Diary of Reverend Enos Hitchcock, July 30, 1777

In Council of war held at six this morning it was determined upon to retreat¹ to Surratoga—our Brigade was ordered to decamp immediately the huts to rafted which was done, we left the Island at 12 ^oClock, soon reached Fort Miller, one-half of the Brigade tarried there, the other came down to Mr. Niels 3 miles I came with them & down to Gen1. Schuylers—Gen1. Fornays'² & Tinbrooks Brigade attacked in their rear by a party of the Enemy, one of ours killed, one of Gen1. Arnolds Aid de Camps wounded & two or three others—no great done—Gen1. Lincoln³ came up—met with Mr Shaw at the Barracks, Letter from Home & Rev^d Morrel & Brother David— 

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¹ This was a good movement, bringing our army nearer to its natural base and carrying the enemy farther from his.

² Fornay stands for Roche de Fermoi (or Fermoy), a Colonel from the French army, made Brigadier-General by Congress. We have drawn more blanks than prizes in our European officers, and Fermoi apparently was of the former sort. St. Clair's friends charged him with the worst casualties in the retreat from Ticonderoga, in that he fired his quarters at Mount Independence, thereby exposing the rear to Frazer's pursuit. "One of the worst of the adventurers was this very General Fermoy, who brought disaster upon the rear of St. Clair's army after the successful retreat from Ticonderoga." Smith's St. Clair, I., 65 n.

Gates dismissed Fermoi with a letter to Hancock September 14, 1777, containing this shrewd diplomatic praise: "I have much respect for the "Long Service and Rank of General Fermoi and wish circumstances "had made it convenient to have retained him here." (Gates' MS. Papers, N. Y. Historical Society. Rogers' MS. Notes.)

³ Benjamin Lincoln, of Hingham, Mass., was a Major-General in the army, and after September 29th was second in command under Gates. He had fair military ability and great force of character.

SOURCE: Amos Perry, The Town Records of Rhode Island, Publications of the Rhode Island Historical Society, New Series, Vol. 7 (1899), pp. 124-5

Diary of Christopher Marshall, April 27, 1775

* * Another account, being several extracts of letters per post, from Boston, of the 19th and 20th, giving further account of the behaviour of the troops, and of their precipitate retreat unto Charleston. See postscripts to Pennsylvania Journal and Gazette, (No. 1690, and No. 2418.)

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. 19

Journal of Lieutenant William Feltman, September 14, 1781

This day I mounted the Centre Picquet near the Windmill, in Williamsburg. In the evening about four o'clock twenty-one pieces of cannon were fired on the arrival of his Excellency, General George Washington.

There was a universal joy amongst our officers and soldiers, especially the French troops, on his arrival.

This night about twelve o'clock a French officer came to my picquet and desired me to send a file of men with him, to the Marquis La Fayette's quarters, as he had a packet of letters for him from the Count De Grasse. He informed me (as he spoke German) there were nine large men of war joined the Count De Grasse the day before yesterday from Rhode Island under the command of Count Rochambeau.

He likewise informed me that the day before yesterday they took two of the enemy's frigates of thirty two guns each. Also, the last vessels had a reinforcement of two thousand five hundred French Infantry on board.

I had about one hour's confab with the gentleman, and he seemed much pleased with our present situation, and was very desirous of explaining himself in a more explicit manner, as he spoke but very indifferently the German language. He was confident that Lord Cornwallis would not stand it longer than eight days at farthest.

SOURCE: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Publisher, Journal of Lieut. William Feltman, of the First Pennsylvania Regiment, 1781-82, pp. 13-14

Journal of Lieutenant William Feltman, September 20, 1781

This morning I mounted the picquet at College Landing. A very great change of weather this day, it being dull and very cold and unwholesome day. Rained very hard all night.

This evening received a letter from my friend Lieut. James McLean dated at Philad'a, July 22d, 1781.

