Diary of Jacob Hiltzheimer, February 11, 1769

My horse fell with me at the Barracks and hurt my arm.

SOURCE: Jacob Cox Parsons, Editor, Extracts from the Diary of Jacob Hiltzheimer, of Philadelphia, 1765-1798, p. 16

Diary of Christopher Marshall: Leaf A, April 24, 1775

[A]

PHILADELPHIA, APRIL 24, 1775.

An express arrived at Five o'clock this evening, by which we have the following advices:

Watertown, Wednesday Morning, near 10 of the clock.

To all friends of American Liberty, be it known, that this morning before break of day, a brigade consisting of about 1000 or 1200 men landed at Phipps's Farm, at Cambridge and marched to Lexington, where they found a Company of our Colony Militia in arms, upon whom they fired without any provocation, and killed six men and wounded four others. By an express from Boston, we find another brigade are now upon their march from Boston, supposed to be about 1000. The bearer, Trail Bissel, is charged to alarm the country quite to Connecticut; and all persons are desired to furnish him with fresh horses, as they may be needed. I have spoken with several, who have seen the dead and wounded. Pray let the Delegates from this Colony to Connecticut see this, they know Col. Forster, one of the Delegates.

J. PALMER, one of the Committee.

A true Copy from the Original, per order of the Committee of Correspondence of Worcester, April, 1775. Attested and forwarded by the Committees of Brookline, Norwich, New London, Lyme, Saybrook, Killingsworth, E. Guilford, Guilford, Brandford, New Haven.

Fairfield, Saturday, April 22, 8 o'clock.

SINCE the above was written we have received the following by a second express.

Thursday, 3 o'clock, afternoon, A. M.

SIR,

I am this moment informed by an express from Woodstock, taken from the mouth of the Express, then two of the clock, afternoon-That the contest between the first Brigade that—marched to Concord was still continuing this morning at the town of Lexington, to which said Brigade had retreated, that another Brigade had, said to be the second mentioned in the letter of this morning, landed with a quantity of Artillery at the place where the first did. The Provincials were determined to prevent the two Brigades from joining their strength if possible, and remain in great need of succour.

N. B. The Regulars, when in Concord, burnt the Court House, took two pieces of cannon which they rendered useless; and began to take up Concord bridge on which Capt. ——— (who with many on both sides were soon killed) made an attack upon the king's troops, on which they retreated to Lexington.

I am,

EB. WILLIAMS

To Col. Obadiah Johnson, Canterbury.

P. S. Mr. McFarlan of Plainfield, Merchant, has just returned from Boston, by way of Providence, who conversed with an express from Lexington, who further informs, that 4000 of our troops had surrounded the first brigade above mentioned, who were on a hill in Lexington, that the action continued, and there were about 50 of our men killed, and 150 of the regulars, as near as they could determine, when the express came away: it will be expedient for every man to go who is fit and willing.

The above is a true copy as received per express from New Haven, and attested by the Committee of Correspondence, from town to town. Attest

Jonathan Sturgis        

Andrew Rowland        

Thaddius Burr        

Job Bartram        

Committee

The above was received yesterday at 4 o'clock, by the Committee of New York, and forwarded to Philadelphia, by ISAAC Low, Chairman of the Committee of New York.

Printed by W. and T. BRADFORD.

SOURCE: William Duane, Editor, Passages from the Diary of Christopher Marshall, Kept in Philadelphia and Lancaster during the American Revolution, Vol. 1, 1774-1777, p. 20-1

Diary of Christopher Marshall: Leaf B, April 26, 1775

[B]

PHILADELPHIA, April 26, 1775.

Wednesday, 12 o'clock.

By an Express just arrived, we have the following.

Wallingford, Monday morning, April 24, 1775.

Dear Sir

COL. Woodworth was over in this place yesterday and has ordered 20 men from each company in his regiment, some of which have already set off, and others go this morning. He brings accounts which came to him authenticated as late as Thursday afternoon. The king's troops being reinforced a second time and joined as I suppose from what I can learn by the party who were intercepted by Col. Gardiner, were then encamped on Winterhill, and were surrounded by 20,000 of our men who were entrenching.

