USA > New Hampshire > Rolls of the Soldiers in the Revolutionary war, 1629 to 1725 > Part 34
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Though my health has for some time been a little upon the ad- vance yet I am like Issachar of old crouching down under Compli- cated burthens - For the hand of God hath touched me so that my bodily indisposition has alone been enough for me to grapple with, and has rendered me less capable than I otherwise should have been of enduring the gloomy prospect of a Distressed, if not a disbanded, Army - a Cause which has Cost us such a deluge of Blood, and immense Treasures, put to the hazard if not totally lost - The beau- tiful, once virtuous virgin America deflowered, and sinking under the weight of measures adopted and pursued by her degenerate sons who have been daudled in her lap, nurtured in her bosom, wantonly rioted upon her choicest fruits, and shared her highest Confidences !! add to all this my being under the Iron hand of powerful men, whose tender Mercies are Cruelty, but great as their power is, it by no means equals their Malevolence, otherwise no honest man could abide the day of their wrath.
Was it necessary for a scape goat, and the Committee would in the present case answer as a Substitute, so far as it respects me, I have nothing in reserve but my honor and integrity.
But do you imagine a sacrifice of three men only could by any means expiate the sins of those who have began to Crucify them for no other fault than speaking the truth and endeavouring upon Just principles to promote the situation of a Distressed Sinking Country ? Though I should highly esteem the good will and opinion of Congress, and should place the approbation of my fellow Citizens among my Choicest Treasures, yet neither the frowns or the flattery of the for- mer, nor the expectation of applause from the latter, or any other Consideration whatever shall, in any Circumstance of life induce me to Censure, or approve men or measures, Contrary to my real senti- ments.
You mention something of publishing &c. it is Just, it is a duty you will one day owe to yourself and to your Country, but not yet my friend. For if Torture ever extorted words from the dumb - I should imagine the unmerited, Cruel, & infernal Treatment honest men receive, from those who ought to be their supporters, would fully
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Justify many others beside you and me in undecieving the public by representing men & facts in their true Colours to the people at large. But that unbounded love for my Country, which at first in- duced me to forsake all and follow her Cause, now loudly forbids my taking any measures, even in defence of that, which ought to be higher valued than life itself, that might have a tendency to cause greater Jealousies among the people at large at this Critical period, and till the Close of this Campaign, for it is better for one two or three or even an hundred honest men to suffer for a time, than to in- volve the Country in Greater distress. If it had been an open avowed , enemy that had done all this wickedness I could have borne it, but it was my brethren, Sons of America brought up with me, which makes it intolerable, and tho, I shall not quickly pursue, yet if I finally for- get the Treatment, may my right hand forget her Cunning - And for the present shall be so far from Cursing those mine adversaries, that I have a blessing in store for them, even for them who ought to be Dam'd for their ingratitude and lest I should err in pronouncing my benedictions, I will do it in the pathetic words of good old father Jacob to his beloved sons Simeon and Levi, which may be seen at large Genesis 49, 5, 6, & 7th, varying only so far as to make it appli- cable to the persons and Country - But lest you should be put to trouble in procuring a Book that will give an Idea of the matter I will write the quotation. " Simeon and Levi brethren : instruments of Cruelty are in their habitations. O! my Soul come not thou into their secret ; unto their assembly, mine honor be not thou resisted ; for in their anger they slew a man, and in their self will they digged down a well, Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce, and their wrath for it was Cruel: I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel."-
Good men have always spies upon their Conduct !! Several of my letters of Correspondence written in that ungarded manner in which a man is wont to unbosom himself to his friends, especially when in haste, have of late been intercepted and either kept from the persons to whom they were addressed or Copied - and given off in detached sentences, which among enemies operate to my prejudice ; on the 6th of last month I wrote a letter which has shared the same fate, and by an anonymous letter I lately recd find my enemies have by some means [or] other obtained, a partial Copy thereof in Philada before it could have reached the Gentlemen to whom it was directed - and you may soon expect to see some very spirited resolutions upon the Daring performance, lest by misrepresentation you should be prepossessed of an opinion that the letter Contains sentiments unwarrantable in them- selves, and prejudicial to the public, I take the liberty of inclosing you a Copy, with all blunders, imperfections, Treasons, & political
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR ROLLS AND DOCUMENTS.
