Preparations making
to send home, by sea, the Maryland and Pennsylvania troops; transports wanting.
A New England brig arrives, and contracts to carry two companies. Bond's and
Irwin's companies ordered to embark. I had belonged to the latter since the
action of Jamestown, when Captain Montgomery, who was wounded, returned to
Pennsylvania. Had a very pleasant passage of seven days to Philadelphia, where
we landed on the 15th. Mrs. Green, wife of the General, came passenger with us.
Quartered in the Philadelphia barracks, along with about one hundred and fifty
new raised men. Our companies of the southward appear to great advantage. The
near approach of the disbandment of the army, and a tardiness in Congress to
make provision for a settlement, produced dissatisfaction among the officers in
Pennsylvania, as well as among those at head-quarters. To us who were strangers
in our own State, this business was unknown. About eighty men from the
recruiting rendezvous at Lancaster, turned out and marched to Philadelphia
without an officer; were joined by the recruits in the barracks; marched to the
State House where Congress were, frightened that body, and broke up their
sitting. This proceeding took place about noon, when the officers belonging to
the two companies from Charleston were at Governor Dickinson's on an invitation
to dinner. The alarm reached us—hastened to the barracks—long roll beat; our
two companies fell in to a man; marched to the Governor's house in Market
street; several troops of militia horse paraded; great uproar in the city.
Although the insurgents had posted sentinels round the State House, the members
of Congress made out to escape, after passing a resolution to assemble at
Trenton. The officers who were concerned in this business, and who had
privately directed the movements, now thought of themselves; they fled and
escaped in a light boat down the river; men soon dispersed. A few days brought
General Howe from headquarters with a brigade of light troops, for purpose of
suppressing the insurrection. Most of the officers who were here previous to
our arrival were arrested, and a few taken in close custody. General court martial
ordered for their trial. Government were desirous of getting rid of the army in
as quiet a manner as possible; at this particular period it was thought best
not to be too rigid. Howe had his cue; officers released. Captain Alexander
Parker (my uncle), on furlough from Lancaster, was returning home; obtained
leave of absence, and accompanied him to Carlisle. Our regiment from southward
not yet arrived.
SOURCE: J. B.
Lippincott & Co., Publisher, The Record of the Court at Upland, in
Pennsylvania. 1676 to 1681. And a Military Journal Kept by Major E. Denny, 1781
to 1795, pp. 256-7
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