USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Wilton > History of the town of Wilton, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, with a genealogical register > Part 23
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The Quarter Master of each Regiment on Winter Hill, Brigade, to apply to Quarter Master General Frazier Immediately, for oil for the Pikes, and in the future to be Particularly Careful in Keeping the Pikes clean, and the alarm part of their Respective Regiments in Proper order.
Ilead Quarters, January 24, 1776. Parole, Ticonderoga ; Countersign, Wolfe.
The Barraks to be finished as speady as Possible that the Militia Regi- ments which are Expected may be accomadated. The Quarter Master General and his Assistance are to look out in time for other Quarters, if the Barraks are thought Insufficente to entertain the Troops. The Reg- iments are to Brigade, In the following manner :
Brig. Gen. Thomas, 1st Brigade ; Col. Leonard, Col. Joseph Reed, Col. Whitcomb, Col. Ward, Col. Bailey.
Brig. Gen. Sullivan; Col. James Reed, Col. Nixon. Col. Stark, Col. Poor.
Brig. Gen. Green ; Col. Varnum, Col. Hitchcock, Col. Little, Col. Bond.
Brig. Gen. Heath; Col. Preseott, Col. Sargent, Col. Phinney, Col. Greaton, Col. Baldwin.
Brig. Gen. Spencer; Col. Parsons, Col. Huntington, Col. Webb, Col. Wiley.
Brig. Generals Glover, Patterson, Arnold, Hutchinson, Whitcomb, Webb and Huntington's Regiments to joyn their Respective Brigades as soon as Provision is made for them (and any time before the first of February) that they may get fixed before the Militia comes in. The Brig- adier Quarter Master Generals are to see that each room hath its Comple- ment of men and the officers Placed Contiguous to them. The custom of manning the Lines in each Regiment repairing to its Alarm Post, at the beating of the Reveille, is to be Strictly and unreservedly to be Praetised until Countermanded. The Brigadiers are to take special eare that proper Alarm Posts are assigned to every Regiment that no Confusion may hap- pen on an Alarm. Neither Provision or the Value of them, are to be Issued to offieers, nor Soldiers, while upon Furloughs. Furloughs always considered as Injurious to the Service, and too often used for the Gratifica- tion of Individuals. The General therefore was not a little surprised that it had, Contrary to Custom and Common Justice, become a Question, whether Absenters were not Entitled to the same allowance of Provisions as they that were Present and Doing Duty.
243
BURTON'S TICONDEROGA DIARY.
JONATHAN BURTON'S TICONDEROGA DIARY.
The following extracts are taken from a diary kept by Jonathan Burton during the Ticonderoga campaign of 1776. In this cam- paign he held the rank of lieutenant in Captain William Barron's company of Colonel Wyman's regiment :*
July 23d. Wilton men joined with Amherst, Dunstable and Merrimack men, at Wilton, and after settling the Company with under officers, began our march and Logd at Millikin's in Wilton first night.
Aug. 1st 1776. Three Companys more of our Regt marcht early in the morning; and about two o'clock our Company marcht from No. 4 [Charlestown] and Crossed the Greate River and Logd in Springfield at Scott's about nine mild from No. 4. Here was the first Night I Lay on the hard flore.
Aug. 2d. We mareht from Scott's in Springfield and at Night we En- camped in the woods and lay on the Ground. Now we begin to experi- enee what it is to be Soldiers in the Wilderness.
Aug. 3d. After taking our Breakfast in our little Camp, we left it and marcha to Durham, and here we got Liberty to Lodge in a little Smoky Chamber on the hard floor.
Aug. 6th. We got to Wood Creek to Major Skeen's and Crossed the Creek about twelve o'clock, here we Picht our Tents or otherways built Booths with Brush and Lay on the ground; Very well contented with our New habitation, though it hapned to be a very heavy Shower, and in the morning the most of the men were as wet as so many drownded Rats.
Aug. 7th. We built us a new Camp and covered it with Bark, hoping against the next rain to be a little more Comfortable, though the flies and gnats are very troublesome. This day we have six men on Command up the River after Boards.
Skeensborough, Aug. Sth. This day in the afternoon we Rec'd orders for to go to Ticonderoga to joyn Gen. Reed's Brigade at that Place, to Draw one days Provision and to be ready to set off early the next morn- ing.
Aug. 9th. About ten o'clock this morning we set off from Skeensbor- ough, for the tie, and about Sunset we arrived at that place, and marched about half a mild up to the Encampment. It being dark before we got in we were obliged to lay on the cold ground; I being unwell, made it an uncomfortable Night's rest for me.
