#: 'm^^i-- ■I. ■ '"y yva '[r^Wyirti.V Jtfii»7^' PREFACE. I HAVE had an edition of one hundred copies of this jour- nal of my great-uncle printed, not so much because it has any particular historical value as because it gives a rather quaint picture of the social life of the time, and shows, at first hand, something of the feelings that actuated the con- duct of the young patriots of that day, — feelings which, with regard to the poor, persecuted Tories, seem now rather exag gerated, — while, as to " the man George," we, whose mas- ters chastise us with scorpions, incline to look back upon his feeble whip with a sad sense of regret, and to be not a little amused at the way in which our ancestors worked themselves up into complaining so loudly and so bitterly of impositions, trifling indeed compared to those to which we submit in meek silence. Of the writer of the journal I am not able to give much information, though I have sought for it diligently. Isaac *^ Bangs (Benjamin^, Edward ^ Edward 3, Jonathan 2, Edward^) was born at Harwich in Massachusetts on the 11th of December, 1752. He was the second son of Benjamin^ and Desire (Dillingham) Bangs. He descended, on the fa- ther's side, from Edward Banges, who came to Plymouth in the " Ann " in July, 1623 ; and on the mother's side, from Edward Dillingham, of Bitteswell, England, who was, in 1637, of Sandwich, in Massachusetts. In the Diary of Lieut. Isaac's father, Benjamin ^ may be found an occasional mention of his name ; as, for instance, — 4 PREFACE. "1764, April 21*1^ On the 17'!^ Day Instant my Isaac, John Dillingham, and Sam^ Nye began Schooling at Mr. Dunster's, at £3:6:8 each per Year." The reverend gentleman was certainly not too higWy paid ; but he managed to get two of his three pupils — Isaac Bangs and Samuel Nye —into Harvard College. They took their degrees in 1771. This class was the last but one in which the names were arranged, in the Triennial, in the or- der of social position or family rank. (See 8 Mass. Hist. Soc. Proc, pp. 32-37, for Mr. Sibley's account of that custom ; and 9 Mass. Hist. Soc. Proc, p. 252, for the case of Samuel Phillips, of this very class of 1771, who, being aggrieved at his rating, got himself, by solemn vote, put seventh " be- tween Vassall and Murray," interesting because of the im- mense importance evidently attached to it by his father.) Isaac Bangs stands twenty-eighth in a class of sixty-three, a very large class for those days, — the largest, in fact, that up to that time had ever graduated ; nor did another so large graduate until 1810. If the increased size of the classes at Harvard College be, as it seems that it must be, an indication of general prosperity, the period just before the breaking out of the Revolutionary War must have been a remarkably prosperous one, contrary although that theory be to the common belief. It was per- haps because Jeshurun had waxed fat that he kicked. I have had the curiosity to look for the Loyalists of the class of 1771 in Sabine, and have found but four. They were among the highest in social position, being Samuel Hirst Sparhawk . . . . P' in order. Samuel Paine 4 > " William Vassall 6 " Daniel Murray 8 " PREFACE. Isaac Bangs studied medicine after graduating, and had begun to practise liis profession in his native town when the War of the Revolution broke out ; and he joined the Conti- nental Army as a Lieutenant in Colonel Gary's regiment on the 30th of January, 1776. I find him mentioned in the Revolutionary Rolls at the State House as a Second Lieutenant in Colonel Cary's regi- ment, vol. xii. p. 65 ; vol. xxviii. p. 127. In vol. xxxvii. p. 3 : — "An Arrangement of the several military Company s in the Second Regiment of Militia in the County of Barnstable. 3'^. is the 1'' Company in Harwich, Benjamin Berry, Captain, Nath. Freeman, 1'.' Lieut. Isaac Bangs, 2'^ Lieut." Endorsed, " In Council, Ap. 20. 1776. Read and ordered that the within mentioned Officers be commissionated according to their respective ranks. (Signed) John Lowell, JDepi Sed'' In vol. xxviii. p. 109, Isaac Bangs again appears as Second Lieutenant in the Second Regiment, April 20, 1776. I find no further mention of him in the Army Rolls ; but in the Naval Rolls, to which my attention was directed by my friend, the Hon. Josiah Paine, of Harwich, in vol. lii. p. 81 (Roll of the United States Frigate " Boston," Capt. Samuel Tucker) : — " N° 27. Isaac Bangs. Date of entry, March 8*, 1779. Doc- tor's Mate." This is the last trace I can find of him living. In the Family Record of the late Edward Dillingham Bangs is the following entry : — 6 PREFACE. ''■Isaac Barigs.hoYW Dec. 11, 1752, died Sept. 12, 1780, im- niarried. He was a Surgeon in the Revolutionary Army, and died while in service." His father had died some years before the Journal begins (Oct. 31, 1769). His mother, who is sometimes referred to in it, lived until 1807. The old house in which he liad lived with his mother was standing in that part of Harwich incorporated in 1803 as Brewster until 1872, when the parish, to which it had been given by Benjamin ^ Bangs for a parsonage, pulled it down. In that house the manuscript of this Journal was preserved until it was given to the editor, thirty or forty years ago. It has been copied by him verbatim et literatim, with all fidelity. Boston, July, 1890. JOURNAL LIEUTENANT ISAAC BANGS. No. I. — Minutes of a Journal by Isaac Bangs ; hegim April 1, 1776. HAVING been in the Service of the united Colonies as a Lien* in Capt. Benjamin Godfrey's Company in Col" Carys Regiment of Militia for about 2 months, in which many glorious Achievements were performed and great Glory added to the Arms of the Americans by the Expulsion of the Ministerial Army from their Strong Holds in Boston, in which, according to my Station, I did my propor- tion of the fatigueing Duty which was requisite to perform the Manoeuver which has brought an eternal shame and Disgrace upon the British Arms, I was fired with an ardent Zeal to be farther instrumental in the glorious Cause in which America is now engaged. With this View I entered Col" John Bailey's Regiment as a Lieut to Cap* Jacob Allen. In some future Time it may perhaps afford Pleasure to recol- lect past Toils ; and being sensible of the Treachery of my Memory in recollecting past Events, I think it advisable to keep a few Minutes to assist a bad Memory (made worse by the Combustion of an Army) in bringing to Mind past Events, But before I enter upon this I must give a short detail of the Inducements that first brought me to the Army, & of some 8 JOUENAL OF LIEUTENANT ISAAC BANGS. of the material Events and Circumstances which happened during my continuance in Col" Cary's Regiment. The Min- isterial Army had for a long time (Viz., ever since the Battle of Lexington, on the 19^^ of April, 1775) been invested by the American Army, which kept them closely confined to their Quarters in Boston, during which Time many and Various Manoeuvers were practised on both sides to annoy their Enemies, the Circumstances of which it is not my Design to relate. In the begin^ of January, 1775, it was thought best, if possible, to drive them from their Fortresses ; & as the Lines of our Army were from necessity of a vast extent, & as it was of infinite Importance that each part should be well maintained. General Wasliington thought the American Army not sufficient to maintain the Lines, and at the same time to act offensively upon the Enemy. He applied to the Colonies of New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Massachusetts Bay for a part of the Militia of each Province. The Propor- tion required & voted by the Assembly of this Province was 4,368 Men. Among these I inlisted about 30 of Jan. ; and according to the Inlisting Orders we proceeded to chuse our Officers, and proceeded to Head Quarters. The Men which constituted our Company were chiefly from the Town of Chatham, — a very civil Set of People, with whom I lived very Quietly. On our arrival at Roxbury we found (by the Negli- gence of the Barrack Master) that no Barracks were pro- vided for the Melitia. Our Company turned in at Roxbury Street for about 4 days, in old Houses & Cellars ; but as we could no longer stand it thus Barracked, & finding no Con- fidence could be put in their Promises for better Barracks, we made complaint to our Colonels, and were by the Quarter Master provided for in Houses in Dorchester, about 4 Miles Distance, where we continued 9 Days ; during which Time JOURNAL OF LIEUTENANT ISAAC BANGS. 9 great Preparations were making for some new Enterprize, such as Fashienes, Gaboreenes, Barracks ready Framed, & boards cut. All immagined that Dorchester Hill was the Object ^ of our Attention. This Hill is Situate South from Boston about a Mile & an Half, and by Nature seemed formed for the Command of Boston ; & not only so, but it commanded a place called Nook Point, about Half way from that place to Boston, — a most convenient place for either Bombarding or Cannonading the Town of Boston. Our Enemies had been long determined to take possession of these Places, as they not only prevent our taking them, but would also be an ad- vantageous Scituation for a Part of their Army. The deep y Frost prevented our proceeding till the Evening of the 4 of March, when about 21 Hundred men from Gen'* Spencer's & Thomas Brigades (which were both stationed at Roxbury), all things being prepared & previously conveyed to the Causeway that leads to the Neck on which the Hill stands, proceeded at about 8 o'clock in the Evening to work upon the Hills, and were relieved at 3 the next Morning by the rest part of our two Brigades, consisting of about 25 Hun- dred, besides 500 Rifle Men from Cambridge & Roxbury. But here I must not leave unnoticed a grand piece of Gen- eralship which preceded our going upon the Hills. On the Evening of the 2 of March the General (knowing all things were nearly prepared for the Work) gave Orders for begin- ing a Cannonading & Bombardment of the Town, in order to divert the Enemy that they need not be mistrustfull o^ our Scheeme, as they would possibly if they had notice of our pro- ceedings either annoy us while working with their Cannon or perhaps might come out with their Army before the Work was finished. The Cannonading & Bombarding began from Prospect Hill about 12 o'clock in the Night of the 2 of March, as also from Leechmore's Point, from the Fortress on 10 JOURNAL OF LIEUTENANT ISAAC BANGS. Cobble Hill, & from the Lines at Roxbury ; the enemy Re- turned the Compliment to the Former Places, but as they had previously removed their Cannon (as we afterwards immagin'd) from their Lines on the Neck, they were not so Complaisant to us at Roxbury. I must also here