Someone just sent me a great site for researching your early Connecticut ancestors. Apparently developed by the University of Connecticut. It is FABULOUS and is easy navigate! At least, it's new to me <GRIN>. Enjoy, Rhonda http://www.colonialct.uconn.edu/
In a message dated 10/21/2001 11:35:37 PM Eastern Daylight Time, TERRYDD@aol.com writes: << I was wondering if the DAR books on ancestery.com are the only ones we can do lookup's I'm looking for some newer ones with the same information that is listed on Ancestery.com not the DAR patriot index. >> Sorry. That's all that is available to the public. DAR will do a free lookup of any patriot you wish. Go to <A HREF="http://www.dar.org/"> Daughters of the American Revolution</A> http://www.dar.org The Patriot Lookup Service is on the right. Phyllis
Hi, All I was wondering if the DAR books on ancestery.com are the only ones we can do lookup's I'm looking for some newer ones with the same information that is listed on Ancestery.com not the DAR patriot index. Thanks, Terry Davison
If anyone is interested, photos of the First Annual Van Tassel Ball held last night in Sierra Madre, CA, can be accessed through a link on my dance page: http://www.americanrevolution.org/dance.html Be forewarned, unless you have DSL or some such, it'll take a few minutes to download. Best regards, Ed
Sandel, Have you checked wirh DAR. Ann http://www.dar.org/cgi-bin/natsociety/pi_lookup.cfm
For those who don't see how to put the url back together, when you are reading the message from Marybeth's email, the end of the url doesn't have the (txt) connected to the rest of the url on the previous line. Merely push the 'forward' button which give the message movement abiltiy and then go down to the url, back space the 'txt' back to the end of the url so these tree small letters connect with the rest of the url, and when this is finished, the url works perfectly! Rhonda Houston -----Original Message----- From: ACMBJC@aol.com [mailto:ACMBJC@aol.com] Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2001 7:23 PM To: AMERICAN-REVOLUTION-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [A-REV] Journal of Lieut. Erkuries BEATTY Ann and Listers: For some unknown reason the URL/site that I sent to the list, appeared in segments, or what I call -- "breaking apart' (as seen below). Try removing any spaces between the letters "txt", and it should work fine. If not, I truly don't have an answer. I did copy and paste as was received on the original post, and it worked fine for me. Just try again. <G> Marybeth =================== In a message dated 10/17/01 8:57:45 PM, akeegan@c3net.net writes: << I could not log on to the web site....Ann ----- Original Message ----- From: <ACMBJC@aol.com> To: <AMERICAN-REVOLUTION-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2001 8:09 PM Subject: [A-REV] Journal of Lieut. Erkuries BEATTY > >From the USGenWeb Daily Uploads, 15 Oct 2001. > > > JOURNAL OF LIEUT. ERKURIES BEATTY IN THE EXPEDITION AGAINST THE SIX NATIONS > UNDER GEN. SULLIVAN, 1779. > > << > http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/pa/1pa/military/revwar/beattyjournal01. txt > >> > > > > Marybeth Corrigall > > > ==== AMERICAN-REVOLUTION Mailing List ==== > > > > ============================== > Search over 1 Billion names at Ancestry.com! > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/rwlist1.asp >> ==== AMERICAN-REVOLUTION Mailing List ==== ============================== Visit Ancestry.com for a FREE 14-Day Trial and enjoy access to the #1 Source for Family History Online. Go to: http://www.ancestry.com/subscribe/subscribetrial1y.asp?sourcecode=F11HB
I'm trying to find records of my gr gr gr grandfather Nicholas Briskey and his brother Charles Briskey. They we're french officers who came to america in 1770 and fought in American revolution. They changed sides and fought with the American Army. Any help in knowing where to look would be appreciated. Nicholas Briskey received a piece of land in the 1832 gold lottery of Georgia. He is in the Lottery book. Any help appreciated. Trying to trace him before that. Sandel DeMastus Seattle, WA
Here's a picture of our 3 pounder and cohorn mortar. http://64.41.64.113/11thpa/images/omv-15.jpg I used the linstock to touch off the 3 pounder and used the swab to tend the cohorn mortar at Newtown. Charles ----- Original Message ----- From: <ACMBJC@aol.com> To: <AMERICAN-REVOLUTION-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2001 8:09 PM Subject: [A-REV] Journal of Lieut. Erkuries BEATTY > >From the USGenWeb Daily Uploads, 15 Oct 2001. > > > JOURNAL OF LIEUT. ERKURIES BEATTY IN THE EXPEDITION AGAINST THE SIX NATIONS > UNDER GEN. SULLIVAN, 1779. > > << > http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/pa/1pa/military/revwar/beattyjournal01. tx > t > >> > > > > Marybeth Corrigall > > > ==== AMERICAN-REVOLUTION Mailing List ==== > > > > ============================== > Search over 1 Billion names at Ancestry.com! > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/rwlist1.asp > >
Coehorn. A small (and easily portable) mortar with a 4 and 1/2 (English) inch bore, used to fire bombs. After Menno van Coehoorn, Dutch military engineer. http://www.forts.org/glossary.htm
