USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > The town and city of Waterbury, Connecticut, from the aboriginal period to the year eighteen hundred and ninety-five, Volume I > Part 51
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* A note in the journal adds : The inhabitants chiefly unfriendly.
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who is pursuing the enemy. The 9th we lodged on the ground the Marquis marched from yesterday, and which Gen. Wayne left to-day noon. We are all in pursuit after the British enemy.
The Ioth we came up with the baggage belonging to the Marquis. This is a long and tedious road, thro' a wilderness where no water is to allay our parching thirst. But there is a greater drought with respect to hearing the word of the Lord. Is not this the Holy Sabbath ? But where am I, and what am I about ? O Lord, forgive my sins, for though I am here, yet my heart is at home with thy worshipping people. We still direct our course through this lonesome desert. We marched not far from fifty miles without finding above one or two houses and as little water, finding none unless in swamps or mud holes. At night we passed Gen. Wayne and joined the infantry at 8 o'clock on the morning of the 11th, after a long and tedious march of more than six hundred miles, which cost us near a month's time, together with much fatigue and great hardships. Gen. Wayne joined soon after, and the militia are coming on. We march at 2 o'clock and expect to come up with the enemy in a day or two. Our infantry this day (except those who came with me) had dealt out to them, one Holland shirt, one lining one, one frock and two pair of overalls. At revelle-beating we marched off the ground and passed along a solitary desert where we were in great strait for drink (houses being as seldom as colleges in Connecticut, and wells as scarce as virtuous pools) .* This day we had one month's pay in hard money. . . At the rising of the sun on the 14th we marched twelve or fifteen miles before we halted, and, though the last night was so severely cold that we could not lie warm with all the clothes we had, yet, after the sun rose the heat increased to that degree, together with the dust and want of water, as to render the air almost suffocating for we found not a drop of water all the way. We came near famishing all. Some fainted, while others dropped with weary legs by the way, and this was only a forenoon's march. What may we not expect in the afternoon and what must be our fate through the summer. The 15th we lay, 'tis said within four miles of the enemy, who retreated all the night and got some start of us. The next day we began our route at break of day and continued it till the middle of the afternoon, and then encamped in the woods about fifty miles from Richmond.
This morning we had our General's [Wayne] applause for our fortitude to bear hardships with patience - meat being out and our bread but poor. It is made chiefly of coarse Indian meal, which we wet and bake on barks, on stones. How- ever, we not being used to such bread, nor such a country, the day being intensely hot, and the night as cold (we having no tents to cover us), our march long, water unwholesome and rum not very plenty, and the great and unexpected distance from home-all these together make my trials almost insupportable. Among the many insects that trouble us, wood-ticks are not the least, for they are exceeding many and exceeding troublesome. There is also a most venomous spider, and a small creature that afflicts us far worse than wood-ticks. Yea, though they are the smallest living things I ever saw (I think they would hardly be discerned were it not for their colour, which is scarlet red), they go through one's clothes, creep into the pores of the skin, where they cause it to swell to the degree of a bee sting and are exceeding itching and smarting, and sometimes dangerous. They have a shell like a tortoise. The inhabitants call them Gigars, and they comparatively are as thick as the dust of the earth.
The enemy are now in Richmond. The 17th, marched fifteen or twenty miles. O Lord God our fatigue and troubles are so great that one can scarcely attend
* See Agur Mallory.
