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/.*««*rf*.w/i*i#**jrf'fl«^»»^^/i»7*r,/Vi.^^j«Ar Anw ^im^gm Arf^'i^ „*/( ^^ A* i-*oS->* :&•«««' ^J»»X«.

LETTERS AND JOURNALS

REI.ATINO TO TUB

Wm 0f the ^meriQtt ilev0lttti0tt,

'«NI) TUB

CAPTURE OF THE GERMAN TROOPS
AT SARATOGA.

Rv MRS. GENERAL RIEDESEl,

TllANSLATED FllOM THE OIIIGINAL OEIIMAN,

By WILLIAM L. STONE,

AutMr of the Life and Times qf Sir WiUlam Johmon.

" ItUMANI NIHll, ALIENUM."

\M',A^^':
JOEL MUNSELL,

18C7.

Fliitercd according to Act of Congress in llie ycar.lWi",

By J. MUNSEIJ.,

In llie Clerl4'i> Office of tlie Dit-trict Court of tlio United Stntcf,

for the NortlU'rn ]>i*>trict of New Yorl<.

JAxMES B. ANGELL,
JJrcsibcnt of tl)c UniucrsitQ of bcrmont,

WHO

FIRST INSI'IHKI) MK WITH A I,OVK FOR TIIK (IKRMAN
liANdlJAUK AN1> MTKRATI'UK,

THIS VOLUM E

18 AFFECTIONATELV INSCRIBED.

TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE.

IIIK memory of Mudumc Hiudescl* will live
in the hearts of Amerieiius, as long as let-
ters shall euJurc. The child-like trust in Provi-
dence, which alouc enabled her to leave u luxurious
home and powerful friends, and follow her husband across
a pathless ocean into a strange land, then almost a wilderness, for
the sake of sharing with hiiu his trials and hardships, affords an
example worthy of our study and admiration. Nor can any one
peruse these touching records of a devoted, couj ugal love, chastened
and sanctified, as it was, by an unaffected religious experience,
without the consciousness of a higher ideal of faith and duty.

A few detached and imperfectly translated portions of these
letters were first published in English by General Wilkinson,
in his Memoirs of my own Times, and wore afterwards copied
into Professor Silliman's Tour in Canada. The work was sub-
sequently more fully translated and given to the public in 1827.
This translation, however, not only fails, in innumerable in-
stances, to convey the ideas and spirit of the original, but omits
nearly forty pages of the first and only German edition published

* Ried-csel, pronounced Ro-day-zcl, with accent on second syllable. Tbc cock-
neys in the British army pronounced it liud-bazcl.

g Th\\\sl.ATi)/rs I'llKhWi'K

jit lleiTiii ill ISttd.' Wlicii, tlim-lMif, a lew iikhiiIik niiice, Mr.
iMuiifioll projiosed tliut I slnnilil uiideitiiktMi new traiixlatioii witli
original and i-xjilanalory imti's. 1 ciiloifd into tlio work witli
alat-rity. I Iblt tluil it was a duty 1 <>\vi'd to tlio ineiiiory of
one, wild, as tlio assucialc and IVicnd of Wasliin^toii and
Sc'luiyliT. (larleti)n and Hiiijioym', was so ideiitilicd with the
early struj;jili'H oi' our national i.-xistt'iui', to iiresiuit lier cha-
racter to American readers in its true liiiht. In his attempt to
do tills, the translator of the edition of 1S27 has been only
partially successful ; and, while our thanks are justly due him
for hih pioneer cH'orts in this direction, still, justice to .Madame
Hiedesel forbids the incorporation of so incomplete a translation
into our standard literature. • For the pa.ssajres which liave
been omitted," says the translator in his preface to the edition
of 1M27. "no apolojry will be re((uired by those who can read
the original. The readinj^ purtioii of mankind has become so
hostile to vuliiarity, so delicate, and in some respects so fastidi-
ously refined, that many things and winds that were perfectly
innocent and itioffensive, or only pervertible by the sagacity of
proflipitcs and rakes, at a time not distant from that of Fielding
and Smollett, are now considered utterly disgraceful, and are
wholly banisbcd from polite literature." The etlcct of this
passage is to leave \\\>(n\ the minds of those who have not read

18(10. lUino, pp. X, ;&J.

The voyage of duty to America; letters of Mrs. General Kledesel, upon her jour
ney and during her si.\ years" sojourn In Amerka, at the time of war in that country,
in the years l"t(>-1783, written to Germany.

/•/.' I \ s7, I T'lir s /■/.'AT''. I ( A". 7

(lie (iriuiiial. a toljillv I'lil-c iiii|irr,*si(iii. If \\w I'i'ikIitm uI' lliis
voliiiiK! are so " fastiilioiisly ri'liiicil " us tn Ik; sliockiMl hy any
tliiiif,' whic'li llu' imic and Invcly Madanio llii'dt'scl liaH written,
it i« liiirli tiiud tiiat tiu- wdriis nf nm- cliastt'st aiitliorH bo put.
out ol" tlieir ruac'li, until tlioir morbid scnsibiliticM bo ro«torod to
a bcaltby tone. DesiLMicd lor no oyos but liiosc of iii'r inotlicr
and licr family, these letters liav(^ an unstiulied I'limiliarity.
There is, however, nothiiiir in them that ean oH'eml the correet
and enltivated taste of any true man or won: in. Many of them
were written amid tiic siekeuinji iiorrors of the eanip; and it is
lior iirtlcRs and faithful delineations of the scones through which
she passed, and the state of society in tiiis country at one of its
most momentous epochs, thai triveto her story its hij^hcst charm
and value.

A translation of a pa-ssajre Ironi Weld's Voi/ikjc to North Ann-
n'ra, in relation to tiio Indian cliief Tiniyendauegea, which forms
the appendix to the German vidume, has boon omitted, as the
original is accessible to the Knglisii reader. ]n its place
wo give, as of far more interest, a pcrsomil sketch of tho
baroness, including an account of her romantic courtship and

The appendix to the edition of 1827, contains several letters
from General lliede.^'el to Generals Washington and Gates.
These letters are not reproduced in this volume, as they
will soon appear in a translation of the Li/r imd W'n'litn/s
of (itncral Jimhm-f, upon which I am now engaged. This
work contains, besides Jliedcsel's military and personal jour-
nal during his residence in America, many additional letters
from Washington, Gates, Burgoyue, Schuyler, and other

TKA XSl.i TOirs ritFf'A IK.

revniiitiimar}' cliiiriicU'rH, which liavi! lu'vcr hocn piililixliod in
KiigllHh.

T(t Kavitl M. Stone, T. W. Field, mid the lato Theodore
])wij;lit of Urimlilyn ; Friedrirli Kapp, CliarloH Coii^^'don, and
l)avid T. Valentine of New York ; Hon. .Ind^'e Hay of Saratoga
Sprinjin; and to my loved teacher and friend, I'rof'eHHor Kobin-
Hon V. l>unn of Drown I'niverBity, I am indebted for kind and
valuable HUg^estions. Nor muxt 1 forget to thank Mr. John (*.
liiittre for the painH he Iuih taken with the nrtiHtie en}j;raving
whieh I'orniH the frontispiece of thiH volume.

One word further' in relation to the authenticity of the en-
graving it><elf.* Upon writing to Lieutenant Colonel Max Von
Kclking — the author of the Life ami Wri'tinys of (Hcncral KiciJ-
eitl, now residing at Meiningen — for a copy of the portrait
of the baronecH, he with great eourteny complied with my re-
quest, necomjianying the photograph with a letter, under date of
lleceuiber 7, 18(iG, from which I make the following extract:

" At last I am able to answer your wish. The only one to
whom I could apply is liaron Itotenhan, a grandson of Mrs.
General Riedesel, who has inherited the whule estate, and who
is, at the same time, in the possession of all the family portraits.
I, accordingly, send you enclosed the photograph, which you
will please send back after having iLsed it. IMcase send mc
five or six copies, which I would like to distribute among the
relatives of Mrs. Riedesel. IJaron Kotenhan has not given mo
any other items in relation to Mrs. Riedesel, although I asked

♦Till' porlrnlt from which the enprnving is taken, rcprcscntH Mndnine nicdoPRl
at the n}.'c' of HLxtceii, a lew weeks before her marriage. Il was painted by the
eelebralcd (ierniaii artist, TiDClibein, in ITtl'J.

Tit. ( \si. . I rmrs fiinh- 1 < >;.

liiiii i'or llu'iii. I'i'dlxilil)' lio tliit'H nul kimw iiinrt' tliiiii tlial
wliicli I Imvi! HtiiUid in my I)io;;rii|iliy oC tlir (Jtiiicral, wliicli was
('(itiiiiiuiii(riitt'il til me liy IiIh huh."

Tito kiiiilri(WH of tlii.n rejily, ns well is the iir(im|it iinil M|i|in'-
c'iativc rcHjKiiiHt! of liii'iit. ('ill. Kflkin<:iiii(l Itninii Nun l{iil(!iihaii
to my n>i|ui'Ht, will, I iiin cunlidi'iit, (uiiiiiicikI ilicm tn tin-
gi'utitudc of tlio American ]iiiblif.

W 1 1,1.1.. M L. Stom;

S(iriito(/ii Sj>n'ui/ii, Jiiniiiin/ \sl, 1H(»7.

PREFACE TO THE GERMAN EDITION.

OF those Gcrnian troops which England liirod for tho pnrposo
of concuR'ring her revolted colonies, (Jeneral Itiedesel com-
manded the Rrunswickers.* In the year 1770, he departed
for America at tlic head of those troops, leaving his wife with the wish
that she, together with their children, would follow him to that portion
of the glol)e. This she did, and thus created the occasion for the let-
ters which the reader will tind in this little volume. The authoress
wrote them to her mother, the widow of Ihe minister of stale, his
excellency Iterrvon JLissow, and a few intimate friends while upon
her dangerous voyage and during lier sojourn in America.

A few years subsequently, this correspondence came into the hands
of her son-in-law, Count Henry Reuss the XLIV, grand-marshal and
chamberlain to llu^ court of Berlin.

The count took advantage of the leisure of one summer, which he
spent with his i)areiits-in-law at their country-seal, to arrange the
letters in order, and, on account of the great interest which they
excited among all the relative's, he had tliem, the following winter,
l)rinted as numuscript for the family, though only a very small
numl)er of copies wro printed.

General Kiidesel, however, did not live to see them in print, lie
died on the sixth of January of the same year, while holding the

•Early in tlie yunr 177(i, Eujiliind entered Into freaticH willi the smaller German
Hiates to take into lier service '.iO.OOO ficrnian troops. The exact number of those
hired was Ki.lKX). of these more than 4,(KM) were llriinswickers. Those latter, as
stated in the text, were placed under the command of General Hiedesel. They
consisted, according to Max Von Eelkini;, the learned and industrious (iernian histo-
rian, of the foUowinj; troops: 1st, a retrimentof (dismounted) l)rai;oons. under I.ieut.
Col. Baum. 2d, I'rince Frederick's re^iiment of Infantry ; I.ieut. (.'ol. I'ralorius. 3d,
Khct's rejiiment of Infantry ; Lieut. Col. von Ehrenkrook. Itli, Riedescl's former
rojiiment of Infantry ; Lieut. Col. von Specht. Oth, (irenadiers; Lieut. Col. Urey-
num. Tth, Uitle Battalion (Jagers) : Lieut. Col. Barncr.

PliEFA CE ro THE GEItilAN EHITIOS.

position of lieiitenant-genern), ami conunundant of llie city of
Brunswick.

Even witliout tliis liistorj- of tlie appearance of tliese letters, one
can easily see from the letters themselves, tliat tiiey were not designed
for publication ; still as it is not every thing intended for publication
which is, for that reason, deserving of being printed, so there is cer-
tainly much that is withheld from the i)ul)lic, which is worthy of
being brought to its notice. Es])ecially, did this seem to nio to be the
case with these letters ; and, accordingly, when one of these copies
was presented me by th" right h(jnorable editor, I entreated him to
allow me to prepare an edition for the pul)lic. The count granted
the recpiest, with tiie remark, "Yes, certainly, if you think good can
be accomplished b\' it." I am most assuredly of that opinion. If
examples arc more heeded than mere precepts ; if fervid attachment
in conjugal life ; if religious observance of the duties of a mother; if
it is true that in all circumstances and situations of life, nothing
atlbrds so nnich satisfaction as the consciousness of having acted
according to the dictates of dutj- ; if sacrifices and self-denials of all
kinds do not impair the ellbrts toward fultilling that duty; if a deter-
mined resignation to unalterable circ\unstances ; if all this is worthy
of imitation, and so much the more estimable as it is perhaps rarely
to be found, especially among the higher classes ; then the publication
of a l)ook wliicli exhit)its the actual practice of all these virtues, cer-
tainly cannot be without profit. In .so far a-s truth is of more value
than fiction, the greater will be the interest with which these letters
will be read, because they rest upon facts, while in reading even the
best of romances, the conviction that all was invented for the pur-
poses of instruction, must, after all, lessen the atl'ectionate sympathy
and weaken the moral etfect that had been intended.

With the approbation of the highly respected and honorable editor,
I have altered the title of this little work for the present edition. In
the one designed only for the family it runs thus :

"Extracts from the letters ami jjapcrs of General, Han)n de Kiede-
"sel and his wife ne<^ Massow, concerning their common voyage to
" America and fhcir sojourn in that country, compiled and arranged
" by their son-in-law, Count Ileuss. Printed an nutniiitcfipt for the
"familyr

The great ninnber of l)ooks, which are now i)ublished, make it
particularly desirable, if not for the general reader, at least for the
trade, that l)ooks of similar contents should be distinguished as much
as possible by the title, csik :'ially when they relate to joiirnci/i*. If,

lllll

PHEFACE TO THE OERM.LY EDITIoy.

tliirfforc, a title is nuicli lietter if it is cliaiiuttciistic, I need nmke no
apoloiiy for ealling this " Tlie Voya,<;c of Duty 'to Anieriea," espe-
cially as ]Mrs. (teneral Hiedesel does not come tinder tlie category of
those whom Yorick classes as travelers. Proofs of the correctness
of tills discriminating title, the reader will find upon every page of
the book, if indeed it is not literally justified on pages oO, 38, and
200.* That tlie title does not mention tlie letters of General Hiedesel,
and the fragment of his journal which relates to the military opera-
tions of the Knglish General Biirgoyne, must be excused by the fact
that these letters are, iii> this connection, nothing but a part of a
drama ; and the military report must be considered merely as an
episode.

A few typograi)hical errors, which I shall not allow to remain
standing in a revised edition, the reader, I hope, will excuse — espe-
cially as they consist, for the most part, of omissions of types which
can be set right without difliculty.

The vigucttc of the title page represents a prominent cape in the
St. Lawrence river (cape Diamond), which is a tliousand feet above
the level of the water, is the highest and most fortified point of
Quebec, and, in fact, may be regarded as the citadel of the city.

In addition, also, to the fact that this promontory presents a most
pi(^tures(iue appearance, it is particularly deserving of being here
given as an embellislmicnt, since it was the much longed for goal of
the tedious voyage of the authoress, as well as the signal of its ter-
mination. 1 have borrowed this suitable little ornament from Weld's
Journey to j\'orth Ainiriat, a work that was issued from m^' publishing
house at the same time with the letters of ^Irs. General Riedesel ;
and the reading of which I can confidently recommend as \ery
interesting to all those who wish to get a true and comprehensive
idea of the recent condition of the free states of North America and

the Canadas.f

Caul Speneu.
nerliii, May Sth, 1800.

.a.

* These designated pages will l)e found, in this translation. In the twenty-first
letter, in the first portion of " The account of Sirs. Goncral Riedesel's journey from
Wolfenbtlttel to Bristol," and in her remarks just previous to her departure from
Cambridge to Virginia.

t Weld sojourned in North America from the end of the year 1795 to the hegln-
nlng of the year 1737.

PERSONAL SKETCH.

KEDERIKA VON MASSOW, iilUr-
Wiirds Bamiioss Riedcsel, was born in
1T4(J. Her lather, Lord von Massow who was
commissioned by Frederick II, a governing presi-
dent of the allied army, acted as commissary in
chief, and as audi was entrusted with tlie general
management of atfairs. He was a man of sterling worth, and in every
respect deserving of the trust reposed in him l)y that monarch. Being
obliged to remain a long time at tlie theatre of war, and not wishing
to be separated from his family, they were domiciliated near him.

H(n-r von Ma.ssow seems to have been a genial gentleman, and his
house was open to many officers, who eitlicr were quartered in the
same place with him, or resided in the vicinity. He had also a sou
in the allied army, and he, too, often brought his friends to the pa-
rental roof Sirs. Massow, we are informed, was an extremely amiable
lady, who untlerstood well how to do the honors of her house, at the
same time that her husband licpt an excellent tr.bhr But that which
more than all drew the young officers to this hospitable house, were
the beautiful and lovely daughters of the commissary, who by their
grace and unaffected manners bewitched not only the younger offi-
cers, but the older and more experienced g<'nerals.

Riedesel had been in official correspondence with llerrvon Massow
for sometime previous to his becoming personally acquainted with
him or his family. He was, therefore, on Ids first appearance at
head-([uarters, received like an old acquaintance, and as such intro-
duced to the meml)ci-s of ttie household; where, standing high, as he
did, in favor with the duke Ferdinand, he was received with all the
more distinction.
Frederika (called by her own family Fritschen) made a deep im-

PEliSONAL SKETCtl OF

prcssion upon tlic Iienrt of the yonnji cnviilry captain, and an alli-
anre would have been proi>osed in tlie winter of IT.W-Ck), but for
various adverse eireunistances arising from tlie war. In liis absence
however, lie had a friend at court, in the jierson of the eccentric
GUnther, who atHerwards became a distinguished oflicer; from wliosc
corre8i)ondence we gather an amusing episode of the young lady.
It seems that he did not jyarticularly enjoy her favor, and gives vent
to his grief in a letter to liiedesel dated at Minden, the 2d December,
as follows :

" * * * Slie is truly worthy of the affection of such a
deserving and distinguished man as yourself You must not regard
what I write you on this subject as tlattery, which I detest. But,
my friend, I nuist ask a favor of you. Frederika is very much preju-
diced against me, and treats me like a coach horse, capricious))', and
seems determined to discern oidy my bad (lualities. You know nie,
however, and I can at least Halter myself of having this piece of good
fortune. I{(?present my character to her in another and a better light.
I should feel ver\' much grieved if a ladj' of so noble a character, and
so many accomplishments as Frederika, should have such a bad
opinion of me. I know that it is possible for you to convince her of

the purity of my sentiments. She has confessed to Madam 11 ^^

that she loves vou most tenderlv. I congratulate you from the bot-
torn of my heart, and hope that an early peace will aid you in
attaining to the possession of so many charms. Now dear Hiedesel,
adieu. Think occasionally, in the Intoxication of your joy, of poor
Gunther, who, shut otf from all human intercourse, has no other
pleasure, at present, than of knowing of your happiness, and of re-
maining to the last moment of his life.

Yours truly and sincerely,

GUNTIIEK."

His colonel, .Teannert, Avho also frequently visited the 3Iassow
family, and knew the state of affairs between the parties, often in his
dry manner, expatiated at length upon the beauty and loveliness of
the jiingfruu, aiul prophesied an early peace. This friendship and
interest often found expression in his official h-tters upon patrols and
foraging, and was mingled in them with denunciations of his hard
life and miserable cpiarters.

Toward the end of the j'car 1762, Riedesel ventured to follow the
dictates of his heart, and inform the duke of the state of his feelings in
respect to Miss Massow, at the same time asking, with all due form, his
permission to the union. The duke, who had known for a long time

-V/fN. UK\KI!M. Ulh:i>Ksh:i..

'< (l

how miiUers stood, chccrfiilly consented, and eongratidiited him most
graciouslj'. Neither liiedesel's parents nor those of ]Miss Massow had
as yet given their formal consent to this union. The duke, there-
fore, after the custom of those days, offered to act as negotiator, and
retiuest their i)erniission to tlie mateii. lie accordingly wrote first
to his brother, the reigning duke, and having obtained his approba-
tion, applied on the 12th of December to the i)arents of the lovers,
fortheir consent. This obtained, he did not rest salistied until he had
himself arranged the nuptials at his head-ipiarters. Thus it was tluit
the last days of th<; year were to be spi-nt, at\cr so many privations
and dangers, in a joj'ful and happy union.

The 21st of December was appointed for the marriage. There
were bu.sy times in the little handet of Newhaus. Adjutants and
artillery ollicers galloped up and down the streets, and all was ani-
mation. Numbers of carriages containing richly dressed ladies were
out, and the whole town gave indications of a gala day. As may
naturally be supposed, there was no lack of parade, gifts and poems.
The Duke Ferdinand, the heir to the tiirone. Prince Friederich,
General llomboldt, Adjutant lieden, Private Secretary AVestphal,
Colonels Schielfen, Oynhausen and Veltheim, and others, had their
portraits painted in oil in full size, which they presented to the bride-
groom in conunemoration of the day.* Four of the most beautiful
ladies had their i)ictures taken, representing the four seasons — the
bride impersonating spring.

JIadamc Hiedesel, af\er the nuptials, remained with her family,
while her husband marched w'ith his regiment into the duchy of
Brunswick, and went into garrison at WolfenbUttel, where \w. pui-
cliased a house. The close of the seven years' war soon at\er,
gave opportunity for a few years of respite from hostile strife, until
the revolution in America disturlu'd the domestic relations of the
baroness. The following pages describe the adventures that l)efell her
during the period in which she followed the fortunes of her husband
and countrymen in America, and form one of tiic most interesting
books tiiat have api)eare(l in connection with that memorable con-
test. On her return to Germany, in 1788, she enjoyed a respite of
four years from the alarms of war, when lier husband was advanced
to the rank of lieutenant-general, and was sent into Holland to
support the cause of the stadtholder; atler which he returned to

* The portraits of these offlccrH, which liung in the micestral castle at Laiiter-
bach, were destroyed in tliegcuerol pilUife'e of the place in 1«-18.

rnrrr

ifi

PERSONAL SKBTCir.

Lauterbiicli. In 1704 lie was •aiipointod coinmandant of the city of
Brunswick, and died tlicrc in 1800.

^ludanic Hicdcsd survived licr husband ciglil years, and died at.
Berlin, 39th iMardi, 1808, at tlie age of 02. "She rests l)y the side of
lier beloved consort in the family vault at Lauterbach. Of her nine
children three were living in 185(5, namely: Caroline, unmarried;
America, widow of Count Bernsdorf; and Charlotte, the wife of
Major Von SchOning, in the .service of the king of Saxony, llcr only
son, George, died 4th August, 1854, at Buchwald in Silesia. Frede-
rika, the second daughter of Madame Riedesel, who accompanied
her in all her wanderings in America, became one of the most dis-
tinguished women of her day. She married the Count Hcden (who
died in 1854), and resided at Buchwald, which was the resort of all
the celcl)rated men of the age. It was a favorite retreat of Hum-
boldt, and also of Baron Stein. jMadame Iteden, accordingly, was
on warm terms of friendsldp with the pronuncnt men of the time ;
and, after her death, the king of Prussia, Friederich "William, witli
whom she was intimate, caused a beautiful monument to be erected
to her memory, with an a]ipropriate inscription. She left but one
daughter, who was married to Baron von Rotenhan, at Reutweins-
dorf, in Bavaria, with whom this branch of the fixmily of Riedesel
dies out.

L E T T E R S .

JPVom General Riedesel to his Wife.

Lkifeut, Feb. 22d, 1776.

|E AREST WIFE : Never have I suffered more than
upon my departure this morning. My heart was
broken ; and could I have gone back wlio knows
what I might have done. But, my darling, God
has placed me in my present calling, and I must follow it. Duty
and honor force me to this decision, and we must be comforted
by this reflection and not murmur. Indeed, my chief solicitude
arises from the state of your own health, in view of your ap-
proaching confinement. The care of our dear daughters, also,
gives me anxiety. Guard most preciously the dear ones. I
love them most fondly.

I am thus far on my journey without accident and in good
health, although very tired in con.sequence of my anxiety of
mind the past few days. I am hoping, however, ibr a refresh-
ing sleep, and trust that you may be blessed in a similar manner.
I have this evening been raised to the rank of major-general.*

♦The confidence which was roposed in Uicdesel is sliown in tlie following letter
to him from his duke, written just previous to his receiving his promotion. It
would seem, also, from the letter itself, that Kiedesel had expressed to the writer
his solicitude at leaving his wife and family.