Glossary of Eighteenth-Century Military Terms http://www.digitalhistory.org/glossary.html Abatis: A roadblock or defensive barrier that was made of felled trees piled on top one another, with the branches sharpened pointing toward the oncoming or expected enemy. Banquette: A kind of step made on the rampart of a work near the parapet, for troops to stand upon in order to fire over the parapet. Barbette: A wooden or earthen platform inside a fortification, on which the cannon were placed in order to allow them to shoot over the rampart. Bar Shot: An artillery projectile consisting of a metal bar with a solid half-sphere at each end. Battalion: A body of foot soldiers, subdivided into companies, sometimes identical with a regiment. Bastion: A strongpoint of projecting masonry work in the perimeter of a fortress, usually V-shaped, angled out beyond the main line of the walls of a fortress. From it, attackers along the curtain could be cross-fired upon. Battery: A protected position designed as a firing place for one or more pieces of artillery. The term may also refer to the pieces in such a position, such as ( "west battery" or "forward battery"), or by the organization of soldiers who man them ("Battery A"). Berme: The ledge in a fortification between the ditch and the base of the parapet. Blockhouse: A thick-walled building usually constructed of logs, with loopholes for muskets, designed as a center for defense. Bomb or Shell: An explosive projectile made of cast iron, detonated in flight or after penetrating the target by means of a fuse. Brigade: A military force consisting of two or more regiments. Camp Followers: A civilian, often a woman, who accompanies an army and performs various services for the troops. Canister: A canvas or cloth bag filled with small round lead or iron pellets and crammed into a cannon on top of a charge of gunpowder. It would not carry as far as solid shot, but it was deadly at close range. Carcass: A small metal can punched with holes and filled with oiled rags that were set ablaze when the carcass was shot from a cannon. The purpose, was to cause a ship, a building or a whole town to catch fire. Cartridge: a prepared package, cylindrical in shape, containing both the propelling charge and the projectile of the gun. Casemate: A chamber built within the walls of a fort. Casemates can house barracks, guardhouse, and other administrative functions that otherwise would require separate buildings. Casemates also furnish positions from which cannon and small arms can be fired at an attacker through ports or embrasures in the walls. Case Shot: An artillery projectile consisting of a cylindrical tin container holding many balls. When fired, the canister burst and the balls continued toward the target in a spreading fashion. An other name for canister. Cassette: a work made under the rampart, like a cellar or cave with loopholes, to place guns in. Cavalry: Soldiers that fought from horseback, mounted troops. Chain Shot: An artillery projectile consisting of two iron balls of half-balls connected with a short length of chain. Chamade: A drum beating played when a besieged commander wished to discuss terms. Chevaux-de-Frise: A crisscross of heavy timbers, usually tipped with steel spikes, calculated to stop infantry. Sometimes this was also used under water to stop ships. Cohorn: A small stubby howitzer. Counterscarp: The outer wall or slope of the ditch surrounding a fort. The inner wall was the scarp. Covered Way: The Covert or close way, left above the ditch next to the open field. Curtain: The wall of a fortification between bastions, towers, or other crossfire projections. Demilune: Half-moon-shaped outworks, smaller than a Lunette. Double Sap: a trench with a parapet on both sides instead of on just the side facing the besieged fortress. Dry Ditch or Dry Mote: A ditch that surrounds the walls of a fort, hindering any attacker and giving an open area into which guns of the fort may fire. Embrasure: An small opening in a "parapet" or wall through which weapons may be fired. Enfilade: To fire into a formation of troops from a position approximately on the extension of its principle axis. Ensign: The most junior officer in a company of infantry. Traditionally the ensign carried the colors in battle. Epaultement: The "shoulder" of a fort wall; the place where the CURTAIN and BASTION meet. Exterior Slope: An inclined surface or bank constructed on the outside of a fortification. Facines: Bundles of tightly bound twigs and sticks hastily assembled and tied together. They were used for constructing gun platforms and , even more, for filling ditches to permit the passage of military vehicles. Field Piece: A piece of artillery mounted on a wheeled carriage for use in the field. Flèche: A small defensive ditch, unroofed, in the shape of an arrowhead, the point toward the expected enemy. It was an outwork, a deterrent, a stopgap, not a real fortlet. Forlorn Hope: A body of troops, sometimes volunteers, assigned the mission of leading an attack. Fraise: The horizontal or down-sloping palisade round the berme. Frigate: A type of warship developed in the eighteenth century, mounting from approximately twenty to as many as fifty guns, mostly 6, 9, and 12-pounders. Fusil: A type of light flintlock musket. Gabions: Wicker-work baskets or forms, without top or bottom. They were made of any material, (wicker was preferred), and filled with earth and stones. Clumsy, heavy things, they were used for shoring up parapets, filling ditches, and protecting field guns. They were the eighteenth century equivalent of sandbags. Glacis: The parapet of the covered way extended in a long slope to meet the natural surface of the ground, so that every part of it could be swept by fire from the ramparts. Grape or Grapeshot: Similar to CANISTER except that the balls were smaller and there were more of them. Grenade: A small, hand-thrown iron bomb detonated by means of a fuse. Grenadier: A soldier specially trained and equipped for throwing grenades. One company of grenadiers generally was included in every British regiment, and in battle was stationed on one of the flanks. Grenadiers, "the tallest and briskest Fellows" in the regiment, could be identified by their mitre-style headgear which lacking a brim, did not interfere with their hurling. Hornwork: An outwork consisting of two demi-bastions joined by a curtain. Howitzer: A small cannon sharply uptilted, used, mostly in mountain warfare, to lob shells or balls into a protected position. Jacobite boat: An open gunboat armed with a single heavy cannon. Lunette: A lunette is a V-shaped defensive structure pointing outward. It is a part of the outer works of a fort. Magazine: The structure where arms, kegs of gunpowder, provisions and in later years more sophisticated munitions, were stored. Matross: A sort of assistant artilleryman who helped to handle a fieldpiece in action. Merlin: A part of a parapet used to provide cover for a battery of artillery. Mess: A small group of soldiers in which each man takes his turn of cooking. Mortar: An extremely short-barreled, large-calibered piece of artillery, usually mounted on a heavy oaken base, so trunnioned that it can shoot very high. Used to hurl shells along a high trajectory and down into fortified positions. Musket: A smooth-bore flintlock shoulder gun. Outwork: A fortified position located outside or in advance of a main fortification. Palisade: In wooded country, a defensive wall or barrier consisting of sharpened logs set upright and close together in the ground forming an enclosure or defense. The logs may be vertical or may project horizontally from the earthworks. Also know as a stockade. Parallel: In siege operation, a trench or system of trenches dug by the besieging army roughly parallel to the enemy's ramparts as a line from which to begin a further advance. Parapet: The wall of a fortification or a defense of earth or stone built to conceal and protect troops. Picket: A small party of foot soldiers sent forth in advance of the army to feel out the enemy and harass him if he approaches. Pickets: Timbers with one end placed in the ground, the other end sharpened, used to slow the advance of infantry. Pierrier or Perrier (referred to by English as a "paterero"): An archaic iron breech-loading swivel gun, it could fire a small ball or a handful of shot. They were very common at frontier posts in New France. Pioneer: A civilian or soldier employed in laboring on roads or fortifications. Quoin: A wooden wedge inserted beneath the breech of a cannon to control the elevation of the muzzle. Rampart: The principal outer wall of a fortress, usually consisting of a broad, steep-sided embankment. Ravelin: This was a small earthwork, an outwork with only two faces, sometimes like a Flèche. Redan: The same as a Ravelin, though somewhat smaller. Redoubt: This was larger and stronger. It might be a square or some other multi shape, but it was always completely enclosed, never open at one end. Revetment: A retaining wall of wood or masonry supporting the face of an earthwork (earthen rampart) on the side of the ditch. Royal: A small mortar firing a shell of 51/2 inches in diameter. Sallyport: A gate through which soldiers can sally forth to counter attack the enemy. In larger forts, it usually includes a tunnel through the walls. Saucissons: Facines much larger than the common ones, used particularly to raise batteries and repair breeches in walls. Sentry Box: also called guérite or échauguette. Scarp: The steep bank immediately in front of and below the rampart. Ship of the Line: A warship mounting from fifty guns (fourth-rate ship) to as many as 100 guns (first-rate ship), sufficiently powerful to fight in the line of battle. Spontoon: A sort of halberd or pike carried by sergeants. Sutler: A civilian storekeeper who accompanies an army and sells liquor, provisions, and other supplies to the troops. Stockade: A barricade for entrenchments and redoubts, usually made of timber, often furnished with loopholes for musket fire. Same as Palisade. Tenaille: A small, low fortification, sometimes with only one entrance, sometimes with two, occasionally roofed, placed for annoyance, purposes outside the CURTAIN between the two BASTIONS. Terreplein: The surface of the rampart behind the parapet, where guns (cannon) are mounted. Toises: archaic French fathoms or six French feet.(76.71 inches) Tomahawk: A type of small hatchet used as a weapon. Troop: A company of mounted soldiers or cavalry. Terre-plein: In a fortification, the top platform, or horizontal surface of the rampart, where the cannon are placed, as well as the soldiers that defend the fort. Up in the Air: An unprotected flank was said to have been left "up in the air"