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even so much as to think on thy Holy Day! Yea, we can scarcely attend to our necessary food. But may we sooner forget what to eat than the Sabbath of the Lord. . There was a duel fought this day between a militia officer and Lieut. Wheaton of the Connecticut line, in which encounter the latter was killed, or at least mortally wounded. He was our brigade quarter-master, or wagon- master general. The 18th we lay still; sent out scouts, and took some pris- oners belonging to Tarlton's light-horse. When we went after Tarlton's light- horse, we went without our pieces being loaded and with our flints taken out, that no one might fire a gun. General Wayne, whom they call "Mad Anthony " and "Sword-in-hand," intended to have put them all to the bayonet. About dusk, the Marquis stole a march on the enemy, but without success. [The next night was spent in marching, by which the enemy's camp was reached at sunrise, but the troops were fled, " perhaps well for them." Days of marching (the march beginning at I o'clock in the morning), and retreating; to and past Richmond-where were large stores of various kinds, much private property, and many thousand hogsheads of tobacco-followed; " the troops seldom catching more than two hours sleep in twenty-four," not taking time for food, and exposed daily to small pox. He writes: on June 23:] I must shut my book for the present. The drum beats for parading. The news, the enemy are upon us! On this, we formed a solid column in order to receive their horse, which were approaching with their infantry, whom they preceded. They came in sight, but durst not give us battle. They retreated precipitately, by which we soon understood they were a rear guard, sent back to cause us to make a halt, that our foes might slip away with their main body and baggage. Here I must take notice of some villany. Within these days past I have marched by 18 or 20 negroes that lay dead by the wayside, putrifying with the small pox. How such a thing came about, appears to be thus: The negroes here being much disaffected (arising from their harsh treatment), flocked in great num- bers to Cornwallis. This artful general takes a number of them (several hundreds) inoculates them, and just as they are growing sick, he sends them out into the country where our people had to pass and repass. These poor creatures, having no care taken of them, many crawled into the bushes about and died. This is a piece of Cornwallisean cruelty. He is not backward to own that he has inoculated 4 or 500 in order to spread the small pox through the country, and sent them out for that purpose, which is another piece of his conduct that wants a name. But there is a King far above the British King, and a Lord superior to their lords.
[Executions for desertion, marching, alarms and an account of the harvests follow, and then an enumeration of the opposing forces. The British army, according to accounts, was about 5,000. The American army he estimates, by supposition, to be 2,500 regulars, 300 volunteer light horse, 300 rifles on horseback, 300 foot, besides 3 or 4,000 militia. The 20th, a skirmish ensued; the killed on the enemy's side amounted it was said, to 200. They were obliged to retreat to the main body. On the 6th of July they came unexpectedly upon a large body of the enemy all paraded in a line of battle. The inhabitants had declared that there was no enemy within six miles.] He writes: Our officers and soldiers, like brave heroes, began the attack * with, at first, but a handful of men. The contest began at five and lasted until dark. The riflemen, some of them, 'tis said, stayed and scirmished with the enemy in the woods all night, so that they have not found time nor opportunity to pick up their dead. Our party consisted only of the brigade of infantry and one brigade of Pennsylvanians (and these not more than half of them
* The battle of Green Spring.
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engaged) and a few riflemen. The enemy were more than six times our number. Our loss of men cannot yet be ascertained. The enemy gained the ground, but have no cause to glory-their dead from all appearances being many. We retired five miles that night to rest and get some refreshments of which we stood in much need. [The action began at the moment the infantry had halted to take food after a long march] having had neither victuals, rum, nor water, and all we then had was one gill of vinegar to 4 men. How great was thy mercy, O Lord, in our deliverance! The like was hardly ever heard of ! Six hundred men have attacked and stood the fire, sword, and bayonet of the force of an army of 5,000, yea, of the whole army under Lord Cornwallis. Where we were often broke, often formed; several times almost surrounded; and yet all (as I may say in comparison of what might have been expected) came off again in heart! Wonderful Providence! Our general, the Marquis had two horses shot under him, yet he is not daunted. He is collecting his army and designs to have another action immediately if the enemy will. O Lord, impress my heart with a grateful sence of thy goodness in preserving me, my life and health. While so many of my acquaintances, have since the last Sabbath, been numbered with the vast congregation of the dead. O Lord, my God, I acknowledge, that though thousands should fall at my side, and ten thousand at my right hand, yet thou canst protect me in the night of the arrows of death. Thou Lord directest every ball, that none can wound unless by thy permission.
I cannot forget this memorable action ! So few as a 1000 men should attack the whole British force and lose no more, even when we were several times cut off and scattered to and fro. The fatigues of the day I cant describe, and being weary before we began ! Our general gave us great applause. He assured us that he himself was eye-witness to our two regiments attacking the whole army with spirit. Immediately after this action, Cornwallis crossed the river and embarked on board his shipping with the greatest precipitation, leaving a large number of beeves half- dressed.
