchester Point. The 19 was rainy and nothing remarkable happened. The 20 The things that were taken at the lighthouse were vendured and went very high. When Major Tupper destroyed the lighthouse on Nantasket Point he carried away all the furniture by which it was lighted. Nothing more remarkable happened this day. At night there was a regular deserted from the enemy. The 21 I went upon the Creek Guard the Creek referred to is Stony Brook northward from Roxbury Fort and it rained all day. Nothing remarkable happened. The 22 Being Sunday, nothing remarkable this day. The 23 Nothing remarkable happened at night. I went upon the picket and nothing happened worth mentioning. The 24 Nothing remarkable happened this day only we heard that the French were going to join us upon conditions that we would trade with them. As early as July 1775 Dr Franklin had suggested the propriety of a political confederation of all the colonies and the establishment of governmental relations with foreign powers especially with France which it was well known hated England. In November of that year Benjamin Harrison, Benjamin Franklin Thomas Johnson, John Dickerson and John Jay were appointed a committee to open and carry on correspondence with foreign governments and in March following Silas Dean was appointed a special agent of Congress to the Court of France. Rumours of such intentions appear to have reached the army according to our journalist as early as the 24th of October 1775. The 25 The 25 We turned out and went to the lamppost and it was very cold and we came home and there was a high go of drinking brandy and several of the company were taken not well pretty soon after a very natural consequence nothing more this day. The 26 This morning early there were several ladies came down from Rentham and they went to Cambridge and the rest of their acts are they not written in lamentations of Samuel Hawes, Phineas. The 27 This day I went upon fatigue and we got our stents done about noon. The 28 Nothing remarkable this day only I was choose cook for our room consisting of 12 men and a hard game too. The 29 Being Sunday the officers had hard work to get hands for the meeting it was so cold nothing more this day. The 30 This day nothing remarkable happened. The 31 Nothing remarkable. During the whole of October affairs were very quiet and no skirmish of importance occurred. The Essex Gazette of the 19th said scarcely a gun has been fired for a fortnight. On the 4th a small fleet under Captain Moat sailed from Boston Harbour and destroyed Fulmuff, now Portland, Maine. On the 15th the committee from Congress arrived in Washington concerning the future and a reorganization of the army. November 1775 The 1 Last night the fire ran over Samuel Hawes' hair and that provoked him to wrath. Nothing very remarkable happened this day that I know of. The 2 There were some gentlemen and ladies came down from Rentham and they went to Cambridge. The 3 It was a very rainy day and we went to Chilz's and had an old fudge fare you well my friends. The 4 Nothing remarkable happened this day only the gentry went home to Rentham. The 5 Being the memorial 5th of November the enemy fired from every ship in the harbour. Nothing more remarkable this day. The 6 Nothing remarkable happened this day. The 7 There was a vendue opened at this house and there was not less than $120 worth of things vendued and sold at private sale and swapped. The 8 Nothing remarkable happened this day that I know of. The 9 Nothing remarkable happened this day that is worth mentioning. On this day there was a quite severe skirmish occurred at Letchmeer Point, now Cambridge Port. The 10 This day I went home upon furlough. That is, a written permission from his commanding officer to leave for a specified time. Yesterday Sergeant Yet went home. The 11 I went to Captain Whiting's and nothing remarkable happened. The 12 Being Sunday I went to meeting. Nothing more this day. The 13 This day the long-faced people trained at Rentham and Sarge Felt went upon Pickett and fired several times upon the centuries. The 14 This day I came down from Rentham with Sarge Felt and at night there was 3 men deserted from the floating battery. This day we had a lottery and Sarge Foster drawed a pair of breeches at that time leather breeches were much in vogue because they were durable. The more costly ones of buckskin were worn only by officers. Worth $5 and there was considerable other trading carried on at night. There was 8 men more deserted. The 16 Nothing remarkable happened. Captain Pond listed 3 or 4 men for the next campaign. Late in October a new organisation of the army took place and enlistments for a certain term were commenced. Here the 2 there had been great confusion in the matter. The army had gathered around Boston from sudden impulse and it was continually changing. The excitement which had brought them together had in a measure subsided and enlistments went on slowly. After a month's exertions only 5,000 names were enrolled and Washington lamenting the death of public spirit almost disbared. Alluding to the selfishness exhibited in the camp he says, such stock-jobbing and fertility in all the low arts to obtain advantages of one kind or another I never saw before and pray God I may never witness again. At night it was very cold. The 17 very blustering and there was a man whip 30 and 9 lashes for stealing and getting drunk and running away and afterwards he was drummed out of the camps thus he etc. The 18 Nothing remarkable happened this day that I know of. The 19 This being Sunday it was very pleasant and we had preaching. Nothing more this day. The 20 This day nothing very remarkable. At night there was a regular deserted and swam over to Dorchester and escaped. The 21 This day nothing very remarkable. This day the picket was made easier by half etc etc. End of Part 15 Visit on the web printandplay.co.uk Part 16 Of the military journals of two private soldiers 1758 to 1775 This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by FNH The military journals of two private soldiers 1758 to 1775 by Abraham Tomlinson Part 16 The 22 Tomorrow is Thanksgiving This day ended without anything remarkable. The 23 Being Thanksgiving I went with Sergeant Felt up to Newtown and kept Thanksgiving there and returned to our barracks at night. And we had not been a bed long when our captain came to us and ordered us all to lie upon our arms by order of General Washington Lissimo of the American Army encamped at Cambridge and Roxbury and other places. On the previous day General Putnam at the moment broke ground at Cobble Hill where the Maline Asylum now stands. The object was to erect batteries for the purpose of cannonading Boston. It was expected the British troops would sally out of the city and attack them and that expectation caused Washington to issue the order for all the troops to be ready for action at a moment's warning. Nothing more this day than I know of. Only two regulars deserted at night on Cambridge side. Two British sentinels came off in the night to the detachment of General Putnam. The 24 Nothing happened very remarkable this day that I know of. The 25 This morning Captain Pond enlisted several men for the next campaign O you nasty slovenly how your book looks. This remark refers to several blots of ink which disfigured the page of his journal on which he was writing. The 26 It was stormy. Nothing remarkable this day. The 27 Nothing very remarkable happened this day. The 28 Nothing very strange. Only Pepperis Curricle came out of Boston that old Tory dog. The 29 Nothing remarkable. Only one of our privateers took a prize richly laden. That was the British store ship Nancy captured off Cape Anne and carried into the harbour by Captain John Manley, commander of the American Arms Coon at Lee, one of the six vessels fitted out at Boston under the direction of Washington before Congress had yet taken any measures to establish a navy. So valuable were the stores of the Nancy that Washington supposed General Howe would immediately make efforts to recover her and he had an armed force sent to Cape Anne to secure them. There were two thousand muskets one hundred thousand flints thirty thousand round shot for one six and twelve pounders over thirty thousand musket shot and a thirteen inch brass mortar that weighed twenty seven hundred pounds. The arrival of these produced great joy in the camp. Colonel Moylan describing the scene says, Old Putt, General Putnam was mounted on the mortar with a bottle of rum in his hand standing pass into Christon while Godfather Mifflin gave it the name of Congress. On the 29th of November Washington commenced planting a bomb battery on Lechmeer's Point with the