Colonel Gardiner's ambush proved fatal to Lord Percy, and one other General Officer, who were killed on the spot the first fire.—To counterbalance this good news, the story is, that our first man in command (who he is I know not) is also killed.—It seems they have lost many men on both sides.—Col. Woodsworth had the account in a letter from Hartford.—

The country beyond here are all gone off, and we expect it will be impossible to procure horses for our waggons, as they have or will in every place employ their horses themselves. In this place they send an horse for every sixth man and are pressing them for that purpose. I know of no way but you must send immediately a couple of able horses, who may overtake us at Hartford possibly, where we must return Mr. Noy's and Meloy's, if they hold out so far. Remember the horses must be had at any rate. I am in great haste

Your entire friend and humble servant

JAMES LOCKWOOD.

P. S. Col. Gardiner took 9 prisoners, and 12 clubbed their firelocks and came over to our party.—

Colonel Gardiner's party consisted of 700, and the regulars of 1800 instead of 1200, as we heard before.—They have sent a vessel up the Mystic river as far as Temple's Farm, which is about half a mile from Winterhill.—These accounts being true, all the King's Troops, except 4 or 500, must be encamped on Winterhill. At the instance of the gentlemen of Fairfield just departed this copy is taken verbatim from the original, to be forwarded to that town.

ISAAC BEARS

The above is copied and authenticated by the several Committees through Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey

*** Winter Hill is about two miles from Boston. Wallingford is fourteen miles from New Haven.

Printed by W. and T. BRADFORD.

SOURCE: William Duane, Editor, Passages from the Diary of Christopher Marshall, Kept in Philadelphia and Lancaster during the American Revolution, Vol. 1, 1774-1777, p. 22-3

Journal of Lieutenant William Feltman, September 28, 1781

The whole army took up the line of march this morning five o'clock. I conjecture the whole of our army, I mean the French and our Continental troops, to be Fifteen Thousand Veteran Troops, besides the militia; they are so numerous that I have not been able to ascertain their number. The American army consists of six Brigades, viz: Col. Vons's, Lt. Col. Barber's and Lt. Col. Gemot's Battalion of Infantry will form one brigade and to be commanded by Brigadier Gen. Muhlenberg.

Col. Scammell's Reg't and Lt. Col. Hamilton's Battalion of Infantry and Harem's Reg't, a Brigade to be commanded by Brigadier Gen. Harem [sic].

Col. Gaskin's Virginia Reg't and the two Battalions of Pennsylvania's, a Brigade to be commanded by Brigad'r Gen. Wayne.

The two Jersey battalions and the Rhode Island Reg't, a Brigade to be commanded by Col. Dayton.

The third and fourth Maryland Regt's, a Brigade to be commanded by Brigad'r Gen'l Clinton.

The American troops encamped in a wood within a mile of the Enemy's left line and the French troops encamped on their right. Our troops remained under arms all night with their respective companies and platoons.

The French troops saluted Col. Tarleton's Horse with a few shot of three pounders which made them retreat immediately.

A number of prisoners taken this night who had been straggling through the country.

SOURCE: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Publisher, Journal of Lieut. William Feltman, of the First Pennsylvania Regiment, 1781-82, p. 15

Journal of Captain John Montresor, August 1, 1777

The weather fine, but the sea continued agitated. About 10 this morning it began to moderate. Latitude at 12 o'clock 38° 24". The sea much abated. I gave orders to allowance our fresh water on board on account of the visible waste. At sunset tacked, wind S. Course W. S. West. The Breeze continued till 12 o'clock at night and then fell calm. Observed 2 strange vessels in the Fleet, one a tobacco vessel taken bound to France, the other a Privateer which took one of our horse sloops astern of our fleet off the Delaware, but both retaken by the boats of one of our Ships of War.

SOURCE: G. D. Scull, Editor, The Montresor Journals, pp. 431-2

Journal of Captain John Montresor, August 7, 1777

Calm till 11 o'clock A. M. Master of the horse Sloop came on board to signifie the distress for want of forage. Gave him a note to the Commissary General. Latitude (at noon) 38° 8′ 30′′. Very sultry and close, sea rather smooth. Remark—the losing 7½ miles is safely accounted for, by the observation of the current of yesterday. Every night lately a threatening horizon at the S. W. At 5 P. M. the fleet went about, we laid what we conjectured to be our course. The wind E. by S. our course now S. by East about 4 Knots. Continued this course all night. At 5½ P. M. the fleet discovered the land.