Aug. 10th. We began to fix our ground to incamp and Provide the stuff, but orders eame that Eighteen men from our Company was to be draught- ed to go as Mariners on board the Rogallies to ernise on the Lake down towards St. Johns. Put by our building this day.
Sunday, Aug. 11th. This day proved to be rainy all day. Now we be- gin to see sick men Laying on the cold ground without anything to cover them but their blankets.
* The names of the other Wilton men in Captain Barron's company can be found on page 93.
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HISTORY OF WILTON.
Ang. 15th. I was on Command with a Party of men over the Lake after Turf to build the New fort, 20 on the works this day of our Company.
Aug. 16th. The Capt. and Eleven on the works this day from our Com- pany, the News of the Day was that our Regt is to go to Oswego.
Ang. 19th. About Eleven o'ck in the forenoon I rec'd orders from the Adjutant of our Reg? to take comd of 20 men from our Reg! & Parade Be- fore the Genl's house to receive my orders; which from him was to take ten days' Provisions, and the Command of 6 Battoes and Proceed to Otter Creek after Hay, and about $ an hour after Sunset I got the Pro- visions on board and set off' from Ticonderoga and Proceeded down the Lake about three Milds and Logd in the Boat all Night in the open Air.
Aug. 20th. After we had Cooked our Breakfast we set off for Crown Point, and after Landing there and Gitting a Pass from the Gen! we Divided our Provisions and went down the Lake from the Point about five Mild and then landed and Drest our Suppers and Lodged there that Night.
Aug. 21st. We set off from our Lodging very early in the morning with a fair Gale of wind and about noon we Came to the Mouth of Otter Creek, then we had to go nine Mild up the Creek' there to load with hay, but the hay not being ready I could not load my Boats and was obliged to lay there that Night in my Boats.
Aug. 22d. After we had Baked our Bread and Dressed our Provisions we took in about 30 Boards at the Mill and Set off from the Creek and got into the Lake in about two hours and &, Then the wind not favoring us we had hard work to Get into any harbor where we could Lay secure, but the wind Shifting we secured ourselves in a Little Creek that Night and Lodged in our Boats.
Aug. 23ª. We set off from our Lodging very Early and got up to Crown Point about ten o'clock in the forenoon and after taking some Re- freshment there, Sot off' and Landed at Putnam's Point (so called) and took our Dinners; from there we set off with a fair wind and landed at Ticonderoga about two hours by sun and after I had delivered the Boats the Party was Dismist and came to the Camp that Night, where I had the melancholly News of the Death of Caleb Putnam, who died the 224 and was buried a few hours before I came into Camp.
Aug. 26th. This day proved to be rainey all Day. I being unwell it made it very uncomfortable for me.
Ang. 27th. Rainy all day. This day we built our chimney in our hut, and Lodged Comfortable after that on account of having a good fire.
Aug. 28th. I was unwell all day with the fever Nager, not able to go out all Day.
Aug. 29th. 'This day died James Holden of Capt. Man's Company, in Col. Reed's Regt. The News today in Camp is of a Battle fought at New York-but it wants conformation and we regard it not.
Aug. 30th. No News this Day, our weekly Return made today was 28 men in our Company unfit for Duty and returned Sick.
Aug. 31st. Col. Isaac Wyman, Head Col. of this Regt put under arrest by Colo Stark. Two Regts of the Bay men arrived here this day from Skeensborough.
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BURTON'S TICONDEROGA DIARY.
Sunday, Sept. 1st. This day I was returned unfit for Duty and Drawed allowenee with the sick men.
Sept. 9th. Now I begin to Gain Strength so I walk out almost all day and begin to be hearty and well. The weekly Return of our Company was 29 unfit for Duty and on the Doctor's list.
Sept. 10th. Camp News today that all our fleet down the Lake was taken or destroyed to a man.
Sept. 11th. Camp News today that a party of our men went on shore from the fleet after provisions and were fired upon by the Enemy, three Killed and Six wounded.
Oct. 4th. Rainy all day in the Camp; this day there was two men buried from our Regt, which makes 16 that we have lost from sd. Regt since we came to this place.
Sunday, Oct. 6th. The Rev. Mr. Porter of t'olo Wingates Regt Preached to our Regt two Sermons.
Oet. 7th. This morning Died, and at night was buried Benj Baley of our Company ; who made the 20th we have lost from our Regt since we came to this place.
Sunday, Oct. 13th. In the morning we heard a very heavy firing Down the Lake and Directly had an account of our fleets being Destroyed and obliged to Retreat. In the afternoon the whole army was mustered to man the lines.