intention of bombarding the British works on Bunker Hill. They completed it in the course of a few days entirely unmolested. The thirty nothing extraordinary this day that I know of December The one nothing remarkable this day the two this day I with a number of respectable gentlemen went the author did not expect to have his journal published or he would have omitted the entry made here there seems nothing in it derogatory to his character yet he has chosen words to express his thoughts not suited to ears polite. The three being Sunday it rained nothing remarkable happened this day the four nothing remarkable happened this day at night we were ordered to lie upon our arms Washington was now in hourly expectation of an attack from the British and knowing his own weakness he considered his situation very critical in vigilance alone seemed a security for safety the five nothing strange happened this day the six nothing comical this day only there was considerable of trading carried on the Yankee love of trade and barter appears to have been very prevalent in the camp the seven this day nothing strange the eight this day I was several more enlisted for the year 1776 under Captain Oliver Pond the nine nothing remarkable this day the ten this day the long faced people new militia recruits from the country who had never seen service arrived here from Wrentham and other places the eleven this day I passed muster before General Spencer General Joseph Spencer of East Haddam Connecticut he remained in service until 1778 when he resigned left the army and became a member of Congress he held rank next to Putnam in the army of Boston he died in 1789 at the age of 70 years nothing more this day the twelve this day it was very cold and I couldn't guard that is good for them the thirteen this day I went to Cambridge and viewed the works on Cobble Cobble Hill these it is said were the most perfect of any of the fortification raised around Boston at that time the fourteen this day I went to Watertown seven miles northwest from Boston it was then the seat of the revolutionary government in Massachusetts with Lieutenant Bacon and a number of others in order to get some coats but we could not find any that suited us and so we returned Washington issued a notice on the 28th of October that tailors would be employed to make coats for those who wished them the fifteen this day nothing very remarkable the sixteen this day nothing strange at night there was an attempt made to blow up a ship but it failed also this night we heard that Quebec was taken this was a mistake on the 13th of September Colonel Benedict Arnold left Cambridge with a detachment to cross the country by way of the Kennebec to invade Canada and capture Quebec Arnold Army suffered terribly on the march and arrived at Point Levy opposite Quebec on the 9th of November and prepared to attack the city he was obliged to postpone his attack and Quebec never fell into the hands of the patriots the seventeen being Sunday it was foul weather nothing remarkable happened this day only the enemy fired at our men on Lechmiers Lechmiers Point and wounded one and our men returned the fire from Cople Hill the eighteen this day the ship moved out of the bay and the enemy threw bombs from Mount Haudaum a nickname given to bunkers hill but it did no damage the nineteen this day nothing remarkable happened the twenty nothing strange this day the twenty one this day it was very cold nothing strange this day the twenty two nothing remarkable this day the twenty three nothing strange this day the twenty four ditto ditto ditto the twenty five good the twenty six very cold this day nothing remarkable this day the twenty seven The 28. Nothing strange this day. The 29. Nothing strange this day. Last night, our men made an attempt to take Bunker Hill, but their scheme was frustrated, etc. On the night of the 28th, an unsuccessful attempt was made to surprise the British outpost on Charleston Neck and then to attack the enemy on Bunker Hill. The Americans started to cross from Cobble Hill on the ice. One of the men slipped and fell when they were halfway across. His gun went off. This alarmed the British, and they were on their guard. It was computed that from the burning of Charleston on the 17th June till Christmas Day, the British had fired more than 2,000 shots and shells. They hurled more than 300 bombshells at Plowed Hill and 100 at Lechmere's Point. Gordon says that with all this waste of metal, they killed only seven men on the Cambridge side and just a dozen on the Roxbury side. The 30. 31. Nothing remarkable. January. The 1. A happy new year, 1776. Behold the man three score and ten upon a dying bed, he's run his race, and get no grace, and awful sight indeed. Nothing very remarkable this one day of January, 1776, a no quid domina, and no dominae. The 2. Nothing strange this day. The 3. Twenty men out of each regiment in Roxbury side to cut for sheens, for scenes. I believe we have it by and by. The 4. Nothing remarkable this day. The 5.7. Nothing strange. The 8. At night some of our brave heroic Americans went past the enemy's breast work at Bunker Hill and burned several houses at the foot of Bunker Hill, and took five men and one woman prisoners, and came off as far as Cople Hill when the flames began to extend, and the enemy that were in the fort, perceiving a number of men, gathered round the fire and supposing them to be our men, they kept up a bright fire for the space of nearly half an hour upon their own men, devil-light-fool-y. They When Charleston was burned, fourteen houses escaped the flames. These were occupied by the British, and on the 8th of January General Putnam sent Major Nolton, afterward killed at Harlem, with a small party to set those houses on fire. The affair was injudiciously managed, and before all could be fired the flames of one alarmed the British in the fort. They discharged cannons and small arms in all directions in their confusion and affright. At that moment a play called The Blockade of Boston, written for the occasion by General Burgoyne, was in the course of performance in the city. In the midst of a scene in which Washington was belesked, a sergeant dashed into the theatre and exclaimed, The Yankees are attacking Bunker Hill. The audience thought it was part of the play, until General Howe said, Officers, to your alarm posts. Then women shrieked and fainted, and the people rushed to the streets in great confusion. The nine. Nothing remarkable this day. The ten. Nothing very remarkable this day. It was very cold. The eleven. Nothing very remarkable this day. The twelve. All furloughs stopped this day. The thirteen. Nothing strange this day. The fourteen. Being Sunday, nothing remarkable this day. The fifteen. This day we heard that the regulars had taken Providence and burnt all the housing except two. Sir James Wallace commanded a small British flotilla in Narragannaset Bay during the summer of autumn 1775. He was really a commissioned pirate, for he burnt and plundered dwellings and stores and plantations whenever he pleased. The fact, however, alluded to was the plunder and destruction of the houses on the beautiful island of Providence, not the town of Providence, by that marauder at the close of November 1775. He also desolated Conanacut Island opposite Newport, and every American vessel that entered that harbour was seized and sent to Boston. The sixteen. Nothing remarkable happened this day. At night we were all ordered to lie upon our arms. The seventeen. This day we had the disagreeable news that our men were defeated that went to Quebec, and that General Montgomery and Colonel Arnold were either killed or taken prisoners. But we pray God thy news may prove false. Arnold, with only seven hundred men, appeared before Quebec on the eighteenth of November and demanded its surrender. He was soon compelled to retire, and marching up the St. Lawrence twenty miles, he there met in December General Montgomery with a small force, descending from Montreal. They marched against Quebec, and early in the morning of the thirty-first of December proceeded to assail the city at three distinct points. Montgomery was killed, Morgan and many of the Americans were made prisoners, and Arnold who was severely wounded retired to Ciliary three miles above Quebec. At night it was thought there was a spy out from Boston, and our centuries fired at him, but we don't know the certainty of it. Cold weather for the season. Part 17. Of the military journals of two private soldiers, 1758 to 1775. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by FNH. The military journals of two private soldiers, 1758 to 1775 by Abraham Tomlinson. Part 17. The Eighteen. Nothing strange this day. The Nineteen. This day we heard that our men had taken a ship loaded with gunpowder. The truth of it, we have not yet learned, but we hope it will prove true. All of the prizes captured by Manley and others contained powder and arms, and late in December Colonel, afterward General Knox, arrived from Ticonderoga with forty-two sled loads of cannons, mortars, lead, balls, flints, etc. By the close of January powder became quite plentiful in the American camp. The Twenty. Nothing remarkable this day. The Twenty-One. Ditto. The Twenty-Two. Nothing strange. The Twenty-Three. Nothing remarkable. The Twenty-Four. This day Captain Pond came from Rentham. Nothing remarkable. The Twenty-Five. Nothing remarkable this day. The Twenty-Six. Nothing very remarkable. The Twenty-Seven. Nothing remarkable this day. The Twenty-Eight. Nothing remarkable. The Twenty-Nine. This day we moved to Dorchester into the Widow Birds House. The Thirty. Nothing strange this day. The Thirty-One. Ditto. February. The One. This day nothing remarkable. The Two. Ditto. The Three. Nothing remarkable this day. The Four. Ditto. The Five. The Lobsters came out almost to Copple Hill and took three cows and killed them and were fired upon from Copple Hill, and they re-blige to make of leaving their booty behind them. The Six. The Militious Men. Militia Men. March from Rentham and arrived in camp at Dorchester. The Seven. Nothing very remarkable this day. The Eight. There was a number of our men went to skating on the bay near Boston Common and the enemy fired upwards of a hundred small arms that did no damage. The Nine. Nothing very remarkable. At night there was three of our American boys made their escape from the enemy in Boston and were taken up by our men who were patrolling on Dorchester Point too, and they brought of things too considerable value. The Ten. Nothing strange this day. Here the journal ends abruptly and we have no clue to the writer afterward. As he had enlisted for the campaign of 1776 he doubtless remained with the army until the expulsion of the British from Boston in March following, unless he was killed in some of the skirmishes that frequently occurred or was obliged to leave the army on account of sickness. Whatever was his fate the Vale of Oblivion is drawn over it, for he was one of the thousands who with warm hearts and stout hands struggled in the field for the liberties of their country, lie in unhonoured graves, and have no biographers. If he lived until the conflict ended, and died in his native town, no doubt his grave is in the old churchyard at Rentham. His family was among the earliest settlers there, for Daniel Hawes was a resident of the village when it was burnt in the time of King Philip's War almost two hundred years ago, and on a plain slab in that old burial place is the name of Ebenezer Hawes who died in 1812 at the age of 91 years. Supplement Containing official papers of the skirmishes at Lexington and Concord, and a list of revolutionary articles in the Pookeepsie Museum. Supplement Official papers concerning the skirmishes at Lexington and Concord In the preceding journal of a soldier in 1775 his narrative commences on the day of the skirmishes at Lexington and Concord, the opening conflicts of the Revolution. Some official matters relating to those events which are inaccessible to the general reading public will doubtless be acceptable as they certainly are appropriate in this connection. The skirmishes occurred on the 19th of April 1775. On the 22nd the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts assembled and deeming it important to have the whole truth known appointed a committee to take depositions in relation to the transactions of the British troops in their route to and from Concord. Another committee was appointed the following day consisting of Dr. Church, Elbridge Gerry and Thomas Cushing to draw up a narrative of the massacre. The committee to take depositions held their sessions at Concord and Lexington on the 23rd and 25th of April. Feeling it to be expedient to send an account immediately to England, a committee consisting of Dr. Warren, Mr. Freeman, Mr. Gardner and Colonel Stone was chosen to prepare a letter to Dr. Franklin, the colonial agent in London. They reported a letter and also an address to the inhabitants of Great Britain on the same day. Captain Richard Darby of Salem was employed to proceed immediately with the dispatches. He placed them in the hands of Dr. Franklin on the 29th of May and on the following day the address was printed and circulated. It gave the first intelligence of the skirmishes at Lexington and Concord to the British public. The following, copied from the journals of the Continental Congress, are the several papers referred to. To the Honourable Benjamin Franklin Esquire at London, in Provincial Congress Watertown, April 26th, 1775. Sir, from the entire confidence we repose in your faithfulness and abilities, we consider it the happiness of this colony that the important trust of agency for it in this day of unequal distress is devoted on your hands, and we doubt not your attachment to the cause and liberties of mankind will make every possible exertion in our behalf a pleasure to you. Although our circumstances will compel us often to interrupt your repose by matters that will surely give you a pain, a singular instance hereof is the occasion of the present letter. The contents of this packet will be our apology for troubling you with it. From these you will see how and by whom we are at last plunged into the horrors of a most unnatural war. Our enemies, we are told, have dispatched to Great Britain a fallacious account of the tragedy they have begun. To prevent the operation of which to the public injury we have engaged the vessel that conveys this to you as a packet in the service of this colony, and we request your assistance in supplying Captain Derby, who commands her, with such necessaries as he shall want on the credit of your constituents in Massachusetts Bay. Between most ardently wish that the several papers herewith enclosed may be immediately printed and dispersed through every town in England and especially communicated to the Lord Mayor Alderman and Council of the City of London, and that they may take such an order thereon as they may think proper. And we are confident your fidelity will make such an improvement of them as shall convince all who are not determined to be in everlasting blindness, that it is the united efforts of both Englands that can save either. But that whatever price our brethren in the one may be pleased to put on their constitutional liberties, we are authorized to assure you that the inhabitants of the other, with the greatest unanimity, are inflexibly resolved to sell theirs only at the price of their lives. Appointed by the Order of the Provincial Congress, Joseph Warren, President P.T. A true copy from the original minutes, Samuel Freeman, Secretary P.T. The depositions relative to the commencement of hostilities are as follows. Lexington, April 25th, 1775. We, Solomon Brown, Jonathan Loring, and Elijah Sanderson, all of lawful age and of Lexington in the county of Middlesex and colony of Massachusetts Bay in New England, do testify and declare that on the evening of the 18th of April, instant, being on the road between Concord and Lexington, and all of us mounted on horses, we were about ten o'clock, suddenly surprised by nine persons whom we took to be regular officers who rode up to us, mounted and armed, each having a pistol in his hand, and after putting pistols to our breasts and seizing the bridles of our horses, they swore if we stirred another step, we should be all dead men, upon which we all surrendered ourselves. They detained us until two o'clock of the next morning, in which time they searched and greatly abused us, having first inquired about the magazine at Concord, whether any guards were posted there, and whether the bridges were up, and said four or five regiments of regulars would be in possession of the stores soon. They then brought us back to Lexington, cut the horses' bridles and girths, turned them loose, and left us. Solomon Brown, Jonathan Lawring, Elijah Sanderson. End of Part 17. Recording by FNH, please visit www.bookranger.co.uk. Part 18 of the military journals of two private soldiers, 1758, 1775. