VOL. V.] THE HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. General Department. MAY, 1861. DIARY KEPT AT VALLEY FORGE BY ALBIGENCE WALDO, SURGEON IN THE CONTI NENTAL ARMY. 1777-1778. Nov. 10, [1777].-Capt. Lee, of the Light Dragoons brought in Capt. Nichols of the English Packet whom he took prisoner at New Castle. I heard Capt. Nichols observe that one hour before he was taken he had the following reflections :"His Majesty has made me commander of a fine ship-a packet too; I need not ever fight. I have nothing to do but transport gentlemen and ladies of the first rank. I have a fine stock of provisions aboard, hens, turkeys, geese, pigs, ducks, wine and cider. I have a good interest at home, and what is above all, an agreeable family. I am not troubled in my mind. In short, I've nothing to make me uneasy, and believe I am the happiest man in the world. Capt. Nichols was now the unhappiest man in the world. His reflections were turned upon the vicissitudes of life, the sudden changes of fortune and the variety of events that may happen to a man in the course of a few hours.-If we would set our reasons to work and believe what is undeniably true that there is no dependence to be put on the whiffling wind of fortune, we could bear disappointments without anxiety. A man of the least observation will find every state changeable, and while he considers this mutability of time and things, he will be better prepared to undergo the misfortunes of life and the disappointments inseparable from it. When a disappointment overtakes us unguarded by such reflections, it often throws us into a fit of anger which vents itself on those connected with us or appears in opprobrious words against the Providence of God. An incessant cannonading at or near Red Bank this day. No salt to eat dinner with. Nov. 11, 12, 13 & 14th.-Nothing material happened. Nov. 15th.-An attack was made on Fort Mifflin by 4 ships, 4 Batteries, & 1 Gally. Our People fired from Fort Mifflin-1 Battery-12 HIST. MAG. VOL. V. 17 [No. 5. Gallies & two Shearbacks or small ships. The firing was incessant all Day. Our People defended themselves with unparallel'd bravery amidst a continual storm of Balls 'till at length when Capt. Lee's company of Artillery were almost all cut off, and a reinforcement had stood at the Guns till 9 oClock in the evening the Garrison evacuated the fort, after having spiked up the Cannon. Capt. Stephen Brown, was kill'd by a shot from the round-top of a Ship that had haul'd up in pistol shot of the Fort. Mem.-Fort Mifflin was a Burlesque upon the art of Fortification. Nov. 19th.-The Boston & Hamshire Regiments began to join the Grand Army. This Day Huntington's Brigade consisting of Prentice'sBradley's-& Swift's-march'd for Red Bank→ which the Garrison evacuated before we arriv'd. Greens Division next day march'd for the same place,-who, with Huntington's Brigade & the Garrison consisting of Varnum's Brigade met at Mount Holly 5 miles east of Burlington, where we Encamped till the Evening of the 25th Mount Holly-so call'd from a little Mount nigh the town-is a Compact & Pleasant Village-having a great proportion of handsome women therein. Near this Town, in a Wood, a Hermet has dwelt this 27 years, living on Bread and water. His bed is a hole dug in the ground about one foot and a half below the surface, and cover'd at pleasure with a board-over this is built a small bark hut hardly big enough for a man to set up in. When he goes to bed he crawls into his hut and at the further end slips into his hole which he calls his grave, draws the Board over and goes to sleep. He crawls night and morning on his hands and knees about two rods to a particular tree, to pray. He says he was warned of God in a particular Dream when he first came to America to take this course of Life. He has many Latin and other Books in his lonely Cell-and is said to write considerably. He kisses every man's hand that visits him and thankfully accepts what is gave him, except Money, which he refuses. His Beard is done up in a loose club under his chin-he is small of stature and speaks very fast, he talks but little English-chiefly German or Latin. He says he shall come out purifyed & live like other folks if he continues in this state till he is 80. He says he often wishes for Death -being frequently affected with pains of Body by this method of life. He never goes near a fire in the coldest time. Much is said about the reasons of his doing pennance in this mannerbut chiefly that he murdered his own sister-that he kill'd a Gentleman in a Duel while an officer in the French Service. He was in the German Service also among his countrymen the Germans. 25th Nov.-In the Evening we march for Haddenfield (not far from Red Bank) where we arrived in the morning of the 26th Nov.-Lay in the Forest of Haddenfield— | cold and uncomfortable. 2 hessian deserters came in who declar'd our little parties had kill'd a number of the Enemy-13 Prisoners were bro't in-2 women. Nov. 27th.