SOURCE: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Publisher, Journal of Lieut. William Feltman, of the First Pennsylvania Regiment, 1781-82, p. 14

Journal of Lieutenant William Feltman, September 22, 1781

This day the Northern troops arrived and landed at Burrell's Landing.

This morning received a letter from Lieut. Andrew Johnston from York (Penna.) dated the 3d Sept'r, 1781.

After breakfast Lieut. Benj'n Lodge and self took a walk to Lieuts. Ball and Armstrong's quarters; spent the day very agreeably with them in playing whilst, fowling, &c.

SOURCE: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Publisher, Journal of Lieut. William Feltman, of the First Pennsylvania Regiment, 1781-82, p. 14

Diary of Reverend Enos Hitchcock, Sunday, June 1, 1777

No Service A. M. dined at the Generals²—Letters from General Gates inform of Col^o Meigss capturing 70 men on Long Island & destroying some Stores also y^t the Troops in Canada are going to the Southard — Divine Service at Six ^oClock I Chron 19, 17, very warm.

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² At Brigade Headquarters, General Patterson's, probably.

SOURCE: Amos Perry, The Town Records of Rhode Island, Publications of the Rhode Island Historical Society, New Series, Vol. 7 (1899), p. 110

Diary of Reverend Enos Hitchcock, June 16, 1777

Capt. Page &c arrived—receivd Letters by Him from Master Herrick to the 30^th of May, fair & pleasant.

SOURCE: Amos Perry, The Town Records of Rhode Island, Publications of the Rhode Island Historical Society, New Series, Vol. 7 (1899), p. 113

Diary of Reverend Enos Hitchcock, June 30, 1777

Alarmed at [blotted] ^oClock last Night by firing from the Picket guard—it proved false—about 7 ^oClock the guard Boats coming in—8 a number of Enemies Boats heave in sight, alarm Guns—Several Cannon discharged at the French lines at a party of Indians & others—Some Musketry with^t. the Picket drove in—at noon men dismissed to get Refreshment— sent our Bagage to Mount Independ^c —towards Night two Ships, several Sloops a lare number of Gun Boats & others stretch across the Lake within one & ½ mile of the Jersey Battery—Mr. Shaw came in with other Posts a little before Night, receivd Letter from Home No. 3, Revd Foster & Fish & Brother David—extreme Hot—

SOURCE: Amos Perry, The Town Records of Rhode Island, Publications of the Rhode Island Historical Society, New Series, Vol. 7 (1899), pp. 115-6

Journal of Lieutenant William Feltman, August 12, 1781

This day a soldier of the Virginia Eighteen Months' Men was executed for entering the tent of Capt. Kirkpatrick, of 3d Regiment, and shooting him in the left eye.

This day I sent the following letters by Lieut. Crawford: One to Lieut. Johnson, one to Capt. Busk, of our Regiment, one to my mother, (No. 3,) one to my brother App. (No. 1.)

SOURCE: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Publisher, Journal of Lieut. William Feltman, of the First Pennsylvania Regiment, 1781-82, p. 9

Journal of Lieutenant William Feltman, August 30, 1781

This whole day was employed in crossing the troops and baggage over James river, and encamped on Col. Mead's farm, This day, 2 o'clock, P. M., received the following letters, viz; Two from my Brother, Michl. App, dated the 18th July, 81, One from my Cousin Harry Dering, dated the 25th July, 81, One from my friend Lieut. Thos, Doyle, dated blank.

The above mentioned letters I received from Lieut. Blewer of our line, who received them from a Virginia officer, who received them at Richmond.

This place is called Prince George County.

SOURCE: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Publisher, Journal of Lieut. William Feltman, of the First Pennsylvania Regiment, 1781-82, p. 11

Diary of Reverend Enos Hitchcock, May 28, 1777

Wrote Home by a Marblehead man, very warm—receivd Letter from Home 19 May—the Enemies fleet discovered a little below Split Rock—General Patterson supped with us upon fish—

SOURCE: Amos Perry, The Town Records of Rhode Island, Publications of the Rhode Island Historical Society, New Series, Vol. 7 (1899), p. 110