observe that the day before this tlie General ordered all the Forces that for conveniency were stationed back to be removed down to the Lines as nigh as possible, and that in consequence of this our Company was that day removed and Barracked in one of the Out Houses of what is called the Hutchinson House, near the Line that separateth Roxbury from Dorchester. A Room was provided for the Officers near by, and we thaught ourselves happy in being so well provided for in such a Croud of both officers and men. In the Even^ of the 3*^ the rout began again, and we at Roxbury found that they were not so neglectfull of us as on the night before. In the Evening of the 4*^^, as I before mentioned, our Men went upon the Hill to work, upon which a more Furious Fire was began than ever, and returned by the Enemy with eaqual Vigour, chiefly upon Roxbury, not mistrusting our People upon the Hill, tliough it was a very Light Moonshine Even- ing. 23 Men from our Company went this Evening, and I had a warrant to parrade at 3 in the Morning to go with the Relief. Being anxious to see the Proceedings on both sides, I went to a small Battery of ours a little out of the Direc- tion of their Shot and Bombs, where I tarried about two Hours, & thaught myself Safe ; for as the aforesaid Batteiy was made no use of by us they took no Notice of it, but it being something nigh the Range of our Right Hand Fort, their Shot which were aimed at that fort passed about 200 yards to the Westward of me, here I could see 4 & some- times 5 of their Boms flying in the Air at a Time, aimed at the Right Hand Fort that they fell about |^ of a Mile distance. JOURNAL OF LIEUTENANT ISAAC BANGS. 11 At Length a Shot which fell near the Fort by its fall took a different direction and came immediately where I was stand- ing ; it hopped after its first Falling about 4 times, & if it had hoped again before it broke, as its Velocity was diminish- ing, it would have come, as near as I can judge, to the very Spot where I was ; it broke about 25 Yard Distance, and one of the Pieces came with great rapidity about 2 Yards above my Head. The Fire still continued ; but at about 3, when the Relieves of every Regiment to parade, God so ordered it that their Fire was a little abated, or in all probability the}^ must have killed more of us, — one Lieut. Mayo being the only Man hurt ; he had his thigh Shot off, of which he died the next Day. Upon our arrival upon the Hills (for we took possession of 2 by building Forts), I was prodigiously surprised to find the Vast works that had been carried on in so little Time. We relieved them, and they got off" without being discovered by the Enemy, which was no small Favour both in our coming on & their going off, as the Causeway over which we had to pass was greatly exposed to their Fire from their Works on the Neck. When the Enemy discovered us in ye Morning they ceased firing upon Roxbury, and must be much shagriened to find they had fired so in- tently upon Roxbury when the Men were as they thought mostly on the Hills. We expected a Salute immediately from their Ships in the Harbour as also from their Works, and they must have greatly annoyed us had they fired when our Forts were thus weak, being then little besides Fashiens about 6 Feet thick. However this was not their disign. They fired a few Shot upon us as we were seting the Fatigue Partys, and brok 6 or 8 small arms in our Rigiment ; but as their Balls struck chiefly before they reached us, we could avoid them. The Enemy Imbarqued on Board Transports about 11 o'clock, 2 12 JOURNAL OF LIEUTENANT ISAAC BANGS. and were to have landed (as we after found) upon the Point under cover of the Shiping & of the Castle the next Night ; why they had not done it that Day, if ever they intended it, God only knows. For my part, I should have been willing to have receiv'' them either by night or Day, as we had a tolerable cover from Musquetry, and as to their Field Pieces they could not have brought them to bear because of the Sciatu- ation of the ground. Had they been so rash they would in all probability have found the 5-^ of March, 1776, more Bloody on their Side than Preston made the same Day in 1770 ^ on ours. In fine, I cant think it was ever their design more than to make a Parade. But they have a good excuse, , for about 11 at night the most violent Storm of Wind & Rain J mixed with Snow & Hail arose that ever I was exposed to. Having nothing to cover us excepting Apple Trees, wee stood it out till about 5 in the Morning, when wee were reliev'^. What I suffered this night I shall ever bear in mind, there- fore need not here mention it. Had the enemy have been so foolish as to have attacked us upon the Hills, our People to the amount of about 5,000 Men stood by their Boats at Cam- bridge and were to have made a descent upon Boston, which they must have easily carried, as I since learn that Genl How at the Head of the Remainder of his Troops was to have made an attack upon our Lines at Roxbury. Had this been the Case, what a woefull Scituation must he have been in, even if he had forced the Lines with our Forces on each Side ! When the Forts were a little finished our People began to make preparations for Nooke Point, before mentioned, by carting Fashienes, &c., in the Face of the Day as nigh the ^ Place as the Scituation would allow (there being a Mire be- tweene that & the Forts). This place is about | Mile dis- tant from the Centre of the Town, and as convenient a place 1 The Boston Massacre. JOURNAL OF LIEUTENANT ISAAC BANGS. 13 as could even have been wished for from which to through Bombs to the Town. The Enemy, discovring our Motions by this imprudent Step, concluded that we should be at work that Night, therefore the began a most Heavy Fire from the Shipping in the Harbour, from several of the Wharves, & from several Batteries ; such a Firing was never before heard in New England. They kill"^ 4 Men with one Ball, which was all the Dammage they did us ; and the next morning we / picked up 700 Balls that they had fired upon us. The next night being the IT*"" of March, all things being in Readiness, we erected a small Breast Work on the aforesaid Point with- out being discover** by the Enemy till Day Light next Morn- ing, when they began a most severe canonading from their Works upon the Neck ; but being unable to affect any thing to our Damage, they made a Most precipitate retreat, leaving the chief of the Effects of the Inhabitants unhurt, tho they Dammaged many Houses and much furniture. They left behind them three excellent Mortars, many Bombs, and about 200 Cannon, the most of which were heavy Pieces all spiked up, and about 100 of them having their Trunnions broke of. Thus was the British Army routed from a Fortress which they were sufferred peaceably to build, of the Strength of which they used to make such boastings ; and also from the Bunker Hill, which cost them at least the Lives of 1,800 Men, besides the vast Labour & Expense they had bestowed to erect & defend it. Immediately upon their Retreat we entered the Town with part of the Forces from Roxbury by Land & some consider- able Force from Cambridge by Water. We found the Works upon the Neck entire, the Cannon spiked up & the Shells y chiefly split, & many of the Cannon Carriages cut to pieces. These Lines upon the Neck were handsomely built & so amazingly strong that it would have been impracticable for 14 JOURNAL OF LIEUTENANT ISAAC BANGS. US to have forced them. The other Works were not so well constructed as I immagined wee should have found them ; especially at the Bottom of the Common & on Beacon Hill they appeared to be ill constructed & design'dfor little but to frighten us. The Enemy embarqued in boats & joined the Fleet, which had chiefly quited the Harbour, & fell down to Nantascet from our first building upon the Hills, some few of the Men of War & Transports for the Tories only excepted, who remained to cover the Town. The Admiral finding we had built upon Nook Point & another small Hill, both of which were advantageously scituated to rake the Harbour, thought he could with no degree of Safety tarry any longer ; wherefore he sent to General Howe acquainting him that he was about to quit the Harbour. This, it is said, hastened the General's Retreat, or he would probably have taken his artil- ery with him. They left no Powder behind them, but we could plainly see where they burnt vast Quantities of that valuable article ; could they have affected the Destruction of their Artilery with as much dispatch, no doubt they would have done it. Quere, Whether it would not be wisdom in the Parliament of England to offer a large Premium to the Person that shall contrive a method to annihilate Cannon, Mortars, Bombs, &c., in a Short space of Time ; otherwise the Rebels will soon furnish themselves with a Stock of these articles without being put to the Trouble of making them Themselves. The Inhabitants that were friendly to America still con- tinued in Boston, except Mr. James Lovell, whom they car- ried of with their other Prisoners. He bore his Fate, & attended the Summons that called him as a Prisoner to quit his native Land & all that was dear to him with that Courage & Resignation which only attend the Virtuous, Wise, & Brave. JOURNAL OF LIEUTENANT ISAAC BANGS. 