USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > Annals of Philadelphia, and Pennsylvania in the olden time; being a collection of the memoirs, anecdotes, and incidents of the earliest settlements of the inland part of Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 37
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December 20th. A snow storm last night has almost stopped the navigation, and has sent our guarda-costa down the river. The snow continues the next day, and much we pity the poor fellows who are out in it. Much talk now of making this a neutral island; but it is said that the gentlemen who visited Count de Nope, (Donop) to concert the measure, found him too much occupied to speak about it.
December 22d. It is said Putnam, with one thousand men, is at Mount Holly, and all the women are removed from the place. We hear too, that General Howe is at Trenton, and an engagement inay be soon expected. A man from Mount Holly tells us, he saw there lately a great many British troops-that some of them went to the magazine there (over the Court-house) and took out one hun- dred canteens, and as many broken fire-arms, and piling them up in the street, ordered the men in derision to take charge of them. Seve- ral of the families which went away at the cannonading, are now
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returning. 'T'is said that a party of our men, two hundred strong, which marched out of Mount Holly, met a party of Hessians, and that after a fight, twenty-one of our men were killed.
December 23d. This day twelve gondolas have again visited us. The news again from Mount Holly is, that our men again met the Hessians in battle and lost ten men; and that the Hessians are in possession of the town. It is also said, that three thousand of our troops now at Bristol are to cross over to us to-night, in order to join our routed party at Mount Holly.
December 24th. The gondolas are all gone away-it is said by order of General Cadwallader, in command at Bristol. The former news about the fights is now discredited. Several of the Hessians are in the town to-day. We don't see them, because we, on the green bank, are considered out of the town. A pretty heavy firing is heard up the river to-day.
December 26th. A great number of flat-bottomed boats have gone up the river to-day. General Reed and Count de Nope are said to be negotiating about the neutrality of our place.
December 27th. A letter from General Reed to his brother in- forms him that Washington has had an engagement on the 25th, and taken nine hundred prisoners. It seems they were surprised while keeping their Christmas revels. How unlike Christians, in both revels and war! This evening about three thousand of the Penn sylvania militia, and other troops, landed in the Neck and marched into town, and are quartered on the people. An officer spent the evening with us, and was in high spirits. They went away the next day, when some snow again sent the gondolas down the river.
December 29. Soldiers who came last night and took up their residence in Colonel Cox's empty house, went off this morning after stopping to thank me for the food I furnished them. Soon after, an- other company took possession. The inhabitants are much straitened for bread and fuel.
December 30th. A number of poor, sick, and wounded soldiers are brought into town, and lodged in the court-house and private houses.
January 1st, 1777. The new-year's day has not been ushered in with the usual rejoicings. It forebodes a sorrowful year to many.
January 3d. We heard very distinctly, to-day, very heavy firing of cannon towards Trenton ; and at noon upwards of one thousand men came into town in great confusion, and were quartered on the people. Several went into my next neighbour's (Colonel Cox's) house, where I went to see them, and my heart was melted to see them, lying on the floor fast asleep, although many were without blankets to cover them. I had my suspicions that they had fled the field when they should have remained, and it proved so. Among them were several innocent-looking lads, and much I sympathized with their bereaved mothers.
January 5th. I hear that Captain Shippen is killed. We hear VOL. II .- 2 P 27
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also that General Mercer is killed, and Mifflin is wounded ; and that two thousand New-England men fell in the late engagement.
January 7th. This evening all the gondolas went from Bristol down the river.
January 8th. All the soldiers are gone from Colonel Cox's house. Only one of them came to thank me for my services to them.
January 9th. We hear to-day that our troops have driven the British to Brunswick. All the officers went out of town to-day. The weather is very cold, and the river is filled with ice. Several of the sick soldiers brought here have died.
January 11th. Weather very cold, and much I pity the poor sol- diers now on their march.
January 15th. I was much affected this evening at seeing the hearse and body of General Mercer going across the river on the ice. At the same time Captain Shippen's body was also carried over- both to be buried at Philadelphia.
February 4th. To-day eight boats full of soldiers sailed up the river to join the forces. They appeared to be merry.