-Return'd to Mount Holly-Same Day, Green's Division and Glover's Brigade (who had arriv'd from the Northward 2 Days before) march to Burlington. Morgan with his Riflemen were left with the militia to harrass the Enemy as they were Recrossing the River from Red Bank to the city. Nov. 28th.-The remainder of us marched to Burlington. P. M.-the rear of the army crossed over to Bristol. A Storm prevented the Baggage going over this Night, which prevented Dr. L. & myself crossing with our horses. Nov. 29th.-Storm increas'd-About one, P. M. An alarm was made by a report that the enemy were within 15 minutes march of the Town to take the Baggage. Those of us who had horses rode up to Burdentown. The Baggage and the Sick were hurried out of Town the same way, but had not got 2 miles before they were turn'd back on its being a false Alarm. For the sake of good living however D: L., Parson E. & myself went to Burdentown up the River-liv'd well & cross'd over to Winsor next Day-and arriv'd at Bristol in the Evening when I had my Shoes and Silver Buckles stole-D! L. had a valuable Great Coat stole the Day before at Burlington. Dec. 1st. We marched to Head Quarters and our Division (M'Dougals) encamped on the Left of the Second Line. Our former Station was in the Center of the Front Line. Here Huts of sticks & leaves shelter'd us from the inclemency of the Weather and we lay pretty Quiet untill Dec. 5th.-At 3 oClock A. M. the Alarm Guns were fired and Troops immediately paraded at their several Alarm posts. The Enemy were approaching with their Whole Strength to give us Battle. Nothing further remarkable ensued this Day-at Night our Troops lay on their Arinsthe Baggage being all sent away except what a man might run or fight with. Dec. 6th.-The Enemy forming a Line from towards our right to the extremity of our left upon an opposite long height to our's in a Wood, Our men were under Arms all Day and this Night also-as our Wise General was determined not to be attack'd Napping. Dec. 7th.-Alarm given. Troops on their several posts. Towards Noon Col. Ch. Webb's Reg were partly surrounded and Attack' on the Right of the Army. They being overpower'd by Numbers-retreated with loss-the brave Capt. Walbridge was wounded in the head-Lieut. Harris kill'd. A scattering fire through to the left soon began & continued a few minutes, till our Piquets run in. The firing soon ceased on the Right & continued on the Left, as tho' a General Attack was meant to begin there-On this supposition the Left were Reinforced. But a scattering fire was kept up by Morgan's Battallion, at Intervals all Day-and concluded with a little skirmish at Sun Set. Our Troops lay on their Arms this night also. Some firing among the Piquets in the night. Dec. 8th.-All at our Several Posts. Provi sion & Whiskey very scarce. Were Soldiers to have plenty of Food & Rum, I believe they would Storm Tophet. Our Lines were on a long high hill extending about three Miles-all Man'd. An Abettee in front from Right to Left—another in the rear of the Left, with a Cross Abettee near the Extremety. (See the figure.) This Five men from each Regt in Varnum's & Huntington's Brigades as Volunteers join'd Morgan's Rifle Men to Harrass the Enemy, and excite an Attack. Some Regts were ordered to march out if an Attack should begin in earnest. Afternoon a small Skirmish happen'd near the Enemies lines against our left. Towards Night the Enemy fired some Cannon against our Right, & 2 against our left. Their horse appear'd to be busily moving. In the Evening there were but two spots of fires in the Enemies Camp-One against our Park (or main center); the other against the extremity of our Left, when the evening before they extend from almost Our Right to our Left. At 12 oClock at Night our Reg with Sixteen more were Ordered to parade immediately before his Excellencies Quarters under Command of Sullivan & Wayne. We were there by One-when Intelligence came that, the Enemy had made a precipitate retreat and were safely got into the City. We were all Chagren'd at this, as we were more willing to Chase them in Rear, than meet such Sulkey Dogs in Front. We were now remanded back with several draughts of Rum in our frozen bellies-which made us so glad we all fell a Sleep in our open huts-nor experienced the Coldness of the Night 'till we found ourselves much stiffened by it in the Morning. Dec. 9th.-We came from within the breast works, Where we had been coop'd up four tedi-material beings. It cannot be that our Superiors ous Days-with Cloaths & Boots on Night & Day, and reasumed our old Hutts East of the Breastwork. The rest of the Army Chiefly had their huts within the Lines. We are insensible what we are capable of enduring till we are put to the test. To endure hardships with a good grace we must allway think of the following Maxim::-"Pain succeeds Pleasure, & Pleasure succeeds Pain." Dec. 10.