15 No. II. — Memorandum Continued. Nor is it doubted, if wee may Judge from the outxvard ap- pearance of Persons, but that Mr. Lovell (tho in the Capacity of a Prisoner) embarqued with less reluctance than those Miscreants whose complicated offences against the Liberties of their Country denied them the Boon of continueing any longer as Freemen in this Land of Liberty ; wherefore since by their Behaviour they had forfeited all right to Freedom, & were driven to the Alternitude of Slavery in this or in a foreign Land, they chose rather to imbarque and be in Servi- tude with other Slaves than to continue in their native Country & Suffer the just resentment of their injured Brethren. Many of these obnoxious animals (tho none of the most obnoxious) chose to tarry & rely upon the Mercy of their offended Countrymen than to hazard their Lives with the Fleet Election at Boston. I took a walk into the City. 30*. I went upon Fatiegue upon the Jersie side. Lieut^ Hudson, Church, & Myself were the officers from our Reg*. We worked upon a small Fort ; the Men in General worked well. Had some disagreement with the Engineers assist- ant about detaining us too long, as the Men would not work after 5 o'clock, as we had to row across the River home. However, we tarried till six o'clock, tho we did no work after 5. The Men behaved well to the officers. I enjoy myself well on the recovery of my Health. May 31''. I took a walk to visit my Friends in the City. I am greatly rejoiced at the great regard and Esteem that I 38 JOURNAL OF LIEUTENANT ISAAC BANGS. discovered I had shewn me on a particular Occasion by some of the officers in our Reg^ June 2*^. I mounted Guard at the Lower Barracks in the Grand Batter3\ The Guard consisted of 80 Men, 1 Cap"^, & 3 Subs. Had a tolerable pleasant Time of it. It was Sun- day, and we had a great Number of Visitants after Service was performed, — Lieut Hay ward, &c. 3^*. The Officers of our Reg* had established an Associa- tion consisting of the whole Choir of Officers to consult upon Matters that should occur relating to our Regt, & to spend a few Hours in Social Conversation. We had a Room at a Publick House not far from the Camp, & were to meet once in a Fortnight upon Mondays in the Afternoon. There had been already two of these associations, but I had not attended on account of my late Indisposition. In each of these the manner of my appointment in this Reg* (which had given umbrage to some that I had superceeded) was discussed in my absence ; but by accounts from some particular very worthy Friends, in whom I could confide, I was respected by all as to my Character, even above what I thought I deserved, & that I myself was not blamed by any in coming into the Reg! ; but the Colonels who had recommended me to superceed others had been greatly blamed ; that at first I was blamed for my Conduct, in not consulting Cap'^ Allen & his Officers to know whether it would be agreeable, but that several of my Friends which were well respected in the Association had appeared very warm in my Favour & had almost given entire satisfaction. I considered well of these Matters before I went to the Association ; it gave me great uneasiness that the Colonels should be blamed on my Ac- count when they had never intended any Injustice to any one, & in their , Proceedings were perfectly innocent & free from blame. ■ Several circumstances had occurred at JOURNAL OF LIEUTENANT ISAAC BANGS. 39 the Time of my appointment which were not perfectly un- derstood by all, notwithstanding what had been offered by my Friends had given considerable Satisfaction to the few who were at first disgusted. I thought that if I took occasion to give a particular detail of these circumstances I should perhaps give greater Satisfaction. Oportunity favoured my design, & I gave as regular account of the whole Affair as I was able to do. When I was speaking I could perceive by the Countenances of many that what I offered was agreeable, & after I had finished they all de- clared themselves to be satisfied. June 3*? After I had arrived in the Camp I had the Pleas- ure to be congratulated by my Friends on my giving such satisfaction. The Lieut Colonel in Particular thanked me for what I had said. June 4. I tarried in the Camp all Day. This Day is the Kings Birth Day. No Festivity, Joy, or Mirth were dis- covered on this Occasion. Lieut. Shaw, the Gentleman whom I succeeded, came from N. England to visit his Friends ; brought a Number of Let- ters for the Men of our Reg* By these several were made acquainted with the Death of their Relatives. I have not heard from home but by Mr. Stone since I left Roxbury ; whether it will be my unhappy Fate to have the same dis- agreeable News from my Relatives, or whether I shall have the Happiness to hear of their Welfare, God only knows ! May he prepare me for whatever he shall think fit to lay upon me ! 5*^ I was upon the Piquet Guard. 6*\ Our whole Brigade, consisting of 5 Regiments, — Viz., Learnards, Reeds, Prescotts, Baileys, & Baldwins, — marched into the City to take their Alarm Post, excepting Prescotts regiment, which is stationed on Governors Island. 40 JOURNAL OF LIEUTENANT ISAAC BANGS. Gen! Heath Marched at our Head. Gen! Washington had been at Philadelphia to consult with the Congress upon some weighty Affairs ; while he was absent it had been circulated sj by the Tories that he had gone to resign his Office. This believed by many in the Army. Nevertheless, he arrived in the City just before we marched into the City. Through Broad Way we marched round the King's Statue, & went back to the Parade, where we formed the Batalion, & Gen! Wash- ington, with several other GenP, the Judge Advocate, &c., Marched by us, the Officers Saluted, & our Reg* receiv^ the Particular thanks of the Gen! for their good conduct. 7- I went into the City, visited Doc"" Warren,^ my old Friend; the first time I could find him, tho he had been in the City a Fortnight. Miss Betsy Grim had returned. Spent about 3 Hours very agreeably, & return*^ according to En- gagement & dined with Doctor Warren, in Company with Major Cary, Judge Advocate Tudor,^ & several Young Ladies. I spent the greatest part of the afternoon very agreeably in the same Company in the Gardens, &c. Then went into the City, was called in by DocJ Eustis & Cap° Sergeant, drank Grog, &c. Lieut. Hayward & myself took an Evening walk, visited Fort Mongomery, discoursed on some particular Affairs, then on different Subjects ; had a Friendly Conference, & got to my Tent about 10 o'clock. Memorandum No. IV. continued. June S*'^, 1776. This Day being the Jewish Sabbath, I went into the City in the Afternoon with Insign Bryant to 1 His classmate, Dr. John Warren, great-grandfather of the present Dr. John ColHns Warren, of the Class of 1863. 2 Hon. Wilham Tudor, b. 28 March, 1750 ; d. 8 July, 1819. He was Judge Advocate of the Continental Arnay from 30 July, 1775, until 1778. JOURNAL OF LIEUTENANT ISAAC BANGS. 41 observe the Method of the Jewish Worship. The Synagogue is a small Square Building, having a Gallery all around, though no Person sat therein. At the Heith of the lower Part of the Gallery in the corners are 4 Candlesticks of Brass hanging from the Roof, each having 16 Candles of Wax ; in the Centre of these is another, having twice that Number. At the East End of the Synagogue is a large Closet, which serves as a repository for the Law and (I suppose) other holy things. This is encompassed with Banisters, and the Ascent thereto is by 3 or 4 Steps. Upon the Corner Posts of the Banisters are standing large Brass Candle Sticks, about 1| Feet long, & proportionable in Magnitude. In these are Wax Candles of about 4 Inches Diamiter and about 3 Feet Long. In the Middle of the Synagogue is the Rostrum or Pulpit looking to the Repository, to which the Ascent is by 3 Steps. On this is a large Table covered with Red Tapestry, fringed with Silver Lace. On each Corner of this also is a Candle- stick and Candle like the Former. None of the Candles are alight in the day Time, but a Glass Lamp hangs from the Roof, facing the Repository, which is kept constantly burning both night & Day. The Priest was a handsome Young Man of about 25, dressed in a black Gown, such as is worn by Bachelors of Arts. When he entered the Synagogue, he first walked to the Repository and unlocked the Door, then came down & went into the Rostrum & began to read, or what we should call sing, and soon after the People all joined with him, tho they did not observe good Time in their singing (as I then thought it to be, tho afterwards I was informed it was the propper way of their Reading). Some- times this singing would alter into jabering, & the Priest would mutter his Hebrew much faster than I could read or speak English. This was done all siting. Afterwards the Priest arose, and stood still singing with his Eyes fixed on 42 JOURNAL OF LIEUTENANT ISAAC BANGS. the Repository of the Law, and leaning on the Table in the Rostrum ; in about a Minute he went out of the Rostrum, & several others followed him to the Repository, & one of them brought out the law written on a Roll of Parchment. At each end of the Roll was a Stick or Staff, over which the Law Rolled in two Rolls. On the Top of the Sticks were a great Number of small Silver Bells, & over the Bells a Silver Crown. They carryed the Law into the Rostrum, when they Pawwayed a little Time over it ; then the Priest took it, & opening it, he lifted it up by the two sticks and turned it around to all the People, at the sight of which they all Bawled out again. After much Ceremony, the Law was carried back again ; the Priest, both in taking out the Law, in carrying it back, continued singing. After this they Prayed, all standing, faced eastward with their Eyes cast upward, &c., &c., which I cant remember, & then all dispersed, except a Few whom we left behind. It is worthy of observa- tion that during the whole Ceremony, even in Praying, none took off their Hats, but sat and stood with them on. Sunday^ June 9-, 1776. This day I had the command of 87 Men to go to the Jersie side upon Fatiegue. Very warm & uncomfortable. The Men behaved very decently. 10, In the Afternoon Mr. W"^ Stone accompanied by Lieut Hayward came to Visit me in Camp. Mr. Stone brought me a Letter from my Mother ; (blessed be God) my Friends are all well. He told me that Cap" Downs^ had remov*^ with his Family to Nantucket. After the Gent" and I had drank a little Grog, wee walked into the City & spent the afternoon very agreeably. I met Doc' Curtis,^ a Gen" with 1 Capt. Shubael Downes married Dr. Isaac's sister Lydia ; their daughter Caroline married Hon. Nathan Brooks, of Concord, and was the motiier of the wife of Hon E. R. Hoar, and of Judge Brooks. - Dr. Benjamin Curtis of the Class of 1771. JOURNAL OF LIEUTENANT ISAAC BANGS. 43 whom I was very intimate at College, & whom I had not seen since we took our Degrees. We had a long Confer- ence ; walked through the Forts together, & he gave me in- formation of my old Friend Loring,^ who is now a Surgeon to the Ministerial Butchers. This gave me great Trouble. On my return home I spent the Evening with Doc'' Warren at his Lodging. When I returned I found Trouble on ace' of support. Tuesday, June 11, 1776. In the afternoon I was visited by Doc' Townshend^ & Eustis, two old Comrades. Took a walk into the City with them & spent the Evening. Two French vessels arrived here about 3 Days since, loaded with W. India Goods, which knocks down the exor- bitant Price of those articles a little. Had some Trouble ; my Friends support me, — I have many of them. 12. I mounted Guard at the N. River in the City with the Hair Caps, i, e., York Tories who tho they have & are deserving of a Bad Character, yet they behaved very well by being kept in good Subjection. Here I found me a Sweet- heart. There are very many in the City of York who have behaved in an inimical Manner to America, a large Mob this Day visited many of them, & treated them very inhu- manly by carrying them on a Rail through the Streets, strip- ing them, &c. Many of the Officers endeavoured to suppress them, but were unable only to disperse them for a little time. Towards Night they came nigh our Guard, & I desired the Cajj? to turn out the Guard «& disperse them, 1 Benjamin Loring, of the Class of 1772, son of Joshua Loring, a Mandamus Councillor, who was proscribed anJ banished, and his beautiful house in Jamaica Plain (afterwards Col. D. S. Greenough's) confiscated. His son Benjamin was a Surgeon in the King's Army ; went to Shelburne, Nova Scotia, at the peace, but returned and died in Boston in 1798. N. E. Hist. & Gen. Reg., vol. xxii. p. 3 ; Sabine's Loyalists. 