April 17th. A number of flat-bottomed boats went up the river and landed troops at Bristol. It is said fifteen hundred men are bil- leted on the inhabitants there.
May 7th. Captain Webb and his family came here, on his way to New York, he being ordered to leave the state. As he was going to bed a captain and soldiers arrived to examine his papers, and to take him to Philadelphia to the general, to answer to his being a spy. He was, however, ordered to Bethlehem .- [This is the Captain Webb who was, at that time, a Methodist minister, and was cele- brated as such.] Several persons are named as suffering imprison- ment as tories.
June 7th. The reports by expresses make us believe that the English army are in motion, and intending for Philadelphia.
June 13th. The soldiers at Bristol beat to march, and sail up the river.
June 14th. Before daylight the alarm guns at Princeton, Tren- ton, Bordentown, and Bristol were fired, and answered by those be- low. The gondolas, barges, and flat-bottomed boats pass up the river. We hear much firing above, and report says it is a battle. Some of the sick of the gondolas came to me for assistance, they be- ing lodged at the governor's house (on the bank.) They had the itch fever, and I had the pleasure to see them all get well. It was grateful to observe their hearty gratitude for acts done only in duty
Shortly afterwards there came a rough-looking man (a gondola man) to the house, and cautiously inviting me aside, he caused me at first no little alarm ; but he soon said, " If I had any friends or relatives in Philadelphia, he would be glad to be the messenger, in consideration of my kindness to him when sick."-My heart was re- joiced at the opportunity, and speedily I got ready a quarter of beef, some veal, fowls, and flour, for my father and sisters there, which he
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called for at midnight and took into his boat. He left them at R. Hopkins', at the Point, from whence my friends sent and took them ; and, two nights after, the stranger returned with a letter, a bushel of salt, a jug of molasses, a bag of rice, some tea, coffee, and sugar, with some cloth for my poor boy-all sent by kind sisters in a truly needed time. Then we remembered the poor around us, and soon the salt was distributed to the joy of many.
After this, one morning very early, we were surprised to see many hundreds of boats, filled with British soldiers, going up to Borden- town to burn all the gondolas. I felt, of course, alarmed. While looking at them, R. Sutton and his son stopped at my door, when the former said, " He was just going to join a party of soldiers going up to resist them." Poor fellow! he was killed next day. When the British returned, they fired several cannon near me at our next neighbour's house, who was a captain in the rebel army.
A rebel quarter-master who had received some kindness from us, asked me one day, if I did not wish to see my friends in the city, and said he would accompany me as far as Frankford. I readily accepted, and took along my friend A. O. We got safely to our friend Abel James' place, and next morning we had a joyful meet- ing with my relatives at Kensington. Our quarter-master was to call for us ; but a skirmish occurring near us, he was hindered, and we had to get back by ourselves. In urging our horse over fast to make the best of it, he broke the swingle-tree in ascending the Red-lion hill, and our chair began to run back down the hill. With the help of my ribands and Nancy's garters we mended the break, and at length succeeded to get over the ferry, and finally to reach home, where we recounted our adventures to the great wonderment and grateful thanksgiving of our family friends.
> In conclusion, we presume it will surprise the reader, as it has ourself, to learn from the preceding how much the peaceful, quiet country town of Burlington was once stirred and excited by the haps and incidents of war. So much said of a place that has never had a mention of any thing in our revolutionary history, may serve to show how very much has been omitted by those narrators who have only aimed to speak of great and leading battles and events-and yet, herein is preserved a domestic picture of its vicissitudes and emotions, more touching and graphic than many of far more consequence. It is one thing to show the evolutions of battles, and it is another thing to show how the casualties and excitements of war affect families and individuals. Such was our war as seen and felt by a thoughtful, in- telligent and peace-loving lady.
And now, by way of contrast, we shall add, from another manu- script diary, the thoughts and feelings of a young lady near Wash- ington's camp at Whitemarsh, full of the zeal of whiggism and the admiration of the gay and chivalric spirit of martial life and array -- to wit :
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Incidents of the Revolutionary War, as observed and journalized by a young lady of Philadelphia, (S. W.,) residing near the American camp at Whitemarsh-to wit :
North Wales, Sept. 25, 1777. As I have no means to send let- ters from this our retreat to my young friend, D. N., I shall endea- vour to journalize, for her future inspection, some of the doings, and thoughts, and observations which possess the mind of her young friend, the writer.