Oct. 14th. About two hours before day the whole of our Brigade was Mustered again and went Down to the lines and after going through the fireings at the Alarm Post, we returned to the Camp and was Dismised and every man in our Regt was ordered on fatigue in throughing up a brestwork around the Camps and on Seonting Parties.
Oct. 15th. I was on fatigue in the forenoon and in the afternoon I was ont with a seonting Party. 37 Privates one Sergt and two Corps, and Dis- covered nothing.
Oct. 16th. There was an alarm in Camp last Night, caused by the Cen- tries firing on some Cattle, which allarmed our Regt at midnight and caused them all to turn out-And in the forenoon I went out a Seouting Party.
Oct. 19th. There was Great Preperation making in the Camps (Ex- pecting the British Troops would come in on the morrow) That we might be Ready for the Reception of those enemies whenever they Come to Dis- turb us.
Oct. 21st. The whole of our Brigade fit for Duty was ordered on Fa- tigue, in Cutting and halling Timber into the Lake in order to build a Boom across the Lake to Prevent the Ships Coming by the fort to Land.
Oet. 224. I was on fatigue in getting Timber into the Lake. This evening we have the news in the Camp that the Indians Killed five of our men with their Tomeyhawks Just below the Mill. This morning Died Josiah Parker at Castleton on his way home.
Oct. 26th. This Day came into Camp about one hundred Green Mount- ain Boys, and Encamped on the other side of the Lake.
Sunday, Oct. 27th. We had the News in Camp of a Victory won by the
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HISTORY OF WILTON.
Continental Troops over the Britons at New York. In the afternoon there was an alarm in the Camp caused by some Boats being Discovered down the Lake.
Nov. 20th. Colo Wingate's Regt marcht for home, and all the sick from our Regt. In this number went seven of our Company. At Evening the whole Regt Received Orders to march Early the next morning as quick as they Pleased.
Nov. 21st. We Rose very Early in the morning and after Puting up our things and taking our Breakfast we took leave of Mount Independ- ence and our little Camp, where we had rested so many Nights and Days, and we marcht off with the remaining part of our Company, and marcht about 18 miles and Encamped at a place called Laing's Camp, there we lay ourselves down to Rest.
Nov. 22d. This morning we took our leave of our little Camp and Marched to Rutland and Logd at Deacon Roberts, Within about three mild of the fort which made about 14 Miles that we travelled that day in the rain and Mud.
Nov. 23d. We marcht to Clarendon and there went to dinner. After dinner we went to Shrewsbury and there the Company Logd in the woods and it proved a very Rainy Night.
Nov. 25th. I set off from Whites very Early and after a long and Tedi- ous March I got in to Coffin's at Cavindish in the evening. Poor Enter- tainment for Soldiers at this place.
Nov. 26th. I set off from my Lodging about two hours before day and abont Sunset I Crossed the Great River and got into No. 4 that evening and Logd at Mr. Bakers.
Nov. 27th. I Set away from No. 4 about ten o'clock in the morning and travelled to Walpole to Goldsmiths Tavern and Lodgd there that Night.
Nov. 28th, I set off from Goldsmiths in Walpole and travelled to Marl- borough and there met with my Horse about two o'clock in the after- noon at Tucker's Tavern, and from there came to Dublin and Lodge at one Greewoods, a Private Ilouse.
Nov. 29th. 1 set off from Dublin Early in the morning and got to my own house about three o'clock in the afternoon.
JOSEPH GRAY'S NARRATIVE.
In 1839, Mr. George L. Dascombe took down from Mr. Joseph Gray's recital the following narrative of his services in the Revolu- tionary war. Mr. Gray was then living in Wilton and was seventy- eight years old. He enlisted March 20, 1777, when only sixteen years of age, for the term of three years, under Captain Isaac Frye, in the Third New Hampshire Regiment, commanded by Colonel Scammell :*
* See ante, page 97.
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JOSEPH GRAY'S NARRATIVE.
