The Military Journals of Two Private Soldiers, 1758 1775
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Abraham Tomlinson >> The Military Journals of Two Private Soldiers, 1758 1775
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Sonday 2. In the fore noon I went to meting & heard Mr. Eals his text
was in the 5th Chapter of James 16th verse a good sermon I rote a
letter & sent home & in the after noon to meeting again.
Monday 3d. Yesterday Mager putnoms S Company came up and this morning
Mager putnom[34] come up and the Connetticuts rigiment were Imbodied
for to learn how to form your front to the Right and left for Jineral
Abbacromba[35] and his A de Camp to vieu.
[Footnote 34: Israel Putnam, afterward the
Revolutionary general. He was born in Salem,
Massachusetts, in January, 1718. He was a vigorous
lad, and in 1739 we find him cultivating land in
Pomfret, Connecticut, the scene of his remarkable
adventure in a wolf's den, so familiar to every
reader. He was appointed to the command of some of
the first troops raised in Connecticut for the
French and Indian war in 1755, and was an active
officer during the entire period of that conflict,
especially while in command of a corps of rangers.
He was ploughing in his field when the news of the
skirmishes at Lexington and Concord reached him. He
immediately started for Boston, and, at the head of
Connecticut troops, was active in the battle of
Bunker Hill. He was one of the first four
major-generals of the continental army appointed by
Congress in June, 1775, and he was constantly on
duty in important movements until 1779, when a
partial paralysis of one side of his body disabled
him for military service. He lived in retirement
after the war, and died at Brooklyn, Windham
county, Connecticut, on the 29th of May, 1790, at
the age of seventy-two years.]
[Footnote 35: General James Abercrombie, the
commander-in-chief of the campaign. He was
descended from an ancient Scotch family, and,
because of signal services on the continent, was
promoted to the rank of major-general, the military
art having been his profession since boyhood. He
was superseded by Lord Amherst, after his defeat at
Ticonderoga, and returned to England in the spring
of 1759.]
Tuesday 4. This day I cut my hat and received my amanition and
provision for 4 days and made radey for to go on.
Wednesday 5th. This day the Army by son rise got ready for to March
and Marched of by Water, and Arived at the Saberday point[36] & stayed
their til midnight then Marched again to the first narrows & Landed
their and went down.
[Footnote 36: Sabbath-day Point. This is a fertile
little promontory, jutting out into Lake George
from the western shore, a few miles from the little
village of Hague, and surrounded by the most
picturesque scenery imaginable. It was so named, at
this time, because it was early on Sunday morning
that Abercrombie and his army left this place and
proceeded down the lake. There a small provincial
force had a desperate fight with a party of French
and Indians, in 1756, and defeated them.
Abercrombie's army went down the lake in batteaux
and whaleboats, and reached the Point just at dark.
Captain (afterward General) Stark relates that he
supped with the young lord Howe that evening, at
the Point, and that the nobleman made many anxious
inquiries about the strength of Ticonderoga, the
country to be traversed, &c., and, by his serious
demeanor, evinced a presentiment of his sad fate.
He was killed in a skirmish with a French scout two
days afterward. His body was conveyed to Albany, in
charge of Captain (afterward General) Philip
Schuyler, and buried there. He was a brother of the
admiral and general of that name, who commanded
the British naval and land forces in America in
1776.]
Thursday 6th. 12 A Clock at night we marched of again[37] & landed at
the 1st narrows & then we Marched on to the falls[38] within 2 miles
of the fort and there we was attackt by the Enemy[39] and the
Engagement held 1 hour and we kiled and took upwards of 2 & 50, & of
Captain Holmes Company we had 3 Men wounded. Sergent Cada Sergent
Armsba and Ensign Robbins & at Sondown the French come out again 5
thousand strong and our men came back again to the Landing place &
Lodged their.
