December 6 -
The Enemy forming a Line from towards our right to the extremity of
our left upon an opposite long height to ours in a Wood. Our men were
under Arms all Day and this Night also, as our Wise General was
determined not to be attack'd Napping....
December 8 -
All at our Several Posts. Provisions and Whiskey very scarce. Were
Soldiers to have plenty of Food and Rum, I believe they would Storm
Tophet...
December 11 -
At four o'clock the Whole Army were Order'd to March to Swedes Ford on
the River Schuylkill, about 9 miles N.W. of Chestnut Hill, and 6 from
White Marsh our present Encampment. At sun an hour high the whole were
mov'd from the Lines and on their march with baggage. This Night
encamped in a Semi circle nigh the Ford. The enemy had march'd up the
West side of Schuylkill - Potter's Brigade if Pennsylvania Militia
were already there, and had several skirmishes with them with some
loss on this side and considerable on the Enemies....
I am prodigious Sick and cannot get anything comfortable - what in the
name of Providence am I to do with a fit of Sickness in this place
where nothing appears pleasing to the Sicken'd Eye and nausiating
Stomach. But I doubt not Providence will find out a way for my relief.
But I cannot eat Beef if I starve, for my stomach positively refuses
to entertain such Company, and how can I help that?
December 12 -
A Bridge of Waggons made accross the Schuylkill last Night consisting
of 36 waggons, with a bridge of Rails between them each. Some
skirmishing over the River. Militia and dragoons brought into Camp
several Prisoners. Sun Set - We were order'd to march over the River -
It snows - I'm Sick - eat nothing - No Whiskey - No Forage - Lord -
Lord - Lord. The Army were 'till Sun Rise crossing the River - some at
the Waggon Bridge and some at the Raft Bridge below. Cold and
uncomfortable.
December 13 -
The Army march'd three miles from the West side of the River and
encamp'd near a place call'd the Gulph and not an improper name
neither, for this Gulph seems well adapted by its situation to keep us
from the pleasures and enjoyments of this World, or being conversant
with anybody in it. It is an excellent place to raise the Ideas of a
Philosopher beyond the glutted thoughts and Reflexions of an
Epicurian. His Reflexions will be as different from the Common
Reflexions of Mankind as if he were unconnected with the world, and
only conversant with immaterial beings. It cannot be that our
Superiors are about to hold consultations with Spirits infinitely
beneath their Order, by bringing us into these utmost regions of the
Terraqueous Sphere. No it is, upon consideration for many good
purposes since we are to Winter here-
There is plenty of Wood and Water
There are but few families for the soldiery to Steal from - tho'
far be it from a Soldier to Steal
There are warm sides of Hill to erect huts on
They will be heavenly Minded like Jonah when in the Belly of a
Great Fish
They will not become home Sick as is sometimes the Case when Men
live in the Open World - since the reflections which will naturally
arise from their present habitation, will lead them into the more
noble thoughts of employing their leisure hours in filling their
knapsacks with such materials as may be necessary on the Journey to
another Home.
December 14 -
Prisoners and Deserters are continually coming in. The Army which has
been surprisingly healthy hitherto, now begins to grow sickly from the
continued fatigues they have suffered this Campaign. Yet they still
show a spirit of Alacrity and Contentment not to be expected from so
young Troops. I am Sick - discontented - and out of humour. Poor food
- hard lodging - Cold Weather - fatigue - Nasty Cloaths - nasty
Cookery - Vomit half my time - smoak'd out my senses - the Devil's
in't - I can't Endure it - Why are we sent here to starve and Freeze -
What sweet Felicities have I left at home; A charming Wife - pretty
Children - Good Beds - good food - good Cookery - all aggreable - all
harmonious. Here all Confusion - smoke and Cold - hunger and
filthyness - A pox on my bad luck. There comes a bowl of beef soup -
full of burnt leaves and dirt, sickish enough to make a Hector spue -
away with it Boys - I'll live like the Chameleon upon Air. Poh! Poh!
crys Patience within me - you talk like a fool. Your being sick Covers
you mind with a Melancholic Gloom, which makes every thing about you
appear gloomy. See the poor Soldier, when in health - with what
cheerfulness he meets his foes and encounters every hardship - if
barefoot, he labours thro' the Mud and Cold with a Song in his mouth
extolling War and Washington - if his food be bad, he eats it
notwithstanding with seeming content - blesses God for a good Stomach
and Whistles it into digestion. But harkee Patience, a moment - There
comes a Soldier, his bare feet are seen thro' his worn out Shoes, his
legs nearly naked from the tatter'd remains of an only pair of
stockings, his Breeches not sufficient to cover his nakedness, his
Shirt hanging in Strings, his hair dishevell'd, his face meagre; his
whole appearance pictures a person forsaken and discouraged. He comes,
and crys with an air of wretchedness and despair, I am Sick, my feet
lame,my legs are sore, my body cover'd with this tormenting Itch - my
Cloaths are worn out, my Constitution is broken, my former Activity is
exhausted by fatigue, hunger and Cold, I fail fast I shall soon be no
more! and all the reward I shall get will be - "Poor Will is dead."