-Lay still. are about to hold consulation with Spirits infinitely beneath their Order-by bringing us into these utmost regions of the Terraqueous Sphere. No-it is, upon consideration, for many good purposes since we are to Winter here-1" There is plenty of Wood & Water. 2dly There are but few families for the soldiery to Steal from-tho' far be it from a Soldier to Steal-4" There are warm sides of Hills to erect huts on. 5' They will be heavenly Minded like Jonah when in the belly of a great Fish. 6". They will not become home Sick as is sometimes the Case when Men live in the Open World-since the reflections which must naturally arise from their present habitation, will lead them to the more noble thoughts of employing their leizure hours in filling their knapsacks with such materials as may be necessary on the Jorney to another Home. Dec. 11.-At four oClock the Whole Army were Order'd to March to Sweeds Ford on the River Schuylkill, about 9 miles N. W. of Chesnut hill, and 6 from White Marsh our present Encampment. At sun an hour high the whole were mov'd from the Lines and on their march with baggage. This Night encamped in a Semi Circle nigh the Ford. The Enemy had march'd up the West side of Schuylkill-Potter's Brigade of Dec. 14th.-Prisoners & Deserters are continuPennsylvania Militia were already there & had ally coming in. The Army who have been surseveral skirmishes with them with some loss on prisingly healthy hitherto now begin to grow his side and considerable on the Enemies. An sickly from the continued fatigues they have sufEnglish Serj. deserted to us this Day-and in-fered this Campaign. Yet they still show spirit form'd that Webb's Reg! kill'd many of their men on the 7-that he himself took Webb's Serj. Major who was a former Deserter from them, and was to be hanged this day. I am prodigious Sick & cannot get any thing comfortable-what in the name of Providence can I do with a fit of Sickness in this place where nothing appears pleasing to the Sicken'd Eye & nauseating Stomach. But I doubt not Providence will find out a way for my relief-But I cannot eat Beef if I starve-for my stomach positively refuses such Company, & how can I help that? of Alacrity & Contentment not to be expected from so young Troops. I am Sick-discontented Here and out of humour. Poor food-hard lodging -Cold Weather-fatigue-Nasty Cloaths-nasty Cookery--Vomit half my time--smoak'd out of my senses-the Devil's in't-I can't Endure it-Why are we sent here to starve and freeze-What sweet Felicities have I left at home;-A charming Wife-pretty Children-Good Beds-good food-good Cookery-all agreeable-all harmonious. Here, all Confusion-smoke Cold-hunger & filthyness-A pox on my bad luck. Dec. 12th.-A Bridge of Waggons made across comes a bowl of beef soup-full of burnt leaves the Schuylkill last Night consisting of 36 wag- and dirt, sickish enough to make a hector spue, gons, with a bridge of Rails between each. Some-away with it Boys-I'll live like the Chameleon Skirmishing over the River. Militia and drag- upon Air. Poh! Poh! crys Patience within me goons brought into Camp several Prisoners. Sun-you talk like a fool. Your being sick Covers Set. We are order'd to march over the River -It snows-I'm Sick-eat nothing-No Whiskey -No Baggage-Lord-Lord-Lord. The Army were 'till Sun Rise crossing the River-some at the Waggon Bridge, & some at the Raft Bridge below. Cold & Uncomfortable. your mind with a Melanchollic Gloom, which makes every thing about you appear gloomy. See the poor Soldier, when in health-with what chearfullness he meets his foes and encounters every hardship-if barefoot-he labours thro' the Mud & Cold with a Song in his mouth extolling Dec. 13th.-The Army march'd three miles War & Washington-if his food be bad-he eats from the West side the River and encamp'd near it notwithstanding with seerning content-blesses a place call'd the Gulph and not an improper God for a good Stomach-and Whisles it into naine neither-For this Gulph seems well adapted digestion. But harkee Patience-a momentby its situation to keep us from the pleasure & There comes a Soldier-His bare feet are seen enjoyments of this World, or being conversant thro' his worn out Shoes-his legs nearly naked with any body in it-It is an excellent place to from the tatter'd remains of an only pair of stockraise the Ideas of a Philosopher beyond the glut-ings-his Breeches not sufficient to cover his Nated thoughts and Reflexions of an Epicurian. His Reflexions will be as different from the Common Reflexions of Mankind as if he were unconnected with the world, and only conversant with kedness-his Shirt hanging in Strings-his hair dishevell'd-his face meagre-his whole appearance pictures a person forsaken & discouraged. He comes, and erys with an air of wretchedness & dispair I am Sick-my feet lame-my legs are sore-my body cover'd with this tormenting Itch -my Cloaths are worn out-my Constitution is broken-my former Activity is exhausted by fatigue-hunger & Cold-I fail fast I shall soon be no more! and all the reward I shall get will be-"Poor Will is dead." up the Bristol Road-& so got out