Yesterday, which was the 25th September, two Virginia officers called at our house, and informed us that the British army had crossed the Schuylkill. Presently another person stopped and con- firmed what they had said, and besides told us, that Gen. Washington and his army were near Pottsgrove. Well, thee may be assured we were sadly scared. However, the road was very still until eve- ning, when we heard a great noise at the door. All of us went out to see. It was a large number of wagons, with about 300 men of the Philadelphia militia. They begged for drink, and several pushed into the house, where some of them were saucy enough, which caused some of us women soon to make our escape in much alarm. But, after a while, perceiving that the officers were gentlemanly and the soldiers civil, we returned, and when they left we gave them our good wishes.
September 25, H. Jones came riding along, and said the British and Hessians were at Skippack road, and that we should see some of them. Our parents discredited it, but we fearful girls allowed ourselves to be much disturbed. In the evening, O. Foulke came and told us that Gen. Washington had come down as far as the Trap. and that Gen. McDougall's brigade was stationed at Montgomery. This he had from Doctor Edwards, aid to Lord Stirling.
September 26. Cousin Jesse has heard that Gen. Howe's army had moved towards Philadelphia. This excited our fears for you. After a while somebody came screaming, Sally, Sally ! I ran in a moment, and behold it was the light horse come indeed! They rode up to the house, and inquired if we had horses to sell! The officer took two glasses of wine, and then all rode off. They be- longed to Lee's troop. In the evening we heard very heavy firing, and we hear that the American army will be within five miles of us to-night. Our minds are all engrossed with these things-we think and talk of nothing else. So much for our retreating from the city to avoid the alarms of war !
Here passes an interval of several weeks, with nothing particular to chronicle.
October 19. Now for news and uncommon scenes ! Resting in bed this morning, and ruminating, I was aroused by Liddy, and called to hear a great commotion of drums and rattling wagons. We dressed and got down stairs speedily. The news was that the British had left Philadelphia, and that our army was marching after to take
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possession. We went out to see the army pass. I thought it strange to feel so little fear. Soon after, several officers called to get some refreshment, but none of consequence until the afternoon, when two genteel men of the army rode up and made their salutations, and asked if they could have quarters for Gen. Smallwood. Aunt thought she could accommodate them. Then one of the officers dismounted, and wrote " Smallwood's quarters" over the door, which saved us from straggling soldiers. When left alone, we dressed for effect and adventure! Soon we had Doctor Gould, from Carolina. While he was yet present, the general arrived, with his six attendants, and having also a large guard of soldiers, with horses and baggage-wa- gons-quite a family ! Soon there was much running up and down stairs. Presently we were introduced to Gen. Smallwood, Captain Furnival, Major Stoddard, Captain Finley, Mr. Prig, Mr. Clagen, Col. Wood and Col. Line. The two latter are Virginians, and in- disposed. The general and suite are Marylanders. Some of them supped with us, the others with Jesse. What a new situation for us! I don't, however, feel afraid, although among so many officers, and the yard full of soldiers. They eat and talk like other folks, and deport themselves with elegance.
October 20. I dare say that thee is impatient to learn my senti- ments of these officers-so while they are yet sleeping in their cham- bers, I'll draw their characteristics for thy contemplation. General Smallwood is a tall, portly, well-formed, martial man, having the deportment of a gentleman, a good understanding, and much hu- manity of nature. Col. Wood seems to be one of the most amiable of men-tall, genteel, a very agreeable countenance, and is a married man. Col. Line is not married, so let me be temperate in his praise. He is monstrous tall and brown, is very sensible, and agreeable in conversation. Of Capt. Furnival, I may say that he has one of the finest faces I ever saw-has a very fine person, light hair in thick profusion to help his face. But the glory of the squad is Major Stoddard, so bashful, so famous, &c. He should come before the captain, but never mind. I at first thought him cross and proud, but I was mistaken. He is but about nineteen ; is nephew to the general, and acts as major of brigade. He can't be called graceful, but his mind is superior. Finley is wretchedly ugly, and went away last night. Cols. Wood and Line, and Doctor Gould, dined with us, when I dressed in my chintz, and looked smart enough.