BucNswicK, Feb. Uth, 1TT6.
My Dearest Colonel Riedesel : I hnve received your report of this day, wherein
you mention to me that every thing is arranged for to-morrow's march. Thank-
fully acknowledging your faithful services and cordial sentiments toward me, I do
not doubt, in the least, that you will acquit yourself to my perfect satisfaction with

hKTTKItS AM) ./or/t.\A/.S

Therefore, my own Mrs. (letieriil, take g(»od care of your health,
in order tliat you may follow me as (juickly as possible after
your happy delivery.

GiFIK.RN, F<h. 23r/, 1770.

I have just arrived at Gifhorn, fortunately without accident,
and, God be prai-ied, Mithout any desertion. J niijjht have
slept well last ni<iht had not my spirit been constantly with
you aud my dear children. Ah ! dear wife, you did not
notice — and I am <j,lad you did not — how much 1 have .suft'ered
the last four weeks, and what it has cost me to conceal from
you my distress. My mind has not suffered .so much from work
(for to that T am habituated) as it ha.'' from melancholy and
anxiety. Now, however, it is over with. God has so ordered
it; let his will be done.

I do not doubt that you will be able to follow me as soon as
yiiiir confinement is safely over. Nurse carefully your own
health, and do not venture too much with the young children.
I think that the eldest and Frederica, also, will stand the
journey well. IJut you nnist be careful, and not too greatly
expose the youngest — Avhether it be a boy or a girl — nor
injure it by excessive tenderness. It is better to bo separated
from a dearly loved child, for a little while, than to reproach
yourself witii its premature death.

Secondly; you must not set out on your journey until you
have received my first letters from America, from which you
will learn where 1 am myself. Thirdly, and lastly, you must

the command entrusted to you. Yon may rest assured that if, in an uniioped for

case, it elionld please Heaven to take away your life, your wile and children shall

be cared for as nmch as possible. But I liope and wish, that you may come back iu

God's own time, safe and well, even if you should not meet ine ajrain on earth.

In the mean time, I hope to see you to-morrow, to wish you in person, all possible

luck ; and I remain.

Your affectioDato

^ Carl,

Duke of Brunswick and Luneburg,
To Colonel Van Kiedesel.

' ^

OF Sins. (iKSKIt.lh ItlHOKsKh.

obtain good letters of introduction to people in Knj;land, in
order that your temporary wojoiirii in that country nuiy be
agreeable. Ikcnienilier, al.so, to travel by short stages, and do
not expose the children too much to the air.

' 4

HAlTKKNHiiTTEL, Feb. 2bth, 1770.

I received, dear wife, your first letter early this morning ;
and I thank God that you are well, and disposed to ac(juicsce
in that which my duty and God's will have imposed upon me.
Pray to our Heavenly Father that you may continue in this
frame of mind, and he will assuredly give you the needful
strength to overcome all rebellious i'celings. I continue, thanks
to a kind Providence, in good health, but, of necessity, am yet
deprived of sleep, and my heart is still heavy. The presence
of yourself and the dear children are wanting to my happiness.
What says my little (Justava? And how is the cunning elf
Frcderica ? Remember me to Madame Paaseli and her daugh-
ter, and say to the latter that she must write me a letter (which
you arc not to read) about your health and state of mind.

Kiss our sweet little Gustava and Frederica for me, and rest
assured that I am ever, &c.

Amelinohausen, Feb. 'l[)th, 1770.

1 will, in a few words, give you my diary. You know that
on the 22d I was at Leifert, downhearted, thoughtful, and
wearied, not liaving yet been able to obtain sleep.

On the 23d, I spent a disagreeable, cold day at G if horn,
where, by the by, I dined with (Jeneral Bremer.

On the 24:tli we were at Haukenbiittel, where we had a day's
rest.

The 25th and 20th were spent at ^'^ricst'adt. I reviewed my
regiment of dragoons, which lay encamped at the country-seat
of a Mr. de Grote.

i^a

Lhri'TKUS .WD .101 l!.\ALS

Oil the 27th i arrived at Khsdort'; luid on tlie 28th roiichod
AiucliiighaiiMcn. At thiw place I inspected my infantry rojji-
nient, and retnrned to my (juarters in this village at eleven
o'clock last evening.

Yesterday, my regiment of dragoons overtook me, and I shall
retain it by me nntil we come to Htade, which we shall reach
by the fifth of March. To-day I .■^hall again have u large dinner
company. We generally have twelve persons at table. On
our marching-days we have five, and on onr resting-days six
dishes. Our kitchen expenses average half a louis d'or a day.

With this letter \ send another to little (iustava and Frede-
riea, whom I embrace tenderly, and with heart and soul um
ever entirely thine.

iStade, March M, 1770.

I write you this, it is true, in great weariness, but with a
joyful heart at the successful embarkation of the dragoon and
grenadier regiments. At seven o'clock we began to put the
men on board, and in loss than three hours not a single man
remained in the city — all were upon the Elbe, an hour and a
half's journey hence. The departure of the boats was one of
the most beautiful spectacles that can be imagined. All was
contentment and happiness, and the citizens could not suffi-
ciently praise the good order in which the embarkation wiis
effected, and the admirable management of the troops during
their sojourn in the city. Q'o-morrow, Prince Frederick's
regiment and mine will arrive, but I do not yet know when
they will endjark, since half of our ships are still missing;
neither does any one know when they will make their appear-
ance, as their crews were not ready at the time that those which
are here, sailed from England.

I think, also, that T shall remain here at least eight days
longer. I shall have, however, on board my ship a good offi-
cer — Captain Foy, whom you will doubtless remember to have

oh' MIts. liKSKIlM. /I/ KOKs /■:/..

MOiiii at .Mimloii. II(! was ronnorly "" Dtticor in the l'lnj;lisli
artillery, and Ih a vory hiv^o. man. Tliis Foy lias an Anioriean
wit'f who is at jircsciit in I'iiiiiiand. lie is desirons to liave his
wife Join hint in Anieriea as soon as it is more (|niet, and he
would bo very ninch pleased if she conld aeconi])any you thither,
but not until ho and I know where wc are to be stationed.

This Foy will remain with mo until wo reach America in
Kd/rh/ ; for ho tells mo that our voyajio across will be but a
mere trifle. The .nhip in which 1 shall sail from here is the
Pallas — a very {^ood ship, but having; a somewhat small state-
room for the seven whom I am compelled to have with mo.
Foy ass\ires nie, however, that I shall sail from Portsmouth on
board a man-ol'-war of lar};o burden. I have to-day examined
all the ships fit for service that are in this port.

But enoufrh of myself, dearest wife. Now let me say a word
to you in whose welfare I am more interested tluin in my own.
J hope that you are now entirely recovered from your contine-
ment, and toward April will be ready to march ! *

h ■ i

Stai>k, MiitIi iHth, 177(1.

J)oar Wife: Here am 1 upon the point of embarking, having
entire trust in the mercy of that God who lias lovingly guided
my steps up to the present time. Do not lot this news give
you uneasiness, for, believe me, one can have a right good time
t)n board a ship. I have very good company ; and when I
arrive oft" the Fnglish coast, and have been transferred to a
mau-of-war, my situation will be still more pleasant.

It is therefore decided, that you are to go to Plymouth as
soon as your health and that of our newly born little daughter

•Orperlinps more literally "in nifirchlnntriin." This playful and sprinrlitly allu-
sion to his own profession is entirely lost in the trnnslation of 1827, where the passage
is tamely rendered, " I hope yon will be ready for the voya;;o." This, however, is
only one out of innumerable instances in wliieh tlint translation, as stated in the
preface, siijuuliy fails to convey the Kpiril of the original.

i.hrrt-iis .[\/i .ittiusM.s

Ciiriiliiu', will pormit ; iiik'. tliat yi>ii will then) await llu' iicwm
(if my arrival in Aiii*>rica. Ko not ini|iatit'nt. (mkI loves un
too well not to lirin^' us to;:<>tiu>r a^iiin as soon as iiractii-alilo.

iMy brotlicr will dint' with \\w to inorrnw, and tliun all will
be over. 1 look forward to it with dt'cj) niflanclioly. Knibraco
our children, yes, our dear ehildren lor mo. The sliiji awaits
ine. liove me always. Take care of your |ireeious health tor
my sake, and be assured that 1 urn over wholly thine.

On Uoaui) tiik I'ai-i-as, Murvh 'l\»t, 177(5.

Here we are still (juietly lyin;; before Stade, in conse((uenco
of contrary winds ; we must therefore have jiatience. Never-
theless wo shall to-day noon proceed to l''ryburg, which is not
far from (iliickstadt, where we .shall wait for more favorable
winds to carry us out to sea. and across to Krijiland. Mean-
while we are (juite content. Your presence cndy is necessary to
comiilete my hapitincss, fiu" I confess that I have the greatest
longiiiji to see you onei' more.

For your amusement, and tliat yon may seci how wo pass
away our time, I, herewith, send my journal.

First then, we have a state-room almost as large as your
sitting-room. I'ljon both sides are two small cabins, in one of
which is my bed, and in the other that of Captain Foy. In the
state-room itself, on both sides, are fixed four beds, in which
sleep Captains Ilenseb, (ierlach. and Cleve, and the captain of
the horse, Fricke. The cashier, tlio keeper of the uiilitury-
chest, and the secretary, are in that part of the ship reserved
for the soldiers, a private stateroom having been put up espe-
cially for them.

I rise about seven o'clock in the morning, after having said
my prayers in bed. We dress ourselves ((uickly, and breakfast
after tlie Knglisli fashion upon tea and bread and butter. Then
I go upon deck to smoke my pipe. After that I write or read,
drink my coft'ee, walk up and down with both the Englishmen,

iiF }f//>i. Hh:\h:itM. lUKrtKsKI.

2:1

aiitl with (iiu) or twi» |ii|H's iiKiri! |iiiss away niv <'>"i' until two
(I'cliu'k wlieii wo havo (liinutr. Wn linvo iiino jKfrmms at taldo,
have tliriu! ili.sliuH, and cat nearly an iiniii'. 'I'licn the talilti
cldtli is taken (if}', and we spend nearly lialt'or tliree i|uarlerH nl'
an li(i\ir drinkin;; diHbrent liealtliH as follows : Kiist, the kin;; ;
•second, the duke ; tliird, yours and the cliildrcn ; I'oiirth, Cap-
lain l'"oy's wile; fifth, a ^ood sea-voyaue ; and sixth, a sueeessl'iil
expedition in Anieriea. At four o'cloek, all is finished. l''our
bottles of wine are (uuisiuned daily, to^^cther with half a bottle
of arraek * for punch. Afterwards I drink cort'ee with tlu)
Kn^Iishiii' The remaining; ^(intlenien providi! for thelnselv(^s.
.\fter eetli 1 visit tlu; other v(!ssels ; and in the evening' play
a rubber of whist. At half-past tii^bt cold meat is brought,
on — also wine for whoever will drink, and beer — and at ten
o'clock all of us Jill to bed, aiul in this manner one day after
another pusses by.

Captain Foy ^oe.s from Dover to London to report hiniHelf to
the kin^, and will rejoin me at Portsmouth. Upon his arrival
there, I shall be transferred to a man-of-war, where every tiling
will be more agreeably arranged for my comfort.

(ieneral (iaue returned from America in this ship, at which
time it had ei^ht .small state-rooms, an ajiartment for the gene-
ral, and a dining room ; all of which will be ajj,ain fitted up.
But of all this you shall hear in detail from me at i'ortsmouth,
as also of the condition of things in America, and of the safest
and ((uickest way for us ugain to see each other.

On Boaui) tiik Pai.i.as, .1Aov7/ 23(/, 1770, on tlu' oiien sea
at tlic Ked Ton, wlicrc the jiilols leave tlie sliips.

Hero we are upon the open sea. The pilots arc about taking
their departure, and, through them 1 write you my last letter
from the extreme limits of (iermauy. Fear nothing; we are

* I. e., spirituous liquor dletiUcd from rico.

LETTEHS A\0 JOCUSALS

all very well, and I hope wc shall make the entire passage-
across to Hpithead safely, and, once accustomed to the broad
sea, reacli America in perfect health.

Foy promises that I shall be off the heights of Spithead on
Wednesday at the latest; and the first thing of which I shall
think, will be to inform you of our arrival and of the state of
my health.

On Board tjie P.\i>i,as, opposite
Dover, Mitrch -mth, ITTO.

I write you the instant we come in sight of the English coast.
Captain Foy, who goes to London, will post this letter from
that city. I mention to you with satisfaction that I have not
been imwell a moment; still less have I been sea-sick; but, on
the contrary, have had a good appetite and good sleep the whole
time. The soldiers, however, and also my servants, have mostly
all been sick and yet remain so. The poor cook is so bad that
he cannot do the least work, indeed, he cannot even raise his
head. This is very inconvenient, since Captain Foy and )ny-
self are obliged to attend to the cooking, which would amuse
you could you see us.

T will now give you a brief account of our voyage. Thursday,
we sailed from Stade to Fryburg It was a magnificent specta-
cle to see the beautiful villages upon both banks of the stream.
Gliickstadt, a fine Danish fortress, we left upon our right. We
were in fine .spirits, ate and drank heartily, and played whist in
the evening.

Friday, we made sail for Uitzebiittel or Cashaven, where we
hove to at evening in order to land and see the city, and play a
ruber of whist.

Saturday we went to sea with a very gentle wind. We, how-
ever, hardly believed that we were at sea. We were all well
and eat with great appetite. From the Red Ton, where the
Hanoverian pilots left us T wrote you my last letter. In the

OF M/fS. (iKXK/lAL /tfKDESKL.

arternoon, fisheniicu from Helgoland came on board, and I
bought, for two tlialcrs,* a large codfish, twenty haddocks, and
four flounders, which I could not have obtained in Brunswick
for ten thalors. Kainy weather now came on.

Sunday morning we had a heavy fog, and tlie sea became
boisterous. Two guns were fired from our ship to indicate to
the other vessels the route for them to take. The fog now
lifted, the wind and the waves rose, but still there was no storm.
Now all were sick. The cook could not cook. Miiller could
not dress me. A^alentine could find nothing. To sum up,
great lamentation and great blundering arose on all sides.
Hungry, i had nothing to eat. Finally, Captain Foy and my-
self cooked a pea soup in the sailor's kitchen, and eat cold roast
beef which made up our whole dinner. The soldiers eat
nothing.

Monday the weather was somewhat milder, and some of the
people betame better, though most of them remained sick.
Captain Foy and I once more cooked a portable bouillon soup,
a cod with anchovy sauce, a ragout from roast beef, and a piece
of roast veal with potatoes.

Tuesday we had the most beautiful weather in the world,
and a few of the people became again well. The soldiers cooked
for thcv 'selves, but the cook still could do nothing. Foy and
myself, therefore, again did the cooking. We had rice soup,
yellow turnips witli beef, codH.'^h with anchovy sauce, and a
ragout of veal. From a dis^tance one could see land.

To-day, '.Vednesday, we are opposite Dover Captain Foy
goes from us and takes this letter with him. Dearest angel,
remember that every one may bo sick upim the water ; conse-
((uently, you will have very little help from your servants.
You nmb',, therefore, choose the shortest route to Fngland. I
think the best one will be by way of Calais.

Captain Foy says that if Quebec is still ours, and there is

* A tlialer la Bcventy-five cents of American iiiouoy.

LETTERS A.\D JOVUXALS

American army this side of jMontreal, not only lie, but General
Carleton, also, will have his wife join him. You must posi-
tively not set out on your journey before they do — then you
can accompany them and travel with more safety, as yon will
have company and attendance, and want for nothing.

On Board the Pallas, in the harbor of
Portsmouth, March 2m, 1770.

You see, dear wife, that I let slip no ojiportunity to give you
news from me. Here we are happily arrived in the harbor of
J'lymouth, and I am on the point of going into the city to pay
a visit to Admiral Douglas and the other generals who, like
ourselves, are here for the purpose of embarking for America.
Our servants are again well, and the cook has returned to my
employ to the great benefit of my stomach. You cannot
imagine a more beautiful spectacle than that which we had
early yesterday morning at six o'clock, when we were so near
to Calais that we could distinguish every house, while at the
same time and from the same spot we could see the city of Dover
on the English coast. At nine o'clock Foy left us to go to
London, and. during the entire day, we sailed along the Eng-
lish coast, and had every instant a view of a new town. People
in the fields jiloughing. and travelers, all gazed curiously at our
little fleet. In this manner time passed until evening; after
which I slept peacefully, and at five o'clock this morning saw
Portsmouth. By nine o'clock we had anchored; and are now
on the point of going ashore.

-44

Ox BoAiiD THE Pai,i..\s, bctwocn Portsmouth
luul Plymoutli, April iU/i, 17T(i.

Our departure from Plymouth followed sooner than T ex-
pected; I'or the wind having become propitious we immediately
weighed anchor, and day before yesterday at eleven o'clock

OF .Vli-1. GEXEnAf, lilKOKsEL.

in tlie luorniug, we wore ott" — thirty sail strong — amid the
salutes of all our cannon, and those of the fleet that were still
lying oft' the harbor of Spithead. On the fifth, the wind became
unfavorable and remained so until this morning. Now, we go
with a good wind straight to Plymouth, where, it is true, we
shall not stop, though I hope to find some means of sending
this letter into the city. God be praised that he has kept your
husband so healthy. Several officers, and among them, my
English adjutant, are already sick; but T am still well, have a
good appetite, and sleep soundly; and, therefore, hope to remain
in health uutil I arrive in America.

I think this will be the last letter that you will receive from
me until our arrival in America. Possibly, however, on the
way over, we may meet with some ship to whose care I can
entrust a letter, for which opportunity I shall be constantly on
the watch.

There are still several points upon which T must give you
advice. Before you leave Brunswick, you mast procure letters
of introduction, in order that when in London, you may procure
lodgings in a private house, and not at a hotel. Then you will
be able to make a definite bargain for those days that you may
remain there, for your lodging, breakfast, dinner and tea. And
by doing in this manner, you will find yourself much better
off" than if you had stayed at a public house where every
thing is three times as dear. For example ; ibv seven days'
lodging of myself, my two adjutants and our servants, one din-
ner and seven suppers — the dinne- for twelve persons the
supper for four — I was obliged to pay twenty-two pounds
sterling, (n\ in our money one hundred and thirty-two thalers.

This rule you will be obliged to observe at all places where
you intend remaining some days. Should you go to Exeter,
l^lymouth or Bristol (in which latter place ^[adame Foy is),
you must ascertain, while in liondon. at what private houses
you can obtain lodgings. Such private houses, where, for a
definite sum, you may lodge and board, are plenty in England.

V*,'

«^^

LEXTKIiS AXO JOULXALS

I advise you farther, tliat while in London or olsewliere, you
examine the class of vessels upon which travelers usually take
passage, so that you can arrange your plans in reference to your
sleeping arrangements; for you cannot have with you more
than one child — the other must sleep with the nurse, and the
smallest will he obliged to lie in a hammock.

You must buy in London bouillon-cake, with which, should
the fresli meat give out, you aud the children may have a good
broth.

On Board the Pallas, April 24th, 177G.

Since the fourth instant — the day of our departure from
Plymouth — we have sailed upon the great ocean, now with
good, and now with bad winds; and three times already we
have had such gales that we came near having a storm. All
have been sick; but, thanks to God, I hold out well, with the
best of health.

We have now traveled over five hundred and seven full Ger-
man miles from Stade, and have yet to make three hundred
miles before we reach Quebec. In five or six days more, we
shall, I hope, see the coast of Newfoundland, and shortly
after arrive in the river 8aint Lawrence — when the voyage
will be more agreeable, and the amount of sea-sickness lessened.

Dearest, best wife, notwithstanding my love for you and my
burning desire to see you again as soon as possible, if I had not
given you my word that you should follow me, or had I known
the hardships of so long a voyage, I would never have advised
so lengthy a journey for you, especially with your children. I
must confess that I tremble when T think of this great under-
taking; but my word is given, therefore I must conform to
circumstances, trusting that God will bestow his blessing upou
it.

But for God's sake, do not travel alone, and wait for Madame
Foy, or some other lady of standing with whom you may embark

OF M/i'S. UESKHAL lilKDKSEL.

2!t

ill the same whip. JJiit it imist be !i lady who has already made
the voyaue to Aiiieriea, and consequently knows what prepara-
tions are necessary, and could help and advise you in case you
or the childre- were sick. You must remcuiber, dearest wife,
that you, a ' our children, and all your domestics may easily
become sick on the way over, if not constantly, yet during
strong winds ; for upon my entire ship there are not five men
who have continued well ; and every one declares that it is a
regular wonder that I am an exception to the general rule. In
such a case, you would lie in bed with your children without
the least help — having nothing to eat or drink — and having,
moreover, not the least heart to render yourself the sliglitest
assistance. Tlic crew of a ship, for the most part, are swine,
loafers, and clowns, who cook nothing but salted meat half
dressed, which is not at all fit to eat. One thing more : the
water will finally become so bad and have such a bad smell, that
you shall not be able to drink it; and you must, therefore,
endeavor to take with you a filtering-stone, through which you
can strain it. Vou must, also, either accustom the children to
drink beer, or boil the water, that you intend to drink, the day
before.

My poor cook is almost always sick, which gives me consi-
derable trouble. There are many days in which we do not know
how or what to eat. JJesides, our fresh meat is all eaten up,
and at present there is only salt meat and poultry. We shall
soon begin to kill our sheep. The worst of it is, however, that
through the sickness of our cook, there is no one to take care
of the provisions, and consequently one portion of them is
spoiled, and the other stolen.

In fact, I must deceive you if I should say that our present
life was agreeable. The best that can be said is, that, thanks
to (lod, I find myself well, by reason of which I am enabled to
bear with patience all these annoyances.

LETTEUS ASl) .lOl'ItSALS

On Boakd tiik Pai.i.ah, two Icngues
tills siilc of QiR'bi'c.

I can give you no great description of our voyiigo ; for what
can I say of nine weeks spent between heaven and ocean, where
one day passed away the same as another. Here we are, after
much hardship, still two miles from Quebec, where wo shall
arrive this evening, but without tarrying, Cleneral Carleton
having, before our arrival, driven the rebels from the vicinity of
Quebec, and being now engaged in their pursuit. For this
reason we shall continue our voyage up the river to join
that general. It is yet too early to give you any advice re-
specting your journey. Captain Foy thinks that we must first
see whither the expedition will lead us. T, therefore, say
nothing further than tliis — do not travel alone, or without some
lady of standing, be it Mrs. (jeneral Carleton, or Madame Foy,
or any other lady. I nuist close, as 1 shall be obliged to send
this letter on board the man-of-war, where it will be taken care
of As soon as I have joined Ueneral Carleton I will write
you in detail about every thing that has happened, my own
health, and your journey.

Between Qiebec and Montkeal, June StJi, 1776.

Here, in a few words, is every thing tluit has happened to me
since our departure from Quebec on the first of June. We
arrived off Quebec at six o'clock in the evening. 1 immediately
went on shore to visit (rcneral Carleton, who welcomed me with
much courtesy and friendliness, and invited me to dine with
him on the next day. In order to form an idea of his personal
appearance, place before you the Abbe Jerusalem; the figure,
countenance, carriage and tone of voice, all precisely the same ;
and give him a black gown and a wig, no one would be able to
tell the difference.

The second of June, after dining with General Carleton, 1

OF MIts. t.KXKIlM UIEDKSEL,

S!iw the rebel prisoners. In the evening' 1 paid a visit to Com-
modore Doiii^his who eoniiniinds tlic fleet, and who, upon my
departure, saluted me with thirteen discharges of cannon.

The third, my birthday, T spent on board my ship. The
order which I received from General Carleton — to leave my
draj!;oon and Prince Frederick's regiment in garrison at Que-
bec — did not seem to me entirely, just. Captain Foy was
appointed adjutant-general and secretary to (ieneral Carleton.

On the fourth, as it was tlie birthday of the king of Kngland,
I waited with my whole body of officers upon the general to
oflbr our congratulations. Salutes were fired from the fortress
and all the vessels, and afterward we had a ball.

The iifth, (ieneral Carleton bestowed upon me the command
of a separate c(jrps. This I did not expect, and it has created
great surprise.

The sixth, as there was a favorable wind, I was dismissed by
General Carleton, and sailed with my allotted corps. Here am
I, therefore, at the present time of writing, upon Lake Cham-
plain J but rest perfectly easy so far as regards the enemy.
They have wholly disappeared; and we have not seen a single
soul of them this side of liake Champlain.