unnotic'd. He inform'-that Cornwallis was embark'd for England-and that some High-landers had gone to N. York for Winter Quarters. There is nothing to hinder Parties of the like kind above mention'd, continually coming out between Delaware and Schylkill-and plundering and distroying the Inhabitants. People who live at home in Luxury and Ease, quietly possessing their habitations, Enjoying Our brethren who are unfortunately Prisoners their Wives & families in peace-have but a very in Philadelphia, meet with the most savage & infaint Idea of the unpleasing sensations, and con- humane treatments-that Barbarians are Capable tinual Anxiety the Man endured who is in a of inflicting. Our Enemies do not knock them in Camp, and is the husband & parent of an agree- the head-or burn them with torches to death— able family. These same People are willing we or flee them alive-or gradually dismember them should suffer every thing for their Benefit & ad- till they die-which is customary among Savages vantage and yet are the first to Condemn us for & Barbarians-No-they are worse by far-They not doing more!! suffer them to starve-to linger out their lives in Dec. 15th. Quiet.-Eat Pessimmens, found extreem hunger. One of these poor unhappy myself better for their Lenient Opperation. Went men-drove to the last extreem by the rage of to a house, poor & small, but good food within-hunger-eat his own fingers up to the first joint eat too much from being so long Abstemious, from the hand, before he died. Others eat the thro' want of palatables. Mankind are never Clay-the Lime-the Stones-of the Prison Walls. truly thankfull for the Benefits of life, until they Several who died in the Yard had pieces of Bark, have experienc'd the want of them. The Man Wood-Clay & Stones in their mouths—which who has seen misery, knows best how to enjoy the ravings of hunger had caused them to take good. He who is always at ease & has enough of in for food in the last Agonies of Life!" These the Blessings of common life is an Impotent Judge are thy mercies, O Brittain!" of the feelings of the unfortunate. Letter to my Wife. Heartily wish myself at home-my Skin & eyes are almost spoil'd with continual smoke. Dec. 21st.-Preparations made for hutts. ProDec. 16th.-Cold Rainy Day-Baggage or-vision Scarce. Mr. Ellis went homeward—sent a dered over the Gulph, of our Division, which were to march at Ten-but the baggage was order'd back and for the first time since we have been here the Tents were pitch'd, to keep the men more comfortable. Good morning Brother Soldier (says one to another) how are you?-All wet, I thank 'e, hope you are so.-(says the other.) The Enemy have been at Chesnut hill Opposite to us near our last encampment the other side Schuylkill-made some Ravages-kill'd two of our Horsemen—taken some prisoners. We have done the like by them. Dec. 18th.-Universal Thanksgiving-a Roasted Pig at Night. God be thanked for my health which I have pretty well recovered. How much better should I feel, were I assured my family were in health-But the same good Being who graciously preserves me-is able to preserve them -& bring me to the ardently wish'd for enjoyment of them again. Rank & Precedence make a good deal of disturbance & confusion in the American Army. The Army are poorly supplied with Provision, occationed it is said by the Neglect of the Commissary of Purchases. Much talk among Officers about discharges. Money has become of too little consequence. The C-ss have not made their Commissions valuable Enough. Heaven avert the bad consequences of these things!! A general cry thro' the Camp this Evening among the Soldiers-"No Meat!-No Meat!"the Distant vales Echo'd back the melancholly sound-"No Meat! No Meat!" Immitating the noise of Crows & Owls, also, made a part of the confused Musick. What have you for our Dinners Boys? "Nothing but Fire Cake & Water, Sir." At night"Gentlemen the Supper is ready.' What is your Supper, Lads? "Fire Cake & Water, Sir." Dec. 22d.-Lay excessive Cold & uncomfortable last Night-my eyes are started out from their Orbits like a Rabbit's eyes, occation'd by a great Cold-and Smoke. What have you got for Breakfast, Lads? "Fire Cake & Water, Sir." The Lord send that our Commissary of Purchases may live on, Fire Cake & Water, 'till their glutted Gutts are turned to Pasteboard. Our Division are under Marching Orders this morning. I am ashamed to say it, but I am tempted to steal Fowls if I could find them-or even a whole Hog-for I feel as if I could eat one. But the Impoverish'd Country about us, affords but little matter to employ a Thief-or keep a Clever Fellow in good humour-But why do I talk of hunger & hard usage, when so many in the World have not even fire Cake & Water to eat. The human mind is always poreing upon the gloomy side of Fortune-and while it inhabits this lump of Clay, will always be in an uneasy and fluctuating State, produced by a thousand Incidents in common Life, which are deemed misfortunes, while the mind is taken