October 26. A very rainy day, which keeps the officers in he house In the afternoon the general and officers took tea with us. After supper I went into aunt's, and there saw the general, Col. Line and Major Stoddard. There the major got upon the notion of hav- ing me to sing-think of that! He was very facetious and clever- he has the softest voice, and never pronounces the R. [He was afterwards secretary of the navy.]
To-day arrived Col. Guest and Major Letherberry-the latter a young lawyer, who has no lack of tongue.
27*
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October 27. This evening there came a parson belonging to the army-how shall I describe him! He is near seven feet high, thin and meager-he affords no interest. Yet such as he fell in love with Liddy at sight! But he has a better rival in Col. Guest, a charming man and a brave officer.
November 1. The army has had orders to march to-day, the re- gulars first. The officers are all to dine with us to-day. In the evening several of them came to take of our tea.
November 2. The militia marches, and the general and his offi- cers leave us. I feel sorry to lose their agreeable company. We saw them turn the road and go out of sight, and they have our good wishes for their safety and welfare.
December 5. Oh, Debby! I am all sensitive with fear! The English have come out to attack our army. They are on Chestnut hill, and our army three miles this side. What will become of us at only six miles distant ! The battle of Germantown, and the hor- rors of that day, are still vivid in my imagination.
December 6. To our surprise, suddenly entered the young Major Stoddard. He could scarcely walk ; poor fellow, he was sick from fatigue and cold ; he looked pale and dejected ; he was soon put to bed, and quickly he found rest in sleep. Next morning he rose quite renovated. He was every now and then listening for firing, and said in that case he must be off. He remained to tea, and next day he set off again to the army. He said he should always be near us in the event of an enemy's approach.
I have been reflecting how readily we can get reconciled to perils and alarms. Formerly the idea of being within ten miles of a battle ground was appalling ; but now, although within six miles of two large armies, we can be easy and cheerful.
December 8. We have cause of joy-the British have returned to Philadelphia without a great fight.
December 11. I have made two new acquaintances-a Captain Lipscomb and a Mr. Tilly-the former a tall, genteel man, in deli- cate health, with the finest head of hair I ever saw-a light, shining auburn, negligently tied and waving down his back-" loose flowed the soft redundance of his hair." Tilly is a wild, noisy mortal, above the common size, a ruddy face, a great talker and laugher- he keeps the house in continual mirth and merriment by his oddi- ties. Again we were surprised by the presence of Major Stoddard. While he was here we got up an admirable joke upon Tilly, by using the fine effigy of a British grenadier to be placed near his bed chamber, and to give the alarm of " the British have come !" The figure looked so real, that when Tilly saw it, he made off by a by- way, and ran off a great way, to the great amusement of the family and the three or four officers present.
December 14. The officers still here, and full of their jckes on Tilly for his retreat. To-day we were visited by Captain Small wood, a pretty little fellow, brother to the general.
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December 20. General Washington's army has gone into winter quarters at Valley Forge, and we shall now have a solitude before us.
February 7, '87. We have passed several weeks without any thing of moment occurring. We had a visit from Major Jameson and Captain Howard, both of the dragoons. To-day we visited the heights of the Barren hills of Whitemarsh, and had an extensive prospect of the country, and saw there the traces of the encampment, and many ragged imitations of chimneys, and many other objects of ruin-telling the tale of what had been.
May 11. Paper is scarce with us, which restricts my notitia. I had laid aside my pen; but this evening, when seated at tea, we were aroused by the approach of light horse, and soon there followed 1600 men, under Gen. Maxwell. We thought they would pass ; but soon came in the general, with Col. Brodhead, Major Ogden, and Captain Jones. The general is a Scotchman, with little to pre- possess. The colonel is very martial and fierce. Ogden is genteel, with a strong nose. Captain Jones might be called a conqueror, being tall, elegant and handsome. Their brigade is to be encamped about three miles from us, where we have been out to see their en- campment, and got scared by the challenge of the pickets.