SOURCE: G. D. Scull, Editor, The Montresor Journals, p. 434

Journal of Captain John Montresor, August 10, 1777

Wind W. S. W. weather fine. About 6 A. M. the Fleet tacked and stood S., at 4 this morning before we tacked until 6 the Fleet stood about N. West. Latitude (at Noon) 36° 52′ being 8 miles to the Southward of Cape Henry. Still steering South and supposed to be about 25 leagues from the land. The Horse Vessels in general lying too for Food from the forage vessel they being much distressed. At 6½ P. M. the fleet tacked and steered W. N. W. the Same S. Wester prevailing—The Fleet continued this course all night at 1 Knot per hour.

SOURCE: G. D. Scull, Editor, The Montresor Journals, p. 435

Journal of Captain John Montresor, August 19, 1777

Wind E. N. E. at past 7 A. M. The Fleet weighed anchor the tide of Flood making. The fleet and army much distressed for the want of fresh water, having been for some time put to an allowance, but not so much so as the horse vessels, having been obliged to throw numbers of their horses overboard. The weather good and much cooler, or rather less hot. Very considerable signal smokes made and continued most of this day by the Rebels on the Southernmost end of Hooper's Island. Sea very smooth. Very heavy rain most of this day with thunder and lightning and blowing excessive hard and the Fleet carried sail to it and came to an anchor in ten Fathoms water between the South end of Barren Island and the River Patuxen—very muddy bottom. Water far from being rough, notwithstanding the head wind. Land on the west side of this Bay high and less on the East, Those that form the Cliffs from Patuxen River to West river are curious, the land all about very rough & hilly.

SOURCE: G. D. Scull, Editor, The Montresor Journals, p. 440

Journal of Captain John Montresor, August 31, 1777

Lt.-Gen'l Kniphuysen marched easterly on the neck into the Country, together with Generals Gray, Agnew, and Sir William Erskine in order to secure Cattle, waggons and Horses, &c., the army lying in great want of horses, owing to so long and unexpected a voyage hither both as to their flesh and their numbers. Weather very fine but intensely hot in the middle of the day, mornings and evenings rather cool. A Skirmish this morning—a body of rebels having appeared which the 23d Regt. attacked and pushed, taking 3 prisoners—they having one Killed and 5 wounded. Two deserters came in from the Rebel Army. The Command with General Kniphuysen taken 261 head horned Cattle and 568 sheep and 100 horses. Picket of 5th Regt. took 36 head Horned Cattle. A light horse deserter Came in. Lost 5 more Royal Artillery's.

SOURCE: G. D. Scull, Editor, The Montresor Journals, pp. 444-5

Diary of Jacob Hiltzheimer, February 22, 1768

Bought a horse of George Rosell, four years old, for our Governor Penn—gave £28 for him.

SOURCE: Jacob Cox Parsons, Editor, Extracts from the Diary of Jacob Hiltzheimer, of Philadelphia, 1765-1798, p. 14

Diary of Jacob Hiltzheimer, May 13, 1768

Set out this morning at four o'clock, on Skewbald, and reached Lancaster at six in the evening, although he is now fifteen years old.

SOURCE: Jacob Cox Parsons, Editor, Extracts from the Diary of Jacob Hiltzheimer, of Philadelphia, 1765-1798, p. 15

Diary of Jacob Hiltzheimer, October 4, 1768

This afternoon started for the £100 purse, the gray horse Northumberland, bay horse Granby, and bay mare Strumpet; the gray won two heats.

SOURCE: Jacob Cox Parsons, Editor, Extracts from the Diary of Jacob Hiltzheimer, of Philadelphia, 1765-1798, p. 16

Diary of Jacob Hiltzheimer, October 6, 1768

Started for the Ladies' purse, Mr. Morris's colt Luggs; Mr. Coryell's bay mare Bungtown Maid; Mr. Peterson's horse Brinton; my mare Pallas; all three years old. Luggs won; made the first heat in 4 m. 17 s.; second heat, 4 m. 23 s.

SOURCE: Jacob Cox Parsons, Editor, Extracts from the Diary of Jacob Hiltzheimer, of Philadelphia, 1765-1798, p. 16

Diary of Jacob Hiltzheimer, October 8, 1768

The City Plate of £50 was run for by Strumpet, Ladylegs, Nancy Dawson, and Granby; Strumpet won.

SOURCE: Jacob Cox Parsons, Editor, Extracts from the Diary of Jacob Hiltzheimer, of Philadelphia, 1765-1798, p. 16

Diary of Jacob Hiltzheimer, December 5, 1768

At night came here seven black horses belonging to the Duchess of Gordon.

