Took up the line of march at day break, made a short day's march of six miles, being much fatigued. This day built a fine bush hut—6 miles.
SOURCE: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Publisher, Journal of Lieut. William Feltman, of the First Pennsylvania Regiment, 1781-82, p. 4
Took up the line of march at 3 o'clock in the morning, march through the best country we have ever seen in this State, and encamped at Mr. Dandridge's, being 20 miles.
SOURCE: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Publisher, Journal of Lieut. William Feltman, of the First Pennsylvania Regiment, 1781-82, p. 4
Very fine morning. This day the enemy advanced on us. Our encampment struck at sunset. All the Continental Troops marched in order to surprise a party of Tarleton's horse. We continued till day light, but on our arrival found they had gone some hours—13 miles.
SOURCE: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Publisher, Journal of Lieut. William Feltman, of the First Pennsylvania Regiment, 1781-82, p. 4
Lay on our arms till one o'clock; retired into the country 4 miles, where we lay destitute of any refreshment, bedding or covering—4 miles, (Henrico Co.)
SOURCE: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Publisher, Journal of Lieut. William Feltman, of the First Pennsylvania Regiment, 1781-82, p. 5
Marched at 6 o'clock, three miles, and were reviewed by the General. Lay on our arms all night—3 miles.
SOURCE: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Publisher, Journal of Lieut. William Feltman, of the First Pennsylvania Regiment, 1781-82, p. 5
Arrived at Col. Simm's mills. Marched at 12 o'clock A. M., 8 miles, and lay at Burrill's ornery, destitute of every necessary of life—8 miles.
SOURCE: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Publisher, Journal of Lieut. William Feltman, of the First Pennsylvania Regiment, 1781-82, p. 5
Marched at 2 o'clock through a well inhabited country, though I can give no account of the people, as I have not been in the inside of a house (but one or two ornerys). They sometimes come to the road side in order to take a view of us as we pass by, but a person can scarcely discern any part of them but the nose and eyes, as they have themselves muffled up with linens, &c., in order to prevent the sun from burning their faces (I mean the female sex). At the same time they will have a number of blacks standing around them, all naked, nothing to hide their nakedness. You can easily distinguish their sex; I mean the blacks, for reasons already mentioned. They will also have their attendants dressed in the same uniform. They will also attend their table in this manner.
* * * * * * * * *
This day we passed through Richmond in twenty hours after the enemy had evacuated it a number of houses being destroyed by the enemy. They also destroyed a great quantity of Tobacco, which they threw into the streets and set fire to it. The town is built close on James River under a bank. We encamped two miles this side of the town. About 6 o'clock P. M. Capt. Davis and self made to town and spent the afternoon playing billiards and drinking wine—20 miles.
SOURCE: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Publisher, Journal of Lieut. William Feltman, of the First Pennsylvania Regiment, 1781-82, p. 5
Continued on this ground in order to dry our clothes (which had got wet the night before), and the men to furbish their arms, &o. This day one of our soldiers belonging to the fourth Reg't, Penna., was taken deserting to the enemy. At 3 o'clock P. M. he was tried and sentenced to be shot, which soon he received in the evening at roll-call. At the same time we received orders to strike our tents, which we did, and marched at dark in order to surprise Tarleton's Horse (12 miles.) He got intelligence of our advancing (which he always had, more than we) and retired—12 miles. James City County.
SOURCE: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Publisher, Journal of Lieut. William Feltman, of the First Pennsylvania Regiment, 1781-82, p. 5
Lay by this day. At dark took up our line of march in order to overtake Col. Simes's horse, who had the rear guard with a great number of cattle, plundering as he was making his way towards James Town; left one negro man with the small-pox lying on the road side in order to prevent the Virginia militia from pursuing them, which the enemy frequently did; left numbers in that condition starving and helpless, begging of us as we passed them for God's sake to kill them, as they were in great pain and misery.
SOURCE: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Publisher, Journal of Lieut. William Feltman, of the First Pennsylvania Regiment, 1781-82, p. 6
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