I had the same problem, but it's easily fixed. Just click on the URL & then add ".txt" (without the quote marks) to the end. Hit the "enter" key & there you are! Hope you don't mind another comment about one of the changes you've made to the text. A "cohorn" is a small mortar, designed to lob projectiles over troop lines and over defensive breastworks. It's been documented that cohorn mortars were used at Newtown, NY (near Elmira) and elsewhere on Sullivan's March. I noticed that you've changed the term to "cohort" in several places which I believe to be incorrect. I served on the artillery crew of a reenactment group at Newtown this fall and we both our "Three pounder" and "Cohorn Mortar". Charles Wetherbee wetherb@erols.com ----- Original Message ----- From: <ACMBJC@aol.com> To: <AMERICAN-REVOLUTION-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2001 8:22 PM Subject: Re: [A-REV] Journal of Lieut. Erkuries BEATTY > Ann and Listers: > > For some unknown reason the URL/site that I sent to the list, appeared in > segments, or what I call -- "breaking apart' (as seen below). Try removing > any spaces between the letters "txt", and it should work fine. If not, I > truly don't have an answer. I did copy and paste as was received on the > original post, and it worked fine for me. Just try again. <G> > > Marybeth > > =================== > > > In a message dated 10/17/01 8:57:45 PM, akeegan@c3net.net writes: > > << I could not log on to the web site....Ann > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: <ACMBJC@aol.com> > > To: <AMERICAN-REVOLUTION-L@rootsweb.com> > > Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2001 8:09 PM > > Subject: [A-REV] Journal of Lieut. Erkuries BEATTY > > > > > >From the USGenWeb Daily Uploads, 15 Oct 2001. > > > > > > > > > JOURNAL OF LIEUT. ERKURIES BEATTY IN THE EXPEDITION AGAINST THE SIX > > NATIONS > > > UNDER GEN. SULLIVAN, 1779. > > > > > > << > > > > > http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/pa/1pa/military/revwar/beattyjournal01. > > tx > > > t > > > >> > > > > > > > > > > > > Marybeth Corrigall > > > > > > > > > ==== AMERICAN-REVOLUTION Mailing List ==== > > > > > > > > > > > > ============================== > > > Search over 1 Billion names at Ancestry.com! > > > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/rwlist1.asp > > > > >> > > > ==== AMERICAN-REVOLUTION Mailing List ==== > > > > ============================== > Visit Ancestry.com for a FREE 14-Day Trial and enjoy access to the #1 > Source for Family History Online. Go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/subscribe/subscribetrial1y.asp?sourcecode=F11HB >
Ann and Listers: For some unknown reason the URL/site that I sent to the list, appeared in segments, or what I call -- "breaking apart' (as seen below). Try removing any spaces between the letters "txt", and it should work fine. If not, I truly don't have an answer. I did copy and paste as was received on the original post, and it worked fine for me. Just try again. <G> Marybeth =================== In a message dated 10/17/01 8:57:45 PM, akeegan@c3net.net writes: << I could not log on to the web site....Ann ----- Original Message ----- From: <ACMBJC@aol.com> To: <AMERICAN-REVOLUTION-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2001 8:09 PM Subject: [A-REV] Journal of Lieut. Erkuries BEATTY > >From the USGenWeb Daily Uploads, 15 Oct 2001. > > > JOURNAL OF LIEUT. ERKURIES BEATTY IN THE EXPEDITION AGAINST THE SIX NATIONS > UNDER GEN. SULLIVAN, 1779. > > << > http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/pa/1pa/military/revwar/beattyjournal01. tx > t > >> > > > > Marybeth Corrigall > > > ==== AMERICAN-REVOLUTION Mailing List ==== > > > > ============================== > Search over 1 Billion names at Ancestry.com! > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/rwlist1.asp >>
Marybeth, You have taken the normal linkage into the site initially to find the article and then specific address for the article. The address is not clickable .. its too deep to go directly. If one wants to get to the text then 'copy address' and backout the 'BeattyJournal01', go there, then do an edit on 'Beatty' ... and there you are at the Journal clickable. Its not an unusual situation. Jan ACMBJC@aol.com wrote: > Ann and Listers: > > For some unknown reason the URL/site that I sent to the list, appeared in > segments, or what I call -- "breaking apart' (as seen below). Try removing > any spaces between the letters "txt", and it should work fine. If not, I > truly don't have an answer. I did copy and paste as was received on the > original post, and it worked fine for me. Just try again. <G> > > Marybeth > > =================== > > In a message dated 10/17/01 8:57:45 PM, akeegan@c3net.net writes: > > << I could not log on to the web site....Ann > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: <ACMBJC@aol.com> > > To: <AMERICAN-REVOLUTION-L@rootsweb.com> > > Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2001 8:09 PM > > Subject: [A-REV] Journal of Lieut. Erkuries