Dear soul, no place would be more comfortable for you than
Quebec. You can, however, go conveniently to Montreal, and
there await news from me, in lu'der that you nuiy know in
which direction to follow us. In Montreal there is a very well
managed post, so that you can very easily go upon land from
one place to another; and I will make such arrangements that
you shall find every thing comfortable for you on your arrival
in that city. The land in this country will please you much :
all of it that meets the eye is beautiful.

li.v Pit.MHiK, .Jnnv •l^th, 1T7G.
I have recently given you a detailed account of our arrival
at Quebec. From there we went to Three llivers, where I, as

LETTKlis AST) .loVIiS.Ms

well as all the f^eneralH, arrived to(i late for the affair whieh
happened in that place. Thence we advanced iarthcr with
the ships, and landed at Verjiere. Our march thus i'ar has
been tiresome, but now we have rest.* My entire c((uipago
has arrived, and we live well, but dearly. Our table usually
consists of I'rom ten to twelve per,«ons, with six dishes ; but I am
not able to maintain such an establishment for less than two
guineas a day. A bottle of wine costs a thaler of our money.
T am here alone with all the German troops. It seems that
(Jeneral Carleton wi.shes me well. He marks me <mt for parti-
ctdar lavor; and if things go on in this way 1 .shall have reason
to bo well contented. .1 hope this business will not last long.
We have already cou(|uered the whole of Canada, and shall, as
soon as the boats are in readiness, force our way into- New Kng-
land by way of Lake Champlain, where are all the rebels, and
also (leneral Howe, who, it is said, has already obtained some
advantages over them. When you are once here, 1 will try and
manage to take you comfortably back in my ship, where you will
fare better, as I am now somewhat accustomed to a sea voyage, and
for that reason know how to remedy many evils that arc in-
se])arably connected with a ship.

In case you undertake the journey, you will find in Quebec,
Jjieutenant-Colonel liaum with the dragoons, who has already
taken pains to procure good (juarters for you. You will then
write me at once, and rest for a few days at Quebec. Then
proceed to Three Rivers, where you will find comfortable quar-

*Not only wnathe march very fnti^^uinj;, but. n» the hont of the sun increased,
ninny of the German troopf", iimlcr l{ietiot<elV command, loll sick; ho that liy tlie
middle of July, upward of three lumdred of the Hrunswickers were lyini; ill either
in the military hoHpilal oral private liouHes. ^Most of them nullered from a violent
dinrrlien accompanied l)y fever, hrou^'ht on by the sudden cbani^e« of temperature
of the climate — warm days' and cold nights — to whidi they were wholly unaccus-
tomed. General Kicdesel greatly endeared himself to his men at tiiis juncture, by
taking the utmost care of all of them, l)ul especially the sick. He, also, made
etrenuons ert'orfs to procure for them \vlu)le9ome food ; and as supplies were not
easily obtained, he caused the inhabitants to open a nuirket twice a week at La
Prairie, where fresh provisions could be had witlisome regularity.

OF MRS. aHSh:itM. IllEDESRL.

tors in the lumso in which General Oarlotoii at one time resided.
This town is thirty leagues from Quebec, and when there, you
are thirty leagues from Montreal, where you will either see me
myself or find farther instructions from me. You will find
the country here magnificent, only it is u pity that the colonics
are still in their infancy, since one can very seldom find vege-
tables, fruits, and such things as belong to a good table. Meat,
fowls and milk, however, one can have in abundance. The
houses are all only one story high, but within, have four
rooms and are very cleanly. An ordinary peasant's house
will afford our entire family accommodations. The inhabitants
are exceedingly courteous and obliging, and [ do not believe
that our peasants, under similar circumstances, would conduct
tiiemselves as satisfactorily. I liavo no news to tell you. We
are here very quiet. General Carleton, with part of the army,
is at Chambly; (ieneral Frazer is at St. John; and 1 au) here,
and travel through the country to make JLyself acquainted with
the lay of the land. 1 eat my dinner every day at three o'clock ;
generally go to bed rather tired ; and at three or four o'clock
in the morning am again upon the highway. Fully four weeks
will elapse before we pass through Lake Champlaiu.

:..:i

La Savanne, Sept. I2th, 177(>.

The army is encamped for the purpose oi' remaining nearer
together. I am posted very advantageously at a place called
Savanne, where I command a separate corps. I have there-
fore plenty of exercise, which I find very conducive to my
health. The nights are beginning to be a little cold, and we
already think and .speak of wiiitor-([uarters, into which [ think
we shall withdraw in the month of October. What comfort
would it be I'or me, if I could tlien (juietly enjoy the society of
yourself and my children. Truly that would be worth more to
me than all else. But where may you now be ! Perhaps on
the broad sea; perhaps in great peril. During how many
5

UK.

I.ETTKIiS AM) ./or /{.VMS

nights is my iiiirul filled with sucli caros lor your welfare I I
hope that (lod will .xooii eiul my anguish, ami <,'raiit me the joy
of weeing you in my arms. The fourth of this month, after
exereisinij: my trcops, I j^avc to (Icneral Carleton and the prin-
cipal officers of the army a f^reat dinner of thirty-six covers
and twenty-six plates served twice. All seemed pleased. I
did it in honor ol' my lord and his troojis ; and the effect of it
has been p;ood, for I have made I'riends of every one, and stand
well with all the officers and men.

In Cami' at La Savanne, ^Sipf. 2S(1, 1770.
At last, dear wife, I have received your letters of the 9th,
20th, and 30th of April, and 12th of 3! ay. All these letters
have uiven me great comfort, and I have thanked tiod from
the bottom of my heart, that you and the children are so well.
I as heartily embrace you ami the children. Jt has also given
me pleasure to liave this news confirmed by a gentleman just
from England; and I thank Providence who has so blessed
your journey. I know, dear wife, that you arrived in London
safely on the 12th ; that about the 18th, you had gone to Bris-
tol ; and that you and the children found yourselves well.
O'Connel, whom Colonel Specht sent to London, him.self spoke
with the landlord of the hotel where you lodged, and you had
set out for Bristol only three h(nirs before his arrival. 1 do
not direct this letter to England, but entrust it to the first ship
that goes from here, in order that its captain, in case he falls
in with you on his way over, may give it to you, and quiet and
rejoice your heart with tlie news of my perfect health. You
will find at Mrs. Murray's all needful information for your
farther guidance. I shall have my winter-quarters at Three
Kivcrs. where you may quietly await my return.

OF MRS. OKXKIiAn nrKDRSEl.

Chown Point, on Board tlie WiiMliiiiglon, ii prizf
taki'ii from lliti rclids, (kt. ',»(i, ITT(t.

Wo liavc destroyed tlio fleet of tlie rebels, and taken jjosses-
sion of Crown I'oint. We shall now yo into winter-(|narters. *
Our c'iinipai^'n is at an end; and I shall }^o hack to Three
Rivers, where I am to be stationed this winter, and await you
with the greatest inipatieneo. (Hi how hapity i should be if
you eaiue this winter and I could enjoy your j)leasaut society !
The wiuter-(juarters will be very (juiet. and I should be able to
live entirely for you. (ieneral Carleton, like a hero, has routed
the enemy's fleet, having left behind him his whole army. Ilo
has very properly spared those that are married ; and if this war
is carried on in a similar manner next year, I shall be surer of my
life in the midst of it, than upon the parade grounds of Wiilf-
enbiittel and Brunswick. If you are at sea. (Jencral JJurgoyne,
who is the bearer of this letter, will do his utmost to have it
delivered to you upon the ocean ; but if you arc still in Eng-
land he will take pains to procure you a good ship next spring,
and in this case it is only necessary for you to apply to him by
letter. 1 am here for six days as a volunteer. We have been

♦The wiiiliT-iiiiiirli'rrt of the (JiTinaiis woro in nnd around Three Kivcr'!'. as far
down as Clianilily, on the western side of Lake St. I'ierre. and helwei'ii the SI.
Lawreneeand the Kiehelien. The more speeial divisions were as follows; The
rt\'.'inient of Speeht as far down as Champlain. near Three Hivers. and the place
called llatiseanip: the reLtinieiit of Hlielz from tin- last named place to Kort St.
Anna. These rei,'inients sent olV delaeliments to the i)arishes south of the St.
Lawrence. The dnifioons and reiiiineiits of Kiedesel were <|nartered in Three
Rivern. Two squadrons of the former, and three companies of the latter, had the
town assiffiied to them. The two otlier stpiadrons were transferred to Cape-de-ln-
Madelaini., the two other companies to I'oint-dii-l.ae. The reitiments were also
oblijfed to fend detachments to the iu>arest jiarlshes <ni the other side of the St.
Lawrence. The reiriment of Ilesse-llanan was removed to the jiarishes of Herthier
and Mascniinoiiije. It, also, sent out detachments to occupy SI, Krancois and
Sorel. Tlie rcL'iment of I'rince Kroderick occupied the i)aiisln's of Hiviere-du-Loup,
and ^lachiche. The irrenadier Imltallion was (|uartcred in St, Charles, SI, Denis,
and St. Tours. Harners liijlit intanti y were sent to Ituloville aiul t'hamhly, where
it was joined by the company of sharp-shooters, Tlie artillery of Ilanan was (piar-
tered in Montreal,

LtrriKUs A.\U Joi'llSALS

ill cloHO proximity ti> tlic ciiiiip of the robolH at Fort Ciirillon,
iiiid have taivou tsuiiio jtriMoiiurri.

TllKKK RiVKHM, Nov. 10, 1Y7(5.

T have little more hope of seeiiij; you here this winter ; there-
tore, I write you this letter in order that if you still reiiiaiii in
Kii;^laiid, you may not ho without news from me.

T find myself, thanks to (iod, well, but in great anxiety about
your welfare, as I know not where you are. Yet I shall not
murmur, if you do not come, althouj^h I should have taken
mueh comfort in seeinj; you here, (iod, who governs all things
according to his wise will, has, perhaps, saved you from any
misfortune. The uncertainty as to your whereabouts at this
late season of the year, gives me the most anxiety. I must
now bring this to a close, as the post is about starting for Que-
bec, and commend you to the guidance and protection of a
kind Providence. I embrace you and our dear children, and
coax myself into the belief that you will certainly come next
spring.

LeUers from Mrs. General Riedcsel to her Mother.

WoLFKNRiiTTEli, March S, 1776.
Dearest, best Mother : Your last leHer has made me almost
beside myself. Some passages in i' would seem to indicate
that you do not feel kindly toward me, and others again show
so much anxiety and love, that it makes me right sick to be
forced for the first time willingly to disobey you. Believe me,
bowevcr, that if any thing could have made me hesitate, it
would be the happiness of seeing you at my house. But I

Oh' M/f.s. ilK\h:ii.\l. ltlKI>K^h:i..

:i7

uinli'rHtooil iiiyHoir in this iimttor, and know liow liiird it wiiuld
bo lor nil) to f^o IVoni von ; iid roCnso >■"" "">' tliln;.', tiiid tliori!-
i'oro, I I'orboro, in my Inst Ic^ttor l)(!l'oro tiiis, to \w<^ yon (o oonio
to nn>. I conid nut unduro tliu tlion;.dit of .so|i;initin^ niysoit'
IVoni yon, os|ioeiiiily tor ho Iom^ ii tinn^; tind yot, tlio tl>on;.dit
tliat yon l>oi;;;od mo — nay, conimandod nu; to romain in-ro,
made mo .siiuddor. Vet to ri^main, wlion tho bowl, tbo tond^M•l;^*t
of iln^<ballds allowed me to follow bim, wonld bave been im-
jioHsiblo. Duty, lovo and eonseienco forbade it. It in the duty
of a wife to leave all and follow ber liu,sl)anil. My love for
liiin in known to yon, as well im \\w for me and tint ebildren.

WoLKKNniiTTKt., M(i^ a, 177<').

Tf you ooiild only know how rejoiced 1 am to see by your
letter that you bej^'in to be more reconciled to my journey I \
have now the satisfaction ol' knowinji; that every one approves
of my haviuf^ followed the dictates of duty. Yes, I travel with
tlio most contident assurance that (»od, who knows my inner-
most heart, and to whom, therefore, my intentions are known,
will watch over and j)re,serve me and the children from barm.
The only thinj^ that worries me, dear, kind mother, is, leaving
you behind; but I hope that it will not be for long, for perhaps,
(iod may soon grant peace, and then we maybe able to pass
our days more ((iiietly. (iod gives his blessing to all. In the
meantime pray to him for ourselves and our children, and every
thing will prosper with us. On my part, my most ardent
wishes and fervent prayers shall daily arise t(j God that be will
preserve you, most worthy mother, and cause the remainder of
your days to pass away happily. Preserve your love for us
always, and we shall ever love and venerate you. Have the
kindness to write me once more and assure me of your love.
If you write immediately, I can receive your letter at this place
before I set out on my journey, which, if we all remain well,
will be toward the 13th of this mouth. I bog that you will

LKTTERS AXD JOVliNALH

address your next lotters to Bristol, where I shall await verbal
iustructions from my husband.

Mrs. General Jilcdescl's Account of her Journey from
Wolfenhiittel to Bristol.

I set out on my journey, on the 14th of May, at five o'clock
in the morning from Wolfenhiittel; and notwithstanding my
passionate longing to see my husband once more, I still felt the
greatness of my undertaking too much not to have a heavy
heart, especially as my friends had not ceased to repeat to me
the dangers to which I exposed myself. Gustava, my eldest
daughter, was four years and nine mouths old ; Frederica, my
second, two years ; and Caroline, my youngest child, just ten
weeks old. I had, therefore, need of all my courage and all my
tenderness to keep me from relincjuishiiig my unprecedented
wish to follow my husband. They represented to me not only
the perils of the sea, but told me, also, tiiat we were in danger
of being eaten by the savages, and that the people in America
lived upon horse-flesh and cats. Yet all this frightened me
less than the thought of going into a country where I could not
understand the language. However, 1 was prepared for every
thing ; and the thought of following my husband and of doing
liiy duty, has kept me in good spirits during my whole journey.

At our first stopping place, my good old Rockel said to me
with a confident manner, as he lifted the children out of the
carriage, "See how (iod blesses our journey; our children are
looking much better ! " This Rockel h;id been with us eight
years, when my father gave him the place of forester. As soon as
he heard of the departure of my husband, and that I was to fcdlow
him, he left every thing in the lurch in order to accompany me

OF MJiS. (iEXERAL KIKOESEL.

as a footman ; * and during our whole journey, he has showed
all of us the jtrcatest attachment and attention, especially for
the children, whom he made it his duty to carry and take care
of. In a tavern where I stopped the first noon, I came across a
very rude landlord. While tlie horses were feeding I ordered
a beer soup, for which I was obliged to pay ten groschen.f
Upon my complaining of this charge as being too much, he
answered me very snappishly that 1 must pay it, and that I
could have stayed away if I had wished, lie further added
that he might be uncivil, but I would meet with still more un-
civil ones, to whom I should be obliged to pay six times as
much — a delightful encouragement for me who had intended
to live very frugally! In Macstricht they warned me to be on
my guard, as the roads had become very insecure by reason of
highwaymen, one hundred and thirty of whom, within the last
fortnight, had been executed, part by hanging, and part in an-
other manner. But this number is not the fourth part of those
still at large, who, when caught, will be strung up without fur-
ther process, on the highway — on the very spot where they are
found practising their profession. This news threw me into a
great fright, and I determined not to travel by uight. But as
I had received very bad horses, I was obliged to pass through
a forest at twilight. Suddenly, sojue object hanging in the air
struck me through the open WMui...v of my carriage. There-
upon I seized it; and. as ^ id* .•.•■-.('.ang rough, I asked what
it might be. It .-a.s tiie body of a huuged man with wooieu
stockings! Thodg) : jroi,"?hly frightened at this adventure,
my terror became o\cn groiter when, presently, we stopped

before a house standing wholly alone in this same wood i' ,

postillions refusing to g) a stop farther. The place was called

*In tho oriiiiniil the woid is yiUju: Tlio priiniiry moiiiiiiu- of tlii,< word is, a
hmitoi-, ))iit wXwn ummI in tliis .joiiiKTiion, a yiirjer answers piwi<eiy to the KiiirUsh
word tljer, thiit is, a liveried I'ootiniiii.

tA grosclicn is a fraction over tliree eentH of .\mcrican rao.iey — iwenty-foti ■ of
which malte a Prussian tlialer, or about neveuty-Jlve cents, u^, meitijuud in n jTe-
tediug note.

i t*.

■M !

LETTERS A\D JOURNALS

Hune. I shall never forget it ! A man of quite a suspicious
appearance received us, and conducted us into a very remote
room, in which I found only one bed. It was cold, and I had,
therefore, a fire made in a grefit chimney. Our entire supper
consisted of tea and coarse bread. My faithful llockel came to
me with a very anxious countenance and said: "Things are
not right in this place; there is a room full of arms, and I be-
lieve the most of the band are absent, and are surely robbers.
JJut I shall sit during the night before the door of your room,
with my fire-arms, and sell my life dear. The other servant
shall sit in the coach also with his fire-arms. All this naturally
gave me an unquiet night's rest. I seated myself upon a stool
and laid my head upon my bed. However, I finally slept ; and,
how great was my joy on awakening, when, at four o'clock in
the morning, they came to tell me that every thing was ready
for our departure ! I thereupon put my head out of the window,
and saw in the wood, where we were, a great number of night-
ingales, which, by their sweet singing, made me forget all my
previous terror. My entire journey, however, was very pros-
perous. T passed through Brussels, Tou.nay. and St. Omer,
where I arrived on the 31st of May at one o'clock in the after-
noon. Between Tournay and St. Omer I passed a town called
Cassel, where there is a mountain which I visited. From the
summit, one could see thirty-two towns, exclusive of hamlets.
It is one of the most beautiful prospects that can be imagined.
Upon my arrival at Calais, 1 immediately sent for the captain
of a ship, with whom I made arrangements for our passage over
to England. I took, according to advice, a packet-boat for us
all, in order to be more comfortable, but left my carriage behind,
as they told be that in Dover one was obliged to pay a fine of
thirty, or even sixty guineas on a coach brought into England
from a foreign country. I was forced to remain two days in
Calais on account of contrary wind.s. Finally, 1 was summoned
on board the ship. I confess my heart beat a little. Both my
oldest children were in fine spirits, for in order to increase their

OF Mns. GENKTtAh niKDESEL.

courage I had promised them that they sliould see their father
after we had crossed the channel. I pretended to be very
courageous in order to dispel all their fears. We were driven
to the shore, whence the boatmen, taking up the two eldest
children, carried thcui on board the ship. T had the youngest
in my arms. The servants followed mo on foot. I looked
around me for the children, and found, to my great astonish-
ment, that they were already on board the ship, playing anion"-
the sailors. I had the little cue, also, lifted on board ; aiui
now my heart having a magnet, I found it not ,so bad as I had
imagined. A plank was thrown across from the shore to the
ship, over which I walked with firm steps. The ship was
handsome and clean, which at once relieved me of all fear.
The sailors, also, appeared contented. T had a love of a cabin
in which were eight beds. All of its furniture was of mahogany
and brass, and so highly polished that one could see himself in
it. I was told that my children and myself had better lay our-
selves on the beds; but there was no air below and we accordingly
went above upon dock and ate and drank with an excellent
appetite. My daughter, little Fredorica, became so well ac-
quainted with the sailors, that when she Avishcd to go up or
■'.■^ttn, she always called out " Husband ! your arm!" These
[..;op., ,,re very fond of children, and know well how to wait upon
them. One of them was in the habit of taking up little (,'aro-
li.- , carrying her about, and taking care of her. It was very
'v .' tosee him, a largo, brown complexioiunl fellow, with a little
(ihild con.tantly laughing at him. We all remained well. The
captain assured us that he had not had in a long time such a
favorable wind, which, thougii pretty strong, was yet from a
right direction. In five hours we were across. As the ebb of the
tide would have prevented our landing bel'ore eight or nine hours,
we seated ourselves in a little ship and were on land in six
minutes. My inmost heart was stirred with gratitude toward
God, who had so happily assisted us across, and was also full of
the thought, " You will bring your children in health to your

LKrVEIiH AXJ) JOntXALS

liusband." They now were deterniiued to have their fiither,
whicli troubled me greatly. I beguiled them, however, by saying
that we umst embark once more. But now they teazed me
continually and jumped up whenever they saw a ship. As soon
as we landed at Dover we received many congratidations upon
having accomplished so long a journey ; but this cost us money.
More than thirty ii> '-epers came to me and begged that I
would be pleased to ^^ t un wit)i them. I made choice of a
French inn, and found . , rmuiodations very good. It wa ;,
in truth, a magnificent hot, ;. " 1 every thing about it was most
remarkably clean. The custom house officer came to search my
baggage, which is very troublesome, but I had letters addressed
to him ; and as soon as he heard that I desired to follow my
husband to America, he very gallantly said that it would be cruel
to worry the wife of a genera) who had gone to that land for
the service of the king. And thus I came out all ridit. As
I had been obliged to leave my carriage at Calais, I was forced
to take a stage-coach from here to Jiondon, which was very
expensive, since the baggage was charged for by the pound.

I arrived at Jiondon on the evening of the 1st of June, and
found there many people whom T knew, among others, (Jeneral
Schlicifen, M. de Kurtzleben and Count Taube. My husband
had written to the latter, and begged him to secure for me
private quarters; but through fear that I might not come, he
had omitted to do so — otherwise I would have had better and
cheaper accommodations. Nevertheless, I was delighted to see
such evidence of how much my husband had my voyage at
heart, and how little he doubted that I would carry out my
plan. I, therefore, rejoiced the more at not having allowed
myself to be deterred from my journey. I must, however,
mention a circumstance which, on my first arrival in London, ex-
ercised an unfavorable influence upon the quality of my lodgings.

I relied entirely upon my landlord at Calais, to whom I had
been recommended; but 1 now believe that he abused my confi-
dence, by taking advantage of it to convey over to England

Olf it UK. GEXEUAL niEDKSEL.

inauy thiugs at my expense. lie said to me, also, that he should
advise nie to take with us a trusty man for our protection, with-
out whom [ would run a great risk. He, therefore, pretended
to take great pains to find me such a one, and at length brought
me an extremely well dressed man, whom he introduced to me
as a nobleman, and a very good friend of his, who would, with
pleasure, accompany me to London. I treated him with great
civility, not knowing how I should sufficiently acknowledge so
great kindness. I made the children sit opposite to me in order
that he might have a comfortable seat; and, during the whole
journey, endeavored to manage so that they should not trouble
him. He gave himself, also, the manners of a man of conse-
quence, and ate with me during the entire journey. I noticed,
it is true, that trlie servants, in the different inns on the route,
made themselves very intimate with him, but I did not think
much of it at the time, as the gratitude, under wliicli I sup-
posed I was to him, clo.sed my eyes. As soon as we arrived in
London I asked for a good room, but how great was my
astonishment when they conducted me into a very wretched
apartment in the the fourth story. I supposed, however, that
all the other rooms were already occupied, since Mr. de Forenee
had assured me in Brunswick, that I should have magnificent
lodgings. General Schlieffen and many others who came to
call on me, especially three ladies to whom I had brought letters
of introduction from the hereditary princess (at that time
duchess of JJrunswick), were surprised to find me in such
miserable quarters. The following day n)y landlord came to
me with a thoroughly ashamed air, and very respectfully asked
whether 1 knew the man with whom I had arrived, and whom
I had requested him to entertain well — for I had not thought
it exactly the thing to have him take his meals with me in
London. I told him that he was a nobleman, who, at the
request of :\rr. (Juildhaudin, my landlord in Calais, had been
so courteous as to escort me on my journey. " Ah ! " answered
he, " tlfis is one of his tricks. He is a mthl ih place and a

LKTTKIts ASh .lOCRSM.X

groat swiiitllL-r, whom he hiis brouglit licro for his own purposes ;
iiiid as T saw you sitting iu the carriage witli tliis man on your
arrival, I confess that I did not believe you were wliat you
pretended to be, and therefore judged that these rooms would
be good enough I'or you. Since these people have been to call
on you, however, I see how greatly mistaken I have been. I
therefore beg your forgiveness, and entreat you to take another
room, for which you shall not pay more than for this oim here,
for 1 very much wish to rectify my mistake." 1 thanked him
and begged that he would free me from this man as soon as
possible. Me askc ' .lo, nevertheless, five or six guineas (I
forget exactly how uiuch it was) for his escort. 1 can never
forget this trick i/f ]Mr. (iuildhaudin, who, by the way, made
use of my carriage w his uwu private specidative purposes.
lie told me that I would have to leave it behind, as I would
not be allovved to bring it into England; but I afterwards
learned that he probably wished to hire it to travelers on their
way to Germany, as he had often done this same thing with
other carriages entrusted to his care. But in this calculation
he was disappointed ; for as sii«n as 1 arrived iu London, 1
wrote to the minister. Lord N(M'tli, who immediately gave me
permission to have the carriage brought to London free of all
duty. This, it is true, detained me (juite a little while; but, at
the same time, added much to my comfort and convenience.