Heresies therein Contained, without the least amendment or altera- tion, that you may Judge for your self what ought to be my doom for what is written is written and I neither shall, or wish, to unsay a sin- gle word. if nothing more is done about the matter I trust you will not use the letter to my prejudice, I dont mean as to the sentiments it Contains, for I will avow them to my last breath, but only that my enemies need not know that I had sent a Copy & made known the matter to you. Upon looking over the Committee's papers dont find the Copy of your letter of resignation to Congress, which ought to be in our report. I should be very much oblig'd if you will furnish me a Copy by the first Express as our letters to Congress mention the Subject. The news here is that Gen1 Washington has gone to Rhode Island, that Gen1 Greene Commands the Army - That Count De Guichen [?] is arrived off block Island -that Jemy Rivington has congratulated his fellow Demons on the happy circumstance of Admiral Rodneys arrival at the hook with ten sail of the line & other ships of force - You will Judge of the improbability that things are thus situated. I am Dear Sir with that truth which becomes the no- blest work of the Deity, your sincere friend, most obed and very Hum1 Servt N. Peabody
Hon' Major Gen1 Green -
[Endorsed] Copy to Gen1 Greene
[R. 6-113] [Copy of a Letter from Mr. Peabody to R. H. Lee.]
Morristown State of Newjersey October the 27th 1780 Sir - I have been duly hond by your agreeable favour of the 24th ultº Inclosing a letter to the Director Gen1 which has been delivd __
Since the 22d of Novr the date of a letter you mention to have Re- ceivd I have wrote two other letters containing such matters as I should be unwilling to have fallen into the possession of some persons whose hands & hearts are unworthy of my Confidence, and who I fear have filched those letters on their way, as you make no mention of having Recd them - It appears to me Sir your apprehensions are well found- ed, when you say " I fear the season is much too far advanced for any decisive operations to be attempted against New York this Campaign," and that your Querie Claims the highest attention when you say " may not the winter be most profitably employ'd in retaking Charles- town and recovering the two Southern States from our enemies." the reasons you mention in favour of the attempt are weighty - and the late Successes which have attended our arms in that Quarter ren-
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der the plan you have proposed both for the winter & spring less hazardous.
The Spirited exertions of your state in raising 3000 recruits for the Continental Army, and 1000 good western Militia at so critical a period, evinces a redoubled attachment to our Cause and add much to the prospect of success in our operations in that vicinity. I cannot quit the subject without Congratulating you my Dear Sir, on the ap- pointment of Major Gen1 Green to the Command of the Southern Army - That Gentlemans great abilities in the field, his extensive knowledge of the various departments in the Army, gives him the advantage of almost every other General officer in America, in imme- diately restoring to order and system an army and officers, which at present are almost "without form and void."
But alass of what avail will be the exertions of the greatest Gener- als, unless fully aided with men, money, and the other necessary sup- plies ? In the present deranged situation of our public affairs Can this aid be furnished ? our Treasury is empty -our military & ord- nance stores in that Quarter are much, exhausted and I fear the resources of that Country under its present embarrassments will prove incompetent for those other supplies. Your zeal and exertion n the Cause of our distressed Country, on every former occasion forbids my mentioning a single argument to induce your utmost efforts in the present alarming Conjuncture -
General Green entertains a high opinion of your influence and abil- ities and wishes for your assistance in support of such measures as he may find necessary to adopt for recovering the Southern States, or rather what is more probable to prevent the Enemy from making fur- ther progress and as the General is a Gentleman in whom you may place the most unreserved Confidence not only as a Gen1 officer but as a private Gentleman, have not the least reason to doubt but there will be a perfect harmony & free Correspondence between you and that Gentleman and which I am sure will be assiduously cultivated on his part - The Honble Arthur Lee passed through this place a few days since on his way to Philada but I was so unhappy as not to have the pleasure of seeing him tho I have been hon'd by a line from him since his arrival there. As the present situation of the Southern States be speak the Theatre of War at least for the ensuing winter, I shall es- teem it an addition to the obligations I should otherwise be under by being favoured with a letter from you as often as you may find oppor- tunity and leisure for that purpose -
With sentiments of real friendship, I have the Hon' to be Sir
your most obedt and very Humble Servt
Nath1 Peabody
Hon1 Richard Henry Lee Esq
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR ROLLS AND DOCUMENTS.
[Extract from a Letter from Richard Henry Lee to Mr. Peabody, November 2, 1779.]
" Though not personally acquainted with you, I hope I shall be par- doned for this letter. I have seen the proceedings of Congress in a late affair, and I have observed New Hampshire supporting the cause of virtue against a very powerful and no less artful and wicked cabal, aiming at the public injury through the sides of its faithful servant ; and I have been informed particularly, Sir, of your very worthy sup- port of a character that has not deserved the treatment he has met with. New Hampshire has long been celebrated for spirit ; and it has now, on an extraordinary occasion, when very powerful efforts were made to debauch and to mislead, proved its title to the still higher qualities of wisdom and virtue."
