Joined the troops under command of Lafayette. The Marquis
had marched two or three days to meet us. His men look as if they were fit for
business. They are chiefly all light infantry, dressed in frocks and over-alls
of linen. One day spent in washing and refreshing—in fixing arms, carriages,
&c., and served out ammunition. Move toward Richmond, where Lord Cornwallis
with the British army lay. Heard that his lordship was employed burning and
destroying warehouses of tobacco, all the public store-houses, &c. Passed
through Richmond toward Williamsburg after the enemy—joined by Baron Steuben
with some new levies. Near Bacon's Bridge the British turned upon us; our
advance pressed them too close. The army was formed for a fight—they did
not come on. General Wayne very anxious to do something. Colonel Simcoe, who
commands the British legion (horse and mounted infantry), is constantly
committing some depredation abroad, and foraging for their army. Wayne hears of
him—our brigade leave their tents and baggage, march at dark, with piece of
white paper in each man's hat flints taken out. At day-light reach place called
the Bowling Green, where Simcoe had been the evening before. This was a severe
march for me—found myself asleep more than once on the route. Returned and met
the baggage. A detachment from the brigade put under command of Colonel Richard
Butler. After a variety of marching and counter-marching, Butler at length
intercepts Simcoe; a smart skirmish takes place; Wayne supports Butler, and
Simcoe retreats. Here for the first time saw wounded men; feelings not very
agreeable; endeavor to conquer this disposition or weakness; the sight sickened
me. This little engagement within six miles of Williamsburg, where the enemy
were encamped. Pennsylvania troops retreat-advance again. See the Marquis'
light troops but seldom-know they are not far off. Kept constantly on the move.
Hear that the enemy have decamped and preparing to cross James river at
Jamestown. Our brigade move down; lay on arms all night about nine miles from
the enemy. At day-light move on; middle of the afternoon of the 6th of July
firing ahead. Our advance drove in the enemy's pickets, marching at this time
by companies, in open order. My captain (Montgomery) fell behind his company
where my place was, talked with me; gives me a lesson useful to me. When
perhaps within one hundred and fifty yards of the enemy, we closed column and
displayed; advanced in battalion until the firing commenced, and ran along the
whole line. A regiment or more of the light infantry and three pieces of
artillery were in the line. Saw the British light infantry, distinctly,
advancing at arm's-length distance, and their second line in close order, with
shouldered musket, just in front of their camp—their infantry only engaged. The
main body were discovered filing off to the right and left, when orders were
given us to retreat. My captain, Montgomery, received a shot in his foot and
had hopped back in the rear; Lieutenant Bluer being absent, the charge of the
company devolved on me; young and inexperienced, exhausted with hunger and
fatigue, had like to have disgraced myself—had eat nothing all day but a few
blackberries— was faint, and with difficulty kept my place; once or twice was
about to throw away my arms (a very heavy espontoon). The company were almost
all old soldiers. Kept compact and close to our leading company, and continued
running until out of reach of the fire. The enemy advanced no farther than to
the ground we left. We could not have been engaged longer than about three or
four minutes, but at the distance of sixty yards only. Our loss is said to be
upward of one hundred killed and wounded; among the latter twelve officers, one
of whom, Lieutenant Herbert, taken prisoner; a few of the wounded not able to
get off, were also taken. The artillery horses all killed; two pieces were
lost.
Retreated two miles to very commanding ground, where we met
the Marquis with our main body; halted and had some Indian meal served out, the
wounded dressed, &c., and before day changed our ground and encamped about
five miles from the field.
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. 239-42