2 Probably Dr. David Townsend, of the Class of 1770. 6 l/ 44 JOURNAL OF LIEUTENANT ISAAC BANGS. but he was unwilling ; however, they did no Violence to the two Tories whom they were in pursuit of, but brought them to us & desired us to keep them, which we did out of com- passion to the poor Men, but as no Crime was sent in against them, we dismissed them at relieving of the Guard. They were unwilling to quit the Guard House, which they thought a safe Asylum, & we left them but not as Prisoners. 13. I wrote to my Mother in answer to her late Letter, & sent it by W" Stone, who was bound immediately home. I wrote also to Cap* Downs, but did not send the Letter, as I should have a more Favourable opportunity in a few Days to send to Nantucket. A hand Bill appeared containing a Letter from the Con- gress to the Convention of N. York desiring them to call in their Militia, as the Congress had certain inteligence that L"^ Howe intended to make an attack very soon on N. York within 10 Days at furtherest. We are tolerably fortified unless they get past the Forts and land above us. We have daily bad News from Quebeck, & there has been a great Misconduct from what I can learn. June 14, 1776. I was a Member of a Regimental Court Martial ; we had but one Prisoner brought before iis, and as his Crime was small, his Punishment was accordingly in proportion. At Night I went on Piquet Guard. 16*?, Sunday. In the afternoon I attended on Divine Service under the Trees. God hath no regard to Place. The Priest thought himself to be something Great. 17. This day is the 17- of June, memorable for the Bat- tle of Bunkers Hill in Charleston. I spent the Evening on board the Nantucket Vessell, one Cap* Beard Commander. 18*-. I went on Fatiegue at Powles Hooke. I had the Command, & the Men behaved well. In the Afternoon Cap* Beard, his Brother, & Mr. Chase, a Passenger, came up JOURNAL OF LIEUTENANT ISAAC BANGS. 45 to visit me ; in the Evening it rained hard that they could not go home for fear of the Centuries. I therefore went on board with them, & continued all Night; we were very sociable. June 19*?. On Monday last Major Brookes with 200 Men and 2 Comp^ of Artilery set off in the Afternoon on a private Expedition. We now find they were gone with an intention to destroy the light House of which the Marienes from on board the Ships had taken possession by building a Fort. Reports are various concerning the Success of the Party, a considerable firing hath been heard. I went into the City in the afternoon & visited several of my Friends. On my return to the Camp I saw several New Copper Mortars tried ; these Mortars had been made in this City a few Days since, & performed very well. Cap' Beard and his Brother, together with Mr. Chase, a Passenger (all belonging to Nantucket), spent the Evening in my Tent; a sudden Squall which arose detained them till after the C. S. was de- mandable, & as they were under a Necessity to return & they might meet with difficulty, I was obliged to go home with them, and tarried all Night. I spent the Evening & Night very merryly ; after breakfast in the Morning returned. 20. I went to the City. Lieut. Hayward and myself spent the Evening on board Capt. Beards vessell. 1 sent a Letter to Capt. Downs. I have many Reflections Concerning the mispence of Time, therefore determined to spend some of my Leisure Hours in the Study of the French Language. 21. Orders were last night issued for 80 Men, 2 Sub? & 1 Cap' to go on a private Expedition. These Officers & Men were drawn from the several Reg'^^ in the Army. I was sent to be the Ofiicer from Gen! Heaths Brigade. We paraded according to orders at the Laboratorj^ at 9 o'clock with Seven IDays Provisions, Arms, Ammunition, &c. Lieut^ Wheeler 46 JOURNAL OF LIEUTENANT ISAAC BANGS. & Makepeace from the two other Brigades brought the Quota of Men belongiug to each of them. This Party was raised to reinforce the Party at tlie Light house ; but since the orders were issued News had been received that the Party were unable to effect anything for the want of heavier Metal, & were on their return. We were therefore ordered to return our Arms, & were sent to the Jersies to cut Cedar Wood Logs, &c. to build Fire Rafts. We imbarqued about 2 o'clock in the Afternoon &, sailed toward Staten Island, where we entered a small River. On each side were many beautifull Plantations, affording a delightfull repast to the senses of seeing & hearing. After having sailed about 14 Miles from New York, the Wind failing & the Tide seting down, we despaired of getting up this Night, as we had not yet arrived to more than half the first distance ; therefore, determined to go by land. We landed at Bergen Point, after traveling 9 Miles through a country very well timbered but thinly settled with Inhabitants we arrived to the Place where we were to work, excepting the passing a short Ferry. Here we tarried all Night at a Publick House (Cadmuns) ; found we were now but 13 Miles by land from N. York. 22. The Periogue, in which we left all our Axes & Pro- visions, did not arrive till near 12 o'clock ; therefore we did little work this day. We lived at the Ferry House on the W. of Hackensack River ; we worked in a Cedar Swamp about I Mile to the Westward, belonging to Mr. Schuyler.^ This Gentlemans Father had built a Causeway from the Ferry 1 Arent John* Schuyler (John^, Arenf^, Philip Petersen^), born about 1749, married in 1772 Swartie Schuyler, died 1803; son of Col. John and Anna (Van Rensselaer) Schuyler, and great-grandson of the original immigrant from Holland, Philip Petersen Van Schuyler. Mr. George L. Schuyler, to whom, through the kindness of the Hon. R. C. Winthrop, I owe this information, says that there are many descendants of Arent Schuyler in New Jersey, and that the old house hereinafter described is no longer in the family. JOURNAL OF LIEUTENANT ISAAC BANGS. 47 House through the Swamp, which is 3 Miles & 20 Chaius, at his own expense, chiefly to accomodate the Publick with a Passage to & from N. York, as it saved many People above 15 Miles traveling ; & it is now used as a Post Road to Philadelphia & is a saving of about 9 Miles. In the after- noon Lieut^ Wheeler, Makepeace, & myself visited Mr. Schuy- ler, about 4 Miles distance, found him a very agreable Gentleman of about 28 years ; with him we tarried all Night, & could not excuse ourselves from so doing. An old Man accompanied us as a Pilot, & in our Way he shewed us the Copper Mines belonging to Mr. Schuyler ; the Work which we could perceive had been done in them was sufficient to astonish any Man who had seen so little of the World as I had. Nothing had been done in these Mines for 4 Years, the Engine for throwing of the Water having been burnt about that Time. This cost about 3 Thousand, ster- ling, & would cast out of the Earth 80 Hogsheads in a Minute. This was actuated by Fire, & from fire it had its only Motion ; & it was constructed upon the same Princi- ples & much in the same Form as that of N. York for watering the City ; but (from necessity) the Works of Mr. Schuyler were greatly superiour in Magnitude to those of the City, of which I could judge by the incombustible Matter which was still remaining. Sunday, June 23'^, 1776. This Morning arose early (hav- ing overnight taken our leave of the Family) & came to our Party, to whom we gave their stints. Mr. Schuyler had promised to visit us at our lodging this Day, but staying be- yond the appointed Hour we thought he would not come ; therefore we took a walk to Bergen, a Dutch Town, he came, & brought a Friend, & tarried as long as he conven- iently could ; then came over the River after us, but could not find us. He left word that he was going a small jour- 48 JOURNAL OF LIEUTENANT ISAAC BANGS. ney & could not see us again for 2 Days. I am very sorry, as I am greatly in love with him & impatient to see him. Yesterday we heard of a Plot being Discovered in which a great Number of the Citizens, Long Islanders, some of the Gen'" Life Guard, & others of the Army had conspired to Murther the General, blow up the Magaziens, & seize the Cannon of some of the Works, & hold possession of tlie Forts on Powles Hook. This was to be done on the First approach of the Enemy, that taking the advantage of our Confusion they might put us to a greater. The Mayor of the City of Yoi'k, whose Name is Mathews, & one Forbes, were the chief of the Conspirators. Both of these had receiv"^ Money from Governor Tryon to buy Arms & pay their infernal Tools ; they had gone so far, according to all accounts, as to arrange the Conspirators into Companies, & to appoint their officers, whom they swore by the Bible to be true & Faithfull to the King. But now both Forbes & the Mayor are under confinement, & the General hath a list of the Names of all the Conspirators, but none are known before they are taken into custody. Parties of the Independant Companies of the City are gone into Long Island in search of some of the Rogues who have taken themselves into the Woods to schreen themselves from the Punishment they deserve. 24. After the Party had finished their Work, we took a walk as far as Powles Hooke. Then Lieut Wheeler went over to York, but Lieu* Makepeace & myself went back as far as Bergen in a Stage Waggon, then visited several of the Dutch People, & at Night we went back to Mr. Dowes. 25. I took the Party to their Work in the Morning, & Lieu* Wheeler returned & gave much the same account of the above Plot as we had before receiv'd. In the afternoon Mr. Schuyler came to see us, & spent a very sociable Visit. JOURNAL OF LIEUTENANT ISAAC BANGS. 49 We treated him with Madeira Wine, Grog, &c. ; but to our surprise he settled the whole Reckoning himself before we could know. June 25'-, 1776. Lieut. Makepeace being a little unwell, Mr. Schuyler took him home with him, & engaged us to dine with him the next day. 26. The Party having finished their Stints, we set off for Mr. Schuylers, according to Engagement ; he Met us about half way with a Chair. We had an Elegant Dinner. After Dinner Lieu* Wheeler returned, & left Makepeace & myself with Mr. Schuyler. Towards Night we took a tour across the River west of his House, & recreated ourselves at a Pub- lick House by playing Bowles & drinking Wine, Grog, &c. in Company with several Gentlemen of Mr. Schuyler's acquaint- ance. About 8 o'clock we returned to Mr. Schuylers ; found a Gentleman who had come to spend an Evening with him, — Mr. Dubois, a learned & comical Genius. 