[Mr. Lovell to Mr. Peabody.]
[Original in Collection of N. H. Historical Society.]
Nov. 3, 1780.
Dr Sir - I was not able to acknowledge by the last post the Re- ceipt of your Letter of Oct' 27th I was put upon a decyphering Bus- iness respecting some of the intercepted Letters of Cornwallis, and I bogued at it till the Post Rider was gone. J. L. being a Cornet and Adjutant in Lee's Corps will be here so that I may see him as well as you shortly.
I do not see how I can remain here to be paid 13 dollar pr Day at 40 for one when 2 dollars was pd in 1776 at par, and I here at 75 for I as I did in the case of 3 half Joes which you know Mr Clymer lent me for which I paid 1800. - You promised to tell me what course you meant to take from Morris Town - whether Easterly or South- westerly.
Baron Steuben is to go Southward consequently that untouched Treasure will remain in Statue quo another Season. I can give you amusement for amusement whenever we meet to make a regular Ex- change of anecdotes. Matters in the Southern Department wear a more pleasing Countenance than some time ago. Cornwallis retreats rapidly and I think will get his wings cropped, before he reaches Camden. Yours as ever J. L.
[Addressed] Honble Nathaniel Peabody Morris Town Jersies.
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[R. 6-116]
[Mr. Peabody to Lieutenant Wheaton.]
Peekskill Novr 30th 1780 -
Your kind endeavours for my personal welfare since you have been with me, even when the ill state of your own health might well have employed your whole attention, merit my warmest thanks and cannot fail being kept in grateful remembrance -
The situation of affairs has made it necessary for you to be absent from the Regt much longer than was expected when you left it but as Colº Angel was obliging enough to say on your leaving him that if such an event should happen it would not injure the public service and hope you will suffer no inconvenience on acct of your long absence from the Regt - and that you will find everything agreeable to your wishes on your arrival at Camp .-
With sentiments of friendship I am &c &c
Lt Wheaton
N. P.
[Endorsed] Dismission of Lieut Wheaton Nov. 1780
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[R. 6-121] [Soldier's Order.]
To Capt Sinkler Sir pleas to pay to Samuel Sias the holl of my Wages be it more or less and in so doing you will grately oblig your humbel Servant Bradbury Richardson
Dated Janary the 5 day 1781
Febary third 1781 Paid Samuel Sias twenty fouer pound L. money npon the with in order
[Signature obliterated]
[R. 6-121] [Officers' Petition.]
State of 1 To the Honorable the Council & the Honble the New Hampshire § House of Representatives, of the State aforesaid in General Court assembled at Exeter Jany 5, 1781 -
The Petition of Abel Stevens of New Grantham, William Barron of Merrimack, James Kidder of Linesborough, & Peter Page.of Charles- town, all Captains in the Regiment lately Commanded by Colo Moses Nichols - Humbley Shews- That they have recd Warrants upon the
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR ROLLS AND DOCUMENTS.
Treasurer for their respective wages, & for the wages of the men under their Command during the time they were employed in the ser- vice of the said State. That they have presented some of the war- rants aforesaid to the Treasurer aforesaid for payment. That the said Treasurer informs them that there is no money in the Treasury, & that 'tis out of his power to pay them - They further beg leave to shew to your honors that they have been for several days past, & now are in the Town of Exeter on expence waiting for their pay.
That they are not possessed of money sufficient to pay their ex- pences in said Town of Exeter, or to bear their expences to their sev- eral homes -
That they & the men belonging to their several Companies have depended on receiving the money due to them as wages, to enable them to pay their taxes - That they did not, " as has been usual heretofore" receive any advance wages - That they were obliged to advance considerable sums of money in order to defray their expences in travelling to & from Camp - that they were employ'd in the ser- vice of said State at a time in the year when 'twas most inconvenient for them to leave their several homes - Your Petitioners wish not to be troublesome to your Honors - they wish 'twas in their power to pay their expences in said Town of Exeter, bear their expences home, & pay their taxes after their return - but they are sorry to say that 'tis not - They therefore pray that your honors would point out some way to enable the said Treasurer to pay them respectively the sums mentioned in their respective Warrants (or at least some part of the sums aforesaid) that they may be enabled to pay their taxes, defray their expences in said Town of Exeter, bear their expences to their homes, & pay the men which were under their Command some part of the wages due to them - and as in duty bound shall ever pray &c Jonas Kidder Abel Stevens Peter Page William Barron
[R. 6-122] [Samuel Mitchell of Peterborough.]