[Footnote 37: "The order of march," says Major
Rogers, "exhibited a splendid military show." There
were sixteen thousand well-armed troops. Lord Howe,
in a large boat, led the van of the flotilla,
accompanied by a guard of rangers and expert
boatmen. The regular troops occupied the centre,
and the provincials the wings. The sky was clear
and starry, and not a breeze ruffled the dark
waters as they slept quietly in the shadows of the
mountains. Their oars were muffled, and, so
silently did they move on, that not a scout upon
the hills observed them; and the first intimation
that the outposts of the enemy received of their
approach was the full blaze of their scarlet
uniforms, when, soon after sunrise, they landed and
pushed on toward Ticonderoga.]
[Footnote 38: Rapids in the stream which forms the
outlet of Lake George into Lake Champlain. Here are
now extensive saw and grist mills. The distance
from the foot of Lake George to Fort Ticonderoga is
about four miles.]
[Footnote 39: The English lacked suitable guides,
and became bewildered in the dense forest that
covered the land. Lord Howe was second in command,
and led the van, preceded by Major Putnam and a
scout of one hundred men, to reconnoitre. The
French set fire to their own outpost, and
retreated. Howe and Putnam dashed on through the
woods, and in a few minutes fell in with the French
advanced guard, who were also bewildered, and were
trying to find their way to the fort. A smart
skirmish ensued, and, at the first fire, Lord Howe,
another officer, and several privates, were killed.
The French were repulsed, with a loss of about
three hundred killed, and one hundred and forty
made prisoners. The English battalions were so much
broken, confused, and fatigued, that Abercrombie
ordered them back to the landing-place, where they
bivouacked for the night.]
Friday 7th. Majer Rogers went down to the mils and drove them of there
from & kild and took upwards of 150 & at Son down the last of the Army
marched down to the Mils and Majer putnom made a Bridge over by the
Landing place this night we lodged by the Mils.
Saturday 8th. Then marched back 2 or 3 rigiments to the Landing place
to guard & help Get up Artillira and we worked all the fore noon
onloading the Battoes and at noon we set out down to the Mils with the
Artillira & we got near the Mils and we had orders to leave the
Artillira[40] their and go back & get our arms and we went down to the
Mils of our rigiment 2 Hundred were ordered to go over on the point to
keep the French from Landing their and we stayed while next morning
son 2 hours high & when we came in all our army and Artillira was gorn
back & the Mils fired and we marched back to the Landing place and had
to secure matter of 200 Barrels of Flour & we heard the French were a
coming upon us and we stove them all and come of us as soon as we
could and about 10 Ock we sot sail and & by Son down we arrived at
Lake George[41] according to all accounts the Engagement began about
10 clock and held 10 Hours steady and we lost 3 Thousand rigulars.
[Footnote 40: This was Abercrombie's fatal mistake.
He sent an engineer to reconnoitre the fort and
outworks. The engineer reported the latter to be so
weak, in an unfinished state, as to be easily
carried, without artillery, by the force of English
bayonets. The difficulties in the way of heavy
cannons, in that dense forest, were very
formidable; and Abercrombie was willing to rely
upon sword and bayonet, on the strength of his
engineer's report. That functionary was mistaken;
and when the English approached the French lines,
they found an embankment of earth and stones, eight
feet in height, strongly guarded by _abatis_, or
felled trees, with their tops outward. The English
made a furious attack, cut pathways through these
prostrate trees, and mounted the parapet. They were
instantly slain, and thus scores of Britons were
sacrificed, by discharges of heavy cannons. When
two thousand men had fallen, Abercrombie sounded a
retreat, and the whole British army made its way to
the landing-place at the foot of Lake George, with
a loss of twenty-five hundred muskets. They went up
the lake to Fort William Henry, and the wounded
were sent to Fort Edward and to Albany. At his own
solicitation, Colonel Bradstreet was sent to attack
the French fort Frontenac, where Kingston now
stands, at the foot of Lake Ontario; and General
Stanwix proceeded to erect a fort toward the
head-waters of the Mohawk, where the village of
Rome now flourishes.]