BEATTY > > > >From the USGenWeb Daily Uploads, 15 Oct 2001. > > > > > > > > > JOURNAL OF LIEUT. ERKURIES BEATTY IN THE EXPEDITION AGAINST THE SIX > > NATIONS > > > UNDER GEN. SULLIVAN, 1779. > > > > > > << > > > > > http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/pa/1pa/military/revwar/beattyjournal01. > > tx > > > t > > > >> > > > > > > > > > > > > Marybeth Corrigall > > > > > > > > > ==== AMERICAN-REVOLUTION Mailing List ==== > > > > > > > > > > > > ============================== > > > Search over 1 Billion names at Ancestry.com! > > > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/rwlist1.asp > > >> > > ==== AMERICAN-REVOLUTION Mailing List ==== > > ============================== > Visit Ancestry.com for a FREE 14-Day Trial and enjoy access to the #1 > Source for Family History Online. Go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/subscribe/subscribetrial1y.asp?sourcecode=F11HB
The compliment paid to the troops of Vermont by General Burgoyne, in his letter to Lord George Germain, a little before his capitulation, was to this effect, viz. That the district of the New Hampshire grants, a wilderness, little known in the last war, now abounds with the most active rebellious, and hardy race of men on the continent, who hang like a gathering storm ready to burst on my left. http://members.aol.com/chalidze/vermont.html
>From the USGenWeb Daily Uploads, 15 Oct 2001. JOURNAL OF LIEUT. ERKURIES BEATTY IN THE EXPEDITION AGAINST THE SIX NATIONS UNDER GEN. SULLIVAN, 1779. << http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/pa/1pa/military/revwar/beattyjournal01.tx t >> Marybeth Corrigall
Lookup Service (2) http://www.dar.org/cgi-bin/natsociety/pi_lookup.cfm Give them a try Ann
Hello, Are there books or anything with complete lists of all continental soldiers that served in MA or NH? I know there is "Mass. Soldiers and Sailor" etc. I'm trying (still) to find my brick wall, Lt. John Bradford, b. about 1749, died 1822, buried in Pelham, NH. Married to Mary Cummings from Topsfield, Mass. (daughter of Elisha Cummings). I'm trying to find out if John was from either Mass. or NH...he is listed in the Abstract of Graves of Rev. Patriots, but that is all I know. I've got extensive info on Mary's line, but I can't even find out where they were married. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you. (I know there are some John Bradfords in the Mass. book - but how do I investigate them???) Sue Tait Porcaro Windsor, CT --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.281 / Virus Database: 149 - Release Date: 9/18/01
Is there a unit history available for the regt. of Col. Henry Sherborne(sp) of Newport, RI? thanks, Charles
The following are the instructions by the Committee of Safety to Colonel Samuel Folsom, for General Stark. "Sir: The committee desire you to proceed to No. 4 and if General Stark has marched from thence to follow him and endeavor to find out what circumstances his men are in, how they are provided for, and what they are likely to want that can be supplied by this state. As the Convention of Vermont proposed supplying them with provi- sions we depend they will. You will inform General Stark that it is expected that he with the advice of his Field Officers will appoint such necessary officers as they have occasion for. We are fearful that the troops will suffer for the want of kettles but hope they have carried some from home. None could be procured in New-England that we could hear of which you will let them know. You will inform General Stark that all the medicines that could be procured, as also 44 bushels of salt and one thousand lbs of balls are now on their way to No. 4. You will endeavor to be informed whether there is a magazine of ammunition at Bennington or whether our men must be supplied from this state, as we have but a small quantity onhand, you will inquire of Colonel Hunt, and Mr. Grout of No. 4 what quantity of ammunition they have delivered to General Stark's men and what remains in their hands; and on the whole give such advice as you find needful for the public good to all persons concerned in the service of the state in those parts, and endeavor to contrive to the furnishings such things as you can that are ab- solutely needful and make report on your return of such assistance as to you appears necessary to be sent them from home. July 30, 1777, (B. G. Stark.)" ---------------------------------- "Letters from General Stark relating to stores at Charlestown (Fort No.4) and the state of the army. p.116 - Hist. of Fort 4, Charlestown, NH (continued) Charlestown, Aug 2, 1777, Sir: I this day received your favour by Col. Folsom, for which I return you my hearty thanks. I enclose you a copy of a return of what stores there are now in the Commissioner's hands and what they have delivered out to the Brigade. The Brigade is not yet completed. But I expect there is a sufficient quantity of ammunition on hand to furnish it. Had all the powder here in store proved good, and fit for use, we might have had a full supply of that article for present use. As to the quantity of state stores a Bennington, it is quite out of my power to give you an account of them at present; but refer you to Col. William's letter which I transmitted to you