Peterborº Jany 16: 1781
State of New Hampshire 1 Hillsborough ss. Personally appeared Sam1 Mitchil, & after being duly Cautioned Made Solemn Oath that He Inlisted a Sergt into Capt Wm Scotts Company in Colo Henry Jacksons Ridgt in ye Continental Army on the 6th day of Oct' 1777 & Sarv'd as Serjant in sd Company three years until ye 6th day of Oct' 1780 when he was Discharged -
before Francis Blood Justice Peace
1
1
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR ROLLS AND DOCUMENTS.
[R. 6-123] [Petition from Inhabitants on the Frontier.]
State of New ) To the Honble the Council & House of Representa- Hampshire § tives of the said State in Gen1 Court assembled at Ex- eter Jan'y 1781 -
The memorial of the Subscribers Inhabitants of the western frontiers of the State aforesd
Humbly Sheweth - That they view themselves greatly exposed to the depredations & ravages, of the Savages, & British Enemies in Canada - That said Enemies have several times attempted a Rout to our habitations, in order to effect our devastation & ruin - But as often as they have made the attempt, so often they have as yet been unsuccessful - and we have great reason to ascribe our present Ex- istence to the good hand of Providence in baffling & disappointing the sanguine expectations of our greedy Enemies - As our Enemies have lately effected their barbarous purposes upon many places to the northward - We have great cause to apprehend that their principal object, at this time, is the destruction of the Inhabitants upon Con- necticut River - And we are fully persuaded, that unless something extraordinary shall prevent it, we may depend upon an attack from them the present winter - We would beg leave to suggest that the mode lately adopted for raising sixty men out of Col. Chases & Col. Morey's Regiments, will by no means answer any valuable purpose toward our defence as it will not add a single man to their present numbers - And it is probable that the western frontiers will view it as their indispensible Duty to imploy the whole of their strength in their own defence - notwithstanding any requisitions upon them for the support of the Continental Army. But yet, if said frontiers can be suitably protected - we make no doubt, but they will cheerfully continue to contribute their full proportion towards the support of the Continental Army as many of them have heretofore punctually done - Your memorialists pray your honors to take under your considera- tion the importance of defending sd Frontiers not only for the Safety of the Inhabitants, but the interest it will be to the State of New Hampshire & ye united States, & therefore pray your honors to take such measures & raise such a number of soldiers for our defence as in your great wisdom may appear to be necessary - and your mem- orialists as in Duty bound shall ever pray &c -
Exeter, Jany 25 1781
Charles Johnston Moses Dow Jerh Eames
.
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR ROLLS' AND DOCUMENTS.
[R. 6-124] [Board of War to Commissary Jewett.]
State of New Hampshire
War Office Portsm° Feby 3d 1781.
M' Jedidiah Jewett
Sir - Your Information to the Board of War that the State have appointed you Issuing Commissary in Camp to the Troops raised by them for the Continental service. - They suppose it necessary to give the following directions for your government, that of course falls within their department with you - On your arrival at Camp apply to Majr Joseph Bass late Commissary - and receive of him all & sin- gular the stores on hand giving him a receipt specifying each article & transmit to the Board an account of the same. -- All Cloathing & Stores that is on hand and that you may receive from the Board - is to be appropriated for the use & Comfort of the Troops of this State, and you are to regulate a supply to the officers & privates yearly, (in- cluding what you may draw from the Continent) agreeable to the re- solves of Congress, and in case of a surplus furnished by the Board, - Each officer & private is to pay for what he shall receive over & above the yearly suite at the rates they are charged in the Invoices you may receive with the Goods, allways bearing in mind to regulate a just proportion to officers & privates when the store does not admit a surplus - & at no time to exhaust the Store unnecessarily - All ar- ticles delivered officers or privates you are to keep a particular & In- dividual acct of for the purpose of their account'g on a depreciating or appreciating proportion to the mode of adjustment agreed upon by the state & the Line of the Army. - All articles under the Denomination of Refreshments that may be sent you by the Board are to be paid for or debted to each Individual - you are to furnish the Board with a Roll of deficiencies from time to time thereby they may seasonably furnish the Store if possible -
For govern'g your conduct in any deficiency to officers or privates you must commence from the begin'g of the year 1780 - as all mat- ters of this kind previous thereto, are under an adjustment by the State, and for this purpose it will be necessary to obtain a Roll from Maj Bass of his Issues, previous to his leaving Camp - You will attend to a Correspondence with the Board thereby they will be the better enabled to regulate your proceed'gs with them - Wish'g you health -
By order of the Board
J. W.
[Joshua Wentworth]
27
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR ROLLS AND DOCUMENTS.