[Footnote 41: The head of the lake was especially
designated as "Lake George." There was the
dilapidated fort William Henry, built by Sir
William Johnson, in the autumn of 1755; and, about
half a mile southeast from it, Fort George was
afterward erected. The ruins of its citadel may yet
(1854) be seen.]
Monday 10th. Stil at Lake George in our old encampment 2 Cannon and 2
morter peaces all of them Brass come into Lake George to day.
Tuesday 11th. I washed my Clothes to day had Tea for Brecfirst.
Wednesday 12th. To day I was cald upon guard. Stephen Lyon went to
Fort Edward.
Thursday 13th. To day washed My Clothes.
Friday 14th. Nothing remarkable.
Saturday 15th. Nothing remarkable cald out to work.
Sonday 16th. Went to meeting to hear Mr. Pommerai[42] & his text was
in the 16th Chapter of Isaiah the 9th verce in the afternoon went to
hear Mr. Eals and his text was in 4th Chapter of Amos & the 12th verce
Sung the 45 Salm the last time sung the 44th Salm this day Colonel
Dotays Rigiment marched of.
[Footnote 42: Pomeroy.]
Monday 17th. This day Sergent Joseph Mathers had a new shirt put on of
70 stripes[43] I washed and at night was caled upon the picket guard
Barny went down to the halfway brook[44] and back again to guard
Artillira.
[Footnote 43: Flogging was facetiously termed
"putting on a new shirt." Seventy lashes was a
pretty severe punishment.]
[Footnote 44: This was the outlet of three little
lakes, situated about half way between the head of
Lake George and the bend of the Hudson at Sandy
Hill. They are the head-waters of Clear river, the
west branch of Wood creek, which empties into Lake
Champlain at Whitehall.]
Tuesday 18th. One Samuel Jonson died very suddenly he belonged to
Captain Latimer Company of new Cannen, Nehemiah Blackmore was whipt 10
stripes for fireing his gun.
Wednesday 19th. This day to work upon the Hospetal gitting timber to
it I went upon the Island[45] to stay thair a week.
[Footnote 45: This was Diamond island, lying
directly in front of Dunham's bay, and not far
from the village of Caldwell. It was so called
because of the number and beauty of quartz-crystals
found upon it. Burgoyne made it a depot of military
stores when on his way from Canada, by the way of
Lake Champlain, in 1777. It was the scene of a
sharp conflict between the little garrison and a
party of Americans under Colonel Brown, on the 25th
of September, 1777, while Gates and Burgoyne were
confronted at Saratoga. Brown was repulsed.]
Thursday 20th. Stil at work Colonel Worster sot out to go down to
Albany and a number of men with him this morning 10 Men were a going
to the half way Brook to guard the Post and the Indians way laid them
and kild 9 of them & 1 got in safe and they rallyd out from the Brook
100 & went back to see what was the Matter and they laid wait for them
& they fired upon the front first and kiled 2 Captains and 2
Leiutenants on the spot & our men were supprised and run back all but
a few and they stood a little while & lost 17 men the engagement began
son 2 hours high about a nowr after Leiut. Smith & 200 of our men went
down to help guard the teames down to Fort Edward.
Friday 21st. This day at knight Leiut. Smith came back & very poor he
was the rest of the guard returned well.
Saturday 22d. This day Colonel Partrages[46] rigiment were resolved to
have their full Allowance or go of and they got it[47]--a small shower
& at night our post came in and our Men that stayed behind came up I
received a letter from Home.
[Footnote 46: Partridge's.]
[Footnote 47: They were volunteers.]
Sonday 23d. Went to meeting and the text was in the 3 chapter of John
& the 16 verse & in the after noon the Text was in the 6 chapter of
Micah 6 & 7 verses this day wet & hard showers.
Monday 24th. This day a week ago Ensign Robins died at Albany this day
Henry Morris came up to Lake George with 2 Waggon Loads of Rum and
sold it right of--
Tuesday 25th. Captain Holmes and 5 of our men went down to the half
way Brook to be stashoned their til Furder orders--at 9 Ock one James
Makmehoon[48] was hanged upon the galloes upon the top of the Rockka
noose[49] our post came in and I was released from the Haspital work.