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit www.librivox.org. Recording by FNH. The military journals of two private soldiers, 1758, 1775, by Abraham Tomlinson, Part 18. Lexington, April 25, 1775. I, Elijah Sanderson, above named, do further testify and declare that I was on Lexington Common the morning of the 19th of April before said, having been dismissed by the officers above mentioned, and saw a large body of regular troops advancing towards Lexington Company, many of whom were then dispersing. I heard one of the regulars whom I took to be an officer say, damn them, we will have them. And immediately the regulars shouted aloud, run and fired upon the Lexington Company, which did not fire a gun before the regulars discharged on them. Eight of the Lexington Company were killed while they were dispersing, and at a considerable distance from each other, and many wounded, and although a spectator, I narrowly escaped with my life. Elijah Sanderson. Lexington, April 23, 1775. I, Thomas Rice Willard of Lawful Age, do testify and declare that being in the house of Daniel Harrington of said Lexington on the 19th instant in the morning about half an hour before sunrise, looked out at the window of said house, and saw as I suppose about four hundred regulars in one body coming up the road, and marched towards the north part of the common, back of the meeting house of said Lexington. And as soon as said regulars were against the east end of the meeting house, the commanding officer said something, what I know not, but upon that the regulars ran until they came within about eight or nine rods of about a hundred of the militia of Lexington, who were collected on said common, at which time the militia of Lexington dispersed. Then the officers made a Huzzah, and the private soldiers succeeded them. Directly after this an officer rode before the regulars to the other side of the body, and hallowed after the militia of said Lexington, and said, lay down your arms, damn you, why don't you lay down your arms? And that there was not a gun fired till the militia of Lexington were dispersed, and further sayeth not. Lexington, April 25th, 1775 Simon Winship of Lexington, in the county of Middlesex, and province of Massachusetts Bay, New England, being of lawful age, testifyeth and sayeth, that on the 19th April instant, about four o'clock in the morning, as he was passing the public road in said Lexington, peaceably and unarmed, about two miles and a half distance from the meeting house in said Lexington, he was met by a body of King's regular troops, and being stopped by some officers of said troops, was commanded to dismount. Upon asking why him dismount, he was obliged by force to quit his horse, and ordered to march in the midst of the body. And, being an examined whether he had been warning the minute men, he answered, no, but had been out, and was then returning to his father's. Said Winship further testifies, that he marched with said troops till he came within half a quarter of a mile of said meeting-house, where an officer commanded the troops to halt, and then to prime and load. This being done, the said troops marched on till they came within a few rods of Captain Parker's company, who were partly collected on the place of parade, when said Winship observed an officer at the head of said troops flourishing his sword, and with a loud voice giving the word, fire, fire, which was instantly followed by a discharge of arms from said regular troops, and said Winship is positive and in the most solemn manner declares, that there was no discharge of arms on either side till the word fire was given by the said officer as above. Simon Winship Lexington, April 25th, 1775 I, John Parker of Lawful Age, and Commander of the Militia in Lexington, do testify and declare that on the nineteenth instant, in the morning, about one of the clock being informed that there were a number of regular officers riding up and down the road, stopping and insulting people as they passed the road, and also was informed that a number of regular troops were on their march from Boston, in order to take the province stores at Concord. Ordered Amalicia to meet on the common in said Lexington. To consult what to do, and concluded not to be discovered, nor meddle, or make said with regular troops if they should approach, unless they should insult or molest us, and upon their sudden approach I immediately ordered Amalicia to disperse and not to fire. He said troops made their appearance, and rushed furiously, fired upon, and killed eight of our party, without receiving any provocation therefore from us. John Parker Lexington, April 24th, 1775 I, John Robbins, being of Lawful Age, do testify and say that on the nineteenth instant, the company under the command of Captain John Parker, being drawn up some time before sunrise, on the green or common, and I being in the front rank there suddenly appeared a number of the king's troops, about a thousand as I thought, at the distance of about sixty or seventy yards from us, hazaring, and on a quick pace towards us, with three officers in their front on horseback, and on full gallop towards us, the foremost of which cried, Throw down your arms, ye villains, ye rebels, upon which said company dispersing, the foremost of the three officers ordered their men saying, Power by God, fire! At which moment we received a very heavy and close fire from them, at which instant, being wounded, I fell, and several of our men were shot dead by me. Captain Parker's men, I believe, had not then fired a gun, and further the deponent saith not. John Robbins Lexington, April 25th, 1775 We, Benjamin Tid of Lexington, and Joseph Abbott of Lincoln, in the county of Middlesex and Colony of Massachusetts Bay, in New England, of lawful age, do testify and declare that on the morning of the nineteenth of April instant, about five o'clock, being on Lexington Common and Mounted on Horses, we saw a body of regular troops marching up to the Lexington Company, which was then dispersing. Soon after the regulars fired, first a few guns, which we took to be pistols from some of the regulars who were mounted on horses, and then the said regulars fired a volley or two before any guns were fired by the Lexington Company. Our horses immediately started, and we rode off, and further say not. Benjamin Tid, Joseph Abbott Lexington, April 25th, 1775 We, Nathaniel Mullikin, Philip Russell, Moses Harrington, Jr., Thomas and Daniel Harrington, William Grimes, William Tid, Isaac Hastings, Jonas Stone, Jr., James Wyman, Taddeus Harrington, John Chandler, Joshua Reed, Jr., Joseph Simmons, Phineas Smith, John Chandler, Jr., Reuben Cock, Joel Viles, Nathan Reed, Samuel Tid, Benjamin Locke, Thomas Winship, Simeon Snow, John Smith, Moses Harrington, III, Joshua Reed, Ebenezer Parker, John Harrington, Enoch Willington, John Hornea, Isaac Green, Phineas Stearns, Isaac Durant, and Thomas Headley, Jr., all of lawful age and inhabitants of Lexington in the county of Middlesex and colony of Massachusetts Bay in New England, to testify and declare that on the 19th of April instant, about one or two o'clock in the morning, being informed that several officers of the regulars had the evening before been riding up and down the road, and had detained and insulted the inhabitants passing the same, and also understanding that a body of regulars were marching from Boston towards Concord, with the intent, as it was supposed, to take the stores belonging to the colony in that town. We were alarmed, and having met at the place of our company's parade, were dismissed by our captain, John Parker, for the present, with orders to be ready to attend at the beat of the drum. We further testify and declare that about five o'clock in the morning, hearing our drum beat, we proceeded towards the parade, and soon found that a large body of troops were marching towards us. Some of our company were coming up to the parade, and others had reached it, at which time the company began to disperse. While our backs were turned on the troops, we were fired on by them, and a number of our men were instantly killed and wounded. Not a gun was fired by any person in our company on the regulars, to our knowledge, before they fired on us, and they continued firing, until we had all made our escape. Signed by each of the above components. End of Part 18. Recording by F.N.H. Please visit www.bookranger.co.uk Part 19 of the military journals of two private soldiers, 1758 to 1775. This is a LibriVox recording, all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by F.N.H. The military journals of two private soldiers, 1758 to 1775, by Abraham Tomlinson. Part 19. Lexington, 25th of April, 1775. We, Nathaniel Parkhurst, Jonas Parker, John Monroe Jr., John Winship, Solomon Pierce, John Muzzy, Abner Meads, John Bridge Jr., Ebenezer Bowman, William Monroe III., Micah Hager, Samuel Sanderson, Samuel Hastings, and James Brown of Lexington, in the County of Middlesex and Colony of Massachusetts Bay, in New England, and all of Lawful Age, to testify and say that on