off from the nobler pursuit of matters in Futurity. The sufferings of the Body naturally gain the Attention of the Mind:-and this Attention is more or less strong, in greater or lesser souls-altho' I believe that Ambition & a high Opinion of Fame, makes many People endure hardships and pains with that fortitude we after times Observe them to do. On the other hand, a despicable opinion of the enjoyments of this Life, by a continued series of Misfortunes-and a long acquaintance with Grief -induces others to bare afflictions with becoming serenity and Calmness. It is not in the power of Philosophy however, to convince a man he may be happy and Contented if he will, with a Hungry Belly. Give ine Food, Cloaths-Wife & Children, kind Heaven! and I'll be as contented as my Nature will permit me to be. This Evening a Party with two field pieces were order'd out. At 12 of the Clock at Night, Providence sent us a little Mutton-with which we immediately had some Broth made, & a fine Stomach for same. Ye who Eat Pumkin Pie and Roast Turkies-and yet Curse fortune for using you ill-Curse her no more-least she reduce your Allowance of her favours to a bit of Fire Cake, & a draught of Cold Water, & in Cold Weather too. deprives us of the enjoyment of what we most wish to enjoy this side of thy brighter realms. There is something in this strong passion of Love far more agreeable than what we can derive from any of the other Passions-and which Duller Souls & Cheerless minds are insensible of, & laugh at-let such fools laugh at me. Dec. 24th.-Party of the 22a returned. Hutts go on Slowly-Cold & Smoke make us fret. But mankind are always fretting, even if they have more than their proportion of the Blessings of Life. We are never Easy-allways repining at the Providence of an Allwise & Benevolent Being -Blaming Our Country-or faulting our Friends. But I don't know of any thing that vexes a man's Soul more than hot smoke continually blowing into his Eyes-& when he attempts to avoid it, is met by a cold and piercing Wind. * * * * * Dec. 25th, Christmas.-We are still in Tentswhen we ought to be in huts-the poor Sick, suffer much in Tents this cold Weather-But we now treat them differently from what they used to be at home, under the inspection of Old Women & Doct. Bolus Linctus. We give them Mutton & Grogg-and a Capital Medicine once in a i While-to start the Disease from its foundation at once. We avoid-Piddling Pills, Powders, Bolus's Linctus's-Cordials-and all such insig nificant matters whose powers are Only render'd important by causing the Patient to vomit up his money instead of his disease. But very few of the sick Men Die. Dec. 26th.-Party of the 22d not Return'd. The Enemy have been some Days the west Schuylkill from Opposite the City to Derby-There intentions not yet known. The City is at present pretty Clear of them-Why don't his Excellency rush in & retake the City, in which he will doubtless find much Plunder?-Because he knows better than to leave his Post and be catch'd like a 23d.-The Party that went out last evening not Return'd to Day. This evening an excellent Player on the Violin in that soft kind of Musick, which is so finely adapted to stirr up the tender Passions, while he was playing in the next Tent to mine, these kind of soft Airs-it immediately called up in remembrance all the endearing expres-d-d fool cooped up in the City. He has alsions-the Tender Sentiments-the sympathetic ways acted wisely hitherto-His conduct when friendship that has given so much satisfaction and closely scrutinised is uncensurable. Were his sensible pleasure to me from the first time I gained Inferior Generals as skillfull as himself—we should the heart & affections of the tenderest of the have the grandest Choir of Officers ever God made. Fair. A thousand agreeable little incidents which Many Country Gentlemen in the interior parts of have Occurr'd since our happy connection-and the States-who get wrong information of the Afwhich would have pass'd totally unnoticed by fairs & state of our Camp-are very much Surprized such who are strangers to the soft & sincere pas- at G! Washington's delay to drive off the Enemysion of Love, were now recall'd to my mind, and being falsly inforin'd that his Army consists of filled me with these tender emotions, and Agree-double the Number of the Enemy's-such wrong able Reflections, which cannot be described-and which in spight of my Philosophy forced out the sympathetic tear-I wish'd to have the Musick Cease-And yet dreaded its ceasing-least I should loose sight of these dear Ideas-which gave me pain and pleasure at the same instantAh Heaven why is it that our harder fate so often information serve not to keep up the spirit of the People-as they must be by and by undeceiv'd to there no small disappointment;-it brings blame on his Excellency-who is deserving of the greatest encomiums;-it brings disgrace on the Continental Troops, who have never evidenced the least backwardness in doing their duty-but on the con |