When 1 arrived in iiondon, niy eyes had suffered so much
from having become overheated during my journey, that one of
them became very much inflamed, and filled with considerable
proud fle.sh. General Schlieffen desired nic earnestly to consult
an oculist, and brought me the one who attended the tjuecn.
lie appeared frightened at the condition in which he found my
eye, but at once gave me hope of his being able to effect a cure.
He put some kind of a powder into a (juill, and requested me
to open my eye wide, which I did very confidently, not having
any idea of the pain that awaited me. IJe then poured the
whole powder into the eye, that it might eat away the proud

OF Mils. I! I-:. \ HUM. iiii:i>h:sh:i..

ir»

flesli. 'I'lio i>iiiii I endured is indescribable; and .since tbon I
liave never been able to brinj;' iny.solf to su})niit to this experi-
ment; i'or whenever 1 attempted it, my eyes involuntarily
closed themselves. However, it did me a <ireat deal of jiood.
The oculist, nevertliele.ss, jj^ave .still another prescription ; and
I was obliged to pay him three guineas, which did not seem to
me entirely right. General 8chlieff"eii, however, told me that
I could not give him less, as he was the ((ucen's oculist.

1 resided, while in London, in Siiffolk street, and found every
thing very dear. As T had intended remaining only two days,
I made no agreement, but after eight days I had my bill brought
to me. I took a few rides around the city, but not long ones, on
account of little (.'aroline, whom I nursed my.seU', T determined,
however, to see every thing on my return. Still ] was twice in St.
James's park, and saw the king and ([ucen, who were quite near
me in their sedans. The park is a most lovely place for walking ;
more than five and six thousand persons come here daily.

One day 1 had ((uite a disagreeable adventure in liondou.
My Iriends had advised me to buy a little cloak and hat, without
which I could not walk out. I had been dining with M. de
Iliniiber, the Hanoverian minister. His wife proposed that
we should take a walk to St. James's, but neglected to tell me
that a part of our dress was not in keeping with the English
fashion. Jiittle (justava was dressed in the French stvle, with
a little hooped petticoat, and a pretty, round hat. I noticed
that most every one pointed at us with the finger, and in(iuired
of 31adame Hiniibcr the cause. She replied that I had <i fan.
which people never carried with a hat, and that my attire was
too dressy, which caused us to be taken for French women,
who were not very popular in Fiondon. The I'ollowing day 1
went out again; and, as we were all of us dressed throughout iu the
English fashion, I thought that we would not be specially noticed.
But I was mistaken, for T again heard the cry — ' French women I
pretty girl I " I asked our rnlvt dr place why they called us J"'rench
women, and was informed that it was on account of my having

LETTERS AM) JOI'U.XAIS.

put ribbons upon my children, I tore them oif and put them
in my pocket, but they mly stared at mc the more ; and 1 tliea
discovered that it was on account of the hats which Knglish
chiklren wore differently shaped. I learned from this the
necessity of conforming to the fashions of the country if one
would live pleasantly, for a mob is soon collected, and if one en-
gages in an altercation with it he subjects himself to insult .

My plan was to go to Bristol, and there await an opportunity
to go to America. It is true that all those to whom I had been
recommended ad/ised me against this course, because there I
would not have such a good chance to obtain news, and hear of
a ship sailing ; but my husband had strongly counseled me to
go there, and I did not wish to act contrary to his instructions.
I accordingly set out from London on the tenth of June, and
arrived in Bristol upon t' o eleventh. I had no sooner stojiped
before the inn, than the mob gathered round and stared at the
droll appearance of my carriage (to which were attat bed Ger-
man steps), and at the two muskets that my servants had securely
fastened under the traveling box. They fingered them over,
and also raised the oil-cloth cover of my carriage to see how it
was painted. ^ly servant, who could only speak a few words in
English, instead of sitting quietly without speaking, began to
call them names, and was paid back in his own coin. Upon this
he lost all control of himself, and knocked one of them down by
a blow under the car. Innnediately the entire crowd pitched
on to him, and there is no telling what might have happened
had not the mayor — who was the chief magistrate of the place
and the uncle of Mrs. Foy — arrived on the scene at the very
nick of time. I had written to Mrs. Foy begging her to pro-
cure me quarters, and the mayor's arrival, at this time, was in
consetjuence of my having sent for him, on my first coming into
the place, to direct me to them. This venerable old man went
off immediately for his niece, with whom T could converse a
little in French, and with whom I drove to my lodgings. These
were very fine and spacious, but were, also, very dear.

' '

SOJOUTvI^ AT BRISTOL, rOllTSxMOUTH AND
LONDON, AND EiMBARKATION.

1 discovered, soon after my arrival in Bristol, l,ow unpleasant
It IS to be m a city when one does not understand the lau-nia-c
My servants had lost all heart, and I was obliged to conceal from
them how badly I myself lelt. I wept for hours in my chamber,
until, finally, I gathered courage and resolved to surmount all
difficulties. I took great pains to learn the English language,
and in six weeks made such progress as to be able to call for
what I wanted, and to understand the newspapers, which, at
this time, were very interesting, particularly those articles that
related to Quebec, where my husband was stationed.

I was soon obliged to change my lodgings. My landlady
would not allow me to have the least washing done for the
children. I took up my residence, therefore, in another dwell-
ing, from which I had .-» very beautiful prospect. T overlooked
the whole College Green a delightful promenade filled with
trees m the midst of clean grass, and paths in which men
women and children, even, were in the habit of walking. My
own children ran and frisked among the shrubbery veiy often.
Bristol would be a very pleasant place in which to reside, were
Its society better, but the number of sailors that reside in this
city makes it far from agreeable. The very day after my
arrival, my landlady directed my attention to what she called a
most charming sight. As I stepped to the window I beheld

Lh:rrh:its .\.\i> .kivuxm.s

two imkcd men boxinj;' with tho {iveiitcst fury. I >'iiw their
blood flowiii;;' iind the raj,'c that was painted in their eyes.
Little at't'iistonied to such a hateful sjiectaele, 1 ((uickly retreated
into the innermost corner of the house to avoid hearing the
shouts set up by the spectators whenever a blow was given or
received.

JJuring my sojourn in IJristol I had an unpleasant adventure.
1 wore a calico dress trimmed with green tafl'cta. This seemed
particularly oH'ensive to the J3ristol people; for as I was one
day out walking with Madame Foy, more than a hundred
sailors gathered round us and pointed at me with their fingers,
at the same time crying out '' French whore I " 1 took refuge
as ((uickly as possible into the house of a merchant under pre-
tense of buying something, and shortly after the crowd disj)ersed.
Hut my dress became henceforth so disgusting to me, that as
soon as I returned home I presented it to my cook, although it
was yet entirely new.

About three Knglish miles from Bristol there is a bath, called
Hot Wells, which bears a striking resemblance to Wendefurth,
nenrT51ankerburg, inthe llartz, except that at Hot Wells there arc
many beautiful houses and a large assend)!y hall. One meets here
many people who come for the purpose of bathing, '.rhey are
mostly persons whose disease is of a pulmonary nature. Almost
all the ladies ride on horse-back, on account of the mountains
and rocky valleys; and those who are not able to ride sit behind
a guide in a kind of saddle, which is made similar to a little
arm chair. This place is the favorite resort during the summer
months, but, as winter approaches, the crowd ilock to IJath, a
town lying eight miles off. At Bath a person is never at a loss
for amusement, for the place is perfectly lovely and full of
)iiagnificent buildings. But \ saw it only in summer, when
there is but little society there, and consequently found it very
lonely.

In the house in which I lived at Bristol, there was a Captain
Kenton whose wife had renuiined in Boston with a daughter of

OF Mlts. liKSHItM. Illh'DKsh:!..

fonrtcc'ii. lie loved tliom both dearly, and begf-ed ino to take
cbarj^o of letter.s wlieii I sliould eiiibaik for Ainoriea. Upon
my arrival there, 1 learned that a« her husband had not re-
turned they had been imprisoned, and afterwards };reatly ill
used. I will narrate this, however, in its proper place. I
made still anotiier ncquaintaiiee in Bristol, which I shall alway.s
dearly prize. The way of it was this .hist as I was .settiu"
out from WoHenbiittel, a younj,' Mr. hce. nephew of the Ame-
rican ^^'neral of that name, and a .stu(l(;nt at (,'aroline Collej,^e
in Briuiswiek, gave me a .stronj-' letter of introduction to an
Knulish banker, of the name of Ireland, at the .same time
assuring' me I would find him very a<>;reeable, Although I
placed little confidence in the recommendation cf this young
man, yet I .sent the letter to the above mentioned banker, who
lived six Knglish miles from the city. A day or two after,
quite an elderly gentleman witli a very pretty wife called upon
me, wlio.se friendship I had the good fortune to gain so .soon,
that they begged me to visit them 1 therefore drove over to
their place and dined with them. They lived in a magnificent
country scat, beautifully situated, and surrounded by a most
charming garden. I found there two mo.st lovely little girls —
their daughtens — who constituted their entire happiness, al-
though they wished very much for a son. They were rich and
every thing anmnd them was on a magnificent scale. The.se
good people showed me much friendship, and when I set out
for rortsmouth, with the intention of embarking from that
place, I was obliged to give them my Avord, that if the shij) —
as often happened — should be ilelaycd, F would not sail after
the middle of October. Afterward, haviu"; iust missed sailing
T came back to London at the end of Septend)er. whence F
wrote them in the spring that I was on the point of embarking.
Immediately these good people came up to London, which is, I
believe, about eighty -six Knglish miles from their country seat,
to tender me their services. Finding, liowcvor, that they
could give no assistance, but determined that I should want
7

l»^y

i.KTTKits .\.\r> jornxM.s

Inr iKithiiii;. tlioy iiisintcd on my tiikiiij; witli ine lottors of
introduction to tlioir tVion(ln in tlioHo portH in wliiili I niijilit,
l)ossil)ly, be dftainL'il by c-ontrary windn. ACtor I bud siiloly
anivud in (^ucbcf, and, ronseqnently, liad no I'lirtiier nuud ol'
tbese Ictturs, I opcnod tbcni, and waw deeply moved on din-
covering tbat tbcy liad cliarged all tlieir friends to wnpply mo
with as mueb money as .1 migbt wish, without even liniitinjj!,
the amount. When the wile was afterward delivered of a son,
tbcy desired me to stand jjodmotber — an honor wbieli. in
Kngland, is a ^reat mark of friendship. 1 have often wislied
tbat this son miyht be able some time to eome to IJ unswiek,
tbat I mij;bt re(|uite the jireat friendshiji bis parents sbowed to
me, and which I shall never forget.

1 passed three or four months in llristol, and desired nothing
more ardently than to follow my husband, especially as I knew
tbiit (Quebec was still in the bands of the Knglish. Hut I
could never induce .Madame Toy to go. She said that she must
wait for letters from her husband. Meanwhile it continued
to get later and later in the year. I wrote, tliercforc, to the
mini.stov. Lord (ieorge Ciermaine, and begged his advice. lie
answered me very politely, that it was indeed true tbat winter
was drawing near, and that I must, therefore, the more wish to
embark, especially since my husband had written for me. But
since he had, at the same time, imposed the condition that I
should travel with Madame Foy, and he saw me determined to
follow his wi.shes in every particular, be did not know exactly
what counsel to give me. At all events, however, lie would
offer me a passage over in a packet-ship, if I could induce
Madame Foy to accompany me. Hut all my endeavors in thig
latter directionwere fruitless. At last tlie long expected letter
from her husband in America came to hand. Upon this my
impatience sbowed itself and also the irresolution of Madame
Foy. Finally, I succeeded in persuading her to consent to our
departure. I accordingly, again wrote to Lord (icrmaine, who
very obligingly at once answered me to the effect that he owned

'//•■ Ml/s. ^A•.\7•7M/. lllKDHsHI,.

u imckot-Mliip that was t(i .snil witliuiii any dfln} ; tliiit hiuvniild
lender mo all itn cabins tor my own use, and tliat of thdso wlni
were tu a('inuii)any nui; mid that Mrn Fny i-uuld, therolliri',
Hhani tlu'in witli mo \i' I m dusirod. I would, lie oontinuod,
liiid t'vory tiling uii Ixmrd the ship nicely arranp'd lor my
comt'ort, and tluit it jfavc itim infinite satisCaction to have it in
liis power to nerve me. I afterwards learned that he actiuilly
Kavc orders to have all necessary provisions put on hoard — not
even t'<n>-i'ttin^- a cow, that the children nii^-ht have milk. Vet,
notwithstandinjj; this, the eaptain of the sailiiif-' packet, on his
arrival in (.juebee, made my husband pay for all these articles.

In proportion as the moment fi>r our departure approached,
the more irresolute Madame l-'oy became She loved her
comfort, and it gave her pain to leave her very pretty and well
furnished house. Finally, however, we set out Wn- I'ortsmouth,
where we were to embark. Here Madame Foy and licr sister
found many oHieers who were old ac((uaintances, with whom
they pas.sed a very gay evening: meanwhile 1 was busily cm-
ployed in getting my children to bed. Thc«e officers told them
that it was already too late in the year; that they would have
an exceedingly unpleasant pa.ssagc ; that it was a thousand
pities that such handsome ladies should expose themselves to
so great risks; and nuiny things more to the same ett'ect, which I
could not understand, not being a sufficient master of the lan-
guage. However, it resulted in her telling me the same evcninu'
that she should go back to Hristol. \ urgently besought her
not to decide so ha.stily, and went to bed, she remaining with
her company. The following morning at eight o'clock they
came a id informed me that we must start back. 1 l>egged, I
wept, but all in vain ; I'or she well knew that my husband had
enjoined it upon me not to undertake the voyage without her.
8he had already sent back our cartman with our baggage to
Bristol. I knew, therefore, that there was no help for it; our
conveyance was before the door, and 1 had no alternative but
to return. As we were driving out of the city, I saw a large

1iC-l',

LETTElts A.y/J .fOVJtX.lLS

wap;on escorted by ;i guiird on lioi'rioback. I asked what tiiat
meant r* j\ly Knulish maid (I had er^aged an Enj^lish woman
in ]{ristol for my journey) trld me tliat it was money being
conveyed on board the ship. At this reply my heart sank
witliin me, and 1 remarked to Madame Foy, that if they risked
so much money upon this sliip, it could not bo too late in the
year for a safe voyage. '• Well," she answered me, " if you
think so, why do you not attempt the passage ? " " Because you
have prevented me from doing so," replied I, " by sending back
our luggage to Bristol without consulting me." To this she
rejoined in a bantering tone, that, as T was so ,'<tout-hcarted, I
could easily undertake the voyage with the few clothes I had
Ai'ith me, and that she would send my baggage after me by
another ship. This woman was generally very gentle, but was
I'^d into this behavior by her sister, who was quarrelsome, and
really dreaded the voyage. The tone in which she said this,
however, at once put me on my mettle, and I resolved to let her g(»
on, and return myself to ]5ristol and await the ship, which had
not yet arrived. It was expected every moment; and I had
less doubt of its speedy arrival, as 1 had no conception of the
slowness of the ship-masters, and how often they were detained. I
accordingly sent with all dispatch my trusty jager, Rockel, on foot
after the cartman, who fortunately understood a little German, and
on that account was more easily persuaded by Rockel to unload my
baggage, t then left Madame Foy and hurried back again to the
place whence I had just come, determined there to wait i'or the
ship, as longas the season of the year would permit. 1 was led to
this determination, not only on account of the promise I had
given my friends, the Irelands, but especially as I had been
assured by the family of Admiral Douglas, whose acquaintance
1 had made in Portsmouth, and by other kindly disposed people,
that I could still count upon fourteen days of good weather.
Those (ifficors, also, whom T had seen at Madame Foy's, cituld
ndt even deny this; and when 1 re]iroachfulIy reminded them
of telling such a diilerent story, they excused themselves on the

OF Vrts. GKXKnM. lUKDESKl.

plea, that having found the hidies so very timid, they thou-;iit
they could not please them better than by dissuadin- them
from the journey. I often dined at the Douglass mansion. As
I was not yet familiar with the customs of the country, I was
continually afraid of appearing like Ninette at Court, in the
comedy. For example, I could never bring myself to cat vege-
tables, boiled after the English fashion, merely in water, until
1 noticed that they sometimes poured over them an excellent
.sauce of butter. I therefore prepared them in a similar man-
ner, and found it much better than our own way of eating them.
However, vegetables are so very good in England, that one can
also eat them, even when merely boiled, with salt. I met with
another embarrassment, also, in regard to drinking. Eatli one
in turn honored me by offering me a glass of wine. I had
already heard something of this custom, and that it was consi-
dered insulting to the one offering the wine if it was refused.
As I was nursing my youngest daughter, Carijline, at the time,
and, therefore, dared not take the least drop of wine, I was sorely
perplexed. The first day I luid not the courage to refuse, but,
as 1 feared that in the end it would injure my child, I, finally,
with all frankness, asked whether they would consider it an
insult if, instead of taking wine, 1 returned the compliment in
watery They smiled, and assured me, that althougli exacting
people, or those in low life might, perhaps, take offense, yet
high-minded persons would excuse it, and thus [ was also
relieved of this scruple.

In the English churches they always repeat aloud the l.ord's
prayer and the commandments. It struck me very singularly
at first, to hear every one repeating the prayei's aloud, which
made so great a noise, that I was on the point of running out
of tile church. Finally, however, I did as the rest.

The women in England are obliged always to wear their
bonnets in church, and they would be pointed at with the
finger, ii' they came in without them. \Vhen 1 came back to
Germany, and my daughters and I made our appearance in

LET'TEHS AXD JOUBXALS

cliurcli, with our bonnets on, every one stared at me. Now,
they wear them in church fretiuently. Thus is it with every
strange fashion. I remained three weeks in Portsmouth, con-
stantly expecting the arrival of the ship. At last, every one
assured me that I was running too great a risk, in going to sea
at this cold season of the year, both as regarded myself, anc^
particularly the children ; and that it was wagering a hundret
to one that any more ships would arrive at Quebec this year,
on account of the ice with which the river St. Lawrence was
covered about this season. As I had long waited for a ship, this
state of things was dreadful. But to remain on board of the
ship for the winter, would have been still more dreadful ; and
this consideration decided me to give up entirely the journey
for the present, principally, however, on account of the children,
for whom I felt anxious. Had I been alone, I might have
risked it.

Portsmouth is an agreeable seaport, and that which makes it
the more interesting as a residence, is, that one has a fine view of
the ships which arrive daily, and announce themselves by firing
cannon. Then the people run down to the shore, and with
great impatience await their arrival in port. Ships are built
here, and the dockyard is splendid, as is, also, the building in
which those young men, who are intended for the marine ser-
vice, are educated. Never have I before seen such order and
cleanliness in a public school. Since my visit it has been entirely
destroyed by fire. The house of the admiral is beautiful, and
the view from it magnificent. A wall encircles the city, aflord-
ing handsome walks. There are, also, many beautiful houses
in Portsmouth, and the people, though mostly sailors, are more
civil than in Uristol. The admiral took care that they should
be so, and punished all irregularities with severity, but in other
respects he was a good and kind man. 3Iy money by this time
had nearly given out. I had only sent for as much as I needed
for my c<|uipniont and embarkation. The journey, and my
sojourn in Portsmouth, which had cost me considerable, had

np MRS. (lENEKAL UIKnESEL.

nearly exhausted my means ; and I was, therefore, not a little
rejoiced to find in the same inn where I was stopping, friends
to whom I could apply, in the event of a possible embarrassment.
These wore a Captain Young and his wife, who had just arrived
from Tobago. The captain during the Seven Years' War, had
served as adjutant under our duke, then the hereditary prince,
to whom he was entirely devoted ; and as he was well ac(juainted
with my husband, he proposed to me to go with them to Lon-
don, and reside at their house, I paying my own proportion of
the cost. He was a man of middle age, and his wife, who was nearly
thirty years old, was very sallow and ordinary, but had a very
sweet face. I thanked Heaven for this discovery, and as I saw
that I had no further hope of going to Quebec this year, 1 pro-
:>iised to follow them, which I did in a very few days. While
on my Journey, I stopped over at a small, but neat town, the
name of which has escaped my memory. As I was fearful lest
I should be obliged to pay as much there as in Portsmouth, I
called only for a small room, a leg of mutton and potatoes.
The hotel itself was splendid, and all its inside surroundings of
great elegance. The corridors, galleries — in one word, the
whole housi was decorated on the outside with flower-pots and

trees intertwined :

between these were hung glass globes, in which

were seen gold-tishes and birds.

I was frightened at this ele-
gance, and trembled for my guineas, especially when I saw my-
self led into most beautiful apartments, and my table supplied
bounteously with five or six delicate dishes. As the landlord
insisted on waiting upon me at table himself, I said to myself,
" That now costs a guinea more ! " The next morning I found
my servants drinking coft'eo and chocolate, and eating tarts and
other tit-bits, and could not restrain myself from administering
to them a gentle reproof at their treating themselves to these
delicacies, when they inu.st know that I was but poorly supplied
with money. They assured mc that they had called for nothing
more than tea, but that the landlord had said to them, that
such brave servants, who were willing to follow their master

5(5

LETTKliS AXIf JOVliS'M.S

and mistress to America, deserved to be well entertained. In
sliort, there was no attention and courtesy with which I was
not loaded. Finally, in fear and trembling, I called for my
bill ; and behold, I had only to pay ten shillings ! I told the
landlord that he had certainly made some mistake. " No,"
answered he, " I have made a fair profit, and think myself
fortunate that T have it in my power to prove to you that there
are honorable people in England. I admire your courage, and
wish to convince you of it."

Upon entering my carriage, I ibund it decorated with wreaths
of flowers, and nosegays; and upon accidentally taking hold of
the pockets of the wagon, [ found that the landlord had had
the politeness to fill them with cakes and oranges for the
children.

I arrived in London toward the end of September, and soon
afterward learned, to my great chagrin, that the ship, which I
had so longingly awaited, had reached ]*ortsmouth, and imme-
diately departed f<ir America. They assured me, however, that
1 should have run a great risk had I gone so late in the year.
Yet I learned afterward, that the ship had arrived safely in
Quebec, though another one that touched at Portsmouth only a
few days later, had been crushed by the ice ; the crew, how-
ever, were rescued.

I was now in London at the Youngs, and fed upon the best
of everything; and as often as I spoke of paying, I received
the answer, that they were only too fortunate in possessing me.
This, indeed, eau.scd me great embarrassment; but as I supposed
them to be innnensely wealthy, and on that account did not
wish to take money from me, it occurred to me to have my
portrait painted on a bracelet, and have it set in diamonds, which
I had with me, and then to priisent it to the wife before my
departure. In this way, 1 hoped to lighten my obligation,
without causing expense to my husband. I spent my time with
^ladame Young, who was very sickly and hypochondriacal, and
with our landlady, Mistress liohlen, a worthy and lovely woman,

OF .l//.>.S'. GKXK/tAL IIIEDKSEL. 57

and, on the whole, was tolerably happy. Meanwhile, Madame
Young renewed her old acquaintances, lived very expensively,
bought gowns and head-dresses by the dozen, kept the* house
full of milliners and mantua-makers, and, as soon as her pre-
parations had all been completed, proposed that we together
should visit the public resorts and private companies. I ex-
cused myself on the ground that I was a nurse, and, therefore,
could not leave my youngest child, and more than all, that I was
too sad and uneasy on account of my absent husband, to attempt any
such thing. I added, finally, that I feared, also, the great expense
which it would entail; that she knew I expected money from
Germany, and did not wish to abuse the confidence of my husband,
who had provided for my expenses with a free and liberal hand.
She took my refusal very badly, for her intention was to go
out, and she had the idea that it would be more becoming if she
had somebody as an escort. Instead, therefore, of being friendly
as hitherto, she treated me with almost rudeness j and that
which made matters still worse was, that her husband praised
me for my great attachment to my children, which prevented
me from going out. She accordingly came to me one day, and
asked if I had yet found a lodging ? On account of their so
often repeated invitations to remain yet longer with them, I
had, indeed, not thought of it; still I answered that I had
already taken the matter in charge. 8he replied that she
knew of a place and would go with me to see it, and thereupon
led me to a truly mean house, situated in a bad and remote
street. I told her that I considered these quarters too common,
and preferred rather to economize in other things than in my
lodgings, which I must have respectable, as I had letters of
introduction to several ladies of (juality, and wished to be in a
position to receive them in a manner befitting their station.
She answered me spitefully, that as I was such a good house-
wife, and loved to be so retired, she had supposed these would
be satisfactory.