27*^. Mr. Schuyler, after Breakfast, came with us in a Chair, & tarried till after Sunset, during which time many Decanters of Wine suffered Shipwreck, many Bowles of Grog- were poured down our thirsty Bellies ; nor was Egg Pop forgot among our Dainties. Spent the whole Day very agreably. Before Night the whole Party set off, & left me to take care of the Teams and to take accounts of the Timber, Wood, &c. we had cut, & to give Certificates for the Teams, Boats, Wood, &c., after I had got it to the Land- ing, to the Q. Master General, This Evening we hear bad news from Quebeck ; but as Reports are so often false, we can make no Dependance on what we hear. 28. Slept very 111. Mr. Schuyler came at 10 o'clock ; we spent the forenoon very agreably, & got all the Timber, &c. to the Landing. The afternoon was taken up in giving Cer- tificates, making up acc'% &c. This could not be finished till 50 JOURNAL OF LIEUTENANT ISAAC BANGS. after sunset, and as it was too late to return to York, I readily accepted of Mr. Schuyler's Invitation to go with him for the Night. Spent the Evening much to my satisfaction. This Day we heard of one Thomas Hickey, a Soldier in Gen^ Washington's Life Guard, being Executed for joining in the Plot mentioned above. This man was a Deserter from the Ministerial Army. He that is false to one Party is not to be trusted in any, tliough its opposite. This Hickey was drawn into the Plot by the persuasions of one Green, the Drummer for the Life Guard. Green also was a Deserter, but is kept to give Evidence against others. June 29, 1776. I Returned to York. Mr. Schuyler lent me a Horse to Ride ; he & an Aunt rode in a Chaise. When I arrived I made my Returns to the Deputy Quarter Master Gen', took my leave of Mr. Schuyler, & returned to my Tent. Found Ensign Bryant had gone to the Works as a Carpenter to build a Machiene to sink in the River to prevent the Enemy's Ships from penetrating up the Ghanell. Since I have had occasion to speak frequently of Mr. Schuyler, I must give a small Detail of his Family, which consisted of Himself, Wife, one small Daughter, a Mother, & Miss Polly, his Sister, about 13 or 14 years old, besides a Brother of his Wife & his Family, who fled from York. What can be said of one may be justl}' applicable to all, viz., considering all Circumstances, they are as agreeable People as ever I had the Pleasure of being acquainted with. Mr. Schuyler, (tho a Gentleman of Liberal Education, not more than 27 years of age, & one of the first Estates in the Prov- ince,) yet he inspects every work upon his Farm, which is vastly extensive. Mrs. Schuyler (his Wife), tho not beautifull in her out- ward Form, is possed of such a beauteous Mind as must make her agreeable to every one that hath the pleasure to be JOURNAL OF LIEUTENANT ISAAC BANGS. 51 acquainted with her. She, as doth her Husband, taketh Pleasure in regulating the affairs of her Family, which by her Diligence & Care is kept in the neatest Order, & the greatest Harmony & Decorum may be observed in every Department of the Whole. Besides the Persons before mentioned which compose the Family are about 50 or 60 Blacks, all of whom, except those who are necessary for Domestic Service, live in a large, convenient House built for that Purpose without the Gate ; in the House every servant their perticular Sphere to act in. I never saw more than 2 in the House otherwise than in the Kitchen, & those were waiters. Those who live in the Out House each have their perticular Department & regular Hours to Work in ; their Victual is cooked at certain Hours by their own Cookes, to which they are regularly called by a Bell, which Rings in the Morning for the Servants to turn out to their Work, and at 7 for Breakfast, at 12 for Dinner, at a propper Time for them to leave their Work, & again at 8 in the Evening for each to repair to their House, after which no Noise is heard. Notwithstanding they have so large a Family to regulate, Mrs. Schuyler also seeth to the Manufactoring of suitable cloathing for all the Servants, all of which is the Produce of their own Plantation ; in which she is helped by her Mamma & Miss Polly. The whole is done with less Combustion & Noise than many Families who have not more than 4 or 5 Persons in the whole Family. This whole Family seems ever to be still, quiet, & serene, notwithstanding its magnitude & the multiplicity of Buisness which they have to transact. Mr. & Mrs. Schuyler seem always to be at leisure, & never disturb Company with being busied & hurried more than if they had nothing to do. What added to my surprise, after observing the regulations of this wonderfull Family, was to understand that Mrs. Schuyler was born of & brought up in 7 52 JOURNAL OF LIEUTENANT ISAAC BANGS. a Rich & genteel Family in the City of York, where her Education must have been so vastly different from & noway connected with the Life which she now leads ; nor doth she now cast off the Mein & Behaviour of the genteel bred Woman, but the whole Family live & dress in a very genteel manner, so far as gentility is consistent with Reason. It is not from any Parsimonious Views that Mr. Schuyler or his Wife employ themselves in many Matters which is uncommon for People of their Fortune, but they often told me when I expressed my Surprise at it, that this was their greatest Pleasure, & they would both in passionate Terms lament & pity the Fate of those People of Fortune who were so blinded by their Education as not to discover some such Expedient to employ those many leisure Hours which they are daily racking their Invention to kill & which Nevertheless hang heavy on their Hands. Nor do either of them wholly slight the diversions of the Town ; but fre- quently they were wont, while the Town was in Peace, to spend a few Days at a time in the City, & sometimes they make small excursions in the Country. Mr. Schuylers Mansion House is a large, grand, and mag- nificent building, built partly of stone & the rest brick ; most beautifully scituate upon an Eminence on the east Bank of what is called Hackensack River. On the West side of the River, by the Water, is the Road which leads to Hackensack, Albany, &c., by which are a considerable number of Build- ings, & two Churches, the one a Dutch & the other an English Church, built by Mr. Schuylers Father. These, together with the Buildings, standing by a straight & level Road,. and the beautifull Groves on the Eminences on the West, afford a most delightfull prospect from the Front of Mr. Schuyler's House. On the back part of the House is a large, neat Garden, built partly for Ornament & partly for JOURNAL OF LIEUTENANT ISAAC BANGS. 53 Convenience. At the back of the Garden is a prodigious high Hill covered with Woods. The House hath a sufficiency of outhouses on the South, & on the North, at a little distance, are his Barns, sufficient to accomodate his Farm, which by accounts is three Miles across. In fine the Scituation of this Gentleman's Dwelling, both for convenience and Pleasure, is the best that ever I beheld. On the Bast of his House at the Distance of about | of a Mile he hath two Parks in which are about 150 or 160 Deer ; but I could get no sight of them, as they never came out of the Woods except in the Night. Mr. Schuyler was descended from the Family of Schuylers which rendered so much good Service to N. England, as mentioned in Hutchinson's History. There are many of the same Family at Albany now, and at New York. This Gen- tlemans Grandfather, in but tolerable circumstances, moved from Albany to the place above described (the Township is called New Barbadoes), where he accidentally discovered the Copper Mines now possessed by his Grand Child (mentioned 22*? of June), out of which he got great Wealth & the Family carrying on the Works have made daily additions to the Estate till they have all the Lands contiguous & are now immensely Rich. The whole Family have been Noted for their Liberality to the Publick, but especially to the Poor & Indigent ; & it is remarkable that of the great Number I daily while there heard speak of the Family, none spoke otherwise than with respect & Love. What can hinder this Man from being happy unless he had a most discontented Mind ? A Man that in Mr. Schuyler's Scituation could not be happy deserves no longer to continue on the Earth. I remember once to have asked him if he thought himself Happy ; he replied. Yes. I then asked if he thought any Man more happy than himself? He calmly answered that 54 JOURNAL OF LIEUTENANT ISAAC BANGS. possibly some might be, for he had his gloomy Hours ; but that the Man that was more Happy than himself was happy indeed, but that he imagined & made no doubt that many were as happy. This last part I doubt of ; for tho some have, to outward appearance, sufficient to make them happy, yet few have that Temper and disposition & Temper of Mind which is the chief Blessing enjoyed by this Gentleman. Without making any more remarks (for I cant do justice to what I have endeavoured) I must declare the Few days spent in this Family to be the most happy of any that I was ever sen- cible of enjoying in my Life. While I was with him we contracted a most intimate Friendship, & he on parting desired me to visit him as often as possible & on his part engaged to do the same. He also made me a very generous offer with regard to being innocu- lated with the small Pox, which I believe I shall accept when I have served my Country through this Campaign. As I returned to York, I saw the Signals for the arrival of more than 20 Ships hoisted on Staten Island. June 30, 1776. I went to a German Church in the fore Noon with Lieut" Drew & Alden and Ensigns Bradford & Cotton. As I did not understand the Language, I could not determine as to the abilities of the Priest, but he seemed a poor Orator. In the afternoon we went to the Quaker Meeting & sat about 2 Hours, and nothing being said we set off & left them, took a Bowl or two of Grog & return'^^ to Camp. On my return saw Thos Covil, who informed me of my friends, Webb, &c., in the Whale Boats. There were brought to town last night 4 Officers & 16 Sailors who came up in a Barge to sound the Chanell, & were fired upon by one of our Forts & brought too. Yesterday arrived at the Hooke 130 Sail of Ships & Transports. Those Persons JOURNAL OF LIEUTENANT ISAAC BANGS. 