On the first of May we marched to Charlestown, No. 4, where the com- pany of Capt. Frye rendezvoused. From that place we marched to Ticon - deroga, where he was stationed. Near this place we discovered Gen. Burgoyne with six thousand soldiers and a number of savages. They took possession of Mount Hope, which ent off our communication with Lake George, whence came our supplies. Our commander, Gen. Schuyler, thinking it unsafe to enter into an engagement with the enemy, ordered a retreat. We marched down to the water-side and put our baggage on board boats bound to Skeenesborough, 27 miles towards Albany. The enemy pursned, overtook the boats laden with our baggage, and made a prize of them. leaving us almost destitute of provision and clothing. We retreated to Fort Miller, where we were supplied with provisions. We then continued our retreat to Stillwater, destroying the bridges in our progress to retard the pursuit of the enemy. About four miles from the latter place was Schaghticoke, a small Dutch village, whose inhabitants, being alarmed at the appearance of savages who were lurking about, sent for a detachment of troops to guard them off. The detachment was sent on, myself being one of the number. We arrived late in the afternoon and set out our guards. It fell to my lot to be on guard that night, and I was stationed about 40 rods south of the meeting-house, on a beautiful level plain. Our orders were, if we discovered anything moving, to hail ; and if we received no answer, to fire. We had been informed that the Indians, who were scouting round, were dressed in white frocks. Some time during the night, I discovered, by the dim starlight, something white advancing towards me. With a quick and steady voice I hailed, "Who comes there?" No answer. Again, "Who comes there?" No answer. Quick, " Who comes there?" at the same instant discharging my piece; when I found, to my inexpressible joy, that it was a herd of cattle. On examination, the next morning. we found a meagre white-faced bull had received the ball from my musket in his shoulder.
The inhabitants of the neighborhood had collected in the village at night for safety. In the morning two of them, wishing to bring some provisions from their farms, which lay about three-fourths of a mile dis- tant, mounted their horses and started for that purpose. They had not been long absent, when we heard the well-known report of Indian fusees, and were much alarmed for the safety of the men. We soon saw one of them riding at full speed towards the village, with his hat off and his arms extended, calling for help, and followed by the horse of the other, without a rider. After consultation we marched out and found the miss- ing man lying under the fence, sealped, and his throat cut from ear to ear. Mr. Ellis sent on for a reenforcement, and we guarded the villagers down the river about four miles to a place of safety.
We then returned to Stillwater. Our army crossed the Mohawk river near Loudon's ferry, and there encamped. Here we received our war-like stores and a reënforcement. Gen. Gates took the connnand, and we marched back about 14 miles to Bemis's heights, in order to face the enemy, and threw up some breastworks to defend ourselves. The season was far advanced, and the enemy's store of provisions so nearly exhausted
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HISTORY OF WILTON.
that they were obliged to advance or retreat. On the 19th of Septem- ber they made an attempt to cut off the left wing of our army. We gave them battle in the woods, about a mile from our breastwork. The battle continued until night, when each party retired with some loss. Among those who fell on the enemy's side was Gen. Fraser. On the 7th of Oeto- ber, sending out the Hessians, they made another attempt to eut off our left. The battle was of short continuance, and the enemy soon retreat- ed, leaving their artillery. with their dead and wounded and some prison- ers, which all fell into our hands. Our enemy, being satisfied that they could not advance, commenced a retreat ; their commander sending a line to Gen. Gates, requesting him to treat their sick and wounded as prisoners of war. On the following day we pursned them, and they, on arriving at Saratoga, found their troops surrounded by our army, and im- mediately surrendered, which event took place on the 17th of October, 1777.
On the next day Gen. Gates made a forced march to Albany, a distance of thirty-six miles, where he remained a few days, and then moved down to Peekskill, where a portion of the army, being unfit for duty, were sent into the barracks, drawing suitable provisions, and large supplies of New England rum. Not satisfied with their situation, forty of these soldiers. under the exhilarating effects of the intoxicating liquor, mutinied, shoul- dered their baggage, paraded, chose a corporal for a commander and started for their homes. Immediately information was communicated to the officers, who ordered Capt. Beal of Portsmonth to persuade them to re- linquish their design and to return to their encampment. Capt. Beal girded on his sword in haste, met them and requested them to halt, intimating that he wished to speak with the corporal who commanded them. Taking him aside, he drew his sword and ran him through; the corporal at the same instant discharged his piece, which took effect. Both expired be- tore morning.
From Peekskill we moved on to Whitemarsh, where we joined the main army, and thence we marched to Valley Forge, where we went into winter quarters. Gen. Washington was apprised of the intention of the British to evacuate Philadelphia, and the American army was put in readi- ness to pursue. The British troops were overtaken at Monmouth, New Jer- sey, where a severe engagement took place. Gen. Washington intended to renew the attack the next morning, but during the night Gen. Clinton con- menced his retreat for Sandy Hook. The American army then proceeded to White Plains. My captain and myself were left behind at Valley . Forge on account of sickness; but we soon recovered and joined the army at White Plains, Soon after the New Hampshire troops, and some others, were ordered to Hartford, Connecticut, to receive the prisoners taken at the surrender of Burgoyne. We guarded them nearly to the boundary of New York, after which we went into winter quarters.