As we were being driven home, I noticed an advertisement
8

■Hf.

LKTTEHS AM) .IOCIl\M.S!

on ii corner house, in a good neiglibovliood. I went in at once,
and found, it is true, a small dwelling, but one that was clean
and respectable, for which they asked four pounds a week. I
said that this was more than I was in a position to give, but I
could assure thom that if they would let me have them at a lower
rate, I should always be home in good time evenings, and have
my door closed by ten o'clock. The landlady saw my children,
and, as soon as she heard my history aiid the fiitalities that
seemed to follow mc, she said to her husband : " Look now !
we have no children ; these will take the place of children at
our house ; that is better than a few more guineas ! " She
then let them to me for three pounds a week, including furni-
ture, kitchen utensils, and washing materia!-,. I iunncdiately
took my departure from my former hosts, and betook myself to
my new quarters, where I found myself very happy ; for I was
not only comfortably lodged, but my host and hostess became
my warmest friends. I told them with perfect frankness, that
it was my intention not to spend much ; that it was true my
husband allowed me a liberal hand in my expenditure, but I
was the more desirous of limiting myself on that very account.
I further told them, that my whole capital, at that time, con-
sisted often guineas, and that, perhaps, I should receive nothing
more under six weeks. "Well," replied Mistress Eussell, my
new landlady, " I will be your housekeeper, and buy your bread
and meat, and as for the rest you shall be supplied by our-
selves, which, as well as your rent, you can pay at your own
convenience."

They both taught my children English ; and wheii I was
obliged to go out, I confidently left thom in their charge.
When I was on the point of going away, the following spring,
I noticed that the husband appeared very sorrowful and de-
jected. T inquired after the cause. " Alas ! " said she, " it
is your departure which distresses him so, and particularly, that
of your little Caroline, and he has charged me to beg you to
leave her with us." " What would you do with licr supposing

Olf .vns. GEXETIAL niKDESEL.

I Kliould dio '{ " aaswcred I. " Oh," she rejoined, " the uioiiieiit
you left her witli us, we should consider her as our own ciiikl,
and give her our entire fortune." If I desired to buy some
trifle for my children, the good woman invariably asked uic
whether the expenditure would not exceed the sum which 1
had allowed myself. I was delighted to be with such high-
minded people ; and I had yet more reason to thank Providence
that it had taken me away from the Youngs, when, in the
sequel, she contracted so many debts, that they came near
arresting her, and did, indeed, levy on her effects. The hus-
band shortly after fled the country from the same cause, and
the wife, was finally, supported by her friends. I would have
had, therefore, a thousand diff"erent vexations, if I had kept up
my connection with those people. I cannot, however, suffi-
ciently prai.se the good treatment [ received from the English
nation. Even persons whom I did not know, came and offered
me as much money as I might need ; and upon my expressing
astonishment at this, and saying that they did not know but I
might be passing myself off for other than I really was, they
answered, that if I were an impostor I would not live so retired ;
neither would I bestow so much care upon my children as 1
did.

My friends advised me to present myself at court, as the
queen had stated that it would give her great pleasure to see
me. I had, therefore, a court dress made, and Lady George
Germaine presented me. It was on New Year's day, 1777. I
found the castle very ugly, and furnished in old fashioned style.
All the ladies and gentlemen were stationed in the audience
room. Into this room came the king, preceded by three cava-
liers. The queen followed him, accompanied by a lady, who
carried her train, and a chamberlain. The king went round to
the right and the queen to the left. Neither passed by any
one without saying something. At the end of the drawing-
room, they met, made each other a profound bow, and then
returned to the place whence they had started. I asked Lady

v-«

I ,

LKTTKUS AM) Jorit.SAl.S

III
III

Gcrnmine how I hIiouW act, and whether the king, as I had
heard, kissed all the ladies? -'No," she replied, " only English
women and marchionesses ; and that all one had to do, was, to
remain quietly standing in her place." When, therefore, the
king came up and kissed me, I was greatly amazed, and turned
red as fire, since it was so entirely unexpected He immedi-
ately inquired if I hud received letters from my husband '/ I
said, " Yes, up to the 22d of November." " He is well," re-
joined he, " I have inquired after him particularly ; every one
is satisfied with him, and I hope the cold will not injiu'C him."
I answered, that I believed and hoped, that, as he was born in
a cold climate, the cold would not trouble him. " 1 trust so,
also," said he, " but this I can assure you, that where he is, the
air is very healthy and clear." Thereupon he saluted me in a
very friendly manner, and passed along. As soon as he was
out of hearing, I remarked to Lady Germaine that, by the kiss
of the king, I had now become naturalized ! Shortly after,
came the queen, who was, also, very friendly, and asked me how
long I had been in London ? I said, " Two months." " I
thought it was longer," she rejoined. " I have been in Lon-
don," I continued, " only so long, but have been in England
already seven months." She then asked, whether I liked it
here? "Yes," I answered, "but all I wish for is to be in
Canada." "Do you not then fear the sea?" she further
asked, "I love it not at all " " Nor I either," rejoined I, "but
I have no other means of again seeing my husband; I shall,
therefore, joyfully make the journey." " I admire your mettle,"
said she, " for it is a great undertaking, especially with three
children."

From this conversation, I saw that she had heard more of me ;
and I was, accordingly, additionally pleased at having been pre-
sented at court. During this reception, I saw ixll the royal
children, with the exception of one that was sick. They were ten
in number, and all beautiful as pictures. As I had been so well
received, I visited the queen several times afterward In the

OA' .l//?.s', (IHXKII.XL ItlKDKSKl..

Hpring, just before my departure to Pftrtsiuouth to embark, T
paid a farewell visit to the queon, when she once more asked
me if I had no fcar.s of such a frij;htful voyage ? And when I
replied, that since my husband wished me to follow him, I did
it with courage and delight, believing that I was thus perform-
ing my duty, and that I was assured that were she in my place
she would do the same; she replied, " Yes, but they wrote to
me that you undertake this journey unknown to your husband."
I answered, that she was a German princess, and well knew that
I could not undertake this without the consent of my hus-
band, as, in that case, I could not have the necessary money.
" You are right," said she, " I approve of your resolution, and
only wish you all imaginable success. What is the name of
your ship? I shall often iu€|uire after you, and, upon your
return to England, T hope you will visit me." Shekept her
word, and often in(juired about me, and frequently sent her
remembrances.

General Burgoyne had promised my husband, that wc should
travel together. I, therefore, asked tlie advice of Lord Ger-
luainc, who informed me that a man-of-war was certainly safer ;
but as one was wholly dependent on the vi-wain, who took no
pay for the passage or expense of the voyage, it would be un-
plea.sant, especially as I had children. He, therefore, rather
counseled me to take a merchant-man. Mr. Watson, a rich
London banker and a worthy man, who had already been three
times lord mayor of that city (the same whase foot was bitten
off by a shark while bathing once in the West Indies), had
seen my husband in Canada, and promised to let me have his
ship. General Howe, an old friend of my late father, and of
mine, also, strongly advised me to accept it, and promised, for
my greater safety, and in order, also, to give more conscijuence
to the ship, a letter of marque, together with two officers aud
sixty men. Mr. Watson liked this arrangement right well, as
such an adjustment is of great advantage to the owners of
ships; although it is in a measure neutralized by the fact that

'41

''i

V'l!

I.KTTKItS AXn JOlllXM.!^.

it, at the sauio time, exposes the ship to the risk of a fight.
Mr. Watson sliowod iiic tlie ship, introdiu'cd jiie to the captain
and the entire crew, and declared to them, that whoever
shouhl offend nie, might expect tlie same punishment as if he
had offended him, and, moreover, that any one of whom I com-
plained, should he instantly discharged.

The sliip was large and spacious, and was immediately ar-
ranged as I wished.

As 1 knew that it would please my liusband, I wrote to
Madame Foy, and proposed that she .should take the journey
with me. She accepted it, and all errors were forgiven and
forgotten. We met at Portsmouth ; and on the 15th of April,
1777, we went on board of our ship. We were very busy the
entire evening in arranging our things in order, and went to
bed at nine o'clock.

LETTERS FROM GENERAL RIEDESEL
TO HIS WIFE.

Three Hivers, April IGfh, 1777.
What sad vicissitudes of liappiiicss and unluippiiicsH ! At
the Tslc Aux Noir, news was broiight to nie, at tlic end of the
last campaign, of the safe arrival of yourself and children at
Quebec. I was beside myself with joy at the prospect of passing
a most delightful and ((uiet winter in your society, and in the
bosom of my beloved family ; but how dreadfully was I de-
ceived in my expectations to find, upon my arrival here, instead
of yourself, your last letter, brought by the ship, FiOndon,
informing me that your journey would be postponed until
spring. This was a thunder-clap, and the only consolation that
remained to me was, that I could still thank Heaven that your-
self and our dear children were at least all well.

The ship, London, upon which it was expected you would
have taken pa.ssage, arrived safely at Quebec, on the 8th of
December, without the least disaster. Your apartments for
yourself and our little family, had been quite comfortably fur-
nished and fitted up ; and we would, therefore, have passed,
perhaps, one of the happiest winters that we have ever spent
to^other since our marriage. That hope is all turned to water.
But God has so ordered it, and we must not murmur, but bow
in submission to his holy decrees. I have endeavored to divert
my mind from my grief, but in vain. I remained from the
IJJth of December to the IGth of January, in Quebec, to pay
my respects to General Carleton, and have been overwhelmed

1^^.

I.HITKIts AM) .nuilSALSt

i!
I

with courtcsicH and attciilionM. After my return, T oelcbratccl
tlio (luei'ii's birlli-day by j^iviii^' a j;rfat dinner, a bail and a
HUjuter; and nineo then, I'nlluwing the oxamiile of the other
jienerals, I have continued to give a supper and a ball every
week ; partly to j^ain the affection of the iuhabitantM of this
place, and partly, also, to provide innocent pleasures for the
othcers, and thus keep thcni from visiting public houses and
bad conii)any. (Jeneral I'hilips made me a visit in the month
of Ifebruary. I have at different times inspected our regiments
in their wiTiter-((uarters ; and, in the bej;iniiing of March,
(ieneral Carhiton, also, visited me here, and reviewed all our
troops. He was perfectly satisfied with them all. T accompa-
nied iiim to Montreal, where 1 spent eight days with him at
(ieneral I'hilijjs's. On his way back, he staid with mo two
days more. Since that time T have again been round to inspect
our regiments, t spent the week after Kaster by myself in the
country, in order to have quiet for my religious devotions;
and now, as the present season is becoming bcaiitiful, and we
flatter ourselves that we shall be able to receive vessels from,
and dispatch them to Europe, I seize my pen to talk with you ;
for I am yet uncertain whether, or when you arc coming, and
at all events, I am determined that you shall not be without news
from me. Still, I dearly wish that this letter. may have been
written in vain, and that T nuiy have the joy of seeing you
arrive upon the first ship.

In this letter, you have a short account of every thing I have
done during the past winter; and I will only say to you — in
order to give you an idea of the swiftness with which one
travels here in sledges — that from the 20th of February to tlie
loth of April, 1 have been five hundred and eighty leagues
(which is four hundred and thirty-five good German miles),
partly on the snow, but chiefly on the frozen river St. Lawrence.
As yet, T. do not know when the army will break up, preparatory
to moving oi; New England. If you still come, as I continually
flatter myself you will, remain quietly a few days at Quebec,

iiF MUs. iih:\h:t!M. /{/KDKSK/,.

t;r)

wlioii! )(iu will Mtiiy witli my jiood IVicinl, Mr. Murray, wlio.sc
wife is a nioritorioim iwrHon, Hho will ploiiMo you vory inurh ;
and hIiouU wo have alrondy lirnkm uji our i|uarlc'r.s Iioro, (ako
up your Hojouru at, Tlirc-o Rivor.x, wIhtc you will liiid luy (juar-
tors vaeaut and jiroparcd lor ycui, to which ond, 1 shall Ifavi; iu
tho saiuo housu all my HUpurfluouH l»ii;;t;aj;o. The j^raud vicar,
M. Huiiitoujj;o, will hand you over tho keys ou ycuir arrival j
and ht! aud the Touuaunuirt family will loud you all that you
may need iu tho way of furiiituro.

You will find a tolorablo garden, arranged with reference to
walking, and to furnishing your cook with all necessary supplies ;
and you can remain here until wu are permanently located on
the other side of tho lake, iu Now Kngland. When this time
arrives, I will endeavor to provide a largo ship for your passage
over tho lake, and will send you a reliable otKcer, who will
bring you to mo. I think it probable that when you arrive in
Quebec you may not like tho place. Neither will the wife of
(Jenoral Carletou bo a woman to your taste; she is too proud.
Madame Murray, however, is a worthy woman. All the oflicers
trace a resemblance in her to you, for which reason I have given
her the preference over all other Wfuneii. {[ore at Three Rivers
you will find three families who will overwhelm you with politeness,
aud will do evm-y thing for you that you may wi.sji. First, the
grand-vicar, who has a cousin by tlie name of Cabenac, a maiden
of much wit, who \ am confident will plca.se you; then there is
the family of Mr. Tounaucourt, a colonel of militia and a widower,
but who has throe daughters, extremely well educated, who will be
very good company for you ; and, lastly, a nunnery in which tlicro
is, also, a seminary for young maidens, where both our oldest
daughters can find pleasant amusement, f think you will prefer
Three llivers to Quebec, on account of its ohoapuess, for one
can live here for less than one-half of what it costs in Quebec
or Montreal.

1 write this letter in duplicate, sending one to Knglaud, in
case you have not started ou your journey, and the second
1)

Hf-

■li;';'

!! i,

LETTEliS ANT) JOVIiXALS

to Quebec, where you will find it on your arrival at Mrs.
Murray's.

, r

r
.'li

I ( '

■I

Three Rivers, June 5th, 1777.
Dearest Wife :

On the 6th of last month, General Burgoyne arrived here
from England, and brought me the good news that, when he
left, you were on the puiut of setting out in the ship pf Mr.
Watson. I have, therefore, expected you for the last four
weeks with the greatest impatience, and am now obliged to set
out from here, on account of the delay of your fleet, without
having had the joy of seeing you — a circumstance which grieves
me inexpressibly. But as it cuunot be helped, I will not
murmur; for it is the will of God, who knows how to dispose
every thing in the wisest manner, and more for our own good
than we often believe.

I depart this instant, my love, for St. John, in order to pass
from that point through Lake Champlain to New England. I
leave you jiitirely free to decide whether you had better remain
in Quebec, Three llivers, or Montreal. I think that Three
Rivers will suit you the best, because it is cheaper. There you
will find a garden and a house thoroughly prepared for your
reception, besides, also, your own countrymen, as Jiieutcnant
Colonel Ehrenkron commands at that place. You will, more-
over, be near our military chest, and, consequently, you need
never lack for money. You will find, in addition, wine and various
other things that still remain there. I leave here, also, Biihring,
the ciijitiiln (I'dniK's of my company, that he may assist you
in every thing, and show ^ ou how you may obtain the necessary
provisions. Your servants can receive their supplies from the
storehouse. I flatter myself that the inhabitants of the place
wish me well, t am certain that they will treat you with courtesy.

Should you wish to drive out with the children, you will be
allowed only the post. That costs but one shilling for every

> <4

CiiAMHLY, June 10th, 1777.

Though removed from you, deiir wife, yet I am ever with
you in spirit, and even now am seeking solitude, that T may
the better talk to you, and in thought call back the pleasant
hours, which we have spent with each other.

Some days before my departure from Three Rivers, I com-
mitted the blunder of leaving open the window of my sleeping
room, in consequence of which I drew into my system a rheu-
matic fever. This, it is true, passed off on the 6th, the day of
my departure, but left me somewhat debilitated the first day of
our march. Now, God be praised, I am again completely re-
stored to health. To-morrow I go to 8t. John to give orders
for the repairing of the boats. By this time I hope you have
arrived at Quebec without any ill luck, and 1 await your first
letter with the greatest impatience. I shall hardly have the heart
to open it, for fear that something has happened to you or the
children upon the journey. If, however, 1 find by it that you
and the children are well, then will I thank (Jod and have
unspeakable joy. In that case, our separation will not last
much longer, as I shall have you conveyed hither the very
moment that things become somewhat more tranquil with us.

Time fails me to make this letter longer. Farewell, and do
not be uneasy. God will be your and my protector in every
event that may befall us.

■ '"il

■ \

OF .V/l.<!. (iENERAl IIIEDKSEL.

league. As for the rest, remain tranquil, my love. I shall not
allow you to remain long here, for just as soon as our camp
becomes quiet, I shall send for you at once.

Farewell, dear wife. Uy heart is very heavy within me,
because I go hence without seeing you, but I hope that it will
not be ibr lonj;.

" Ijffjfnf^

DIARY DURIXG THE VOYAGE FROM TORTS-
MOUTH TO QUEBEC.

On the 16th of April, 1777, as soon as the man-of-war, tlie
Blonde, had given the signal, we left Spithead, thirty sail strong,
for St. Helena, where we were to await a man-of-war, named
the Porpoise, that had been ordered to escort the convoy. We
were all sea-sick nearly the entire day, particularly when we
had thrown over the anchor ; for then I found that the motion
of the ship was much more unpleasant.

On the 17th, the wind rose, and on the 18th, at six o'clock
in the morning, a second signal was given, and we weighed
anchor to the satisfaction of. all sides.

On the 19th, we-passed Plymouth under a fine breeze. Most
all were well, and my children and I were as pleasantly situated
as if we had been at home. The weather was so beautiful that
we danced upon deck. Our music consisted of a capital fifer
and three drummers.

On the 20th, 21st, 22d and 2.3d, wc had contrary winds,
storms, very high swelling waves, and bad weather generally;
and, in addition, the men were all sick. I, alone, had no time
to be so, for my servants were nearly the sickest of all, and I
was, therefore, constantly called upon to wait on my three
children. 1 believe there is nothing better for sea-sickness
than to be right busy; for on the first day 1 was as sick as the
others, but when i saw my children sick and without care, 1

LErrEIis .\S1) JOVHNALS.

thouglit only of them, and found myself actually better, with a
good appetite. In general, one docs nothing on board a sliip
but eat and drink. Every day we had four, and oftentimes,
five and six dishes, which were right well prepared. In the
morning, when I was up, I breakfasted in our cabin, washed
and dressed the children, afterward myself, and then went up
on deck. When I could, I worked; at two o'clock we ate
dinner ; drank tea at six o'clock ; and at eight in the evening,
I went down stairs and undressed the children. Then I had
my supper, and at ten o'clock went to bed. My oldest daugh-
ter, Augusta, was pretty sick for two days, but after that she
was better than ever : both the others were only a little unwell ;
and all three had a good appetite.

On the 24th, we had beautifi'', but very cool weather, and
the wind was too weak.

On the 25th, we experienced a calm, and we remained nearly
at the same place. The helm broke, but the captain, who knew
well what to do in such emergencies, at once replaced it. We
had then made only two hundred and fifty leagues since our
departure.

I know not whether it was the hope of so soon again seeing
my husband that gave me good spirits, but 1 found the sea
not so dreadful as many had painted it to me. and had not the
least repentance for having undertaken the journey. I was
conscious of fulfilling my duty, and was calm because I trusted
in (!i'd that he would bring me safely to my dear husband. I
would gladly have sent back my servants, who, more uneasy
and timid than I, were almost, if not entirely, u.seless to me. 1
pitied them; for they, of course, had not the same interest in
the journey as I, who was expecting to overtake a beloved and
esteemed hu.sband. The children felt very differently from the
servants; for when they also were down sick, to my question,
whether they wished to persevere or go back, they answered,
" ( )h, we will cheerfully be sick, if we can only reach our papa!"

On the 2Gth, we again had a fair wind, and made snme headway.

III!

Ill

III

LETTERS AND JOUUNALH

On tlio 27th, wo had divine worship. It was exceedingly
edifying to see the entire ship's crew kuecl down, and observe
the fervency witli which they prayed. In the evening, the
wind shifted, and the ship staggered so dreadfully, that many
were again attacked with fresh sea-sickness, though not as badly
as at first. I often fell down ; one of my daughters had a finger
crushed by the swinging round of a door, and the other hurt
her chin.

On the 2d of May, we had made six hundred and fifty leagues.

From the 3d to the Gth, we had contrary winds and storms ;
and on the 4th, on account of the continued bad weather, no
divine worship was held on board the ship. The vessel was so
tossed about by a storm which we had on the night of the 5th,
that we could not close our eyes ; and I was fearful lest I should
crush one of my children, as they all three slept with me.
Little Frederica never went to bed without praying for her
father ; and once, after one of these prayers, she said to me,
" I long to see my dear papa soon." I asked her what she would
pray for when she should be with her father '/ " Then," said
she, " I would pray to God every day, that he never more would
separate us." This affected me to tears.

At last, upon the Gth, toward noon, the wind changed, and
during the 7th we had a very good wind, and made one hundred
and thirty leagues in twenty-four hours. All were delighted,
and paid visits to the different ships. The ship, Henry, which
had on board one hundred and thirty-four of our troops, was
so polite as to raise its flag and call out, " Long live the dear
wife of our general, and the good general himself! " I cried, in
myturn " Long live the entireship ! " and showed them my three
children as the choicest treasures I possessed. Thereupon they
again shouted, " Hurrah ! hurrah ! " The next moment they
formed themselves into a prayer-meeting and prayed, and sang
hymns. i\Iy whole heart was stirred within me. The man-of-
war. Porpoise, came up close to us almost every day, to incjuire
after my state of health, and to know if they could help us in

V,^lJ

OF M/{S. GFlSKItAL RIEDESKL.

any way. The captain of the ship was the very same who had
carried my husband to Canada. My husband had pledged
himself to get him promoted at the end of the voyage — for he
was only a lieutenant — and upon his intercession he accord-
ingly was raised to the rank of captain. There was on board
of this ship, a Captain Skin (governor of the province of
Georgia), with his son, whose acquaintance I had made in
Portsmouth, at which time they were so polite as to tender me
an advance of two hundred guineas, in case I should need
money. It is true I did not have any occasion for such a loan,
but I have none the less kept their kindness in grateful re-
membrance.

Upon the 8tli, wc fell in with a ship, which at first they took
for an American. Although we had nothing to fear on that
account, still I was a little anxious, as I did not particularly
long to be present at a naval combat. A cable parted on board
of the man-of-war, Hlonde, and knocked four sailors into the
sea. One of them was rescued, but the other three were
drowned.

. On the 9th, we had come a thousand sea miles, estimated
at a third part of our voyage.

On the 10th and 11th, we had a good wind, and on the latter
day we coiled up a knot every hour (i. e. a sea mile; thus
called on account of the knots in the line with which they
reckon the sea miles). There was divine service held this day,
and a parade of all the soldiers.

On the 12th, we had good weather, but the wind was not
propitious for us.

On the 13th, it was better; and on the 14th, changeable,
and accompanied by such a thick fog, that it was necessary in
the night to blow trumpets to warn off the other ships, that,
otherwise, might have approached too near our own.

On the 15th, it rained the whole day, and was very cold.
Still, the wind remained good until noon, when it changed;
and, from the 16th to the 21st, wc experienced contrary winds,

'tl

Hh.

!ir^'"""

w^^^sW

LKTTEns ANJ) JOVItXALS

.'■<(

accouipanicd by most disagreeable and cold weather. A still
worse circumstance, however, was, that the captain of the
Blonde — one of the nicn-of-war attached to our convoy — who
never had been in this region, had run too far northerly, thereby
carrying us back some five hundred sea miles, and obliging us
to wait for a north wind to take us to the bauks of Newfound-
land.

On the 22d, we had a full moon, and with it we received a
good wind, which brightened every countenance.

On the 28d, the wind was changeable. AVe saw the banks,
but could not yet reach them. I was reminded of the fox and
the bunch of grapes in the fable, and came near weeping. We
had now been five weeks at sea, and had only made sixteen
hundred and sixty miles. Besides, it was so misty, that the
men-of-war fired a cannon every hour, to gviard against the other
ships losing themselves.

One of the ships, called the Silver Eel, lost licr main-mast,
and in the night, with the Porpoise, .separated from us ; a
circumstance^that caused me some uneasiness, as my entire
baggage, and my husband's wine and regimentals were on board
of that ship. Neither did these ships rejoin us until the 30th.

On the 24th, we had truly good weather, but still a contrary
wind : it was so, also, on the 23th.