[The journal next relates-after marches and a day's rest-a description of a complete gig-mill, "having two wheels and two pair of stones," accompanied by a " Draft of the above described gig-mill wheel." This is followed by an account of the bite of a venomous spider on the shoulder of a man, for whom the doctor could do nothing, "the victim continually rolling over and screaming out horribly." Atkins relieved him by "opening a vein " and "feeding him freely with salt and water, so that he felt some immediate ease and in 2 or three hours was comfortable." A few days later he wrote :]
I am at present among the invalids and unfit for duty, but Providence has so ordered it as to make me instrumental of some good to my country, at least to my fellow soldiers; which is, by letting blood and drawing teeth. This last I practice very much, there being not another tooth-drawer in the whole army, and the other considerably-because few doctors have tools to let blood.
July 15th. Marched 15 miles to James river, the other side of which the enemy are landing down below us. Our men begin to sicken already: what then, alas ! shall we see when dogdays come on? Next month is the season for the fever and ague. The 17th we lay still and cleaned our arms and clothes. The 18th three men were drowned in James river, swimming. . 2Ist. At ten o'clock we received intelligence of four gun boats coming up the river-supposed to be in order to catch our general-the Marquis, who quartered near the river. On this, about 500 of us pressed forward with two field pieces to scare them back again. We marched 8 miles and came upon them. Our engineer directed his shot so well as to strike
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through the hull and cut away the foremast of one of the boats. The second shot took the rudder, and what our other 28 shot must have done, it appears must have been considerable. They immediately towed down the river. We followed them 4 miles but could get no more shot at them. We retired and came to camp that even- ing, having traveled 24 miles.
[The 22d was Sunday. The recurrence of that day throughout the journal bears witness to Josiah Atkins's firm faith and devout spirit, and evinces a remarkable and genuinely cordial love for the day and its observances.] This day, at court martial, 2 corporals were tried and broke; 5 men sentenced to receive 100 lashes apiece, and one 70 for being absent at roll-call. Three received their punishment. The others are suspended till to-morrow-there not being time : There have been six others punished within 5 days past. [Is it surprising that it was difficult to persuade men to enlist ?]
23d. Last night was so excessively cold, that I think I scarcely ever suffered so much with it in one night in my life. This day, I went to the hospital to recover my health.
25th. A man was executed this day in our regiment for breaking up a house, and robbing it.
26th. Thunder and rain for these many days. Some are very sick in the hos- pital. The number increases both here and in camp.
29th. This is the first day of the week: But alas ! where is the Sabbath ? Is there any in Virginia? Is there any in the 13 States of America? True, in New England they pretend to keep it. But do even they keep it as they ought? Do they call it a delight ? The holy of the Lord, honorable? Truly, is it not to be feared, that for the most part this is only a bare pretence ? The fear of punishment is the real motive.
3Ist. One of our regiments has crossed the river. I am yet in the flying hos- pital, which is very disagreeable. We marched at 4 o'clock A. M. and encamped 2 miles out of Richmond.
Aug. 3d. We marched through Richmond (where the small pox is very plenty) and encamped 6 miles above. Here we buried one of our number, who died this day on the road, in the hospital waggon. We buried him in a wood. He was aged 23 years. His name, Rufus Robins, and unmarried; his parents live in Lyme in Connecticut. He died of camp distemper.
The 5th.
This morning sun has blest the earth.
It hath unsealed my eyes : This is the day of joy and mirth That saw our Saviour rise.
[After a second stanza, the day's march of 8 miles began. At evening, he added three more stanzas.] Gen. Wayne is on his march to join the marquis; the enemy, 'tis said, are blocked up in the Bay and cant get out, though they have made sev- eral attempts.
The 6th. It is reported that the enemy is landing down against York.
The 7th. We lay still in a garden, where I saw some rarities-viz .: bean trees, fig trees and the like.
The 8th. Our troops marched down towards York; the sick towards Hanover and I among the sick.
The roth. We have a convenient house for a hospital . . .. We have a supply of some fruit, as green corn, apples, pears, peaches and watermelons, by the negroes; but, at a dear rate. Apples, pears, and peaches cost one dollar apiece (Continental currency), and watermelons 30 dollars.
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The 18th. General Wayne lyeth at Newcastle, our troops at - and the enemy at York.