55 who had been intrusted with the Countersign had been so imprudent as to give it out to others, that it was no difficult Matter even for a Stranger to get it, & Centuries were often imposed upon & abused when on their Posts ; several were fired upon & one wounded. Therefore it was directed that the Countersign should be delivered to none but Colonels & Officers of Guards ; by this Means I hope we shall be in more safety. July 1^*, 1776. In the fore Noon spent some time very agreeably with some young Ladies of my acquaintance in the City. In the Afternoon took the Alarm Post assigned for our Reg* about 2 Miles up the River from our Incampment. 2^. Part of the Fleet came up to the Watering Place on Staten Island in plain sight of the City ; this caused the signals for an Alarm. The Inhabitants are in great Confu- sion, removing from the City, &c. Orders were issued that no Man, either Officer or Soldier, should be absent from Camp without leave in Wrighting from the Commander of the Regiment. S"*. More of the Ships are daily coming up ; some of the Enemy landed on Long Island Yesterday, but were repulsed. 4. Went to the City in the forenoon. The Militia from all Parts are daily coming in ; many have arrived. This Morning our Brigade had liberty to fire each Man two Rounds of Cartridge at a mark ; we accordingly turned out and marched to a suitable Place. The first Fire was made singly, in which one of Cap* Hamblens Company in our Reg* accidentally lost his Life. He, thinking that his Piece had snaped, was taking it from his Face to cock it again when the Piece went off, kicked him in the Breast, which instantly killed him. 5. Went on Guard at tlie Grand Battery. Capt. Wiley 0- N- V 56 JOURNAL OF LIEUTENANT ISAAC BANGS. of Col. M'^Doiigles Regt commanded the Guard ; he was a most agreeable Gentleman, & with him I spent the Time very agreeably. 6 J Have the News of the United Colonies being Declared free & independent States by the Congress ; may they be able to support themselves free & Independent, and never again be brought under the Yoke of Bondage by Cunning & designing Men. — The whole Choir of our Officers, together with Col. Baldwin & the chief of his Officers, went to a Publick House to tes- tify our Joy at the happy news of Independence. We spent the afternoon merily in playing at Bowles for Wine;] I was by good fortune set clear of the whole Recconing. Before we departed an Accidental Misunderstanding happened, in which I gained the applause of each Individual. July 7, 1776, Sunday. Simeon Chubbuck, my waiter, is very ill of the Camp disorder. As our chief Dependance was on him for help, wee are in great confusion. It not being propper for the officers to leave the Camp, I did not, as usual, attend on Service till the afternoon. A Preacher, one Davids, came to hold forth for us under the Trees ; he preached from John 14 C. 6 v., — made out miserably in my opinion, tho he gave general satisfaction. The great Number of Prisoners confined in the Jail made it Necessary to keep a Strong Guard to keep them in due Subjection ; this guard had been kept for considerable Time. Serg* Sprague of our Company happening to be on this Guard, an Insurrection was made among the Prisoners, & one of them named Armstrong fired at the Lieu* of the Guard & was just about to kill the Sheriff of the City when Serg* Sprague shot him dead on the Spot, for which he was highly applauded. This calmed the Insurgents, & they were subdued. e JOURNAL OF LIEUTENANT ISAAC BANGS. 57 July 8, 1776. Nothing material happened. 9-. In the afternoon went to the City & engaged a Gen- tleman to teach a Number of us the French Language. Vis- ited Miss Betsy Grim & Lieu* Hayward. This afternoon the Declaration of the Independence of the 13 American States was read to the Several Brigades. It was received with Joy, which they severally testified by three Cheers. 10 -. Orders were Issued for our Brigade to be in readiness at 4 o'clock tomorrow Morning for a March. We all ima- gined that wee were designed to make an Attack upon the Enemy on Staten Island, but on farther consideration we had reason to doubt of it, as no particular Orders were Issued with Respect to our Bagage, which would be Necessary to take with us if this was the Intention of the General. Last Night the Statue on the Bowling Green representing George Ghwelph alias George Rex (described June 19-^) was pulled down by the Populace. In it were 4,000 Pounds of Lead, & a Man undertook to take of 10 oz of Gold from the Superficies, as both Man & Horse were covered with Gold Leaf. The Lead, we hear, is to be run up into Mus- quet Balls for the use of the Yankies, when it is hoped that the Emanations of the Leaden George will make as deep im- pressions in the Bodies of some of his red Coated & Torie Subjects, & that they will do the same execution in poison- ing & destrojdng them, as the superabundant Emanations of the Folly & pretended Goodness of the real George have made upon their Minds, which have effectually poisoned «& destroyed their Souls, that they are not worthy to be ranked with any Beings who have any Pretensions to the Principles of Virtue & Justice ; but would to God that the unhappy contest might be ended without puting us to the disagree- able Necessity of sending them to dwell with those beings v/ J 58 JOURNAL OF LIEUTENANT ISAAC BANGS. for the Company of whom alone their Tempers & disposi- tions are now suitable. 11*^. At 4 in the Morning (the usual time of taking our Alarm Posts) we appeared on the Parade, & were led by Gen' Heath & Brigade Major Henly to Reconnoiti-e the ad- jacent advantageous Posts, that we might be better acquainted with the Scituation of the ground and be able to take advan- tage thereof whenever we should be called to action. We marched to Turtle Bay, about 3 Miles, & in our March had several sham Engagements, &c. ; then returned to Camp about 11 o'clock, almost starved. In the afternoon I went to the Cit}^ to School. 12. Went on Fatiegue at the Grand Battery. Several Deserters from the Enem}^ informed that it was the Inten- tion of the Enemy to have sent ^5 Ships up the N. River to stop the Water Communication between Albany & N. York. This was confirmed by the Circumstance of 4 Boats having come further up the Harbour Yesterday than common, as was supposed to sound the Bay. In the afternoon a fine Brieze arose at S. W., & tlie Tide being favourable at the same Time we soon discovered 2 Ships & 3 Tenders making for the Town, whereupon we repaired as soon as possible each one to their several alarm posts ; but be- fore I got from the City our Batteries began to play upon them. I stoped to observe them, but found that our Shot chiefly fell short of them, but saw several shot strike the larger Ship ; one Tender was obliged to put back. On my arrival at the Camp I found the Tents all struck, as the Enemy by seeing them might fire on the Camps ; however, they had knowl- edge of the place, & before I got ten Rods from it they had got abreast of the Incampment; but as they were under quick way their shots fell chiefly to the Northward, & many of them went over my head, & 3 or 4 struck within 20 Rods JOURNAL OF LIEUTENANT ISAAC BANGS. 59 of me. The Reg! had gone to their Alarm Post. Before I got to the Alarm Post, being behind a hill, I discovered a Ball which had hit on the opposite side of the hill & was hoping over it. I saw that it was in a direction that would bring it very near my Waiter (Simeon Chubbuck), who was about 5 or 6 Yards before me. I hallowed to him. He had just Time to discover & dodge it, but it passed him at not more than ^ Yard distance at the heighth of his Breast. Before this I was not in the least intimidated, but must confess that on seeing so narrow a chance of a Young Mans Life for whom I had a very great Regard, I had feelings different from what I before had. The Ball struck a Post in a fence on the opposite side of the Road, knocked it down, & then proceeded on its course. By the slow Motion which it had when I first discovered it I thought it would stop in a few Rods, but I immediately traced it for more than 20 Rods but could find nothing of it. I then proceeded to the Alarm Post ; Sim was so weak that he went but a little farther & returned to Camp. Before any of our Reg* (as they were but a small distance before me) arrived to our Alarm Post, the Ships had past it ; in their Way many Balls passed very near them, & one killed a Cow at a very small distance from them. This was the only Life which was taken away by their Cannon, but by the carelessness of our own Artilery '^ Men Six Men were killed with our own Cannon, & several others very badly wounded. It is said that several of the Company out of which they were killed were drunk, & neglected to Spunge, Worm, & stop the Vent, and the Cartridges took fire while they were raming them down. The Cannon from the City did but very little execution, as not more than half the Number of the Men belonging to \/ them were present. The others were at their Cups & at 60 JOUKNAL OF LIEUTENANT ISAAC BANGS. their usual place of abode, Viz., on the Holy Ground ; but from Red Hooke, which was at a very great distance, they ^ fired very well, & from Powles Hook they Hulled them several Times. What particular Dammage we did can't yet learn. They have gone up the River, but will be stoped about . . . Mile up by Fort Montgomery. After all this bustle, toward Night the Eagle, with Admiral Lord Howe on board, who had been several Days at the Hooke, came up & joined the other Ships at the Landing. I was very unwell all day ; am in some fear lest I shall have the Camp disorder, which is now frequent in this Camp. 13. Not well ; staid in the Camp. Sunday, 14. Still unwell. Almost the whole Reg* are sick with the Camp Distemper ; our Reg* is by far the most sickly of the whole Brigade, & I dare say of the whole Army. My waiter [recrjuits a little. No Meeting this Day. A flag this Afternoon from the Enemy came up the River with a Letter from Genl Howe to Gen! Washington ; but as the Letter was directed to George Washington, Esq., they were sent back, & the Letter never opened nor received further than to read the superscription, when the Officer that went to wait on them returned it, telling them that he knew of no such Man at York. July 15, 1776. Cap* Allen & myself both warned for Guard. He drew Harrisons Brewery, & I drew the upper Barrack ; but as we were desirous to go together, I swaped with another officer. I saw Vauzile, our Pilot, when at Schuyler's Swamp; he brought compliments from Mr. Schuyler & Family, with an Invitation to visit him. I shall not lose the first opportunity of paying a visit to this excellent Family ; but as it is expected that we shall soon have an Attack, it will be with great difficulty if I get liberty. JOURNAL OF LIEUTENANT ISAAC BANGS. 