by Express, and which I hope came safe to hand. I purpose to set out for Manchester tomorrow and after I arrive there I will forward you an account of what supplies can be got there. I should have gone from here before now, but could not get our balls run for want of molds. I received nothing new from the Enemy since I wrote to you last: Whenever anthing comes to hand worth communicating I will forward it to you with all speed. I would have sent you an account of the strength of the Brigade, was it in my power, but cannot, because they only arrive in small parties, and as soon as I can complete a Division I commonly give them marching orders, for to set out for Manchester without delay. After I arrive there, I will obtain a List of the number of men in that department and shall send you an account of the same. I have ordered one Company to tarry here to guard the state stores and two company's I have stationed on the height of land between this place and Otter Creek for the security of the inhabitants. As there are no spirits to be had at our station (Fort 4) I would esteem it a favour, if you would order the stores that are at this place to be forwarded to that place and set a price upon the same; more will be wanted. I am, with regard, your most Obedient and humble Servant, John Stark Br. Gen. N.B. Sealing Wax and Paper is much wanted. ----------------------------------------- RETURN OF STORES AT CHARLESTOWN An account of the state stores now in the custody of the following persons in this town: Colonel Samuel Hunt - has now on hand 13 barrels of powder, 7 sheets of lead or pieces, - 100 flints. Commissary Grout - has on hand the following articles: 11 barrels of powder, 9 of which are condemned. About 34 bushels of salt. Mr. White* This was Jotham White, afterwards Major Jotham White. - has on hand also 5 hogsheads of rum, 5 barrels of sugar 2 Do. Do. Commissary Grout - has dealt out to my brigade 509 pounds of powder, 710 Do balls and lead." ----------------------------------------- General Stark entered the camp at Manchester (NH) on the 8th of August 1777 and was just in season to countermand the order which had been given his troops to march to Saratoga. They had even set out, under General Lincoln of Massachusetts, in obedience to an order of General Gates, to march and join the Northern Army at that place; but Stark, opportunely arriving, immediately commanded them to halt, when he informed General Lincoln that by the State of New-Hampshire, he had been in- trusted with a separate command, and promptly and decidedly refused permission to his troops to comply with the order of General Gates. This produced a great excitement, and a great outcry was raised against New-Hampshire, on account of the course she had pursued. It was denounced as being subversive of all military military discipline and order; and the matter was carried into Congress, where an exciting debate occurred on the subject, and it was proposed and seconded by Maryland that a resolve of Congress might be passed to censure General Stark's conduct in refusing to submit to the rules and regulations of the army. But, on motion being made to that effect, it was agreed by a great majority, that it should lie on the table. - Said the New-Hampshire delegates in communicating the matter to the government: "We informed Congress that a motion of that sort came with a very bad grace from Maryland who, only, of the thirteen United States had seen fit to make laws directly in opposition to Congress by refusing their Militia should be subjected to the rules and regulations of the army when joined; and we informed Congress that we had not the least doubt but the first battle they heard of from the North would be fought by Stark and the troops commanded by him." That was true; and the battle had already been fought at the time of the debate; and whatever judgement may be passed on the action of New-Hampshire, when viewed in a military light, one thing is certain, and that is that the victory at Bennington resulted from it. This Battle was fought on the 16th of August 1777 and had not only the effect to free the inhabitants of No.4, and others on the River from many of their apprehensions, but caused a thrill of joy through all the American Colonies. After the Battle of Bennington, Stark, at the earnest solicitation of New Hampshire, remained in the service and patriiotically co-operated with General Gates in all his plans for circumventing and subjugating Burgoyne. General Whipple's Brigade was also ordered by New-Hampshire to the scene of expected conflict, from which soon after his arrival, he wrote as follows: "Batten Kill, 15 Oct. 1777. Sir: I have been so much engaged since I have been at this Post that it has not been in my power to wait on Gen. Gates till yesterday; while I was there Mr. Burgoyne sent his Adjutant Gen'l with a Flag desiring a cessation of arms for a short time; which was granted till sunset; the substance of the proposal made by Gen. Gates is that Gen. Burgoyne shall surrender prisoner of war - the officers to be on their parole except such as haver heretofore broke their parole; these terms I expect will be agreed to today when the army will be in a situation to march down the country and I hope will