Orj the 2Gth, we were favored with a fair wind, and arrived
without mishap on the banks of Newfoundland. The ship's
cook caught a heavy cod-fish, and brought it to me. The cap-
tain of our ship, who was an old and intimate friend of Madame
Foy and took it ill that he had not given it to her, snatched it
out of his hands, and threw it again into the sea. I, however,
gave the good man a guinea for his kind intention. AVe caught
nothing more the whole day, but I had my triumph when, soon
after, the captain of the Porpoise sent me four cod-fish, bound
on a board, to which some one had fastened a string for safety,
in case our captain should again throw them overboard ! I
treated the entire ship's crew to them, as if nothing had previ-

.'1

OF ynts. (IKNKIIAL lUF.DKHKl.

ously occurred, upon wliicli the captain, at least, seemed ashamed
of tlie rudeness with whicii he liad treated me.

The above mentioned incident, was not the only unpleasant-
ness which Madame Foy iccasioned me. I had much more
reason to regret that I took her with me ; for her sister, who
was again with her, did not conduct herself in the best manner,
and was, besides, very willful ; and Madame Foy's old intimacy
with the captain of our ship, of which I have before spoken,
v^as the reason of her not daring to refuse him those liberties
to which he had formerly been accustomed. Another thing
whicli rendered it unpleasant was, that her chambermaid, a most
beautiful creature, had accompanied her on this journey solely
for the sake of leaving a country where she was already too
much known, and of finding among the sailors such licentious
friends as she was best pleased with. One day it happened
that the captain's wine store was stolen, and my poor jiiger,
llockel, was accused of it. I felt deeply for this honest man.
Fortunately, however, it chanced that one night as Mademoi-
selle Nancy (this was the name of the above mentioned
chambermaid) was just on the point of mousing the wine, the
ship gave a sudden lurch, and threw her down with two bottles
in her hand. Upon this, she gave a loud scrcani, which brought
every one to her on the run, and her theft was discovered.
She justified herself on the ground, that the chief of the sol-
diers had bidden her to procure him wine. This man was an
old tippler, who often passed the night with her in my fore-
chamber, especially on Saturday, when it was the ship's
fashion to spend the evening in drinking the health of wives
and sweethearts. Fortunately, I had made friends with the
lieutenant, the old under oflicers, and the helmsman, by sharing
my meal with their wives and children. These persons, there-
fore, came to me one night when the maid and her lover were
conducting themselves very wantonly, and assured me that
they pitied me, but that they had risen quickly, and if these
dissolute people had come too near me, they would have been
10

H^-!,

I'flif^

III
III

LKTTEUS AM) Jor/.WALS

■S ■•

III

able to come at once to my asHistunco. They promised me,
also, that they would stand guard over this place every Saturday.
This courtesy composed me much at the time, and, subseijuently,
greatly assisted me in preserving calmness.

The 27th, 28th, and 29th, we had good wind and beautiful
weather. The ship, Ulondo, caught one hundred fish. A large
portion of them were cod-fish, some of which weighed fifty
pounds, and were very fine. They were liung around the ship
by their mouths, their entrails taken out, and the sockets of
the eyes tilled with salt : in this way they were nicely preserved
for a long time.

On the 30th, wo had the most beautiful weather in the
world, but a calm. It was a magnificent sight to see some
thirty ships upon the open sea, which was as clear as a mirror.
IJy this time, we had passed the Great Bank, and liad made in
all, twenty-one hundred and twenty-one leagues — over two-
thirds of our journey. We saw a large number of whales very
close to our ship, among which were several young ones, thirty-
five to forty feet in length.

On the 31st, we had the satisfaction of seeing the first land,
which is called Chapeau Kouge. My heart beat for joy. In
the afternoon we passed the island St. Pierre.

The 1st of June, the weather was rainy, but the wind fair.

On the 2d, we had, first, a calm, then a good wind, and
passed the island St. Paul, and Cape Breton.

On the 3d, we came into the gulf of St. Lawrence, and saw the
Port islands, which are great cliff's. It was the birthday of my
husband, and my heart was filled with a mixture of joy and
sadness, and with a longing to see him soon, after all the delays,
to hold him in my arms, and to deliver over to him our dear
children.

On the 4th, we entered the river St Lawrence, and saw
mountains upon the left hand. We met a large number of
ships that wore on their way back to Europe; but the wind was
,so strong that we could not speak with them. Many on board of

OF MRS. (.KXh'/i'A/. ItlKliKSKL.

our ves.scl said tlmt thoy hhw sulilior.s iijioii tlioiii. This eaussiid
111(3 inexpressible pain until our arrival ; for tiie thouj^lit of
comin<i,' into a strange laud, wliieli my husband had, perhaps, just
loft on liis way b:iek to Europe, was to nie dreadful.

On the Stli, we passed in the iiij^ht the island of Anticosti.

On the 0th. we actually saw land and mountains, and, by this
time, had plaeed at our backs twi thousand seven hundred and
sixty leagues. My impatience increased with every day, and I
sought to drive it away by work. T liad already, during the
voyage, embroidered a double night-eap i'or my husband, two
purses, and seven caps for myself and the children, and had
made in addition, many other little things.

On the 7th, wc had a contrary wind ; but on the 8th, it was
good, and we had only to make a hundred and sixty leagues
before reaching Quebec.

On the yth, we were becalmed, and anchored at the island
I'ot de Brando.

On the 10th, at four o'clock in the morning, the anchor was
weighed; and we were now safely over all the dangerous places.
It is a ravishing sight to see both >ides of the shore at this
place — the houses, the great cataract at Montmorency, and
then Quebec, which we came in sight of at ten o'clock, on the
morning of the llth. The throbbing heart-joy, which the first
sight of this ardently wished for termination of our journey
gave me, made all my limbs tremble. (Quebec, upon first coming
into view, appeared (juito handsi'iiie, and, surveying the wliule
prospect, I recalled the beautiful description which Eniilie
Montague has given of it in her letters, and which I found
very accurate.* The city of Quebec itself, however, is as dirty

* Miulnmc ile IliodcHel mcuiiH Mrs. HrookesV Emily Mfmltujiie. Thu aiitluir ol llio
TrarelK titrouijh the I\itti'hir I'art of Aiiif rica, in a S'frief ■'!' Letters (Lioiildimnt
Anburcy) who liad roatlu'il (iiu'bof l)nt a IVw iiioiitli;* bt'l'oi' Madamo do Kiudcsel,
thiiuijflit, that, in c.oiisoqiu'iioo of tlio dmastiitioiis occasioned diii'ini,' tlio last sioi;e,
(iilol)i'C ' would l).v III) moans answer llie lieantilnl deseriplioii j,'iven liy tiie oleijant
writer, Mrs. IJroolies, in lier Einilij Muntuyiie, Vol. 1, p. IM."—Sute of the trann-
lutor, in the trunalatioii of 1S-J~.

^i-

n 'Mrfl''^

IKTTKnS A.Sn JOURyALS

as possible, and very incomiiiodious, for one is obliged to ascend
a great mountain in going through the streets. There are, also,
few handsome houses, hut the inhabitants are polite people.
While we were anchoring, an ineidentoccurredthatgave mo great
satisfaction. Our ship's captain, who was a good man in other
respects, but who had been seduced, through his relations with
Madame Foy into behaving rudely toward me, came and begged
my forgiveness, at the same time praying for my intercession
to prevent the impressment of his sailors. It was the practice
to examine every ship on its arrival, to see how nuiny sailors it
possessed ; and if it was thought that there were too many on
board, a portion of them were taken away to the king's ships.
I used my solicitations for him, and was so fortunate as to have
them granted.

When it was known in Quebec that I was ncaring the city, I
was saluted with cannon by all the ships in the harbor; and
at twelve o'clock, noon, we saw a boat approaching us, contain-
ing twelve sailors dressed in white, and wearing silver helmets
and green sashes. These seamen had been sent to fetch me
from the ship, and they brought me a letter from my husband,
in which he wrote that he had boon obliged to set out for the
army. This news greatly grieved and frightened me, but I
resolved, at the same time, to follow him, even if I should be
with him only for a few days. I seated myself, with my entire
family, in the boat, in which I begged permission to take also
Madame Foy and her sister. This request was granted; and I
thus had the satisfaction of making them ashamed of the trouble
they had occasioned me. At last we safely landed after much
yearning desire and an eight weeks' voyage, at about one o'clock
in the afternoon. When we reached land, I found a little
carryall with one horse. This was the equipage of Mrs. Grcneral
Carleton, which was sent with an earnest invitation to come
and dine with her, and also to lodge at her house. I accepted
the first, only, as I wished to follow my husband at once. At
the General's, I was received by all with I'riendship. [ndeed they

nK Mils. (iKSKltXI. ItlEDKsEL.

did not Hcom to know how tlioy hIiouM Hufficiontly oxpre«« their
joy at my nrrivul, which tlicy assured nie would nmke my hus-
band very liappy. Mrs. General Carleton, upon hearing,' of the
fleet's arrival, and of my bcinj,' with it, had been so thouj-litful
as to send off immediately a courier to her consort, to apprize
him of my arrival, in order that he might rejoice my husband
with the news. The ladies were astonished at seeinj^ me dressed
like an Knglish woman; for having seen our soldiers' wives*
arrive dres.sed in waist-coats, short cloaks, and roiuid caps
with flebbe ; f tliey suppo.sed that this was the German custom.
The Canadian fashion for a woman's dress is a very long cloak
of scarlet cloth. The rich wear them of silk, and without this
garment they never go out. The latter wear in addition, a
kind of worsted cap with great colored loops of ribbon, which,
by the way, distinguishes the nobility from the other classes.
Indeed, the nobility pride themselves so much upon this head-
dre.s8, that they could tear it from any native woman of plebeian
rank, who should dare to adorn lierself with it. The large
cloaks often conceal very bad and dirty clothes. They wear,
also, in addition, an under-petticoat, and jackets with long
sleeves; and when they go out, they wear upon their heads
large capes which cover the whole head and face, and in winter
are wadded with feathers.

At two o'clock in the afternoon, we .sat down to table at Mrs.
General Carleton's.

* Tlie niimher of wives of Brunswick soldlora tliat accompniiied their Imsliands
to America, was seventy-seven.

+ A liind of worsted or clotli ornament, coming down from eacii side of tlie cai)
over tlie ears, very similar to the dogs' ears of the school-boys' caps in winter at
the present day.

V*i

If"

EXTllACT FROM A LKTTRR OF GENERAL
UIKDESEL TO HIS WIFK.

iSt. John, Jiiuf Viit/i, 1777.

You are welcome, my dear iinj^ol, to the ('uiiiuliaii continent !
I littd just seated myselt' at table with the other jrenerals, at
General Phillips's, when the courier arrived with the delij;htful
intollif^ence, that the fleet from Portsmouth was already at the
Isle do Bee, within siyht of Quebec; and that they already
had the news, that you with the three children, wore on board,
safe and well. You must, therefore, without doubt, have
arrived in Quebec the same eveninj;' that the letter was written.

The whole company expressed a common joy at the intelli-
gence, and drank deeply to your auspicious arrival. The share
which they all took in my good fortune gave me additional
pleasure. I only wished that you had arrived eight days sooner,
as I then would have had the happiness of seeing you; for I
had intended, in case I heard of your arrival before passing
down the river St. Lawrence, to return, and sec and embrace
you. Now, however, it is too late, as I cannot go back. Mean-
while, dear wife, let us have patience ; our separation shall not
last long, only, indeed, until you can join me with somewhat of
security, tranquility and comfort. As our correspondence can
now be conducted with regularity, I beg you to keep for me a
kind of diary of what you and the children do daily ; and in
order that we may each know what the t)ther does, I herewith
begin mine.

At eight o'clock in the morning of June 5th, I left Three

I.FirKHs \Mi .till HSM.S.

Rivors;* took dinner at Kivioro do lioiip, at the parHoniigo ;
and Hlo[it lit MiiHsiiioiijjo, wlicro I ariivod vory tired. On tho
Otli, I wont to Mortliitnix, wlioro I dined at nottn. In the after-
noon, [ was lorried over tlie river St. liiiwrenec! in a ninot
i/'irorre (a Itoat nia<l(! alter the fashion of tliis country, of tlio
bark of a tree), and took up my (juartors for tlie night at tho
parsonage in Sorol.

On tiio 7tli, [ Hot out ahout six o'clock in tlio morning, and
at noon, dined at St. J)onis witli Lieutenant Colonel Spoclit, of
our troops, and arrived in tho evening at Chambly.

On the 8th, both tho battalioihs, Pernor and Urcyman,
marched to St. Jolm, and two others came in their place. My
equipage was not able to follow me so (juickly, » circumstnnco
that made nic feel rather i'orlorn, as 1 hud nothing to out or
drink. It finally arrived in tho evening. Tho transportation
of tho troops over the river St. fiuwreneo gave me considerable
annoyance; but, at length, it was all happily accomplished.

On the loth, 1 entertained (icneral Phillips at my ((uarters;
and on the 11th, General IJurgoyue breakfasted with me. At
noon of the same day, I set out from ("hambly for St. John,
and on the way, dined at St. Theroso with Colonel Mackenzie.

On the 11th, I dined at noon, with (Jeneral Phillips, in com-
pany witli Generals Carleton and Hurgoyne, and then it was
that [ was made so happy by learning of your arrival. I
therefore hope now soon to learn, through a letter from you, of
every thing that occurred to you and yours, during the Journey.
To-day, or early to-morrow morning, 1 set out for Crown Point.
You shall hear from me as often as I can snatch a moment for
writing.

♦The iiiiiDuiit of fcrritory occupied as \viiitor(|inirl('r!< by llic (Jcnimii trooiis,
was, an is hi'i'ii in a I'Dniii'r luitc, niiirli (oo lai'^'O I'or tlic imiiiln'i- ol' troops. 'I'lioso
of tlic nriiiiswiikcrs — only i-ix-i in all — oocnplcd a liohl ol' no luss than tliiily-
thrce (icnnan niili's. Thrc(^ Itivcrs. wlilcli was tho lii'a(l-(iiiart('r« of tlic, (ii'iinan
troops (lurinji their winter eanlonnient, was tlie smallest of the llirei^ prinelpal
Canadian towns, and coiinled at this lime about two Inindred and lll'ly houses,
with twelve hundred inhabilanls. TIk^ eliief buildinfjs were, a eonvent of the
Anautftiue friars, and an EiiLjlisli barracks, eai)able of holdinij live hundred men.

V-

■ '■wrfv^fTKPmirummmm

wmmmmmmm^mm

S(l

LETTERS AM) JOUI/XALK

Farewell ! Hug our three dear children right heartily for me.
I hope yo.r money has not given out. At Quebec, you can
obtain on my credit as much as you may wish ; and at Three
Rivers, you will find the paymaster of our army, Godeckc, who
will give you as much money as you may need. Once more, my
love, farewell ! God escorts us as he has done hitherto. Write
me soon, and rest assured that I shall remain wholly your own for
all time.*

* This letter wns not rocoived by Mrs. Ricdesel at the tin\e, as she had again set
out from Quel)cc. tlint she mif,'ht overtake her Imsljrtiul aB quickly as poseihle.

COXTIXUATTON OF MRS. GEXERAL
RIEDESEL'S DTAE V .

The same Captain Pownel, who, as I have already irentioned,
brou^lit my husband to Canada, tendered his services to bring
me by water to Voiui dc Tremble; and a IMrs. Johnson oifered,
also, to acfohipany me. About six o'clock in the evening of
the 11th of Juno (the same day that I arrived in Quebec j, we
embarked on board one of the men-of-war's boats ; and at mid-
night arrived at a place seven English miles from Quebec,
liaving had with us all the way, the most beautiful moonlight,
and a splendid band of music. I put my children to bed ; and
the rest of us sat up and drank tea together.

On the 12th, at half past two o'clock in the morning, we a<'aiu
set out in three calashes, which are a kind of light clniise or carry-
all, very sniali and -uicomfortable, but very fast. I could not
bring my hcait to l -ust a single one of my children to my
women servants; a-'.d as our calashes were open and very small,
I bound ly cor.d daughter, Fredcrica, fast in one corner;
took the youngest, little Caroline, on my lap; while my oldest,
Gustava, as tiie most discreet, sat between my feet on my purse.
I knew that if i wdidd reach my husband I had no time to
lose, as he was constantly on the march. 1 therefore promised
a reward to the servants if they would drive me fast, and con-
sequently we always went as (quickly as the vehicles and horses
would allow. The (Janadians are everlastingly talking to their
horses, and giving tiiem all kimls of names. Thus, when they
wore not cither laslnag their horses or singing, they cried,
11

•^f

S-2

l.FTTEHS AM) .KHIISM.S

AlliiiDi 1110)1 Print

Ptiitr mon (liiicra/ .' " Oftoncr, liow-

evcr, they said, " Fi, ilaitc, Madamt' ! " I thought tluit this hist
was desigucd for me. and asked, " I'/aii'-ii?" " Oh," replied the
driver, " <-r n'cst qiK man rhrca/, In prtitr roqninr ! " (" ft is only
the little jade, my horse!") At every place through which 1
passed, the peasants greeted me, and cried, " Voild la femmr
(/(• noire chtr i/rncad .' " — treating me, at the same rime, with
great affection. Especially was I rejoiced to see my liusband
so beloved on every hand, and to have them all say to me, " Oh
'ju'il arrd content! Cumhicn il a 2^(vle iJc vons ! Oh, qu'ii runa
(time : " ( " Oh, how delighted he will be! How often he has
talked about you! Oh, how he loves you!") In the after-
noon 1 came to ]3erfhicux, where I Avas assured that no calash
was to ))e had, and thai 1 wcmld be obliged to make use of a
boat, or rather, a very light canoe, made of the bark of a tree.
I begged and implored, ai.d offered money upon money for a
calash; for it was Inn-rible weather, and T had to pass the three
rivers, which cross each other, and lead to the village of Three
Rivers. But it was all of no avail, since they preteudod to
consider these ferries as a regular post route, and wished to
make money out of an ignorant foreigner. There remained,
therefore, nothing I'arthcr for me to do than to embark. Seated
on the bottom of the canoe in one corner, T had my three
children upon my lap, while my three servants sat on the other
side. We were obliged, at considerable trouble, to preserve
our exact e((uilibrium, the necessity of whicli, however, I did
not learn from our boatman, until we were overtaken by a severe
hail storm ; whereupon my daughter, little Frederica, became
alarmed, screamed, and wanted to jump up Then it was that
the boatman told me tliat the canoe would be overturned by
even the slightest movement. I was obliged, therefore, to hold
her very firmly, and not mind her cries; and in this manner,
we finally arrived the same evening a1 Three Rivers in safety,
where our officers clapped their hands over their licads for joy ;
and I. bv thismanifc^station. first learned the danger which I had

OF MU-i. i,ESF.I!.\l. lUF.ItF.sEl..

risked. 'J' wo iiiiiitleiiion. vvliilc L'iiL!,aged in fisliiiiu, luid Ijuen iiver-
taken by a sturin, wliiidi upset their canoe, and they both were
drowned. I tliaiiked God that 1 luvd accomplished the passage so
successfully, aud yet it was not pleasinj.^ to nie to know of my dan-
ficr, for this vm'y knowledjie, ever afterward, rendered me timid
in crossing the smallest river, even in the most heautil'ul weather.
The grand vicar had no sooner heard (if my arrival, tlian he
at once called upon me. He had conceived a great aft'ectiou
for my hushand, who had s[ient the entire winter in this town,
and lie increased still more my eagerness to follow him as soon
as possible, by all that he related of his tender love and appre-
hension for US, ami his solicitude on account of our journey.
He said that my husband had been sick, whi(;h he felt assured,
liad been caused by his distress at having been obliged to set
out without seeing us; especially as he had been thrown into
great anguish of mind by constant, though hajtpily, false reports.
For example, he had heard that a lady, who had embarked with
three children, had gone down with the ship; and again, that
I had actually sailed, but had become so frightened as to have
repented of my resolution, and caused myself to be set ashore.
J was, therefore, more strongly than ever fixed in my determi-
nation to liasttMi my journey in every possible wa\ ; and I
immediately sent ahead an e.xpres.s to my husband, aj>pri/ing
liim of oui coming. As the horrible weather still continued,
the grand vicar liad the kindness to oH'er me a covered calash,
which I accepted, and departed in it the following morning at
six o'clock. This vehiile went so rapidly, that 1 could scarcely
recover my breatli, and in addition to which I was so jolted
about (as I was const.intly obliged to Imld my children), that I
was completely beaten to pieces. I was, therefore, obliged at
every post station, to stretch out my arms and walk around a little,
to render my joints more lindjer. In guing to Ohambly, where it
was possible that my hushand still was, T had to choose one of two
roads. I took the one tlr.ough .Montreal, where I .'irrivcd >in the
evening of tlui llltli ; passed the night tliere; and set out iIk' next

LETTtms .[.\J) Joun.WM.S

ti-

morninj:,' very early, that I might sec my husband as soon as
possible. I reached Chanibly on the liUh, and innnediately
eanght sight of a group if dfficers, and our coaclunan. whom my
husband liad left there. I at once ran to him and asked where
my hnsband was? "He lias driven over to Berthieux," he
rei)licd, "to meet you" ( Uerthieux was fifteen English miles
off!) Then I saw that I had chosen the wrotig road, and liad
consequently missed him. Upon this, General Carleton, who
W'as among the above mentioned party of officers, came up,
and assured me that my husband would be back at the latest
on the following day. He, thereupon, took his departure and
went back to Quebec, after liaving delivered over the command
of the troops to (ieneral Burgoyno. An adjutant of my hus-
band remained witli me, and I awaited the following day — tlic
15th of June — with impatience. My children and my faithful
Ilockel kept u constant watch on the high road, that they might
bring me news of my husband's arrival. Finally, a calash was
descried having a Canadian in it. I saw from a distance the
calash stop still, the Canadian get out, come nearer, and fold
the children in his arms. It was my husband ! As he still
had the fever, lie was clothed (althougii it was summer) in a
sort ol' cassock of woolen cloth bordered with ribbons, and to
which was attached a variegated fringe of blue and red, ai'ter
the Canadian fashion of the country. My joy was beyond all
description, but the sick and feeble appearance of my husband
terrified me, and a little disheartened nie. I found both my
oldest daughters in tears — Gustava for joy at again seeing her
father, and little Frederica because she saw him in this plight.
For this reason she would not go to him at all, but said, " No,
no! this is a nasty papa; my papa is pretty I " This conduct
arose from the fact, that I had often shown her the picture of
her father, and had, at those times, said that he had handsome
clothes. 8he was, therefore, not prepared for him in this
costume. 'J'lic very moment. how(.\er, that he threw off his
Canadian coat, she tenderly embraced him.

ill

(tl<' Mlts. /:!■:. Mat At. HIKDESEI..

My husband int'oniied inc. that as lie was on liis way to meet
us, he had, in order to rest himself a little, taken dinner with
Colonel Anstrnther, and had then learned, that a woman had
just arrived I'roni Berthieux. lie at once Inid her brouj:^lit in,
and asked her whether there was any news at that place ?
" Nothinjj,' more," she replied, " than that a German woman
with three children had arrived, who, they say, is the wife of a
German general." " How many children did you say? " ((uickly
asked my husband. "Three," answered she. After this last
answer, he did not desire to know more, particularly as he had
been made happy by learning that all of his three children
lived, and had arrived ; for he had heard nothing from us the
whole winter, as our ships were the first ones which had arrived
this year.

We remained with each other twi) happy days. I wished
very much to follow my husband, but he would not agree to it.
1 was therefore foi'ced, to my great sorrow, to go back to Three
Kivers, where I suffered yet more upon witnessing the departure
of the troops against the enemy, while I, with my children, was
obliged, alone and deserted, to return and live in a .strange
land among unknown people. Sorrowful and very much cast
down 1 traveled back. What a difference between tliis jiMirncy
and that which I had made a little while beiore I Thi> tiuir I
did not move so ({uickly; for at every post station, which re-
moved me further from him I loved, my lieart was torn open
afresh.