the morning of the 19th of April instant, about one or two o'clock, being informed that a number of regular officers had been riding up and down the road the evening and night preceding, and that some of the inhabitants, as they were passing, had been insulted by the officers, and stopped by them, and being also informed that the regular troops are on their march from Boston in order, as it was said, to take the colony's stores then deposited at Concord, we met on the parade of our company in this town. After the company had collected, we were ordered by Captain Parker, who commanded us, to disperse for the present and to be ready to attend the beat of the drum, and accordingly the company went into houses near the place of parade. We further testify and say that about five o'clock in the morning, we attended the beat of the drum, and were formed on the parade. We were faced towards the regulars then marching up to us, and some of our company were coming to the parade with their backs towards the troops, and others on the parade began to disperse when the regulars fired on the company, before a gun was fired by any of our company on them. The killed eight of our company amuded several, and continued their fire until we had all made our escape, signed by each of the deponents. Lexington. April 25th, 1775. I, Timothy Smith of Lexington, in the county of Middlesex and the colony of Massachusetts Bay in New England, being of lawful age do testify and declare that on the morning of the 19th of April instant, being on Lexington Common as a spectator, I saw a large body of regular troops marching up towards Lexington Company then dispersing, and likewise saw the regular troop fire on the Lexington Company before the latter fired a gun. I immediately ran, and a volley was discharged at me, which put me in imminent danger of losing my life. I soon returned to the Common and saw eight of the Lexington men who were killed and lay bleeding at considerable distance from each other, and several were wounded. And further sayeth not. Timothy Smith. Lexington. April 25th, 1775. We, Levi Mead and Levi Harrington, both of Lexington in the county of Middlesex and colony of Massachusetts Bay in New England, and of lawful age do testify and declare that on the morning of the 19th of April, being on Lexington Common as spectators, we saw a large body of regular troops marching up towards Lexington Company, and some of the regulars, old horses, whom we took to be officers, fired a pistol or two on the Lexington Company, which was then dispersing. These were the first guns that were fired, and they were immediately followed by several volleys from the regulars, by which eight men belonging to said company were killed and several wounded. Levi Harrington, Levi Mead. Lexington. April 25th, 1775. I, William Draper of lawful age, and an inhabitant of Colrain in the county of Hampshire and colony of Massachusetts Bay in New England, do testify and declare that being on the parade of said Lexington, April 19th instant, about half an hour before sunrise, the King's regular troops appeared at the meeting house of Lexington. Captain Parker's company, who were drawn up back of the said meeting house on the parade, turned and said troops making their escape by dispersing. In the meantime the regular troops made a huzzah and ran towards Captain Parker's company, who were dispersing, and immediately after the huzzah was made, the commanding officer of said troops, as I took him, gave the command to said troops, fire, fire, damn you, fire, and immediately they fired before any of Captain Parker's company fired. I then being within three or four rods of said regular troops, and further say not. William Draper, Lexington, April 23rd, 1775. I, Thomas Fessenden, of lawful age, testify and declare that on being in a pasture near the meeting house at said Lexington on Wednesday last, at about half an hour before sunrise, I saw a number of regular troops pass speedily by said meeting house, on their way towards a company of militia of said Lexington, who were assembled to the number of about one hundred in a company at the distance of eighteen or twenty rods from said meeting house. And after they had passed by said meeting house, I saw three officers on horseback advance to the front of said regulars, when one of them being within six rods of said militia cried out, disperse you rebels immediately. On which he brandished his sword over his head three times. Meanwhile the second officer, who was about two rods behind him, fired a pistol pointed at said militia, and the regulars kept hizaring until he had finished brandishing his sword. And when he had thus finished brandishing his sword, he pointed it down towards said militia, and immediately on which the said regulars fired a volley at the militia. And then I ran off as fast as I could, while they continued firing till I got out of their reach. I further testify that as soon as ever the officer cried disperse you rebels, the said company of militia dispersed every way as fast as they could. And while they were dispersing, the regulars kept firing at them incessantly. And further sayeth not, Thomas Fessenden, Lincoln, April 23rd, 1775. I, John Bateman, belonging to the 52nd Regiment commanded by Colonel Jones, on Wednesday morning on the nineteenth day of April instant, was in the party marching to Concord, being at Lexington, in the county of Middlesex, being nigh the meeting house in said Lexington, there was a small party of men gathered together at that place, when our said troops marched by. And I testify and declare that I heard the word of command given to the troops to fire, and some of said troops did fire, and I saw one of said small party lay dead on the ground nigh said the meeting house. And I testify that I never heard any of the inhabitants so much as fire one gun on said troops. John Bateman. Lexington, April 23rd, 1775. We, John Haw, John Whithead, Abraham Garfield, Benjamin Monroe, Isaac Parks, William Hosmer, John Adams, Gregory Stone, all of Lincoln in the county of Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay, all of Lawful Age, to testify and say that on Wednesday last we were assembled at Concord, in the morning of said day in consequence of information received that a brigade of regular troops were on their march to said town of Concord, who had killed six men at the town of Lexington. About an hour afterwards we saw them approaching to the number as we apprehended of about 1200, on which we retreated to a hill about 80 rods back, and the said troops then took possession of the hill where we were first posted. Presently after this we saw the troops moving towards the North Bridge, about one mile from said Concord Meeting House. We then immediately went before them and passed the bridge just before a party of them to the number of about 200 arrived. They there left about one-half of their 200 at the bridge, and proceeded with the rest towards Colonel Barrett's, about two miles from said bridge. We then, seeing several fires in the town, thought the houses in Concord were in danger, and marched towards said bridge, and the troops that were stationed there observing our approach marched back over the bridge and then took up some of the planks. We then hastened our march towards the bridge, and when we had got near the bridge they fired on our men. First three guns, one after the other, and then a considerable number more, and then not before having orders from our commanding officers not to fire till we were fired upon. We fired upon the regulars, and they retreated. On their retreat through the town of Lexington to Charleston, they ravaged and destroyed private property, and burnt three houses, one barn, and one shop, signed by each of the above proponents. End of Part 19. Recording by F.N.H. Please visit cthulhupodcast.co.uk. Part 20 of the military journals of two private soldiers, 1758-1775. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by F.N.H. The military journals of two private soldiers, 1758-1775 by Abraham Tomlinson. Part 20. Lexington, April 23, 1775. We, Nathan Barrett, Captain, Jonathan Farrah, Joseph Butler, and Francis Wheeler, Lieutenant. John Barrett, Ensign. John Brown, Silas Walker, Ephraim Melvin, Nathan Buttrick, Stephen Hosmer Jr., Samuel Barrett, Thomas Jones, Joseph Chandler, Peter Wheeler, Nathan Pierce, and Edward Richardson, all of Concord in the county of Middlesex in the province of Massachusetts Bay, of lawful age, testify and declare. That, on Wednesday, the 19th instant, about an hour after sunrise, we assembled on a hill near the meeting house in Concord of Forsed, in consequence of information that a number of regular troops had killed six of our countrymen at Lexington, and were on their march to said Concord. And about an hour afterwards, we saw them approaching, to the number, as we imagine, of about 1200, on which we retreated to a hill about 80 rods back, and the aforesaid troops then took possession of a hill where we were first posted. Presently after this, we saw them moving towards the North Bridge, about one mile from said meeting-house. We then immediately went before them, and passed the bridge, just before a party of them, to the number of about 200 arrived. They there left about one-half of these 200 at the bridge, and proceeded with the rest towards Colonel Barrett's, about two miles from said bridge. We then, seeing several fires in the town, thought our houses were in danger, and immediately marched back towards said bridge, and the troops who were stationed there observing our approach marched back over the bridge, and then took up some of the planks. We then hastened our steps toward the bridge, and when we got near the bridge, they fired on our men, first three guns, one after the other, and then a considerable number more, upon which, and not before, having orders from our commanding officer not to fire till we were fired upon, we fired upon the regulars, and they retreated. At Concord, and on their retreat through Lexington, they plundered many houses, burnt three at Lexington, together with a shop and a barn, and committed damage, more or less, to almost every house from Concord to Charleston, signed by the above opponents. We, Joseph Butler, and Ephraim Melvin, do testify and declare that when the regular troops fired upon our people at the North Bridge in Concord, as related in the foregoing depositions, they shot one, and we believed two of our people before we fired a single gun at them. Joseph Butler, Ephraim Melvin, Lexington, April 23rd, 1775, Concord, April 23rd, 1775, I, Timothy Minot, Jr., of Concord on the 19th day of this instant, April, after that I had heard of the regular troops firing upon Lexington men, and fearing that hostilities might be committed at Concord, thought it my incumbent duty to secure my family. After I had secured my family, some time after that, returning towards my own dwelling, and finding that the bridge on the north part of said Concord was guarded by regular troops, being a spectator of what had happened at said bridge, declare that the regular troops stationed on said bridge, after they saw the men that were collected on the Wesley side of said bridge, marched towards said bridge, then the troops returned towards the Eastley side of said bridge, and formed themselves, as I thought, for regular fight. After that they fired one gun, then two or three more, before the men that were stationed on the Wesley part of said bridge fired upon them. Timothy Minnott, Jr. Lexington, April 23rd, 1775. I, James Barrett of Concord, Colonel of a Regiment of Militia in the County of Middlesex, detestify and say that on Wednesday morning last about daybreak, I was informed of the approach of a number of regular troops to the town of Concord, where were some magazines belonging to this province, when there was assembled some of the militia of this and the neighboring towns. I ordered them to march to the North Bridge, so called, which they had passed and were taking up. I ordered said militia to march to said bridge and pass the same, but not to fire on the King's troops unless they were first fired upon. We advanced near said bridge, when the said troops fired upon our militia and killed two men dead on the spot, and wounded several others, which was the first firing of guns in the town of Concord. My detachment then returned the fire, which killed and wounded several of the King's troops. James Barrett Lexington April 23rd, 1775 We, Bradbury Robinson, Samuel Spring, Taddeus Bancroft, all of Concord, and James Adam of Lexington, all in the County of Middlesex, all of Lawful Age, detestify and say that on Wednesday morning last near 10 of the o'clock, we saw near 100 of regular troops being in the town of Concord at the North Bridge in said town, so called, and having passed the same they were taking up said bridge, when about 300 of our militia were advancing towards said bridge in order to pass said bridge, when, without saying anything to us, they discharged a number of guns on us, which killed two men dead on the spot and wounded several others. When we returned fire on them, which killed two of them, and wounded several, which was the beginning of hostilities in the town of Concord, Bradbury Robinson, Taddeus Bancroft, Samuel Spring, James Adams, Worcester, April 26th, 1775 Hannah Brandish of that part of Cambridge called Meno Tomey and daughter of Timothy Payne of Worcester in the County of Worcester, Esquire, of Lawful Age, testifies and says that about five o'clock on Wednesday last afternoon being in her bed chamber with her infant child about eight days old, she was surprised by the firing of the king's troops and our people on their return from Concord. She, being weak and unable to go out of her house in order to secure herself and family, they all retired into the kitchen in the back part of the house. She soon found the house surrounded with the king's troops that upon observation made at least 70 bullets were shot into the front part of the house. Several bullets lodged in the kitchen where she was and one passed through an easy chair she had just gone from. The door of the front part of the house was broke open, she did not see any soldiers in the house but supposed by the noise they were in the front. After the troops had gone off she missed the following things which she verily believes were taken out of the house by the king's troops. Viz. One rich, brocade gown called a negligee, one lustring gown, one white quilt, one pair of brocade shoes, three shifts, eight white aprons, three caps, one case of ivory knives and forks, and several other small articles. Hannah Brandish Province of Massachusetts Bay Worcester S.S. April 26, 1775 Mrs. Hannah Brandish, the above opponent, maketh oath before us, the subscribers to of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the County of Worcester and of the Quorum, that the above deposition, according to her best recollection, is the truth, which deposition is taken in Papatuum Rye Memoriam Thomas Steele Timothy Payne End of Part 20 Recording by FNH Please visit www.bookranger.co.uk Part 21 Of the Military Journals of Two Private Soldiers, 1758-1775 This is a LibriVox recording, all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by FNH The Military Journals of Two Private Soldiers, 1758-1775 By Abraham Tomlinson Part 21 Concord April 23, 1775 I, James Maher of Lawful Age, testify and say that in the evening of the 18th instant, I received orders from George Hutchinson, adjutant of the Fourth Regiment of Regular Troops stationed at Boston, to prepare and march to which orders I attended and march to Concord, where I was ordered by an officer with about 100 men to guard a certain bridge there. While attending that service, a number of people came along, in order as I suppose to cross said bridge, at which time a number of the regular troops first fired upon them. James Maher Medford April 25, 1775 I, Edward Thoroton Gould, of His Majesty's Own Regiment of Foot, being of Lawful Age, do testify and declare that on the evening of the 18th instant, under the orders of General Gage, I embarked with the Light Infantry and Grenadiers of the Line, commanded by Colonel Smith, and landed on the marshes of Cambridge, from whence we proceeded to Lexington. On our arrival at that place, we saw a body of provincial troops, armed to the number of about 60 or 70 men. On our approach they dispersed, and soon after firing began, but which party fired first, I cannot exactly say, as our troops rushed on shouting and huzzaring previous to the firing, which was continued by our troops so long, as any of the provincials were to be seen. From thence we marched to Concord. On a hill near the entrance of the town, we saw another body of provincials assembled. The Light Infantry companies were ordered up the hill to disperse them. On our approach they retreated towards Concord. The Grenadiers continued the road under the hill towards the town. Six companies of Light Infantry were ordered down to take possession of the bridge, which the provincials retreated over. The company I commanded was one. Three companies of the above detachment went forward about two miles. In the meantime the provincial troops returned to the number of about three or four hundred. We drew upon the Concord side of the bridge. The provincials came down upon us, upon which we