SOURCE: Jacob Cox Parsons, Editor, Extracts from the Diary of Jacob Hiltzheimer, of Philadelphia, 1765-1798, p. 16

Diary of Jacob Hiltzheimer, November 12, 1766

Five horses started for the £60 purse. Trial, Merry Andrew, Sterling, Valiant, and a mare belonging to Colonel Armstrong. Trial won the purse.

SOURCE: Jacob Cox Parsons, Editor, Extracts from the Diary of Jacob Hiltzheimer, of Philadelphia, 1765-1798, p. 12

Diary of Jacob Hiltzheimer, November 13, 1766

Four horses started in the race to-day-Smoker, Merry Andrew, Sampson, and a little roan, belonging to Joseph Richardson. Smoker won.

SOURCE: Jacob Cox Parsons, Editor, Extracts from the Diary of Jacob Hiltzheimer, of Philadelphia, 1765-1798, p. 12

Journal of Lieutenant William Feltman, June 26, 1781

At six o'clock in the morning we were informed that a covering party of horse were but a small distance before us. Gen. Wayne immediately ordered the front platoon of each battalion to turn out immediately, which order being complied with, being four platoons and Major McPherson's party of Legionary horse, we pursued them five or six miles in full speed. At last we came within a short distance of them. Major Hamilton had the command of the Infantry. A party then of about forty men of the New England troops were ordered to mount behind the same number of dragoons, and then pursued them and came up with them in a short time. We had a severe skirmish with their Horse and Infantry, in which we took a number of their horse and cattle, and killed forty of their Infantry. Our loss was trifling. Major McPherson's horse threw him into the field of action, who fortunately made his escape. I expected every moment they would have attacked our small party of Infantry, which was posted on a small knoll, in order to cover the Light Dragoons.

SOURCE: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Publisher, Journal of Lieut. William Feltman, of the First Pennsylvania Regiment, 1781-82, p. 6

Journal of Captain John Montresor, June 14, 1777

The Commander in Chief with the other columns or rather the main body arrived and encamped 3 miles South of the Mill Stone River at Middlebush, he went on crossed the Mill Stone River after repairing the Bridge which the Enemy had broken up. We found Lord Cornwallis's Column on the opposite side after some skirmishing ten rebels killed, our loss in killed two and 2 wounded and an Officer. Found most of the Houses deserted and what were inhabited the men were absent; collected some Forage, cattle and horses A few shots were exchanged between some of our cavalry and that of the rebels but without effect and advanced. Yager taken off by some rebel Light horse.

SOURCE: G. D. Scull, Editor, The Montresor Journals, p. 422

Journal of Captain John Montresor, June 26, 1777

At 3 o'clock this morning the Army moved in 2 Columns, the right Lord Cornwallis-left Major General Vaughan—the Right Column took the Woodbridge Road and the left the Brunswick road but turned off the road to Metuchin meeting and 1200 men were sent on to take post at Bonham town way to Brunswick from Amboy and the 2 Columns encamped this night at Westfield. A continued firing most of this day's march. Lord Sterling and General Maxwell with 3000 men and 4 brass field pieces principally opposed us near Westfield, but were put to flight leaving behind 3 Brass Field pieces, 3 Pounders one French and 2 English. Supposed to have killed this day about 50 of the Rebels and took 64 prisoners in arms and about 500 head of horned cattle. Washington with the gross of his Army made off very early with the utmost Expedition and his Baggage and retired to his old post on the Shannoc mountain. The heat of the weather was such that we lost 9 men on the march by it. We had no men Killed and about 20 wounded and a Captain in the Guards shot through the Body. Great want of water as the Inhabitants had choaked several of their wells. Most of the Houses were abandoned, what were not had only women and children. The rebel army had moved from the Mountain Country leaving there taken post at Quibbletown three miles South of the mountain. The Engineers and Artificers were divided with the 2 Columns—two Established and an Assistant Engineer to each, myself with the Commander in Chief. The first body that fired on our right Column was about 1500 men under a General Conway and 3 field pieces, which were soon routed with loss by the usual Intrepidity of Light Infantry. Lord Chewton, aid de Camp to Lord Cornwallis had his horse shot under him. One man raved with a coup de soleil and fired at our own flankers. Amongst the prisoners a Major, 2 Captains and an Adjutant the latter shot through the thigh.

SOURCE: G. D. Scull, Editor, The Montresor Journals, pp. 424-5