People who live at home in Luxury and Ease, quietly possessing their
habitations, Enjoying their Wives and families in peace,have but a
very faint Idea of the unpleasing sensations, and continual Anxiety
the Man endures who is in Camp, and is the husband and parent of an
aggreeable family. These same People are willing we should suffer
every thing for their Benefit and advantage, and yet are the first to
Condemn us for not doing more!!
December 15 -
Quiet. Eat Pessimmens, found myself better for their Lenient
Opperation. Went to a house, poor and small, but good food within -
eat too much from being so long Abstemious, thro' want of palatables.
Mankind are never truly thankfull for the Benefits of life, until they
have experienc'd the want of them. The Man who has seen misery knows
best how to enjoy good. He who is always at ease and has enough of the
Blessings of common life is an Impotent Judge of the feelings of the
unfortunate....
December 16 -
Cold Rainy Day, Baggage ordered over the Gulph of our Division, which
were to march at Ten, but the baggage was order'd back and for the
first time since we have been here the Tents were pitch'd, to keep the
men more comfortable. Good morning Brother Soldier (says one to another)
how are you? All wet I thank'e, hope you are so (says the other). The
Enemy have been at Chestnut Hill Opposite to us near our last
encampment the other side Schuylkill, made some Ravages, kill'd two of
our Horsemen, taken some prisoners. We have done the like by them....
December 18 -
Universal Thanksgiving - a Roasted pig at Night. God be thanked for my
health which I have pretty well recovered. How much better should I
feel, were I assured my family were in health. But the same good Being
who graciously preserves me, is able to preserve them and bring me to
the ardently wish'd for enjoyment of them again
December 21 -
[Valley Forge.] Preparations are made for huts. Provisions Scarce. Mr.
Ellis went homeward - sent a Letter to my Wife. Heartily wish myself
at home, my Skin and eyes are almost spoil'd with continual smoke. A
general cry thro' the Camp this Evening among the Soldiers, "No Meat!
No Meat!" - the Distant vales Echo'd back the melancholy sound - "No
Meat! No Meat!" Immitating the noise of Crows and Owls, also, made a
part of confused Musick.
What have you for your dinner boys? "Nothing but Fire Cake and Water,
Sir." At night, "Gentlemen the Supper is ready." What is your Supper
Lads? "Fire Cake and Water, Sir." Very poor beef has been drawn in our
Camp the greater part of this season. A Butcher bringing a Quarter of
this kind of Beef into Camp one day who had white Buttons on the knees
of his breeches, a Soldier cries out - "There, there Tom is some more
of your fat Beef, by my soul I can see the Butcher's breeches buttons
through it."
December 22 -
Lay excessive Cold and uncomfortable last Night - my eyes started out
from their Orbits like a Rabbit's eyes, occasion'd by a great Cold and
Smoke.
Our Division are under Marching Orders this morning. I am ashamed to
say it, but I am tempted to steal Fowls if I could find them, or even
a whole Hog, for I feel as if I could eat one. But the Impoverish'd
Country about us, affords but little matter to employ a Thief, or keep
a Clever Fellow in good humour. But why do I talk of hunger and hard
usage, when so many in the World have not even fire Cake and Water to
eat...
It is not in the power of Philosophy...to convince a man he may be
happy and Contented if he will, with a Hungry Belly. Give me
Food, Cloaths, Wife and Children, kind Heaven! and I'll be as
contented as my Nature will permit me to be.
This Evening a Party with two field pieces were order'd out. At 12 of
the Clock at Night, Providence sent us a little Mutton, with which we
immediately had some Broth made, and a fine Stomach for same. Ye who
Eat Pumkin Pie and Roast Turkies, and yet Curse fortune for using you
ill, Curse her no more, least she reduce you Allowance of her favours
to a bit of Fire Cake, and a draught of Cold Water, and in Cold
Weather too.