[Footnote 48: M'Mahon?]
[Footnote 49: This locality can not be identified.]
Wednesday 26th. Majer putnom had orders to list 400 ranjers and listed
some to day.
Thursday 27th. This day the Captains of the Companys drawed out 9 men
of a company for ranjers.
Friday 28th. There was about 40 teams & wagons a coming up about half
way between Forte Edward and half way Brook and a scout of French &
Indians way laid them and kiled every ox and destroyed all their stors
every thing[50] and about midnight our camps were alarmd of it and
Majer putnom rallyd about a 1000 Men & went after them.
[Footnote 50: Rogers, in his Journal, speaks of
this occurrence. He says it was on the 27th, and
that one hundred and sixteen men were killed, of
whom sixteen were rangers.]
Saturday 29th. This day Rogers went upon the track with his
ranjers[51] and sent back for all the picket guard and they went &
this day I was very poor & took a portion of fizik.
[Footnote 51: He went out with seven hundred men,
to intercept the marauding party, but they
escaped.]
Sonday 30th. This morning by break of day som of Majer putnoms men
that he left with the Battoes spied some more a coming down the Lake
and they com & told & Limon rallyd up about 2000 men and went up the
Lake I was poor and went to meeting Mr. Ingarson[52] preach'd & his
text was in salms the 83 & the 14 & 15 & the after noon the text was
in Duteronemy 32 & 29 verse.
[Footnote 52: Ingersoll.]
Mon. 31st. 9 of our Newingland Men were put under guard for making a
false larrom about the battoes coming down upon us & also one regular
that Rogers took that desarted last year to the French from us.
Tuesday August 1st. Their was about 700 men went down to the Half Way
Brook to be stashond their and 8 of our company and Captain Holmes
came back.
Wednes. 2. To day Jineral Limon came in of a scout & the men that went
with him and Rogers and putnom went of a scout with 14 or 15 hundred
for 10 days[53] this day Craft died and was buried Stephen Lyon come
of scout.
[Footnote 53: Rogers says that, on his return from
his attempt to intercept the marauding party, he
was met by an express, with orders to march toward
the head of Lake Champlain, at South and East bays,
to prevent the French marching upon Fort Edward.
There he was joined by Major Putnam and Captain
Dalyell or D'Ell.]
Thurs. 3rd. Two of our men went out a fishing for 2 days but had poor
luck.
Friday 4th. We had orders to march to Fort Edward & I washed up my
clothes.
Sat. 5th. This morning about half our rigiment marched forward to
build brest Works along upon the road in some bad places we arived at
Fort Edward at 9 O clock & we Built 2 Brest works.
Sonday 6th. We drawd 3 days provision and this afternoon the Rest of
our Rigiment came down and the teams that went up the day Before we
received our pacet[54] of letters from home.
[Footnote 54: Packet.]
Monday 7th. Cap.n & all that were able to go were ordered to guard
down to Fort Miller and back again.
Tues. 8th. In the morning we were drawd out for work and worked the
fore noon then we were ordered to fix every Man in the rigiments to
make ready, to go out to help Majer putnom and we met them a coming in
about son down and we helpt them a long as far as we could & that nite
& lay out that nite & 3 of the wounded men died there and Ben Deny for
one.[55]
[Footnote 55: A severe engagement took place on
Clear river, the west branch of Wood creek, about a
mile northwest from Fort Anne village (then the
site of a picketed blockhouse, called Fort Anne),
between a party of rangers and provincials under
Rogers, Putnam, and Captain Dalyell, or D'Ell, and
about an equal number of French and Indians under
Molang, a famous partisan leader. The English
troops were marching when attacked: Putnam was in
front, with the provincials; Rogers was in the
rear, with his rangers; and D'Ell in the centre,
with the regulars. Molang attacked them in front,
and a powerful Indian rushed forward and made
Putnam a prisoner. The provincials were thrown into
great confusion, but were rallied by Lieutenant
Durkee, who was one of the victims of the Wyoming
massacre twenty years afterward. D'Ell, with Gage's
light infantry, behaved very gallantly, and the
rangers finally put the enemy to flight. The latter
lost about two hundred men. Colonel Prevost, then
in command at Fort Edward, sent out three hundred
men, with refreshments for the party, and all
arrived at Fort Edward on the 9th. This was the
relief-party mentioned in the text, under date of
the 8th.]