61 A second flagg came up this afternoon ; cannot learn the Buisness. 16. The Guard came very late to relieve us ; in the After- noon our Colours & Standards were finished & brought home. Juli/ 17, 1776. Staid in Camp ; nothing remarkable. 18. Lieut. Webb & Mr. Baker from Hianeas (Hyannis) came to visit me. I am greatly rejoiced to hear of the Welfare of our Friends at home, tho I hear but little in particular. I spend the afternoon very agreeably in reading a Voyage of Monsieur Viand, &c., &c. The State of New York have adopted the Resolves of the Congress respecting Independance, & made it Treason for any to conspire or Plot against the State. 19. I was on Fatiegue in the City ; building a Barricado to Broadway & another Street runing west from St. Pauls Church. Every Street around the Common, on the side of which is the Laboratory, is to be barricadoed, & many of the Works are nearly finished. After Duty was over, I went in quest of Lieu* Webb & Mr. Bakers Vessell, but could find neither. Met with Lieu^ Hay ward, & with him took an opportunity to survey the Fire Ships, — the Chiver du frieze & Ships preparing to sink in the River. The Fire Ships are well constructed, and may do execution ; but the Chiver du frieze can be of little service, as it is too weakly constructed to do damage to a Vessell of any Strength. The ships preparing to be sunk will be of vast expence, & I am doubtfuU of their Success, as the Water in the Harbour where they will be of anj'^ service is very deep. Across these Ships are laid on each about 6 or 8 long Timbers pointed with Iron, to sink the ships when they shall run against them. The success of these must be left for time to determine. I took a view also of two rowe Gallies building l/ 62 JOURNAL OF LIEUTENANT ISAAC BANGS. at the East End of the City. One of them is nearly ready for sailing ; the other is still on the Stocks almost finished. Each are to carry a 32 p"^ in the bow, besides small pieces in the sides ; they are neatly built, resembling much the In- gravings of the Turkish Gallies, & if properly managed, may serve greatly to annoy the Enemy's Fleet. Spent the Even- ing in a Tavern on Golden Hill, & returned to my tent about 10 o'clock. 20. Cap* Allen was ordered to take command of a party going to Kings Bridge, for 7 Days. I am the only Officer left with our Company. Several Flaggs came Yesterday & today from the Enemy, but no Dispatch was received, as the Gen} was resolute not to receive any letter respecting his publick character unless it was properly directed ; the officer said that Genl Howe regretted much that he had not arived a few Days sooner, as it might have saved great trouble if he had arived with the power he has vested in him before Inde- pendance was declared. At the desire of Gen! Howe verbally received. Gen! Wash- ington received the Adjutant Genl of the Ministerialists to an interview with him in the City, who brought the same letter from Gen! Howe that had before been offered him ; but Gen! Washington still continued resolute not to receive it, notwithstanding he was earnestly desired to do it by Adjt Genl. These behaved to each other with the greatest compli- sance ; & the Adjutant Gen\ after spending considerable time in Conference with Gen! Washington, in which he ever gave him the title of Your Excellency, was conducted to his Boat, attended by a number of the Officers, &c., of the Army. Tis said that at his departure he was overheard highly to the honour of our Noble General. In the afternoon had the Ace* of Gen^ Lee's having de- JOURNAL OF LIEUTENANT ISAAC BANGS. 63 feated the Ministerialists at South Carolina, both by Sea & by Land under Gen. Clinton & Admiral Parker. The En- gagement by Sea lasted for 6 Hours, and was important, as the Ships came to an Anchor very nigh a large Fort ; the Fort did them great Dammage, destroyed a 36 Gun Ship, greatly damaged two capital Ships so that they are unfit for Service, killed great Numbers of the Men & drove them off. At the same time the Enemy's Land force were repulsed in endeavouring to Advance to attack the Rear of the fort while the Ships were playing upon them in front. The Enemy threw great Numbers of Shot at our fort from their Ships, and a large Number of Shells from a Bomb Ketch. The Bombs did little damage & the whole of our loss was no more than 10 killed & 22 wounded. The Gen' (Lee) ap- plauded his officers & Men in the highest Language for their good Conduct & bravery in the Action. July 21, Sunday. Turned out at break of day (as usual) to take the Alarm Post. The Men of our Company vyed with each other in good behaviour. This gave me the greater satisfaction, as this Company formed a Compleat Con- trast Avith the one that March before us & the one in our Rear (which, by the buy, are never well regulated, owing to the insensibility of the Officers). CoP Baily, having buisness of importance to transact at home, had a Furlough for 21 Days, & this day set off for N. England, An odd built Vessell, riged nearly like to a top- sail Shooner, called a Rowe Gallic, this day arrived from Connecticut. She carries two 18 pf in her Bow, besides 6 or 8 six p''^ on the Gunwale. 'T is reported several others are coming from Rhode Island, &c., who have been sent for to harrass the ships now up the River. No meeting this Day. Monday, 22 July, 1776. Went to visit Lieu* Webb, &c. 64 JOURNAL OF LIEUTENANT ISAAC BANGS. Went on board Mr. Bakers vessell, in which was Cajj" Prince Ghorham. 23** Went on Fatiegue at St. Pauls Church for about an hour, then was sent for with my Party to go on board the Ships preparing to be sunk. Dined, according to engage- ment, with Mr. O Dougald & Monsieur Perry, Gentlemen of my acquaintance in the City. Saw the infamous Pro- clamation issued by Lord Howe & now made publick by order of the Congress, offering Pardon to those in an}'- of the Colonies who will return to their Duty & acknowledge the Supremacy of Parliament. Lord Howe declares that he hath this power vested in him by Act of Parliament, & these are the Terms of accomodation offered by the English. But will Americans tamely submit to those merciless Tyrants who have already done their utmost to reduce them to a state of abject slavery? and will they acknowledge? What can they acknowledge ? but that they have bravely stood forth in defence of those Rights & Priviledges which the God of Nature hath bestowed upon them, & which they may not give up (unless unable to support them) without affront- ing that being who delights in the Liberty & prosperity of all his Creatures ? 24. Am a little unwell, yet I went to the City to carry a Letter which I had wrote to my Brother Joshua. Sent it by Mr. Baker. Saw Lieu* Webb, who informed me of a Letter which was directed for me on board a Nantuckett vessell ; but as Mr. Bailey was not on board I could not ob- tain it. Our Company are now about | of them very low with the Camp Disorder, or Bloody Flux, which is very prevalent throughout the whole Army, & though it Ema- ciates them verj^ much yet is not very mortal, as not more than one in our Reg* has died with this disorder. I being some unwell with the above disorder have much trouble JOURNAL OF LIEUTENANT ISAAC BANGS. 65 & difficulty to see that the Sick are properly taken care of. July 25. I am tolerably comfortable, though something weak. In the Evening I went to the City for my Letter, being very anxious to hear from my Friends, but could not obtain it, Mr. Bailey not being on board. 26. In the Morning a Report prevailed that the Ships up the River were coming down ; but it proved only that they came down in order to take a Parcel of Sheep & a Quan- tity of Butter which the Tories had collected, & according to agreement the Ships were to meet them & take it off; but before the Ships arrived the Sheep & Butter together with several other small Articles were discovered, & as no owner appeared to lay claim to them they were secured. These Tories cannot yet be quelled, notwithstanding (as I am credibly informed) a large number (300) of them who had collected together a few days before the Ships went up were taken, & upon examination they confessed that by agreement with the infamous Wallace (the commander of one of the Ships) they were to assemble, destroy tlie 2 large Frigates which are building up the River, & Wallace was to support them with a Party sufficient for them to beat down all opposition while they could pillage the Country round about, & then, as I suppose, they were to retreat on board. Upon this the more ignorant Vulgar, who it appeared had been drawn into this Confederacy by tlie artfull persuasions of others worse abandoned than themselves, were dismissed under proper Restrictions; but the worst of them were some sent to the Mines in New England ; others were sent to close confinement. In the Evening Lieu* Sears came home, & brought 4 Men, who appeared to be Gentlemen, whom he had taken the Night before in endeavouring to make their escape on board 66 JOURNAL OF LIEUTENANT ISAAC BANGS. the Men of War. Himself, as also the others that were in the Whale Boats, had taken a considerable Number of the Tories at different times endeavouring to make their Escape, & had delivered them to the Committee of the Town ; but they had frequently dismissed them upon their Paroles, & in a short Time would make their escape, being more luckey than at first. Being disgusted with the proceedings of the Committee, whom he also suspected of Tor3asm, he deter- mined & accordingly brought them to the Gen^ Joseph Egerton & Joseph Snell, two of our Company, the former the Cap*^ Clerk, were taken ill on the 21 Instant ; & as they were now not fit to remain in tents, having a strong Fever, I carried to an uninhabited House, a small back room of which with much difficulty I had obtained for them, & appointed a Nurse from the Company, I am still unwell with the Camp Disorder, but I have it very lightly. Called for guard tomorrow, but excused on ace* of my illness. 27. Not being able for Guard, I inspected the Camp & Hospital. Rec*^ a Letter from my Mother, dated June 16. 28. Sunday. Being unable to attend Service, I tarried in Camp. A Number of our Rowe Gallies went up the River. 