[R. 9-124]
1
[This is a letter from the Board of War to Joseph Bass, directing him to turn over the stores to Mr. Jewett. - ED.]
[R. 6-125] [Furlough.]
Aaron Hale of the 2ª Newhampshire Rigt has Leave of absence for twenty four Days at the expiration of which he is ordered to Join his Regt John Stark B. G.
Derrifield 5th Feb. 1781
To all Concerned
True Coppie Attest George Jackman
[R. 6-125]
[Directions from the Committee of Safety to Lieutenant Bezaleel Howe, relative to receiving recruits from the muster-master at Am- herst, and conducting them to the army, February 15, 1781. - ED.]
[R. 6-127] [Certificate.]
York Hutts Near West Point March 7th 1781
This may Certify that Samuel Spear has Returned in his Musquet Bayonet Gun Sling C. Box forty Cartridges three flints Brush and Pick, thum Screw and Knapsack -
Andrew Kettell Serjt Commanding the Company
[R. 6-128]
[Letter from Caleb Stark to the Legislature asking for some money for General Stark. Dated Exeter, March 22, 1781. - ED.]
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR ROLLS AND DOCUMENTS.
[R. 6-129] [Certificate relative to Hinsdale's Island.]
this may certify, the subscriber was appointed Commissary of pris- oners in March 1781, & from that time during the war frequently made use of the red warehouse of Hensdells Island so called, for ac- commodating the prisoners
Moses Woodward
[R. 6-130] [Jonathan Chase's Petition.]
State of New } To the Honble the Council and House of Representa- Hampshire tives of said State Convened in General Assembly at Exeter April 3ª 1781 -
Humbly Sheweth Jonathan Chase a late Sargeant in Colo Scam- mell's Regiment in the New Hampshire Line of the Continental Army - That on the 16th March A. D. 1777, he Engaged as a Ser- geant in said Regiment - That on the 27th of April A. D. 1779, he having procured one James Smith to Enlist & Serve in his room and Stead During the War - and thereupon obtained a Discharge from the Hon1 Brigadier General Poor (to whose Brigade he belonged) - But that your Petitioner has never received any allowance for Depre- ciation, he not being made up in the Roll, by reason of his Procuring another man in his stead, Whereby your Petitioner has lost the Depre- ciation of his pay, unless he can be relieved by your honors, Therefore prays your honors to Consider his Case & Grant him the Depreciation of his pay, from the said 16th of March, 1777, to the said 27th of April, 1779, as to others of his rank and Situation in the Army, and your Petitioner as in duty bound shall ever pray &c -
Jonathan Chase
,
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR ROLLS AND DOCUMENTS.
[R. 6-135]
[Petition of Joseph Drew for Permission to go to Bermuda.]
State of 1 To the honble The Council and House of Repre- New Hampshire ( sentatives for said State in General Assembly convened at Exeter.
THE PETITION of Joseph Drew of Dartmouth in the County of Devon - and kingdom of Great Britain Mariner humbly sheweth - That your Petitioner on the 21st of May last, was captured, being a passenger on board the Brigt : Jupiter bound for Quebec, by the Ship The Royal Louis Nathan Nichols Commander, and brot into the Port of Piscataqua - That he is now by order of the Commissary, con- fined to his house in Portsmouth by which means, his health, which was before much impaired, suffers extremely - That there being a fa- vorable opportunity of going to the Island of Bermudas in the Brigt : Olive Branch, Wm Nainby Comm' : from whence he can easily take shipping for England - he would most humbly request of your honors that he may be permitted to depart the State in said vessel - for which indulgence, he solemnly engages, immediately on his arrival in England, to procure the release of any one American-prisoner that may be particularly chosen and pointed out by your honors - He is informed in particular, of one John Seaward of Portsmouth in this State who has been confined above 2 years in the Mill-Prison in Ply- mouth, which is very near to where your Petitioner lives, and he is willing to enter into Bonds to procure his release, or return himself immediately to this State, tho' he entertains not the least doubt that he shall obtain his discharge - He has also an Apprentice Boy a prisoner with him whom he would also be glad might go with him - for which he would engage to use his utmost endeavours that one other American-prisoner should be released - One Mark Fernald in partic- ular, an inhabitant of Portsmouth is mentioned, whom he doubts not he could procure in exchange for his said Boy -
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