23d. This day I have been sent for two ways. A man sent and desired to hire me, in order to instruct him how to make files, gimblets, knives and forks, etc. and the doctor sent for me to come and live with him, in order to assist him in his hurry of business, dealing out medicines, dressing wounds, etc. [Daily arrivals from the army were taking place at the hospital " three waggon loads" having arrived from the brigade the day before,] I am at a loss which will be the most profitable invitation to me. It must be the former, I being best acquainted with that work, but the doctor is so importunate, that I promised him to come to mor- row, if I should be no worse.
24th. I came to the doctor's assistance and as far as I knew, gave him satisfac- tion. I have such thirst for medical knowledge, that were I capable of the business in which I am now engaged, I should be content without prospect of wages.
27th. The number of our sick increases.
28th. We have some of whose life we despair.
29th. We are out of hospital stores suitable for the sick, in particular, medicines.
30th.
We expect, and are continually waiting for the medicines to come.
3Ist. [He was called up to see Henry Evans, thought to be dying. The next day, Pendleton of Penn. died. "They buried him in a coffin, which was purchased with one of his shirts." His descriptions of thunder storms, in one of which he and others received a shock, are vivid. Occasionally, a man died " out of the hospital " whose name is not given and the "sick " were constantly increasing, which ren- dered his business truly fatiguing. We cannot omit the following:] In the morn- ing I rise at daylight and go about a quarter of a mile to wash; then comb my hair; and then I recommend myself to God. After this I have nothing to do but to sit down to dealing out and putting up medicines for all the sick; where I continue till 8 o'clock, which is breakfast time: Which done, I visit the hospitals with the doc- tor, which takes us till 10 o'clock. From that time till dinner, I spend among the medicines: Dinner over, I have to carry the medicines to all the men in each hos- pital-one, is half a mile distant, with 8 rooms in it. From this I come directly back and visit 7 or 8 houses more, some 5, some 7 rooms, where I deal to every man his particular portion. Some will have 8, some 6, and generally they have 4 in a day -which, multiplied by 300 (there being so many, or more sick) will amount to a great many [portions]. Besides, I have to give particular directions to every one (and sometimes 2 or 3 times over, by reason of their stupidity) how and when to take them, lest they should do wrong, and the medicine lose its effect. All this, together with the feelings nature has given me for the sick and wounded, give me very great care, trouble, fatigue and anxiety of mind; with which, I return home, the day being spent, take a little supper, enter my chamber, close the door, and after recommending myself and them to God, and my friends and all to his care (my thoughts being in a great measure composed) I take my rest.
" Then with my tho'ts composed to peace I give mine eyes to sleep;
Thy hand in safety keeps my days, And will my slumbers keep." -D. W.
Sept. 4th. Last Sabbath the news came that the French had landed a number of troops, and this day we hear our men are gone to join them. I hope we shall not lose all this fatigueing summer yet. But gracious God, spare the blood ! No more wounds, nor sudden deaths, if it consist with thy blessed will! But I can
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sing of mercies as well as judgement: Yea, the Lord is my song. Providence has called me from home, . into this distant land, where is no man I ever knew or saw before (save one), yet he hath given me friends. I am eyed with friendly notice, while other recruits as good (perhaps much better), are treated as strangers. How comes this about ? From whom comes preferment? And whence the favors I now enjoy ? Who would have thought that I should be
chosen to that business I am unacquainted with while others are neglected, who by long practice and experience have proved themselves skillful in it. My business is fatigueing but far easier for me than the disaffected camp, and the loathsome instruments of war. I have as good provisions as I could wish, cooked ready to my desire. I have as beautiful chamber as any in Virginia to myself, and can retire when I please from the notice of any one but God. Add to this a good state of health and I am as happy as it is possible for Virginia to make me. Yea, since my coming here, I have almost forgot my native home. O Lord, fill my heart with a sense of thy goodness and when I enter my room, whether joyful or pensive, may this strike a divine calm on my soul-that I have no continuing city here and may this turn my thoughts on seeking another and better, even an heavenly one, whose builder and maker is God.
The 5th (September) we have much news stirring and if all be true, we shall soon have a large army in this quarter. His Excellency, 'tis said, is on his way to join us. [Here follow matters of special hospital interest, deaths, the illness of the "doctor," whereby all the care of the patients fell upon Atkins ; which together with the sudden changes from heat to cold, with wet, foggy weather, affected his own health. Terrible storms with thunder and lightning arose,] filling the minds of all with almost unsupportable horror, the airy heavens rending o'er our heads with tremendous, awful claps of thunder, that seemed to echo from pole to pole ! and the earth under our feet appeared all glowing with electrical flames.