As we were passing through a wood, 1 saw. .ill at once, some-
thing like a cloud rise uji before our wagon. We were at first
frightened, until we discovered tliat it was a flock of wild
pigeons, which the}' call here tourtriH (turtle dovosj, and which
are i'ound in such numbers, that the Canadian lives on them for
more than six weeks at a (imc. lie goes to one of those pigeon
hunts with a gun loaded with the snnillest shot; and when he
comes in sight of them he makes a noise. I'hev then ffy uj),
and he fires inttt the midst olthein, generally with ('onsiderable

-fi

Hf* I

/./■r/TK/.'s AX/) .Iiillt.WM.s

liK'k ; \\)Y soiiietiincs he wouiuls two iir tlure hundred, wliicli
lire anevward heaten to deatli with sticks. TIic Canadians sell
part of tlic birds, and eat tlie rest, niakini; of them either soups
or an excellent tasting fricassee, witli cream and garlic. At this
time of the year one eats them every where, and generally meets
with kindness from the inhabitants of the country, who, for the
most part, live in good houses having large roduis and nice bed
curtains. Kvei-y house has a spacious entrance liall, ami, at
least, three or four apartments. AVheii a Canadian marries ott"
his (laughter, he asks liis son-in-law whether he intends residing
near him ; ami shcmld his a .swer be in the allirmative, he builds
him a house ami stable lot far from liis own dwelling ; wliile,
at the same tiuie, the surroiniding land is rendered productive.
In this way. both the cultivation and thepopiilatioiiof the country
arc greatly increased. 'I'lie houses are painti'd white, giving
them a most beautiful look, especially if seen in passing through
the St. liawrencc, for tlien their appearance, in the distance, is
even more sjilendid. Kach dwelling has a little fruit garden ;
and at evening, the herds returning homeward present a most
charming sight. i'lvery wlurt! tlirougliout th.is country, the
cows, as well as swine, are driven into the woods, aiul return at
a given time to be milked. J!ut thoy do not neglect to furnish the
ciittle on their return with plenty of fodder ; otherwise they w<uild
remain in tiie woods. It oi'ten happens that a sow big with young,
and on the point of bringing I'orth, remains away until her deli-
very is accomplished, and then returns with all her sucking j)igs.
If they were conlined in pens as in (Jcrmany, they would die
miserably, 'fhey are very iiuarriilsome. ami appear to be a kind
of mixture ol' wild and tame swine.

I came back to Three Rivers very sad and full of anxiety.
My invariable society was the grand-vicar, and his so called
cousin. As such, at least, she had been introduced to__ me by
my husband. She was good humored and conversed pleasantly.
lie had the siimc (|ualities, and was a man of intellect. T
learned afterward, that every one of these gentlemen had the

iiF MI!S. liF.SF.IlM. lllFDIiSEf,.

ssaiiio kind of cousins resiiliiij;' witii tliem, wlio acted as their
housekeepers; but who, in order to avoid scandal, were forced
almost every year to absent themselves for a little while, on
account of a certain cause.

IJesides these acciuaintanccH, 1 had, also, the convent of
Ursilines, or the Sisters of Mercy, whose sole occupation is
to nurse the sick; for which purpose there is a hospital adjoin-
ing the establishment. Upon visiting it lor the first time, as I
was passing by the door leading into the Invalids' Hall, a man
caught sight of me, and, throwing himself at my feet besought
me, exclaiming — "Become my deliverer! Cause me to be
killed, tliat 1 may return to Germany I" They told me that he
was mad. I gave liim feonu;thing, and got away as soon as
possible.

I found among the nuns several very lovely persons, with
whom I spent m,i';j pleasant days. They had loved my hus-
band very much ; and I learned that he had often sent them
wine and roast meat. Taking the hint from him I did the
same, and even more; for 1 ordered my dinner to be brought
into the convent, and eat with them. The company, and per-
haps the wine, but more than all, the wish to divert me, often
enlivened tliem so much, that they would dress themselves up
and dauce a kind ol' Cossack dance, dressing me up at the same
time like the nuns. A young novice, who luid conceived an aftec-
tion especially ibr me. traced such a likeness between the holy
virg'.n and my.>elf, dressed in nun's apparel, that she besought
me to b(!conK> a nun on the spot. •• liight willingly," I replied,
" if you rtil' make my husband the prior, so that he can live
with us." 8ne was so inexperienced that she believed this was
possible. 8he left us. and shortly afterward we ftiuud her
kneeling before a crucifix, and thanking (Jod for my conversion.
Soon after I had my c'lildren brought in. Little Oustava began
to weep, as soon as she saw me in this costume, and said, '' Dear
mama I do not become a nun I beg you 1 " In order to ([uiet
my children. 1 was obliged to take off my nun's M]i))arel quickly.

■.^^-

hill '

Uw ■

l.hriTHIts AX/i .lori/XMS

■:...

In this convent tlicre was also a scnninary for young lailio.s, who
were tau{;lit all kinds of work. The nuns siny ex(iuisitely ; aiul
as tliey sing in the t-hoir beliind curtains, one might readily
imagine it to be the song of angels,

My household occu|iations consisted chiefly in taking care of
my children, some feminine work, and a little book reading.
The officers who had been left behind at Tlueo llivers were not
amiable. Among them was an ill-bred payuiaster general,
whose rude behavior toward me often roused my indignation,
and redoubled my uneasiness. As I waited for an opportunity
to pay for my passage to Captain Arbuthnot, wliom T daily
expected from Jlontreal,* T i)resented the paymaster with an
order from my husband to pay me a hundred and fifty pounds
sterling, lln refused to honor it. I asked liim if my husband
was in his debt for any amount ? '• No," said he, " he has, on the
contrary, a considerable balance yet in his favor ; " but as my
husband was in danger and might any day be killed, he thought
it advisable to act with deliberation. I was exceedingly pro-
voked at this conduct, and told him that 1 was too much vexed
ever again to apply to him; but I knew that if I should have
the misfortune to lose my husband, there would still be coming
to mo a quarter of liis yearly allowance, which amounted to
considerable more than the sum for which I had asked him.
" Yes, that is so,' sneeringly rejoined he, " but how about the
pas.sagc-back?" -'That," replied I, " Heaven will take care
of; " and I never again allowed myself to speak with him on
the subject, bu*^ went to an English paymaster, who gave me
not only the sum asked for, but in addition, offered to give me
in future as much as I wished. I reported the whole affair to
my husband, who thereupon became very angry, wrote liim a
letter couched in very strong language, and gave him a most
imperative injunction to pay uie just as much as I wanted. He
now became more courteous ; and T had the luck to advance so

♦111 Moutrcnl tlicy buy fiir-skins vci-y clK'np. to sell iifriiiii in Kii','laii(l at a lii'avy
advaiioi'-alnisiiicss ilial pays well.— .V(//« o/' .1M<. IHalnnl in llie orUjimil.

(IF Mi!s. (,/-;\/:-/,'.\/. i;ii:i)i:sh:i..

till' into liis good i;"-aces, that iil'tur his death letters were found
umonyhis effects I'roiii his wile, in wiiieh she wrote him, '■ Y'oii
write me so many beantil'nl thinjis about tlie ^^eneral's wile,
that you make me ((uite Jealous!" Four years al'terward, 1
had the satisfaction <if sendinj^ him, durinj; his last sickness, all
kinds of nice things for his comfort, at which time ho sent for mo
to beg my forgiveness for having treated me so badly. The
speeches of this man, and the various alarming reports that
came daily, cast me down exceedingly and embittered my life;
especially as my husband's letters often miscarried; for al-
though he wrote me continually, yet when they f illy reached
me, they were old. It is certain that we iire niore apprehensive
of danger befalling those we love, if they are ab.sent, than if
they were near us. I therefore wrote and urged and inii)lored
my husband to allow me to come to him. 1 told him L had
sufficient health and pluck to undertake it, and that no matter
what happened he would never hear me nuirmur, but, on tlic
contrary, 1 hoped to make myself very useful to him on many
occasions. He answered me that as soon as it was possible for
women to follow the army, I should certainly bo sent ibr. A
little while after he wrote me that my wish would now soon bo
fulfilled; and just as I, in full anticipation, had got myself
ready for the journey. Captain Willoe came to escort me. One
can easily imagine how warmly he was welcomed by mo.

Two days after his arrival we set out. A boat which be-
longed to my husband and another one brought us to Three
Rivers. The troops on board of the first boat were commanded
by the good sergeant, Biirich, who showed me every possible
attention, and who, since this tinu;, has always kept an eye
upon our baggage. Niglit overtook us, and we found onr.<elves
obliged to land upon an island. The other boat, which was
more heavily laden, and was not so well manned, had not been
able to keep up with us. We had, consequently, neither beds
nor candles; and that which was the most distressing was, that
we had nothing more to eat, for we had taken with us upon the
VI

I : 'HI

! I

'i;r

/./•■y/V'.v.'.s' .i.\7' .i(iri;.\M.s

boat, (Piily cnoiii;!! to last us (as wo siipposod) diiriiij,' tliLMlay.
JJcssidcs, we liimid uiioii lliis island iidtliiii^ hut tiie I'oiir harts
walls of a dfsoitod and miiiiiislKHl house, wiiii-h was Hllod with
hushes that served as a eoiieh lor th(! ni.yht. I eovered them
with our cloaks, making' use, also, of the eushiuus of the boats;
and in this way we had a riiiht ^(lod slee[).

I could not Induce Caiitain Willoe to eonio into tho liut. I
saw that ho was very nuich troubled al)out sonietliirij:', but could
not at all niaki; out tho cause of it. 3Ieanwhiie, 1 observed a
soldier set a \nA upon the firo. .1 asked him what lie had in \i'{
"Potatoes, which I have brounht with nu'," he replied. T
looked wistfully at them, but he had .so few, that I thouj^ht it
cruel to rob him ol' them, especially as he seemed so happy in
their possession. Kiually, liowever, my intense desire to '^\\'\i
s(une to my ciiildren triumphed over my modesty, and 1 thcro-
foi'o bofiji,cd, and obtained iialf, which, at the most, mi^ht liavc
been a dozen. At the same time, he handed nie out of his
pocket, two (U- three small ends oi' candles, which f^avo me ';reat
joy, as the children were afraid to remain in the dark. I (^avc
him for tho whole, a thaler, which made him as liappy as my-
self. In tlie meantime, 1 heard Captain Willoe L;ive an order
, for a fire to be kindled around our building, and for his men
to fjo the rounds the whole niglit. I heard, also, during' tho
entire uiuht considerable commotion outside, which liindcrod
me a little I'roni sleeping-. The following;' morninj:,' us I was at
breakfasi, which I liad spread upon a stone, that served us for
a table, F asked the captain, who was eatinji with mc, and who,
})y tho way, had slept in the boat, what was the cause of the
noises i* He thou acknowledged that we had been in great
danger, from the fact that this island was /y'/s/r a Sniiiirtfru
(Rattlesnake island), so named on account of many rattlesnakes
beiug found upon it; that he had not known of it until too late;
and that when he did become aware of it, he was very much
frightened, but still liad not dared to sail furflmr in the night
on account of the storm. There had been, therefore, nothin<i'

'//.' i//,'.v. I, hw /•:/,■ A/, /://■■/)/■:.■>/■:/..

!)l

Ictl I'lir liiiii to do, |)ut t(» build ii •;rciil liro and inalvc i:(iii>idcni-
lilc noise, hoping- in tliis way to rri;j,liti;n tlio HnakoH and keep
tlioni oil'. His knowledji;!; ol' oiir danjicr, liowcvtu'. Iiad kept
liini tVoni .siufpinii a wink tlui wliolo nij;lit. I'immi licarinu tliin,
I wan very much terriliod, and remarked to liini, tiiat \v(! had
iniinca.sura'uly iurreased our danger by lyinj; down upon tlie
buslies, in which the .snakes like to hide. He iicknowied-i'ed
that I was right, and said that if he had known at the time
where we were, he wouM liave liad all tlie bushes taken away,
or else would have begged us rather to remain in the boat, lie
had first learned the fact, however, Ironi the people in our other
boat, which hud overtaken as later in the eveuiuic. In the
morning we found on every side the skins and slime of these
nasty creatures, and accordingly, made haste to finish our break-
fust. After our morning meal, we were ferried over lake
Champlain, and came at noon to Fort John, where we were
received by the commander witli kindness and much courtesy.
Thus it was everywhere; so much was my husband loved, both
by the English and by the inhabitants of the country. Here
we again took our boats in order to reach a cutter, upon which
we came to Wolf's island, where we remained tlie entire night
on board the ship. During the uiglit we had a thunder-storm,
which appeared to us the more terrible, as it seemed as if we
were lying in the bottom of a caldron surrounded by mountains
and great trees. The ibilowing day wc passed Ticonderoga,
and about noon arrived at Fort (leorge, where we dined with
Colonel Anstruther, an exceedingly good and amiable man, who
commanded the (i2d regiment. In the afternoon we seated
ourselves in a calash, and reached Fort Fdward on the same
day, wliicli was the 14th of August. My husband had actually
left this place the day before with the further iulvance of the
army; but as soon as he heard of our arrival, he returned on
the loth, and renuiined with us until the ItJth. On that day
he was obliged, to my great sorrow, to rejoin the army. ]Jut
immediately after the uulucky affair at Bennington, I had the

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

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Photographic

Sciences

Corporation

33 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) 872-4503

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i.trriHns asd .jmitsM.x

joy ol'siTinj; liiiii iiujiin witli iis on the IStli, and sponJiiij; with
liiin tliiTc hii|ij)v wi'cks in the greatest tran<(iiility. A i'ew Jays
alter my arrival, news eanic that we were eut oH' from Canada,
ir. therclore, I liad nut taken a(lvanta;re ol' this I'ortunate ojnior-
tunity, 1 wonld have been oblij^ed to remain beliind in Canada,
three long years without my husband. 'J'lie sole eircumstance,
whieh led to this — as it proved for us — fortunate determina-
tion, was as follows: I'pon the arrival of milady Aekland at
the army, (ieneral Hurgoyne said to my liusband, '• (Jeneral,
you shall have your ycjur wife liere also I " Whereupon he im-
mediately dispatehed Captain Willoe for me. We led, during
these three weeks, a very pleasant life. The surrounding eountry
was magnitieent; and we were encircled by the encampments
of the Knglish and tiernian troops. We lived in a building
called the ]{ed House.* I had only one room for my husband,
myself and my children, in whieh my hu.sband also slept, and
I'.ad besides all his writing materials. My women servants slept
in a kind of hall. When it was beautii'ul weather we took our
meals under the trees, but it not, in a liarn, upon boards, which
were laid u|ion casks and serveil as a table, it was at this place

♦"The Red ll(Hl^'c•, or ItiiriripynrV lica(l(|ii!iiti'rs. xvii- Imill brl'iire llio rcvnliitioii-
iiry war, l)y Durlm- .Iaiiu> Smylli. who lied to Canada, hiil. siibr^rciiiciilly. i-old llir
lied House to Caplaiii K/.i'kii'l Ualdwiij, wlioocciiiiicd it a^-a lavrni iiiilil hr liiiill and
rc'iiiovid to lliv la\crii owiicd. !^iili»(i|iic>iitly. liy .Major Sproll. The Kiel H(in;<i'
i*lood on an open, nnlenced space. I reidlleel liaviii;.' i-een il in that tonditioii.
When il was taken ihiwn 1 do mil know ; ImiI two years au'o. I found its ehiinuey
I'oniidallon. over whieh a luw street has slme lieen opi'iied. Tlie fort of niHl was
on llie lied House site, wheri' Colonel I.ydins, after haviii!; Iieeii e.xpelled from
.Montreal, liiiill a kind of liloek lionse residemc. whieh the Kreiicli called Kort
F-ydiiis, and liiirned in ITI."). On its fonndation. Doctor Smyth irecled the I{ed
House, winch, after Smyth lift for Canada, was occnpied liy I'eler Treal, a tory." —
Lftterfrom thi J/dii. .Imlijt lltiij, <>/ Su/<it(ii/ii S/irin;/s (toiitj ti nskltnlof (iUnn FttllK
anil J-'iirl Kihinrih, to tin Iraiixliilnr. IhoiiilKi- l.>7, ist'iti.

After the Kri'iidi war, the fort illcat ion al Kort Kdward hecatiie ko dila|iidated, thai
it was seldom occupied liy any of the troops that were slalioncd there. Canada ln'in<;
now comiiiered, il was supposed there would lie no further use for it ; and, accord-
iiiu'ly. just liefore the revolnlionary war. Dr. Smyth erected from the (/(7(;vx of the
fort, till' Ued lloiisi' for his own dwelling;. Ituri.'iiyiu' very iiatui I'ly, therefore, took
this house for his head-iinarters, The order which designulcd the •' Ucd nuiii<u
u» Ucad-quarters," is dated July *!, ITT".

OF MILS. OKXKU.ih lUEDEsKL.

that I eat bear's flesh for the first time, and Ibiuitl it ol' capital
flavcir. We were often put to it to get any thinj; to eat; not-
withstandiuj.' this, liowever, I was very hajjjpy and content, for
I was with my children, and beloved by those l»y whom I was
Hiirrnunded. There were, if I rcuiendjcr rightly, four or five
adjutants staying witli us. The evening was spent by the
gentlemen in playing cards, and by myself in putting my child-
ren to bed.

I !l

t !

THE AMERTCAX ('AMPA[GX,

1777.*

Fmiii tlu- bi'L-^iiiniii-; nt' tlic c;iiiiiiiiij;ii of tlit- year 1777,
Gcueiiil Ifieilosel was iieitlicr adiiiittcd into the war (Miuncil.s of
the Kiiiili.sh generals respecting the movements of tiie Kxpedi-
tion, nor were tlie instrnetions, whieh (Jeneral IJurgoyiie had
received from (he Hritisli ministry ujion the manner in which
the campaign shouhl be conducted, ever imparted to liini.
General Uiedesel continually sought and begged, eitlier the
command of the advanced guard of the army, or. at least, as
far as circumstances would admit, of a particular corps, which
last reipicst was from time to time granted. \t the same time,
the general made it his greatest endeavor to follow out most
l)unctiliously the orders of (leneral IJurgoyne ; to preserve the
discipline and mondf of those troops ])laced under him; to
promote a good understanding between the Knglish and German
troops; and to see to it that the German soldiers received all
that belonged to them, both by the subsidy treaty, and by their
rank, namely : the enjoyment of the same advantages as the
Knglish national troops.

Althongli, indeed,! slight differences occurred now and theu

*Tlii^< is nil iilistrnct of the Military Mniiiiir. willli'ii by (icncnil Kicdcsol. niul
pulillf^hi'd ill lull, ill \\U L/fi <iii'l \yrilinij<, ciUti'il liy .Max Von Kflkiiii; at Lclpslfj,
ill is,')!).

+ TI10SC good olBiMM of (iriicial H'cdc-'fl arc (■(MToliorati'd liy (JiMK'ml Hnrf;oync
in liiK Slitif nf the E.i-iirililion. •,'(! I'dilioii, |iai.'r V.Vi.

'• Tlir niodc (if Har in which they |lhr (Ji-rman li-iiii|is| wcr(M'ii^'ai,'f(l. wasi'iilircly
new to Ihcm; Icuiptalious to dui<i'it wure in tlii'iiisolvcn groat, and Imd Ix'cn eii-

/./•:/■■//■:/:•> A \/> -inrnsM.s.

aiiionj^ tlio juivates, jriowiiiL; nut nl' tla-ir lutt uii(l('rstainlin<^
cacli (ithcr's laii<:uaj;o. yet tlicy wen; mmui sottled, e!<iiceiiilly
wluMi (leneiiil Hifdescl was jucscnt.

It was uii(l('r tlii'so fiifmiistaiurs tliat tlio army iimvod out
(if wiiifei-(|iiartc'is on the .'Ul orJuiie. On flio (Illi ol'.liily. llic
Aiiu'ricaiis al)aii(loiu'(l 'riooiidcroua. On \\w veiy sanio day,
(Jenoral Kicdosel was detatdu'd witli tlinc (Ici'man liattalions to
sniiport Hriuadier rrazor. wlio was jiurMiinu' tlii; ri'Ireatinjr
enemy toward Unlterton. Wliile, on the 7tli. lie was only alxnit
an hour's distance I'nmi J{riifa<lier l-'ra/er, the latter had, with-
out waiting,; for him, already enjiaued the enemy. The fne was
hot, anil the situation eritleal. until tleneral Kiedesel came u]i
with his advanced uiiard. and made with it a fresh attack
uj)on the riuht flank of the ciu'my. wliicdi chanficd the cc>m-
jilexiou of art'airs so mucli. that the enemy were beaten with
considerable loss; ami IJrii^adier Kra/.cr, as well as all the ntti.
cers of his eor|)S, exjircsscd to the general their most lively
jrratitude.*

After this aflair. General IJurj^oyne j;atbcrcd his army to-

limici'd mill circiiliitc'd iiinoiiir llutn liy cmi-'snHi's nfilic cticiny with niiicli ml nnd
iiidii^'lry. .Ir.ildiisy (d pivdili'i'iidii in the alluiinriii id' )>iiri> miil >c|ijiiiiii' roiii-
iiiiiniN. I'viT cul)^isl•' miiiiiii: imnp- cd' dillri'ciil >-liil<'s: and a ~iilid iindcnnci' id'
jiid^rnicnl in llicciinMiiandcr in cld(d'. nl'lcn appraiMi nainiw naliimal |iai'lialily.

■• I ••(iiiri'sr'. I \va^ nincli a••^is|(•d In inainlaiidnL' innliality In an army \\m* ciini-
poHi'd, liy the IVanlv. r'pii'iud. and lii>n<iral>l<' cliaiartcr I liad tn ilral willi. In Majiii'
(icnrral Hii'ilrMl : —a cliaiactcr uhlcli win* very I'aiiy Impri'i'^i'd iipun my mind, anil
wlilcli no iHais of inliinny. danu'i'i- and illolrcs?'. jiavr tiincc rll'accd : lint addnvB
wah ^tlll riMpiUltr to siroiid Ills /ral. and iIIIViim' it tlniiiiL'li tlii'(ii'i'inaii rank!*, and
I Mliidli'd ti> tlirow llii'in intu >ltiiatiiiii> llial nili:lil l'Im' tluin coiilldi'nri' In tlicnr-
Hi'lvi's. rrcdit with their prlnci'. anil alac rily in llu' pin>iill iil' an mti'i-prisi'. wlilcli,
when its dillli'iillirs wvw ii>n<lii<-n'd. in I'aci riM|iiirrd fiitliiislasm.'"

'■*.\I'I<T llir liallli'. Kra/n-. while cxprrs^lnir hi- tliank- liir Ihi- timely reMiie.
shiiiik hands with 111- nld I'rienil and riiinpaiilnii In arm- I |{i>'de-el{. wiih whuiii he
had already I'lPUiilit in the Seven Years' war. in (iermaiiy. wllh L'leat valur."-
llhtitrij iif till flenmtii Aii.tilhirh" in Aiinricii.

(ieneial Hnnroyiie in his ollUlal repiirl nl'lliis aellon. due- mily partial justice to
(ierinaii vnlor on this iHrnsion. "Major (Jeiieial I{lede-e'" he says, "and the
troops under his I'unimand wished to partake ol' the lionor. and they eatne at the
rlirhl lime to i;el it. ' He tail-, however, to mentloii the I'ael. that It was the tier-
mans who liirned the seales and assisted the Ihitl-li out id' their strait.

^tr-.

IKTTFIIS A. YD ./'yr/.'.V.I/..s'

ficnu-r ill SkecnslHirdii^h. On the 12th of July, (lonenil
|{ie(h'sel Wiis di'tadieil with nix hattalions. with orders to posst
hiiii«:lf ill thi- vii'iiiify of CuMth' Town,* in order to erente in the
niiiid ol'tlie enoiiiy » siis|>ieioii tliat liis object was a demonstra-
tion upon the Conncctieut river. In the meanwhile, General
IJurj-oyne iiad the roads repaired. t and bej;aii to advance uj)on
Fort Hdward. by way of Fort Anne.]; At the same time, and
while lie was marcliinji upon Fort Kdward, (ieneral lliedesel
received orders to follow the Fiiif^lish in that direction, wliich he
did, and united himself aj;ain with the army on the 'id of Au<;ust.
While at this place, (ieneral JJuriioyne determined to detach
a corps iinihu- Jiieutenaiit (^oloiiel IJauni to IJennin^ton. for the
luirjiose of seizing a considerable maj;azino of stores in that
town; an expedition that General IJicdesel thoujilit very unad-
visable. and ajiainst which he emphatically contended. Not-
withstanding this, however, it was undertaken, and as it was
tliiiiiubt that liicntenant Colonel liauni had too small a force to
contend with the enemy, liieutcnant Colonel IJre^mann — al&o
contrary to the judgment oi' General IJiedcscl — was sent to
sniipoit him This affair, on the llltli, at Mennin^ton, turned
out very unluckily. The enemy was four or five times stroii,i:er
than the troops sent a-iainst him. The distance prevented
Lieutenant Colonel IJrcymaun from comiiii: up early enouj;h ;

* Cii^llcTdwii -till' iircsciit Cnstli'loii. VI..— Is di'scrilicd lis licinir. al llils period,
'a wii'itlu'd piaii'. coiisisiiiur "f only Iwciily iniiTnil)!!' dwelling' liniisi's. Ilio
owiiiTs (il'wliicli wiTc Ibr tlir iiiiifl pari palriDls."