engaged and gave the first fire. This was the first engagement after the one at Lexington. A continued firing from both parties lasted through the whole day. I myself was wounded at the attack of the bridge, and am now treated with the greatest humanity and taken all possible care of by the provincials at Medford. Edwin Thoritan Gould, Lieutenant, King's Own Regiment. Province of Massachusetts Bay, Middlesex County, April 25th, 1775. Lieutenant Thoritan Gould, aforenamed, personally made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him subscribed before us. Tad Mason, Josiah Johnson, Simon Tufts, justices of the peace for the county aforesaid Quorum Eunice. Province of Massachusetts Bay, Charleston, SS. I, Nathaniel Gorham, notary and tabellian public by lawful authority, duly admitted and sworn, hereby certify to all whom it may, or doth concern, that Taddeus Mason, Josiah Johnson, and Simon Tufts Esquires are three of his majesties, justices of the peace, Quorum Eunice, for the county of Middlesex, and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to their transactions as such, both in court and out. In witness whereof I have here to unto affix my name and seal, this 26th day of April, Anno Domini, 1775. Nathaniel Gorham, notary public, LS. All of the above depositions are sworn to before justices of the peace and duly attested by the notaries public in the manner of the last one. In Provincial Congress, Watertown, April 26th, 1775, to the inhabitants of Great Britain. Friends and fellow subjects, hostilities are at a length commenced in this colony by the troops under the command of General Gage, and it being of the greatest importance that an early true and authentic account of this inhuman proceeding should be known to you, the Congress of this colony has transmitted the same, and from want of a session of the Honourable Continental Congress, think it proper to address you on the alarming occasion. By the clearest depositions relative to this transaction, it will appear that on the night preceding the 19th of April instant, a body of the king's troops under the command of Colonel Smith was secretly landed at Cambridge with an apparent design to take or destroy the military and other stores provided for the defence of this colony and deposited at Concord. That some inhabitants of the colony on the night are foresaid while traring peaceably on the road between Boston and Concord were seized and greatly abused by armed men who appeared to be officers of General Gage's army, that the town of Lexington by these means was alarmed, and a company of the inhabitants mustered on the occasion, that the regular troops on their way to Concord marched into said town of Lexington, and the said company on their approach began to disperse. That notwithstanding this, the regulars rushed on with great violence and first began the hostilities by firing on said Lexington company whereby they killed eight and wounded several others. That the regulars continued their fire until those of said company who were neither killed nor wounded had made their escape. That Colonel Smith with the detachment then marched to Concord where a number of provincials were again fired on by the troops, two of them killed and several wounded, before the provincials fired on them. And that these hostile measures of the troops produced an engagement that lasted through the day in which many of the provincials and more of the regular troops were killed and wounded. To give a particular account of the ravages of the troops as they retreated from Concord to Charleston would be very difficult if not impracticable. Let it suffice to say that a great number of the houses on the road were plundered and rendered unfit for use. Several were burnt. Women in childbed were driven by the soldiery naked into the streets. Old men peaceably in their houses were shot dead and such scenes exhibited as would disgrace the annals of the most uncivilized nations. These, brethren, are marks of ministerial vengeance against this colony for refusing with her sister colonies a submission to slavery. But they have not yet detached us from our royal sovereign. We profess to be his loyal and dutiful subjects and so hardly dealt with as we have been are still ready with our lives and fortunes to defend his person, family, crown and dignity. Nevertheless, to the persecution and tyranny of his cruel ministry we will not tamely submit, appealing to heaven for the justice of our cause. We are determined to die or be free. We cannot think that the honor, wisdom and valour of Britons will suffer them to be long inactive spectators of the measures in which they themselves are so deeply interested. Measures pursued in opposition to the solemn protests of many noble lords and express sense and express sense of conspicuous commoners whose knowledge and virtue have long characterized them as some of the greatest men in the nation. Measures executing contrary to the interests, petitions and resolves of many large respectable and opulent counties, cities and boroughs in Great Britain. Measures highly incompatible with justice, but still pursued with a specious pretense of easing the nation of its burdens. Measures which if successful must end in the ruin and slavery of Britain as well as the persecuted American colonies. We sincerely hope that the great sovereign of the universe who hath so often appeared for the English nation will support you in every rational and manly exertion with these colonies for saving it from ruin and that in a constitutional connection with the mother country we shall soon be all together a free and happy people. Per order Joseph Warren President P. T. End of Part 21 Recording by F. N. H. Please visit www.bookranger.co.uk Part 22 of the military journals of two private soldiers 1758-1775 This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by F. N. H. The military journals of two private soldiers 1758-1775 by Abraham Tomlinson Part 22 Names have killed and wounded at Lexington and Concord. The following list of the names of the first martyrs of the cause of American liberty is given in the 18th volume of the Massachusetts historical collections. Lexington killed Jonas Parker Robert Monroe Samuel Hadley Jonathan Harrington Jr. Isaac Muzzy Caleb Harrington John Brown Jebediah Moore John Raymond Nathaniel Wyman 10 Wounded John Robbins Solomon Pierce John Tidd Joseph Comey Ebenezer Monroe Jr. Thomas Winship Nathaniel Farmer Prince Estherbrook Jebediah Monroe Francis Brown 10 Concord Wounded Charles Miles Nathaniel Barrett Abel Prescott Jr. Jonas Brown George Marriott 5 Cambridge Killed William Marcy Moses Richardson John Hicks Jason Russell Jabez Wyman Jason Winship 6 Wounded Samuel Whitmore 1 Missing Samuel Frost Seth Russell 2 Needham Killed John Bacon Alicia Mills Amos Mills Nathaniel Chamberlain Jonathan Parker 5 Wounded Elisa Kingsbury Blank Tolman 2 Sudbury Killed Josiah Haynes Ashelle Reed 2 Wounded Joshua Haynes Jr. 1 Acton Killed Isaac David Abner Hosmer James Hayward 3 Wounded Luther Blanchard 1 Bedford Killed Jonathan Wilson 1 Wounded Job Lane 1 Woeben Killed Daniel Thompson Ashael Porter 2 Wounded George Reed Jacob Bacon Blank Johnson 3 Medford Killed Henry Putnam William Polly 2 Charleston Killed James Miller Edward Barber 2 Watertown Killed Joseph Cooleridge 1 Framington Wounded Daniel Hemingway 1 Dedham Killed Elias Haven 1 Wounded Israel Everett 1 Stowe Wounded Daniel Connult 1 Roxbury Missing Elijah Siever 1 Brooklyn Killed Isaac Gardner 1 Billarachia Wounded John Nichols Timothy Blanchard 2 Chelmsford Wounded Aaron Chamberlain Oliver Barron 2 Salem Killed Benjamin Pierce 1 Newton Wounded Noah Wiswell 1 Danvers Killed Henry Jacobs Samuel Cook Ebenezer Goldthwaid George Southwick Benjamin DeLand Jotham Webb Pearly Putnam 7 Wounded Nathan Putnam Dennis Wallace 2 Missing Joseph Bell 1 Beverly Killed Reuben Kerimi 1 Wounded Nathaniel Cleese Samuel Woodbury William Dodge 3 Lynn Killed Abonigo Ramsell Daniel Townsend William Flint Thomas Hadley 4 Wounded Joshua Felt Timothy Monroe 2 Missing Josiah Breed 1 Total Killed 49 Wounded 39 Missing 5 Total 93 A catalogue of revolutionary articles in the Poughkeepsie Museum The following among the collection of curiosities in the Museum at Poughkeepsie Original Manuscripts Letter of Washington to Governor Clinton Acquainting him of a design of the British to seize his person while residing at Poughkeepsie and convey him to New York dated at Dobbs Ferry 1780 Letter of Washington to Brigadier General Whitten on the subject of the removal of the troops from Trenton to Philadelphia dated Plumpton Plains, New Jersey 1777 Letter of Washington on the subject of promotions in the Army dated 1779 Note of