The 13th. Last Saturday the 2d division of French troops joined our army with 5,000 men, and his Excellency, Gen. Washington, is to join in a few days, and the report is that 10,000 militia are to be in readiness to take the field immediately .*
[The 17th Josiah Atkins was taken ill with a violent pain in his head. The 19th he wrote:] My headache increases and medicine cannot remove it till God put to his hand. It continued till the 27th, all which time I got little nourishment and no sleep, but what I obtained by the help of anodyne pills.
October the Ist. I continue better, though full of pain.
The 2d. This day I made application for a pass to return to the northward. But I find that I cannot obtain it without going 120 miles right from home, and then 'tis uncertain whether I obtain one or not-which is enough to discourage one, being sick and lame. But I leave the affair with God my disposer.
The 3d. To-day I concluded to journey to the regiment [for his pass].
The 4th. This day I obtained my recommend from the doctor, about 10 o'clock.
HANOVER, 4th October, 1781.
Josiah Atkins, of Capt. Douglas's company in Col. Gimat's regiment laboring under a confirmed rheumatism, which will render him unfit for any further duty in the field this campaign, is hereby recommended for leave to retire into the country for the recovery of his health. JOHN SIMPSON, Surgeon.
* On the 15th Josiah Atkins's son, Josiah, was born in Waterbury. He died at the age of 18 years.
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About 12 I set off, feeble and faint hearted ; but I hope God will go with me. Travelled 10 miles.
The 5th. Was overtaken by a waggoner from Southington (one Thorp), and his waggon being chiefly empty, he was pleased to let me ride. We came as far as N. Kent court house where we put up. This is about 20 miles from N. Castle.
The 6th. This is the Lord's day. It is something stormy, but we expect to reach Williamsburg, which is 15 or 16 miles. I concluded to tarry here over the Sabbath, (though we came about noon) in hopes that there was some meeting house in this place. But I was disappointed: and standing about in the cold (there being no fire for soldiers), I took the fever and ague to my great sorrow.
The 8th. I set out on foot for the camp. I reached it about the middle of the afternoon. Had a fit of the ague.
The 9th. Completed my business * by 10 o'clock, and set off for Williamsburg, where I arrived before night-12 miles. Lodged in the flying Hospital.
The roth. I left Williamsburg and continued my march till the 12th at night, when I reached the hospital very weak and low-having the ague and fever every day.
The 13th. I thank thee, O Lord for the prospect, and wilt thou hasten the time when I shall again stand in the assembly of thy people. Though thy Sabbaths are forgotten almost everywhere, yet I have reason to hope that 'tis not entirely neg- lected in my native State.
Oct. the 15th. I recruit but very slow; my ague and fever is very severe on me at present.
The diary of Josiah Atkins contains on its opening page the fol- lowing pathetic entreaty. It is without date, but was probably written in July, or August, 1781.
MY DEAR FRIENDS AND FELLOW SOLDIERS :- As we are engaged in a bloody war, the fate of which is uncertain; as we are drawing near the enemy and can expect nothing but fighting; as in any action some may fall; and as my life is as uncertain as any others; so should it be my fate to drop and yours to survive, you may chance to light on this book and its contents, with the other things I may hap- pen to have about me, which 'tis probable will be a watch, a pair of silver shoe buckles, knee buckles, stock buckle, brooch, stone sleeve-buttons, and perhaps some money. These, I will freely give you. Yea, I bid you welcome to them on your [en] gaging to grant me this request. To use best your utmost endeavor to send this book with its contents to my dear wife, whom [I] have left at home to mourn my misfortune. Should this fall into the hands of our [enemies] I have no expectation of its ever reaching [her]. But should any of you, my friends and fel- low soldiers, take this, I expect, I request, Yea I [have] reason to exact it at your hands. You may think this of small importance: However, You must suppose that it will be satisfactory to her (on whose account it was written) to hear my fate, You may think the matter is difficult; but I assure you 'tis not. If you convey it to
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