YORK. — Provision for transporting baggage, &c., and
other necessary preparation. Commenced our march for Virginia; the weather
pleasant and roads tolerably good. Passed through Frederick Town (Maryland),
where were some British prisoners quartered; they turned out to see us. Next
day reached the Potomac; here we were detained for want of craft—boats few and
in bad condition. The artillery passed over first (a battalion of artillery
accompanied the brigade). The second flat-boat had left the shore about forty
yards, when the whole sunk. Several women were on board; but as hundreds of men
were on the bank, relief soon reached them; none were lost—got all over.
Proceeded a few miles and encamped. Struck our tents every morning before day.
About eight or nine o'clock, as we found water, a short halt was made, the
water-call beat; parties, six or eight from each company, conducted by a
non-commissioned officer, with canteens, fetched water. Seldom allowed to eat
until twelve o'clock, when the arms were stacked, knapsacks taken off, and
water sent for by parties as before. Officers of a company generally messed
together, sometimes more; one of their servants carried cooked provisions for
the day; no cooking until night. Not acquainted with the country on our route,
but understood that we were marching much about — very circuitous— keeping off
the Blue Ridge close on our right. This to avoid the enemy and secure our junction
with the Marquis Lafayette.
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. 238-9