invitation from Washington to Dr John Thomas to dinner Dr Thomas was surgeon of the Massachusetts line dated Headquarters Newburgh 1780 Soldiers Discharge signed by Washington 1782 Letter of the Marquis de Lafayette on the subject of fortifying North River written to Governor Clinton in 1778 Letter of the Baron Steuben to Governor Clinton on the good appearance of the New York line of the Army dated New Windsor 1780 Letter of Lord Sterling to Governor Clinton on the discharge of the command of Major Wessonfells dated Albany 1782 Letter of Clinton in reply Resolution drawn up in Congress and signed by John Hancock requesting the State of New York to erect a monument at continental expense to the memory of Brigadier General Herkimer killed on the Mohawk in 1777 dated in Congress 1777 Letter of Captain Abraham Schneck of Fishkill containing an order for old linen rags for lint for the surgeon of his command dated near Croton 1776 Letter of General Heath relating to beacons in the Highlands dated Robinson's House 1780 Letter of General Heath on the condition of the prisoners confined in the Provost Prison at West Point dated Highlands 1780 Letter of Captain Nathaniel Toms describing a chase after the British over the Shoei Kill in 1777 Journal of Le Mans Lion of Woodstock, Vermont who served in the French and Indian War in the expedition against Ticonderoga commanded by General Abercrombie The journal commences on the 5th of April 1758 and closes on the 16th of November 1759 Journal of Samuel Hawes one of the Minutemen called out on the day of the Battle of Lexington commencing April 19th 1775 and ending in January 1776 Three original letters of Washington to Colonel Marinus Willett relating to a secret expedition against Oswego in 1782 dated at Newburgh Headquarters 1782 Letter of Joshua H. Smith the person who conducted Andre towards the British lines directed from Goshen Jale to Governor Clinton complaining of the state of his health and the closeness of his confinement dated 1780 Letter of Ezekiel Hyatt of Compond Westchester County to James Jackson Esquire of Fishkill in Duchess County informing him that Husson a notorious cowboy and freebooter had gone up to steal his horses and was to have a hundred guineas if he got them dated Compond 1777 Letter of Lieutenant Lawrence on the subject of the departure of the British fleet from the harbour of Newport dated Reading 1780 Letter by the direction of Washington to Abraham Schneck and others of Fishkill to solicit shirts of the inhabitants of their precinct for soldiers of the army many of whom were utterly destitute of that article dated Kingston 1780 Letter of Samuel Barker while confined in the Provost Prison, New York to his wife in Westchester County dated Provost Prison 1777 End of Part 22 Recording by FNH please visit www.bookranger.co.uk Part 23 of the Military Journals of Two Private Soldiers 1758-1775 This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by FNH The Military Journals of Two Private Soldiers 1758-1775 by Abraham Tomlinson Part 23 Miscellaneous Articles Lock of Washington's Hair an unquestionable relic derived from the late Judge Thompson of the Supreme Court of the United States presented by his recent widow the present Mrs. Lansing of Poughkeepsie Fragments of the First Coffin of Washington presented by Lewis Groob, Exquire artist Poughkeepsie One of the points of the Cheveau de Frise placed in the Hudson River near Windsor in 1780 to prevent the passage of the British ships It was raised accidentally by the anchor of a sloop commanded by Captain Abraham Elting in New Palitz, Ulster County in 1836 It is pointed with iron and weighs some hundreds of pounds Wooden Camp Candlestick used in General Smallwoods Brigade when encamped at Fishkill in Dutch's County in the Revolution from Jackson Diddler, Squire, Fishkill Homespun linen rifle shirt worn by Captain Abraham Doyer at the Battle of Long Island from Charles Robertson, Esquire, Fishkill Sheet of Stamp Parchment containing the stamps and duties of the Stamp Act Sword of Captain Archibald Campbell killed at the skirmish at Ward's House in Westchester County in 1776 Captain Campbell was the commanding officer of the British Party from his grandson Captain Archibald Campbell of Pauling's Dutchess County Sword of one of Lee's Legion of Virginia It has inscribed on one side of the blade Victory or Death On the opposite side Grenadiers of Virginia Tooth of Miss Jane McCreer found lying in a coffin when her remains were disinterred and removed for Edward in 1824 by Mr George Barker of Sandy Hill and presented by him to the late Captain Matthew Danvers of Sandy Hill and to the collection by his widow Mrs Mary Danvers of Poughkeepsie Iron Pipe Tomahawk found on the battlefield of Saratoga from Van Wick Brickenhoof, Esquire, Fishkill Cannon Rammer Taken from Burgoyne at Saratoga purchased with a lot of other lumber sold at West Point by order of the Government after the Revolution by Joseph Jackson Esquire and others of Fishkill from Van Wick Brickenhoof, Esquire, Fishkill Napsack of Captain David Ruhl a Captain of Militia in the Revolution and worn by him when he joined his regiment at Harlem in 1776 It is made of Homespun Linnin from his daughter Mrs Henry Abdel of Union Vale, Duchess County Hesseon Camp Kettle dug up on the battlefield of Bennington by Mr Charles Hoog of Dover, Duchess County Iron Spur found on the battlefield of Cowpens It is much rusted and is believed to have belonged to one of Tarleton's men from B.J. Lossing Esquire of Pukipsi United States Musket found on the line of the retreat of the Americans from the battleground at Hubberton, Vermont It has the date of 1774 on the breach from B.J. Lossing Esquire Collection of relics from all the battlefields of the Revolution from B.J. Lossing Esquire Cocked Hat Worn by Lemuel Lyon on board the T-Ship in Boston Harbour The wearer was the writer of the first journal in this volume from his relative Mr J Colby of New York City Surgical Instruments of Dr John Thomas A Regimental Surgeon in the Revolution They were used in several of the principal battles of the war from his son Mr Thomas of Pukipsi An Original Portrait of Dr John Thomas Broken United States Bayonet Found on the battleground of Guilford Courthouse, North Carolina by Mr Charles Nay of Armenia, D.C. Bayonet of John Woodin A Continental Soldier The point of this instrument was broken off in the wall of the fort of Stony Point when in the body of a British soldier presented by a relative A Spanish Dollar Taken from the cavity of the hip bone of a skeleton dug up at Bemis Heights, Saratoga in 1841 With it were five other dollars and an English guinea and also a fragment of leather supposed to be the remains of a purse or pocketbook from Mrs John Wing of Washington, D.C. English Musket Taken in a skirmish from the foraging party of the British in Westchester County in the Revolution by Captain Abraham Marriott of Newcastle, Westchester County commander of a party of American militia from Mr John Townsend of Pukipsi Tory Musket Hidden during the whole period of the Revolution in a hollow tree in Dover, D.C. to prevent its being seized by the committee men and used against the king English Musket Bought off from the battlefield of white planes by Colonel Abraham Humphrey of Smallwoods Brigade presented by the late Colonel Humphrey Cornell of Becombe, D.C. Fragments of human bones from the battlefield of Red Bank from B.J. Losingesquire of Pukipsi Piece of one of the Palmetto logs of Old Fort Moultrie in Charleston Harbour from B.J. Losingesquire Horn of Lieutenant Charles Wallace of the First Royal Highland Regiment curiously engraved with the names and distances of all the fortified posts from Quebec to Albany together with the name and rank of the wearer. It was obtained from an Indian after the Battle of Saratoga Metal Button Plowed up on Quaker Hill, D.C. where a division of the American Array encamped in the Revolution It has the letters USA engraved on a surface A number of other articles belonging to the camp have been found in the neighbourhood A long line of stone fireplaces of the soldiers still remain Spontoon of Lieutenant Alfred Van Wick of Fishkill, D.C. used in hunting the cowboys in Fishkill Mountain in the Revolution By his son Theodorus Van Wick Esquire of Fishkill Hook who remembers to have been shown within the last 40 years by an individual then living the bones of a skinner or cowboy still lying unburied in a defile of the mountains see also a large collection of other curiosities The End End of Part 23 Recording by FNH Please visit www.bookranger.co.uk www.bookranger.co.uk End of the Military Journals of Two Private Soldiers 1758-1775 by Abraham Tomlinson