soon have Mr. Clinton in the same situation that Mr. Burgoyne is in now. If Mr. Burgoyne does not agree to the terms proposed by Gates we shall have a smart brush tomorrow. You'll excuse this hasty scrawl as the man who takes it to Charlestown (NH) is in a hurry. I have the honor to be with every sentiment of respect Your most Humble Serv't Wm. Whipple." This was supposed to have been addressed to Hon. Meshech Weare. ------------------------------------------------ p.118 A few days afterwards he wrote of General Burgoyne's surrender as follows: "Albany, 21st 1777 Sir: I did myself the pleasure to advise you a few days ago that a capitulation was negotiating between Gen'l Gates and Gen'l Burgoyne. This business was happily concluded on the 16th inst. And on the 17th the British Army marched out of their encampment and layed down their arms. I beg leave most heartily to con- gratulate you and my Country on this happy event. Gen. Gates has given the Volunteers of New-Hampshire an honorable dismission. The two regiments who engaged till the last of Nov'r still remain here. I am directed by the Gen'l to attend Mr. Burgoyne to Boston." ----------------------------------------- So ended the the formidable expedition of Burgoyne, much to the joy of the country and to the special relief of those sections which had entertained apprehensions of an invasion from his army. At the special session of the New-Hampshire Assembly, on the 19th of July, a committee had been appointed, on account of the dangers which threatened, to tke into consideration a proper day to be appointed for a day of Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer, to be observed throughout the state and to form a proclamation to that end. The day appointed was the 8th of August, the very day that General Stark arrived in camp at Manchester, NH. After the happy issue of affairs through the capitulation of Burgoyne, the Assembly saw fit also to set apart a day for Publicke Thanksgiving. Thursday, the 4th of December was the day appointed. Congress, also with a becoming spirit, appointed a National Thanks- giving on the 18th of the same month, as will be seen by the following communi- cation: GENERAL THANKSGIVING "Yorktown, Penn. 1st November, 1777 Sir: The arms of the United States of America having been blessed, in the present campaign, with remarkable success, Congress have resolved to recommend that one day, Thursday, the 18th of December next, be set apart to be observed by all the inhabitants throughout these United States for the General Thanksgiving to Almighty God: And I have it in command to transmit to you, the inclosed extract from the Minutes of Congress for that purpose. Your Honor will be pleased to take the necessary measures for carrying the Resolve into effect in the State in which you preside. You will likewise find inclosed a certified copy of a minute, which will shew your Honor the authority under which I address you. I am, with great esteem and regard, Sir, your Honor's most ob't and most humbl' serv't Henry Laurens, Pres't in Congress To Hon'ble Meschech Weare, New Hampshire." ------------------------------------------------- -- p.120 "In Congress, Nov. 1st, 1777 Congress proceeded to the choice of a President, and the ballots being taken, Mr. Henry Laurens was elected. Extract from the minutes. Charles Thomson, Sec'y" ----------------------------------------------- -- Author, Rev. Henry H. Saunderson "History of Charlestown, NH - Old Fort No. 4 notes at the end of this Chapter 7: The inhabitants of Charlestown (NH) were not only characterized by a spirit of patriotism during the preceding exciting events, but during the whole period of the continuance of the war, as we have reason to believe, acted well and faith- fully their part in the great struggle. Charlestown continued to be a military post for supplies for the army to the close of the war, in which a commendable part was taken by a large number of her citizens, whose names will be found recorded in the Historical Miscellany of this work. Some notices of many of them will also be found in the department of this works entitled: Genealogies and Brief Historical Sketches of Charlestown Families". Rev. H. H. Saunderson. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Transcribed by Janice Farnsworth
The following letter from the New-Hampshire committee of safety to the Massachu- setts committee, will also be of interest in this connection: "In Committee of Safety July 16, 1777. Sir. The accounts we are continually receiving make it more than probable, that our northern army have suffered very much on their retreat, and those who escaped are much scattered. We have sent officers to No. 4 to stop all the soldiers on their way home, as well of the other States as our own. And we understand a considerable number is collected there. We have no letter from the army, and know not the route they have taken, and are greatly at a loss what measures are necessary to be taken at this important crisis, and desire a communication of your sentiments on the subject. Our General Assembly will meet tomorrow and we are sure will readily coincide with our sister states in adopting the most spirited exertions to retrieve the losses, and save our country from