June 2. Capt. A. S. Dandridge made his appearance here with his troop of horse. He is to be called the handsomest of men.
June 3. An introduction to Major Clough, Captain Swan, and Mr. Moore, all of the cavalry-they had come to dine with Dan- dridge. In the evening Lieut. Watts took tea with us. Saw several squads of cavalry to-day, passing off toward Skippack road We felt at first afraid they were British. They belonged to Col. Shel- don's regiment of dragoons, and one of the captains (Stoddard) came to see us.
June 5. We have a call of a squadron of dragoons, under Major Jameson, with Captains Call and Nixon. They said they fully be- lieved that the British were about to leave Philadelphia. After breakfast, they all set off for Valley Forge camp.
June 19. We have astonishing news, that the British have really left Philadelphia. This is delightful news! Our army is about six miles off, on their march to the Jerseys. I now think of nothing but returning back to the city, after an exile of twenty months.
Philadelphia, July, 1778. It has now pleased kind heaven to restore us back safely to our home in the city! My heart danced and my eyes sparkled with pleasure at this event. The very noise and rattle of the city was all music to my senses, so glad was I to be again at home !
> It cannot escape the observation of a considerate reader, that after all we have heard of the deprivations and sufferings of the offi- cers of the revolutionary army, that we have here a fair representa- tion of a gay and cheerful set of men, well clad and well fed, &c. We see, too, by the facts in their case, how very imposing were their easy manners and gay military array, upon the feelings and judg-
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ments of the female sex. How it affects the heart to consider withal that the then young, gay and sportive spirits, who then so actively shone in the drama of life, are now, nearly all, no more ! Sic tran. sit gloria mundi !
Valley Forge Camp .- This place having been made memorable in our history by the sufferings of our army there in the winter of 1777-8, I was induced to make the place a visit fifty years after, say in July, 1828. As we approached the towering " camp hills," near the Valley Forge, what emotions pressed upon the reflecting mind ! On those hills were miserably hutted the forlorn hope of the country in its day of gloom and peril. The name and the actions of the great father of his country, and the weight and burthen of his public cares at that place and season, pressed upon the recollection !
On these hills they constructed long rows or lines of log huts for their winter quarters, placed them on the sun side, made numerous stockades and bristling pikes for defence along the lines of trenches. To this purpose, and for their necessary fuel, they cut off an entire forest of heavy timber, which now is again covered by another growth of trees in full stature over the whole site. Poor sufferers, surrounded as they were by fuel, vain were their efforts to subdue the freezing cold of that exposed winter. Their clothes were scanty, their blan- kets in rags, and their feet in general without stockings, and almost shoeless ! Sad are the recitals which witnesses of the neighbourhood have given of their then comfortless state as soldiers. Cases have occurred where sentinels, to keep their feet from perishing, have stood with their feet in their hats or caps.
P. S. Duponceau, Esq., who was one of the young officers of the army at Valley Forge, (aid to Steuben,) relates some facts of stirring interest. They bore, said he, their condition of half naked and half famished men, with fortitude, resignation and patience. Some- times you might see soldiers pop their heads out of their huts, and call out in an under tone, " no bread, no soldier !" but a single word from their officer would still their complaint. He has spoken of the Washington family in such picturesque terms as makes us see the life! The general, partaking of the hardships of his brave men, was accustomed to sit down with his invited officers, &c., to a scanty piece of meat, with some hard bread and a few potatoes. At his house, called Moore hall, they drank the health and prosperity of the nation in humble toddy ; and the luxurious dessert consisted of a plate of hickory nuts. There his fortitude and dignity of de- meanour always gave new spirits to his officers. Even in those scenes, Mrs. Washington, as was her practice in the winter campaigns, had joined her husband ; and possessing always at the head of his table her mild, dignified countenance. Grave, yet cheerful, her counte- nance and her manner reflected the feelings of the hero whose name she bore. Her presence inspired fortitude, and those who came to her with almost desponding hearts, retired full of hope and con.
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dence. Baron Steuben used to tell a story of his cook, who left him at that place, saying, as his justification, that where he had nothing on which to display his art, it was of no consequence who turned the string !- meaning the cord of the spit.
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