The settlement of Wyoming, on the Susquehanna River, having been destroyed, and the inhabitants cruelly massaered by the Indians and Tories, in the summer of 1778, Gen. Washington deemed it expedient, in the ensuing spring, to send a detachment of the army to punish the
Ham Bray
249
JOSEPH GRAY'S NARRATIVE.
aggressors. Accordingly, at the opening of the campaign of 79, three brigades collected at Easton, Pennsylvania, whenee, under Gen. Sullivan. they marched into the Indian country. The New Hampshire troops, who composed a part of this detachment, marched from their winter quarters in Reading, Connecticut, to Fishkill, crossed the Hudson River at New- burgh and proceeded to Easton, where we remained a short time to pre- pare for the expedition. When our preparations were completed, we commenced our march for Wyoming. After remaining a few days at this place, we moved up the river to Tioga, taking with us three small pieces of artillery. We were here joined by a fourth brigade under the command of Gen. Clinton. Our commander, being well aware of the character of the enemy he had to encounter. arranged his troops in the most judicious manner to avoid being taken by surprise. In this manner we marched the whole distance. There was. every morning, a gun fired, as a signal for striking tents, another for loading, and another for moving forward. Having left a garrison with the sick at Tioga, we resumed our march. and at the distance of abont eighteen miles from that place we met the enemy, who had made a stand and were waiting to receive us. The front guards and ritlemen exchanged a few shots with the enemy, and in a short time our artillery was brought to bear upon them. The heat of the engage- ment was between the troops of the New Hampshire line and a large number of the enemy on an eminence at the right. We soon heard a whoop from the Indians, which, our guides informed us, was a signal for retreating. We pursned them a short distance, but not overtaking them and night approaching, we encamped. We here found an abundance of green corn in a state for roasting.
Gen. Sullivan, wishing to proceed as far as possible. requested the com- manding officer of each regiment to ascertain whether his men woukl willingly proceed upon half allowance, pledging his honor that we should be remunerated on our return. This we readily consented to do, so long as we should find corn. The pledge of Gen. Sullivan, however, was never redeemed.
We then marched to Seneca Lake, where we eneamped for the night. We resumed our march the next morning. crossing the outlet of the lake, and before night arrived at an Indian settlement, which the inhabitants had just deserted. On entering one of their cabins, we discovered a little boy, about two years old, whom the Indians had taken captive in one of their excursions upon the whites, and whom, in their haste, they had left behind. In a short time a cow, the only one we saw in that part of the country, came into the camp, and was secured. Gen. Sullivan ordered a soldier to be released from duty to take care of the child, and directed that the milk of the cow should be appropriated for its sustenance. We then proceeded towards Genesee. Before arriving at that place Gen. Sullivan directed a Lient. Boyd to take a guide and one or two men, and proceed to an Indian village called Danhionee. to reconnoitre, and to return by daylight. Instead of implicitly following his directions, he took with him twenty men, and proceeded to the village. Finding it deserted, he went on to another village, a few miles distant, where he found several
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Indians, and, as was reported, killed one of them. On his return to the army, he was fired upon by a party of Indians in ambush. Six of his company escaped and succeeded in joining the main body. As we approached the place where Lieut. Boyd was attacked we discovered one of his men, who was mortally wounded ; he was carried forward with us. but, after a few hours of excruciating suffering, Re expired. We had pro- ceeded but a short distance when we came upon the bodies of thirteen of the party, lying near, together, who had been shot down by the Indians on the first attack. Lient. Boyd was still missing. On arriving at Genesee, we found his body shockingly mangled and exhibiting marks of the most savage tortures. Immediately. after encamping for the night, a woman who had been carried away by the savages came into camp, bringing with her an infant born during her captivity. She was taken under our pro- tection and returned to the abode of civilization. Her child survived only a day or two after she joined us.
This little band of troops was now placed in a peculiarly trying situa- tion. They were few in number (only four' small brigades), at the distance of 250 miles from any other civilized beings, and were surrounded by a treacherous and implacable enemy. with a seanty allowance of provisions. and their emaciated pack-horses were galled by the wooden saddles even to the bone. It would seem that hearts which were not fired with the love of liberty and the love of country must have yielded to discourage- ments, and sunk in despair. But that merciful Providence, which seems to have exercised a peculiar guardian care over the American army and the American people during the Revolution, protected them, and returned them in safety to their companions in arms.
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