the threatened destruction. P.S. The inhabitants of our frontier towns on Connecticut River are sending their committees in the most pathetic manner, begging to be supplied with fire arms, as half of them (they say) are destitute, and other parts of the state not much better stocked. We must again repeat our solicitation in the most urgent manner to our sister state to sell us some of the large quantities of guns they have lately imported, or a considerable part of our militia must remain unwilling spectators of the War in which they would gladly assist their country." --------------------------------------------------- -- The answer of the Massachusetts committee to the foregoing, was as follows: "We are sorry it is not in our power to supply you with the arms you request. We have furnished you by Colonel Folsom with five tons of lead and five thousand flints." ----------------------------------------------------- The above letters and despatches have been given for the purpose of conveying to the reader the state of public feeling in the townships on the Connecticut River and also in the state, more definitely, as well as more vividly, than it could possi- bly be done by any description; s they present a true and most lively transcript of the public mind at the time. Happily all this excitement was not without the production of its effect in a right direction. Not only the Committee of Safety and Assembly of New-Hampshire, but the people, also, especially in the western part of the state, were deeply moved; and the most prompt and energetic measures were instituted to meet the emergencies of the times. The Assembly of New- Hampshire which had concluded their spring session and gone home, were again, by a summons from the Committee of Safety, brought together. They met on the 17th of July and held a session of three days; and three more important days never occurred in the legislation of the state. The whole militia of the state were formed into two Brigades: the first of which was placed under the command of Brig. General William Whipple and the second under General John Stark who with one fourth of his own brigade and one fourth of the brigade of B. Gen. Whipple, was ordered to march immediately for the purpose of checking the progress of the enemy; and a messenger was despatched to Charlestown (NH) to Colonel Samuel Hunt with orders from the Committee of Safety, to provide and store what pro- visions and other stores he could for the service of the state, which orders were accompanied with one thousand pounds out of the treasury of the state, to be, by him, accounted for; and all other necessary acts were passed for promoting and carrying into effect the design which they had in view. Stark, to whose movements all eyes were now looking, lost no time in delay. But immediately having concerted all necessary measures for expediting the arrival of his forces at (Fort) No. 4, hastened forward himself to that appointed place of rendezvous: from which he wrote to the Committee of Safety of New Hampshire as follows: "Charlestown No. 4, July 30, 1777. Sirs: I received yours of the 22d instant with the enclosed, informing me of thesituation of the enemy, and of our Frontiers; but previous to your letter, I had received an Express from Colonel Warner, informing me of their situation, and I forwarded 250 men to their relief on the 28th. I sent another detachment off this day, and as fast as they come in will send them. I expect to march myself tomorrow or next day; we are detained a good deal for want of bullet molds as there is but one pair in town and the few balls you sent goes but a little way in supplying the whole. I am afraid we shall meet with difficulty in procuring kettles or utensils to cook our victuals as the troops have not brought any. If such articles can be procured, I believe it would be of utmost importance to the safety and welfare of the troops. I am informed this day by a man from Otter Creek that the Enemy is left Castle- town and is gone to Skeensborough, with an intent to march to Bennington; but I rather think they do it by way of a feint to call the attention of General Schuyler from Fort Edward or to fatigue our troops. There is four pieces of small cannon at this place that looks good, but wants to be cleaned out and put on carriages. If you should think it proper I will order it done, as there is people here that say they can do it; s there is but very little rum in the store here, if some could be forwarded to us it would oblige us very much, as there is none of that article in those parts where we are going. I enclose you a copy of a letter I this moment received from Colonel Williams and as you informed me when I saw you last, that you had not received any account from any Gentleman in the army since the disertion of Ticonderoga, I likewise enclose you a copy of a letter I received from Mr. Cogan and by the best information is as near the truth as any you may re- ceive. I have shown it to Col. Bellows and a number of other officers that were present and they say they could all sign it. I am, Sirs, your Honors most Obed't Humble Servant, John Stark." -------------------------------------------------- To be continued Part 3 of 3 Transcribed by Janice Farnsworth -