JOURNAL OF LIEUTENANT EBENEZER ELMER, OF THE THIRD REGIMENT OF NEW JERSEY TROOPS IN THE CONTINENTAL SERVICE. [Continued from page 194, Vol. II.] FORT DAYTON, New York. Sunday, September 8th, 1776.-Orders issued by Col. ELMER, Sep tembr 6th, 1776: "GARRISON ORDERS. "Officer of the day, to-morrow, Capt. Seeber. beat "The guard in garrison to consist of 1 Serjeant, 1 Corporal and 24 Privates. A Corporal and 6 Privates to mount guard at the Colonel's quarters. The officer of the guard to send a Corporal and 4 Privates round with the drums to beat the tattoo at 9 o'clock, who will up as far as the Colonel's quarters and along the main street; the other way, as far as Col. Bellenger's. The officer of the guard will send a patrole round the the main street, as far as any soldier's quarters, at 10 o'clock, who are to make prisoners of all that they find out at that time. The patrole are to guard again between the hours of 3 and 4 for the same purpose. The officer of the day will go the guard rounds between the hours of 11 and 3 o'clock, and see that the guards are vigilant in their duty. The officer of the guard is to visit the sentries every four hours during the night, and to see that the sentinel next the guard house every half hour cries out, all's well-passing it round from sentinel to sentinel-confining those who are negligent in this part of their duty. 66 The Colonel recommends to all under his command, as they regard their honor or safety, that they avoid all kind of plunder; but that public and private property be kept inviolable. “The commanding officer of each company to make a true return of the state of the arms, accoutrements and ammunition belonging to his company, that the commanding officer may know the state thereof this evening, in order to supply those who need as soon as possible. "SAM'L ELMER, Col." One of the Oneida Chiefs arrived here some time last night with information that there are 7000 Regulars and Indians now fortifying at Oswego, and making preparations to cross the Lakes; that when the Regulars arrived, they sent their Indians they then had, which were considerable, to the other Indians to come and join them, or else they would come up and destroy them root and branch-upon which the Cayugas, Onondagos and Senecas immediately fell in with them; the Oneidas and Tuscaroras still holding to their integrity and appear ready to assist us. No doubt a bloody battle must ensue if those blood-thirty savages and George's men, who are worse than savages, cross the Lake. God grant we may have success! The men were busily employed, notwithstanding it being a day of rest, in digging the trench round the fortification, under Capt. Walker. Col. Elmer dispatched an express to Albany this afternoon, to inform the General of the express he received from the Indians. Monday, September 9th, 1776.-P. M.-Lieut. Patterson returned from Albany. Brings more authenticated reports concerning the battle fought on Long Island between the King's troops and those of the American States. Generals Sullivan and Sterling are certainly taken prisoners; and General Parsons stood a very narrow chance therefor. It is said about 600 of our men were killed and 1800 of the King's: if so, although they obtained the ground, we certainly got the best of the battle. Busy towards evening in preparing some of our men, in order to march with Mr. Patterson to-morrow for Fort Schuyler. Had ball play for some time in the afternoon, at which the Colonel was a jovial spectator. Visited the sick, &c., in the evening. . Tuesday, September 10th, 1776.—Got up at reveilee beat and gave out to our men cartridges for their march, who were fixed out, and set off about sunrise. These which follow, viz., Jona. Lummis, Corporal Richard Burch, Isaac Hazleton, Abr'm Hazleton, Jno. Burroughs and Samuel Potter, leaving the remainder behind. After they were gone I went out and attended to the sick. Lieuts. Tuttle and Quimby and Serj. Wilkinson came up here to-day in a wagon, being unwell; and, after staying some short time, proceeded on to Fort Schuyler, leaving the company behind to follow after. Wednesday, September 11th, 1776.