Wed. 9th. We got in about 8 a clock & Buried the dead & the wounded
were dresd & carried over on the Island[56] Powers came up with a load
of Settlers[57] stores and treated us well.
[Footnote 56: This is an island in the Hudson,
opposite Fort Edward, and known as Rogers's
island.]
[Footnote 57: Sutler's.]
Thur. 10th. I was cald out to work upon the Block house this day our
post went of home with our letters.
Friday 11th. We went up to guard teams to Half Way Brook and to Build
a Brest Work 36 Ox teams & 6 Wagons.
Sat. 12th. Colonel Phich[58] had a letter from Major putnom at
tiantiroge[59] he is taken prisoner.[60]
[Footnote 58: Fitch.]
[Footnote 59: Ticonderoga.]
[Footnote 60: The Indian who seized Putnam tied him
to a tree, and for a time he was exposed to the
cross-fire of the combatants. His garments were
riddled by bullets, but, strange to say, not one
touched his person. He was carried away in the
retreat, his wrists tightly bound with cords. The
Indians rejoiced over the capture of their great
enemy, and he was doomed to the torture. In the
deep forest he was stripped naked, bound to a
sapling, wood was piled high around him, the
death-songs of the savages were chanted, and the
torch was applied. Just then a heavy shower of rain
almost extinguished the flames. They were again
bursting forth with fiercer intensity, when a
French officer, informed of what was going on,
darted through the crowd of yelling savages, and
released the prisoner. He was delivered to Montcalm
at Ticonderoga, then sent to Montreal, and, after
being treated kindly, was exchanged for a prisoner
taken by Colonel Bradstreet at Frontenac.]
Son. 13th. Day the chief of our men upon duty and the rest went to
meeting the afternoon the text was in the 2nd of timothy the 1st
chapter & 10 verce.
Mon. 14. I had nothing to du I rote a letter to John.
Tues. 15. I was upon picit[61] guard & wet and stormy it was 1 of the
regalars whipt for sleping upon guard.
[Footnote 61: Picket.]
Wednesday 16. The ranjers discoverd a scout of French & com in to Fort
Edward and all that were able were ready at a minits warning to day I
sent a Letter to John Lyon.
Thursday 17th. w, p, 31 stripes stil & Nothing to do the Liev.ts fixed
up their tents.
Friday 18th. 6 of our men were ordered to go over to work upon the
Block House over the river I was raly tired at night.
Saturday 19th. I washed My clothes Col fitch at Salatogue.
Sonday 20th. We were almost all out upon duty to work at the High Ways
and in the after noon a very hard shower which sot our tents all
aflote.
Monday 21st. I went down to Fort Mizerey[62] & I heard of John Day's
death at Saletogue this day Morris came up and we lived well.
[Footnote 62: Fort Misery was a breastwork at the
mouth of Moses's kill, or creek, a short distance
from Fort Miller, on the east side of the Hudson.]
Tuesday 22d. I went up the river to look for a horse Steven & I was
cald upon picit guard.
Wednesday 23d. I went out to look oxen and was treated well 1 mans gun
went of and cut of his finger we drove out the 2 men out of the Block
House kep the great Cattle.
Thursday, 24th. I was cald out to guard up teams and to work on the
road & had a Jil of rum for it Zachariah Catlin died at Fort Edward.
Friday 25th. I was cald upon the quorter guard & we heard the great
guns that were fired at the Lake[63] they shot at a mark and our
Provinshals beat them & it made them very mad.
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