29. Rode to the City. Went on b"^ a Nantucket Vessell in which my Letter came. Found that Prince Ghorham & Baker, by whom I had sent a Letter to my Brother, had not gone, as Bakers Vessell was taken for a Fire Vessell ; but as they were going in this Vessell I let it pass. After spend- ing considerable Time very agreeably, return'^. Visited Eger- ton & Snell ; found them very ill. By the Paper had the News of Cetera desunt. t#C. INDEX. AiR-FuRNACE, excellent field-pieces and iron cannon cast by, 31, 32. Allen, Capt. Jacob, mentioned, 7, 21, 31 ; warned for guard, 60 ; ordered to take command of a party, 62. American Forces, drive the British from their strongholds in Boston, 8-13 ; ordered to bombard Boston, 9 ; hardships of that part of, sta- tioned at Roxbury, 15-17 ; guard Boston Harbor, 19 ; ordered to the southward, 19 ; line of march of, 20-24 ; regiments sent to reinforce the army at Canada, 27, 31 ; fortify Governor's Island, 28 ; arrangement of brigades of, 29, 31; part of, ordered on a private expedition, 45, 46 ; under General Lee defeat the British at South Carolina, 63; affected by the Camp Disorder, 64. Army, Ministerial, invested by Ameri- ican army, 8 ; closely confined in their quarters in Boston, 8; driven from their fortresses, 8-13 ; condi- tion of intrenchments of, 13, 14 ; retreat to Nantasket, 14 ; destroy tlieir ammunition, 13, 14 ; scarcity of provisions of, 15; set the Block House on fire, 18 ; demolish and leave Castle William, 18; leave Nantasket, 19; cause of delay of the fleet of, 19 ; method of enforcing measures,' 32 ; reinforced, make a sully on Quebec, 35; stationed on Staten Island, 57 ; attempt to stop water communication between Al- bany and New York, 58-60 ; send Adjutant-General to George Wasli- ington, 62 ; defeated by Lee at South Carolina, 63. General Bailey, Col. John, mentioned, 7 ; granted a furlough, 63. Baker, Mr., visits Lieutenant Bangs, 61 ; letter sent by, 64 ; vessel of, taken for a fire-vessel, 66. Bangs, Lieut. Isaac, pedigree of, 3 ; at Harvard, 4 ; studies and prac- tises medicine, ''5 ; mentioned in Revolutionary Rolls, 5; last record of, 5 ; record of death of, 6 ; thinks it advisible to keep some minutes, 7; enlists among tlie mili- tia, 8 ; narrowly escapes being shot, 11; suffers from exposure, 12, 16; surprised at construction of British works, 14 ; goes to Concord, 16 ; mounts guard, 17, — at Harrison's Brewery, 30, at North River, 43, at Grand Battery, 55, upper Barrack, 60 ; watches firing of the Block House, 18 ; goes to see the ruins, 18 ; invited to succeed Lieutenant vShaw, 20; applies to General Washington for a commission, 20 ; follows and overtakes the regiment, 21 ; break- fasts with the Atvvoods, 21 ; des- cribes Providence, 21 ; sails for New York, 23 ; describes New York, 2.3- 25 ; interested in the water-works of Brooklyn, 25-27 ; attends a Dutch church, 28. — prefers it to the Congre- gational, 30, 31 ; goes upon fatigue duty, 31, 42,44, 61, 64 ; visits Messrs. McPherlin and Love, 31 ; examines air-furnace, 31 ; is lucky at Bil- 68 INDEX. liards, 32 ; surveys the gaol, 32 ; attends service, 82, 44 ; has news of England's resolutions to enforce her measures, 32 ; criticises the move- ment, 33 ; announces America's in- tention to declare herself free and independent, 33 ; visits an agreeable young lady, 33, 34 ; is not well, 34, 35, 36 ; writes letters home, 34, 36 ; afflicted with boils, 35 ; calls upon Miss Grim, 36, 37 ; read's Hervey's Meditations, 37 ; does picket dutj', 37, 39, 44 ; works upon a fort, 37 ; acceptance of Lieutenant's commis- sion by, criticised, 38 ; defends him- self, 39 ; visits Dr. "Warren, 40, 43 ; visits a Jewish Synagogue, 41, 42 ; is visited by William Stone and Lieutenant Hay ward, 42 ; rejoices that his friends are well, 42, 61 ; meets Dr. Curtis, 42 ; visited by Drs. Townshend and Eustis, 43 ; has many friends, 43 ; sends letter by William Stone, 44 ; is member of Court Martial, 44; visits and is visited by Captain Beard, 44, 45 ; is ordered on a private expedition, 45; sent to cut cedar wood logs, meets Mr. Schuyler, 47 ; visits Mr. Schuy- ler's copper mines, 47 ; exchanges visits with Mr. Schuyler, 47, 48, 49 ; returns to New York, 50; his im- pression of the Schuyler family, 50- 54 ; receives a generous offer of in- noculation, 54 ; attends a German church and a Quaker meeting, 54 ; calls upon some young ladies, 55 ; takes the Alarm Post, 55, 63 ; goes to the city, 55 ; spends some time with Captain Wiley, 56 ; rejoices at the news of independence, 56 ; is ordered to march, 57 ; is alarmed at his waiter's narrow escape, 59 ; affected with the Camp Disorder, 60, 64, 66; receives an invitation from Mr. Schuyler, 60; describes the fire-ships, 61, those to be sunk, 61, 62 ; only officer left with the com- pany, 62 ; hears of General Lee's victory, 63 ; describes a Kowe gal- ley, 63 ; calls on Lieutenant Webb, 63 ; dines with Messrs. O'Dougald and Perry, 64 ; sees Lord Howe's Proclamation, 64 ; attends to two of the company who are ill, G6 ; ex- cused from guard on account of illness, 66 ; receives a letter, 66. Battle of Bunker Hill, alluded to, 44. Beard, Captain, exchanges visits with Bangs, 45. Bolster, Captain, commands the guard, 34. Boston Massacre, alluded to, 12. ^ 2_ Brooks, Hon. Nathan, mentioned, 3S),n. Brookes, Major, sets off on a private expedition, 45. Brooklyn, description of water-works of, 25-27. Bryant, Ensign, accompanies Lieuten- ant Bangs to Jewish Synagogue, 40. Camp Disorder, Lieutenant Bangs's waiter ill of, 56 ; affects nearly the whole regiment, 60 ; effects of, 64 ; Lieutenant Bangs slightly affected by, 64. Carj', Colonel, Lieutenant Bangs serves under, 7 ; mentioned, 20. Counter-sign, to be given only to col- onels and officers of guards, 55. Chubbuck, Simeon, waiter to Lieuten- ant Bangs, 56 ; is ill, 56 ; narrowly escapes being shot, 59. Church, Dutch, service of, 28. Committee of Safety, bring the Tories to terms, 36. Curtis, Dr., meets Lieutenant Bangs, -**-/-/ 2_ Declaration of Independence read to the soldiers, 57 ; received with joy, 57. , Doane, Elisha, mentioned, 17. ^ 2_ Downs, Capt.Shubael, mentioned,!^, n. " Eagle " the, joins the other ships, 60 Election, general, at Boston, 37. Eustis, Dr., mentioned, 28, 40; visits Lieutenant Bangs, 43. INDEX. 69 Fire-ships, examined, 61 ; description of, 62. Galley, Rowe, description of a, 63. Gaol, New Yorlc, description of, 32. Gates, Adjutant-General, promises Lieutenant Bangs a commission, 20. " Glasgow," the, engages in battle with a brig commanded b}' Admiral Hop- kins's son, 22 ; has a warm engage- ment with the Admiral's ship " Al- fred," 22 ; makes a running fight, 22 ; much shattered, 23. Godfrey, Capt. Benjamin, Lieutenant Bangs serves under, 7. Gorham, Capt. Prince, mentioned, 64, 66. Governor's Island, position of, 28 ; Colonel Prescott's regiment stationed on, 39. Green, — , deserter, retained to give evidence, 50. Green, General, brigade of, ordered to New London, 20 ; ordered to Long Island, 3L Groton, mentioned, 2L Harvard College, Lieutenant Bangs at, 4 ; loyalists of the class of 1771, 4. Hay ward. Lieutenant, spoken of, 34, 38 ; visits Fort Montgomery, 40 ; calls on Lieutenant Bangs in camp, 42 ; spends an evening on Captain Beard's vessel, 45 ; inspects the fire- ships, 61. Heatli, General, mentioned, 29, 40, 58. Hickey, Thomas, executed for joining in a plot against General Washing- ton, 50. 4 2.- Hoar, Hon. E. R., mentioned,~98, n. Holy Ground, the description of, 29, 30 ; mentioned, 60. Hopkins, Admiral, in command of part of the American fleet, 22 ; took pos- session of King's forts, 22 ; captured several vessels in the West Indies, 22; comes to the assistance of his son and engages with the " Glas- gow," 22. Howe, Lord, Admiral, intends to attack New York, 44 ; joins his ships, 60 ; sends letter to General Washington, 60 ; regrets his late arrival, 62 ; sends Adjutant-General to see Gen- eral Washington, 62 ; Proclamation of, 64. Hutchinson House, Lieutenant Bangs's company barracked in outhouse of, 10. Insurrection, among the prisoners, 56. Jacobs, Lieutenant-Colonel, accom- panies Lieutenant Bangs to Cam- bridge, 20. King George Third, Statue of, described, 25 ; destro3'ed by the populace, 57 ; lead of, to be made into musket-balls, 57. Learned, Colonel, regiment of, ordered upon the hills, 17. Lee, General, defeats the British at South Carolina, 63, — length of en- gagement at sea, 63 ; damages done by the fort, 63. Loring, Benjamin, information con- cerning, 43. Lovell, James, taken prisoner by the British, 14. Makepeace, Lieutenant, mentioned, 46, 48, 49. Mayo, Lieutenant, wounded, 11. Merry, Captain, captured a British vessel, 19. Militia, Lieutenant Bangs enlists among, 8 ; General Washington calls for, 8 ; coming to New York, 55. Mugford, Captain, loses his life, 36. Nantasket, British retreat to, 14. New London, described, 21. New York, description of, 23-25 ; gaol of, 32; intended attack of Lord Howe upon, 44 ; State of, adopt the 70 INDEX. Resolves of Congress respecting inde- pendence, 61. Nook Point, advantageously situated, 12, 13, 14. Parker, Lieutenant, mentioned, 28. Philips, Joseph, mentioned, 17. Providence, Town of, described, 21. Revolutionary Rolls, extracts from, 5. Roebuck, British man-of-war, attacked by our galleys, 35. Schuyler, Mr., visited by Lieutenant Bangs, 47 ; copper mines of, des- cribed, 47 ; exchanges visits with Lieutenant Bangs, 48, 49 ; lends Lieutenant Bangs a horse, 50 ; Lieu- tenant Bangs's opinion of the family of, 50-52 ; house of, described, 62, 53 ; ancestry of, 53 ; friendship of, for Lieutenant Bangs, 54 ; sends invitation to Lieutenant Bangs, 60. Sears, Lieutenant, captures four men from a man-of-war, 66. Shaw, Lieutenant, comes from New England to visit friends, 39 ; brings letters to the soldiers, 39. Ships, Fire. See Fire-ships. Ships, to be sunk, 61 ; description of, 62. Stone, William, visits Lieutenant Bangs in camp and brings a letter from Lieutenant Bangs's mother, 42 ; car- ries reply to her, 44. Synagogue, Jewish, description of, 41 ; Priest of, 41 ; description of service in, 41, 42. Thames River, an excellent harbor, 21. Tories, brought to terms, 36 ; plot of, 65; punishments of, 65. Townshend, Dr., spoken of, 43. Tudor, Judge-Advocate, mentioned, 40. Turtle Bay, described, 23 ; troops march to, 58. United Colonies, declared free and independent, 56. Warren, Dr., Lieutenant Bangs dines with, 40. Washington, Gen. George, calls for militia, 8; orders a bombardment of Boston, 9 ; orders the forces back to the lines, 10 ; orders six regiments to Albany, 31 ; goes to Philadelphia, 40 ; thanks Lieutenant Bangs's regi- ment, 40 ; a plot against, 48 ; rejects a letter from Lord Howe, 60, 62 ; receives the British Adjutant-Gen- eral, 62 ; is spoken liighly of by the Adjutant-General, 62. Webb, Lieutenant, letter written for, 37 ; visits Lieutenant Bangs, 61 ; receives a call from Lieutenant Bangs, 63 ; tells of letter to Lieuten- ant Bangs on board a Nantucket steamer, 64. Wheeler, Lieutenant, mentioned, 45, 49 ; goes to New York, 48. Whipple, Captain, in command of the " Columbus, "22; his failure to come to the assistance of the " Alfred " and the brig, criticised, 22. Wiley, Captain, spoken of, 55, 56. H 33 89 '1 NOV 9 1900 ^WW^Wil. ■■■■'..■