-The former part of the day was spent in attending the sick, &c., and reading Le Dran's Chirurgical works. By Lieuts. Tuttle and Quimby yesterday, I was informed that a number of militia were draughted from below to come up and reinforce us at this place, as it is expected we shall soon be attacked by 7000 of the enemy said to be at Oswego; a formidable enemy for us to encounter, indeed! Sat on a Court Martial to-day. All hands at this post are daily ordered out upon fatigue at sunrise, to labor at the Fort, which they are enlarging to a very great extent, enclosing near half an acre of ground. At 4 o'clock, P. M., Lieuts. Gordon and Anderson arrived here with Capt. Dickinson's Company. I went with them to wait on Col. Elmer for orders; they, after staying some time, proceeded on up to the batteaux and slept by them. I waited on the Colonel, and after considerable persuasion, prevailed on him to let me go up, provided I took with me all our men possibly able. Accordingly, after getting Dr. Cooke to take care of the sick behind, I made preparations for marching to-morrow morning. The batteaux were so loaded I could not get my chest nor any luggage up but what I carried. Settled all my accounts at this place, and took a parting drink with the officers here, as it may possibly be the last; and though they are all strangers to me, yet being embarked in the same cause, united by one common band, and suffering and obeying together with me, they appear near. Thursday, September 12th, 1776.—At reveilee beat I arose and prepared every thing; and about sunrise took my leave of all and departed from this place, with my knapsack and accoutrements on my back, and joined Capt. Dickinson's company 3 miles on the road. We marched on up to Thompson's, and there tarried until the batteaux arrived. One Mr. Hanson, a lawyer from Albany, came up also, who' is going to the Fort as Commissary to our Regiment. After a considerable halt, we proceeded on and marched up through the woods to old Fort Schuyler, now called Fort Desolation, the batteaux overtaking us again there, and night coming on we concluded to put up on the banks of the river; where Capt. Dickinson, Lt. Gordon, Mr. Hanson and self, built a very large fire: and although we had no other building but what the God of nature had formed, having the wide extended universe for both parlor and kitchen, and the canopy of heaven as the roof thereof; yet having a little rum we took a drink to cheer us, and having eaten a little of such provision as we had with us, we lay down in good spirits, though I had travelled all day through the woods with very heavy luggage. Friday, September 13th, 1776.-Got up tolerably refreshed, and wading over the river we proceeded on our march. About 10 o'clock, A. M., we arrived at Oreska; it coming on to rain very hard we put up there and staid all day, it continued to rain incessantly. Went over towards evening to Indian Georges, who has just come from the Oneida Castle, and by the help of an inhabitant for an interpreter, we discoursed considerably with him. He informs us that the Sachems had been in council and were determined to stand by their engagements-the whole of the Six Nations; that few Indians only were at Oswego; nor any more whites at Oswego than what have deserted and went with Sir John. He apprehends we shall be in no danger at this place. Saturday, September 14th, 1776.-The morning was cloudy and some small matter of rain; we, however, got up and proceeded on through mud and mire up the river, which proved a fatiguing route, and arrived at the Fort about 10 o'clock. I found upon my arrival the men here in pretty good health and spirits, and much pleased at meeting, verifying the saying, 'enemies become friends, in distress.' About 1 o'clock, P. M., Capt. Indian John with his party came in from Oswego, and informs us that very few Indians or whites are at Oswego; and by what he can learn does not imagine there are 1000 in all at Oswegacha. He was told that the last they heard from Sir John he was in Canada, and it is believed he is now there; he further says, the troops at those places are disheartened and almost perishing for provisions. God grant them no relief till their hearts are turned Scouts were sent out to-day upon occasion of an alarm happening last evening from three persons coming round the camp, supposed to be Indians, but could not be found afterwards. The scouts soon returned, informing us that they discovered some tracks of Indians, as they supposed, and by the route they took, believed they were gone down the river and might molest our batteauxs; upon which a scout of 30 men was immediately ordered to take them, of which I took the command, though just returned from a wearisome march. We discovered some tracks, and proceeded until we found all the batteauxs safe, and making no further discovery, nor like to, and night coming on, returned to the Fort. The night proved wet. Our men all slept in a barn surrounded with dung and mire; contiguous to which is our tent in which I lodged all night, Lt. Gifford being on guard, and the Captain, as usual, sleeping in a house. Slept quietly all night, except what molestation proceeded from the biting of fleas, which are here as thick as ever mosquetoes were in the salt marsh. Sunday, September 15th, 1776.-Ensign Kinney set out on express |