+ t;iin'ial Hiin.'i)viii' iicil iiiily had to repair Die roads, hiil to cm a road lliroiii.'li
a priiiHval luresi and llu' worst Jiind ol' a loresl. lull of swamps and wiiMi-l'alls,
DiiriiiL' liis inareli lo Fori lylward alone, lie liad lo liiiild lorly liriclu-is, and lay eor-
diiroy roads oI'Iol's across Hie swamps, one ol'wlilcli was two miles in leiitrlli.

^ Fort St. .\nne. al this lime, exisleil only in name. It consisied of a s(inar(\
formed liy palisades, willi loop-holes lielween lliem. Inside of Ihe enclosure were
a w relclied liarrack and a storehouse luiill of wood. The .\mericans set it on lire
when they evacuated the place : but a violent shower haviiii.' set in and extiiifiliished
Hie llames. tlie work of destriiction was only partially accomplished. The hrickx
of tlie I'oiindations that were still siandin;.' were used hy tlic (ierinaiis. on takiiii,'
possession, to liiiild ovi'iis.

OF Mils. liESKIlM. l!lb:i)Ksh:i..

and, iK'Ci»i-diiii;ly, hotli coqis wcn'o lieiitcii (nie iil'tor iinotlii;!-.
'J'lie men as well as their resiieetive chiel's acttil very bravely,
but tliey were the vietinis of having been stationed tni> far from
tlie army, witliont the slij^htest eommuiiication.

This unfortunate affair eaused a sud(K;ii eessation of all our
operations. Our boats, jirovisious — in faet, notliing was re-
ceived froni Fort (leor-e. The army, tlierefore, could not
advance farther, and the despondent wpirit)< of the enemy
became suddenly so elated, that its army jrrew daily stronj^er.

On the 8th of Auj^ust, (Jeneral Kiedesel was detached with
three battalions to John's Farm,* between Forts (ieor<,'e and
Kdward, for the purpose, not only of covering the communica-
tion with Fort (ieorge, but to promote the conveyance of the
convoy to the army. There, in that place, he was comj)letely
cut oft' from the army ! So he entrenched himself in a strongly
fortified camp, that he might be able to defend himself to the
last man. Tiie main army were stationed during the whole of
this time at Edward's House and Fort Miller; one battalion
being plae-u at Fort Kdward for the purpose of keeping up tiie
communication. Jt was natural to expect that when the army
.shoidd advance toward Albany, intermediate forts wimld be
established along the Ilud.son river, to keep up continually
communication with Fort (ieorge; but (Jeneral JJurgoyne,
fearing that by such measures his army would bo very much
weakened, determined upon an entirely difterent \<U\\. He
wished, in line, with forty days' provisions, and a proportionate
train of artillery, to advance against the enemy, and havin"'
beaten them, to put forth every eflort to force a connnunication
with the army that was believed to be advancing from New
York to meet him; at the same time abandoning all communi-
cation with Fort (ieorge, Tieonderoga, and Crown Point. Of
this design, however, nothing was allowed to transpire.

♦ This farm was inimedlatoly north of llall'-wiiy lirook, two mill's fnnn ilic picsont
pretty \i\h\^v. of (Jlcirs KallH. Half-way lirook must not \w coiifoiiiKlcii witli IJoiky
brook, wliero MnKimiis foil wliilo oil hin way to the ruliof of GfiK'ral Joliiit-oii, on
the 8th of September, I'oS.

^K.

(ii.

l.h.TTFIts A.\/i ./(>r/,'\M.S

As siHiii as tin' ]ir()visions anil all dtlicr necessary suiijilies
for the army were culleefed, the eainj) liroke ii|i i>n tlu! lltli of
Se|itenil)er ; on the l.'Jtii, the army hail i-ndrely iia>seil the
lliidson river, and on the 1 Ith, eneam])eil on the hei>:hts of
.Saratopi. On the IStliiit murehed to the lu'i^dits iil'l)oviij;at,anil
on the 17th. was at Swords's house. All these marches were
at-tended with exeeedini; harilsliiji,asall theroadsand hridires had
to he repaired, and we were oltlij;cd to make very cautious recon-
iioissances. .\ still worse cireumstanco was. that the course of the
Iliulson is such, that the rid^'c of hills on either side is now
close to it and now far oft'. The columns were thus forced to
inarch on tin; flats ami on the hei,i;hts. and. were, thert'l'ore, very
often half an hour's distance from each other, nuiny times with-
out an <i|i]n)rtunity of uniting.

In the meantinu\ the iinfortumite affair ha|i|>ened at 15en-
ninirton ; and this, to}.'ether with the raising of the siege of
Fort Stanwi.\ by the American (icneral Arnold — a siege that
liad been undertak«Mi by the Knglish liieiitenant ('olonel St.
l-eger — raised the sjiirits of the enemy so amazingly, that the
militia poured forth in crowds from the provinces of New llani])-
shireand New York. Three brigades, also, arrived from the army
of Washington and Putnam ; anddcneral (,iateswassentby(iene-
ral Washington to take command of the army. Hy this means
the American army which at the end of .July and the begin-
ning of August, was only about four or five thousand strong,
now increased to between fourteen and twenty thousand men.

With this considerable force the enemy advanced first as far a.s
Stillwater, and afterward encamped three tniles this side upon
the heights of IJimese's House,* where his right wing was sup-
ported by the Hudson river. This wing was protected in front
by a large, marshy ravine, and behind, its lines were screened

* So spelled III tile iiriiriiial. I'roliiilily no imiiie liiis been jrlven in nx mnny illf-
ferelil \viiyt> iik IliN. Some « filers spell It lieiiiis : olliers Helmiiis: wliili'. iiirain.
W. ('. Wilkinson ilieiileiiaiit in Hie IWd Hrilisli re;.'iininl. anil .i^sistaiit eiiirineeil in
Ills map ul'tlie Held olaetion. made on the spot, spi tis It llniniiis.

OF VUS. UFShliAI. lill-:/>KSFf.

!l!t

b^' Mil iihali- 'till' Ift'i wiiiu i-xleiidcd on to ii licijilit. iipini
tho t<i]i of wliicli sliioil tt si'liiiiil li<iu>(t, iiiid Un left Hunk wim
iikewiso scrconod, rn the >idi- of tin' hill, liy f'ollod trues.
'J'lu' lii'i>.cli(.«i were as st»c|) Itoliind ii.s in Irmit ; and it was u|i<in
thcsi; !u;i^lits that thf iMicniy wen' I'lilrcnclii'd and awaited imr
iirri\al. Altmit eleven n'clock. on tiie ^n'l^ninJ:; of the I'.Mh,
oiir iiriiiy advam rd from SwordnV house in thni' co'iinins 'I'lie
kft hand eiiiuinii, whicdi went l»y land aud water, eoiisi.-ti'd
of four (icriiian ref^inicnts. and the 47tli |{ritisli, tlio latter
eoverinji the bateaux. 'I'hese troops, toyefher with all the
artilleiy and l)a;;trai^(!, were plaeeil under the eouuuand of (jeiie-
ral liicide^t'l. At an interval of half au hour all the Kni^li.sh
rei^iinents, whirh were led hy Jiur;;oyiie, liiniself, a> general in-
ehief, niarehed n|ioii the heights at ortr iij:ht hand ; and tho
third eolunin, whitli niarehed still more to the ri}.'ht, were
eoinpo-sed of the I'razer corps, and the eorp-- of Lieutenant
('<donel I5ii;\ inanii, and were (Mniinianded hy Hrii:adier (leneral
Fra/er. 'flie march was exeeedinply tedious, as every nioineui
new hrid^'cs had to be made, and trees put down and removed
out of till' way. About one (t'oloek, the eoliiiiin of (leneral
Uiedesel Inward a d'sehar^c of siiiull arms and eaiiiion, and eon-
jei'tiired that it <'a!i!efrom the trmijis with (ieneral Hur.'oyne.
At hall' past two the tirinir eommeneed anew witli more or less
furv. As (ieneral Itiedesol nji t" llii> (iine h;id not reecived
the lea-t iiitellii.'enee I'roni (Jciniral IJuriroyne, he dis]iatehed
Captain Willoe to him. The Latter n-turned after three-<juarters
of an hour, brinj;ing orders from liurgoyrie to takt^ the best
measures to eover the artillery, ba^jrage aud bateaux-, and then,
with iia many troops as he eould sjtare, to come to his assistaneo,
and endeavor lo aftaek the enemy on the riLdit Hank.

General Uiede.^td immeiliately took his iufautry rii;iment and
two companies of the Khetz rc<i;iment. and niarehed through a
piece of wooda over the heights in the direction of the tiring.
Upon emerging from the wood into the clearing at Freeman's
farm, he saw both armies engaged, and found himsell' close

i»r-

I(ll>

t.K7'Tf:/{s A\/i .lnlli.\M.s

oil t'l the cin'iiiy'H riirlit flunk Tin- Kii^^lisli k-ll wiin: \va^t just
oil llic [MMiii III' ri'tri'utiiij!;. .llf. tlic-ri-Con'. at once roriiicil llic
Ht'Vcii <Miiii[iani»'H. ami utiackcd tlii' ciiciiiy at tlie (loul»l>'-<|iiiik.
As soon us tl\o I'liiL'li^h lurccivcd this iiHivciiifiit, tlioy nillioil,
iinii. ill a i*linri tiiiif. tluM'iii'iny was i;oiiijiii't«'ly Injattin ; anil liml
not niii;lit coiih' on. it wmiiil liiivc been euwily possible to hiive
drivrii. at tin: sami- linu-. his broken ranks into his (aiiii> in the
frrcatijst tlisikiilci' Niiilit ii.\<t.f<l ii|i<in the irori|i,-< as tln-y .stood
on the tiehl ol' battle;* anil (leiieral Ilieilescl returned to ttie
left winjr by the river side. On tlie 2<Jtb, our army oceuiiicd
the jHisition of Frct'iiian's farin as far as thr emi of liii- risiiif^
ground toward the liiid.<on river. The hill, which sinrmuidcd
the valley, was i'orlilied with redoubts, and a bridge was thrown
over the river, and ](rotee(ed on the othisr side by a tftf </< pont.
The entire army entrenehed itself with lines and redoubts,
wiiich iieiT and there were garnished with batteries at suitable
jdaees.

Ill this position bnih armies reniained stationary until tiieend
of September. Onr pickets were from time to time attacked.
'W ■ were eoiislanlly obliged to send out oin' fdiiiging parties
uccoiiipaiiicMl by a .strong i:scort. and the torago beeaiiic very
scarce. W'o often sent out detachments to rt'Coniiuitre the
right flunk <<[' the enemy, but we were never so fortuni'to m to
obtain any accurate knowledge of bis cami' The enemy, on
bis side, likewise, did not fail to send out from time to time
detachments against our right flank, and u](oii the other side of
the river in the direction of the Hatten kill. While stationed
at this iiIm'c. we abo hariied that the enemy liad made aii
attempt, by way ol' Skeeiisborough, upon Carillon, which was
unsuccessful. He bad. however, s\irprised four eompanies of
the ')'>d regiment, stationed at the .Saw-mill, who were all

♦'■The Urlli-'li and CliTimiii IriKips bivnimckid im llio ImllU-fidd llif Briilis-
wkkiTs l•olnllo^i«;^ in jmrt llu ritrlu «in(.', ll wa;' a silent uli'hl. No ullior sounils
weri' liruril. i'\<'r)>l thi' ^rroiiiiiiii.'a«(l i-iLrliiiii; ol Ihr woiinilod, mid lln' iliallonglng
(if the sciitrli'H," - 7'/ie AiiwUiary Tniuixi in America.

nh- Mils. i.h:\h:iiM. iiii'DEsh:!,.

101

eaptiircd. Our piovisiuns wen; (Mil dtl', riMliiciiijj; our daily
raliiiMs til uiH' |iiiuiiil III' moat ami mic of lireail; a trial. Iinwcvcr,
wliicli iiiir siiMii-rs huro with the i^rcatof^f i'nrtitudi;. As nur
Hituatimi ht'caiiie irmii day tn day iiiiirc <-ritieal, and tlic |iusitiiiii
III' tlu' I'iMMiiy lifiiii: tun striiMi,', and liis army Inn iiuiiit'rnMs to
attack liiin, (Iciicral liur^rnyiu*, mi tlu- Ith iil' ()ctiilit>r. calli'd
^Minerals I'luHijis aiul Hicdcscl, ami |{ri;;adi('r (Ii'iicral l'"ra/,or
into liis presence, for the purpose of consulting; with them ujmn
the best cuurst! to he purHucd under the present state nl' affairs.
For his part, he proposed to leave all the supplies and hnats lor
ii lew daj'8 ill one of the entrenehinents, under the eare ol' ii
force of abcuit eij^lit hundred men, und to attack the eiu'my
upon his left flank, and turn his rear. Hut as we knew as little
of the roads as of the positinn of the enemy's left win^, and as
three or four days must certainly elapse hefore we could bring
about un cnj^u<;eincnt, iind as, moreover, it would be danjrerous
to leave our weakly j,'uaided majra/.ines for so lonf^ a time, it
was determined, after mature deliberation upon these and still
other circumstanecs, to hold a second ennference upon the
evenini; of the oth. At this meeting, (leneral lliedesel dis-
tinctly declared, that our situation was of such a nature that if
we did mit march against the enemy within one (biy. to attack
him and bring affairs to a crisis, it would be expedient to move
back again to the liatten kill; and after having passed the
Hudson in rear of the Hatten kill, where we could not again
be cut off from Fort Ocorge, to await (Jeneral (Minton's move-
ments in ojiening communication. Mrigadier (ieneral Frazer
fell in with this npinion of (Ieneral liiedesel. (Ieneral I'hillips
would give no advice whatever, and (Jeneral Hurgoyne, with
whom it went hard to make a thoroughly backward movement,
declared that, on the 7th, he would make a reconnoissance as
near as possible to the enemy's left wing, in order to a.scertain
whether or not it could be attacked. In the first case, he would
on that very day, the 7tb, immediately attack the enemy ; but
if, on the contrary, the enemy's position was too strong, be would,

V-

Illl

I.KTTKHs AM) .H)l ItSM.S

on tlic lllli (if Oftiiltcr. al >twv nlriMit tn tlii> MattiMi kill. As
III! iHTsistcil ill this ilftcnniiiiiliciii, tlicrc rt'iiiiiiiicd imtliiii^' iltc
til (l<i liiit tn F4uliiiiii to iiirt wi'^lii's On the tlih, we liirajrcd, ami
tli.«trilintt(l latidiis fur fmir (iay.H ainmi^' tlic iiicii. On tin; 7tli,

at ten u'ljcitk ill tli( iiiinj:, tiftecu liuiiilruU iiii'ii, Hfloctisil

fur till) itriiiiniii.Hsanic, niarcluil Inrfli with eij:lit i!aiiii(iii, iiiidrr
tile c"iiiiiiiiaii(l iif (ioiifral |{iirj;ii3ni' liiiii>clf. wliu wan ac(iiin|m-
iiieil fnnii tin' i-aiii|i liy (icncrals liiodcsi-l, I'liiHipi and Kra/.iir.
In tliret! (■"iiiiniis, we advanced t(i within idiout a ((iiarlor (if an
huur's inarcli uf tliu cnt-iny's loft win^', wIkti' wo mi't a |inrtiiiii
(if tlio cnoniy (M'oii|iyini.r a liuiiso ( Woisor't* hiniso); dnivo him
out, and tmik jiofifofsidii (if tlio rihiii;: ij;r(iiind, which, Imwovor,
wiLS .siirniundod mi Ixitli sidos with wikkI.s. While we were
dolilioratin;; in this iilaeo, htiw wo could push tlie rccdiiiKiiM-
Maiico .xtill further, the oiieiny attacked the left winj; of our
coniniand, and flunj; himself with t. reatest force u|ioii tlio
Kiijilish grenadieis standiii;; in the wood, liientenant Colonel
Speeht, who commanded the centre, maintained \m iiositioii for
a hinji time, and would have su.staiiuKl himself still loiij;er, luid not
my liord IJalcarras, who was stationed on his riicht flank, been
ordered hack thronj;h some inisunderstandiiiLi. As he wa.s now
attacked in frmit and on Imth flanks, he found himself, with lii.s
three hundred men, forced to retreat. Thereiiiion, the enemy
pressed forward from all sides, and (leiieral l{ur^'(jyiie at onoe
ordered a retreat ujioii the ;^ieat riidoulit on the rij^ht win^ of
the l"'razer corps. Scarcely had the troojis reached there, wlien
the enemy attacked the redoubt with the i^roatost fury, but
without success ; and we held it until the next morninj^. Hut
the Hreymaiin corps, hardly two hundred men stronj.^, and
attacked in front and on both flanks, j^ave way after liieutcnant
Colonel IJreymann was killed. Now, but unfortunately too late,
(ieneral Hurfjoyno determined to make a retreat to tlie IJatten
kill. Hefore the break of day on the niornini;- of the Sfh. we
left our jiosition and drew ofl* into i\w valley where our supplies
were. We were obliyod, however, to stop over u day, as our

"/■• I//.'.s, /.A'.VAA' I/. l,'IH>h:sh:i..

lo:i

h'iH|iital ('(Mild iiiil III' MMiiicr lriiii.<'|M)r(('il. In ilic cM'iiiiii^ \v<'
set (Mil nil mil' irti'(':it. iiinl (ii'iii'i'al liicilcM'l wiis |>lii'('(l in
(■iiiiiiiijiikI III' till' Viiii^ii.inl. with iiistnirtiiiiis tn crn.-s ilic lliui-
i^iill Mini |Mi>t liilii-cit' lii'liilnl (lie Itatli'li kill. lint M'Ml'ri'lv llilil
III' iiri'ivt'il at hiiviijiat, wlicii lie received ludei'."' tn liali. A day
\va> tliiis ilHL'lef*.«*|y waited, til iMir fji'tati'Sl iiiiiii/.eiiiiiit, in tin;
evuiiiiifr, we a;:aiii iimiclied, iiiid jmHscd ii.l I ill, inar Sarat<i^:a.*
]{y llii^' tiiiu;. tile eiieiiiy liad iii'i'U|iii'd tlie uj jinsite liaiik nt'tlie
liinUiiii, a( the Itatteii kill, i'nr wliieli rea'-mi (leiieral jtiirju^iie
ei)in*idered it daii;iei'iiiis ti> erns."* the ' idsmi. The a/iu\ , thei'e-
t'lire, (III tlie lOtii, UwV ii|i a |iii.>ii'iiiii at Sarati^a .>liieh, in Iced,
was strung mi the Kit win^ tnwanl the Ki li kill, but in thi!
eeiiti'i and mi the riuht wiiiir, was r^n f'anltv that it was itniins-
sihle to inaiiitain it. 'I'lie same rveiiin^' tin; eiitire ann} ul' tin-
enemy eaiiie up. On this same il:r-, we had d(;s|iat('lii d t wo
re<:inieiits under the emiimand nl' l/ieu'emiiitCulniiel Smitherlaini
mi this side ut'the lludsnn river. ti> recmimiitro the mad which
led >ii l''iirt i'ldwanl. and had sent with him the engineer, ('a|ilain
Twiss, to repair the hridjics. Lioiittinanf ('ulinitd Sniitherland
actually ^'ot within an hmir's march nf l''i>rt Kdvvard. and was
prcjiariii^' tu mend the chief hridiic, when lie received the un-
fiirtunate order to return. On the morninu oi' the llth. the
enemy, with three hriirades, passed l'"isli kill in lull view ol' our
army, with the intentim! nl' attaekiiijr mir rear. He was so
liirtunate as to capture mir hoals. and also iiiak(! prismiers ufaii
officer with thirty men. and a urcat part ol' our hoatmen. A

*'I'lii' rriiiirr iiiii^l Ivriir in miiiil lli;il IliU i-^ imiI tin' SiiiiiIul'.m WiiliTiiiir pliirr nl'
moilcrn ilnv^. Imt llic nlil Inwii ol SaralnL'a. l\inL' ii|mi|i (lie iiiiir:.'in nl llic lliiil^nii
river. .\l tills lliiu'. Ilic SanilcPL'M. Iirrr rclcinil In in llir Irxl. was a silhiL'i' nl -nini'
tlilrly i-'nlaU'il liniir^c-. Inralnl nn llii' i'Il'IiI lianii nl' llii' llalli'ii kill, wlilcli i'tii|ili<'-<
inin llii' llnihiMi. I nnliirnnii-' In llii)- villaiii' \\n* llir nld niililarv wmk. I'nrl
llanl.v. ralli'd allcr (InMiimr llaiil.v. and iTi'cli'd in I In- llf-l Kri'iiili war. 'I'ln- lim-s
nrcnlii'iiiliiniiil cinliiaccil alinni lllli'cn acrci'nI'L'iniiMd. 'I'lir niiliT ^\■n^k^> wliiili .ire
iMiniidi'd Hniilli on the iiorlli Imnk '*' fi^li rri'i'k il-'i^li kill), iiiid ra>t mi llirwc-l
Imnknl'llu' lliiili'iin. .vet il.'^'ni I'cliilii llii'U|i|H'»niiU'corai*li'niii;fnrtilii'alinii. llinnan
hniit'H, l°ni<riiii'iilK ol' llic-ai'iiif, KWorilK. ImiIIm, IoiiIh, lirokcii crocki'i'y, dr.. arc I'rr-
(|iirnll.v pickt'd up on IIiIh i;roiind.

%»•

TT-^

■

104

LETTEIIS ASD JOriiXALS

brisk fire of canister tliat we opened upon him, forced the
enemy, it is true, to recross the Fish kill; but the batciiux,
tofrether with a great part of our supplies, were, nevertheless,
lost. J)uring the entire day, our army was cannonaded from
the front and in the rear, and the outposts fired incessantly
upon each other. In the evening, (icneral Burgoyne again
called Generals Riedesel and I'hillips to him, and held a con-
sultation regarding the best course to be pursued in this
emergency ; and as he himself gave it as his opinion, that it
was as impossible to attack the enemy, as to maintain our posi-
tion either in the centre or upon the right wing. General
liiedcsel proposed to abandon the baggage and retire to this
side of the Hudson during the night — not, indeed, at Fort
Edward, but to ford the river four miles below, and strike
across to Fort George — a feat that was still possible, since the
enemy had not yet occupied the road on this side of the river.
That evening, however, we could not agree upon any fixed plan.
It was the same on the 12th. Meanwhile, the enemy occupied
all the posts along the river as far up as Fort Edward, and also
extended itself more along our front.

At three o'clock in the afternoon, a conference, to which
Brigadiers (lall and Hamilton were admitted, was again held.
General Iliedesel insisted very vehemently and in the most
emphatic language, upon the retreat as previously proposed —
a retreat that was now still practicable, but which the slightest
movement of the enemy would render utterly impossible. At
last, this retreat was resolved upon ; but scarcely had all its
details been arranged, when it was discovered, that the provi-
sions for six days, which should have been given out in the
morning, had not yet been di.stributed. An order to this efl'ect
was, accordingly, at once given out ; and it was resolved, that
if by ten or eleven o'clock that evening the distribution of the
provisions should be finished, the retreat should be begun.
General Riedcisel was to lead the van, and General Phillips to
bring up the rear guard.

OF MltS. (IKXHltAL lilEDESKl.

105

Precisely at ten o'clock, General lliedesel notified General
Bur-oyne that the provisions had been distributed, but received
the unprecedented answer, that it was now too late, and that
the army should remain in their present position.

On the morning of the l.'Jth, the previous situation was com-
pletely changed. The enemy had entirely surrounded us, and
with such skill, that in order to attack him we would be obliged
to cr.KSs a marshy ravine and a steep hill ; by doing which, we
should be so far removed from the water, that he could cross
over from the other side and attack us in the rear. ]}y this
time, also, the nick of time ior retreating was lost; and the
retreat itself entirely impossible. The army, moreover, had
only five days' rations. Accordingly, on the very same day,
(.eneral Hurgoyne summoned the commanders of battalions to
a general council of war, in whicii the condition of our army
and the strength and position of that of the enemy were laid
before them, (ieneral Hurgoyne then acknowledged that he
considered it an impossibility to attack the enemy, and that
even should we, against all probability, beat him, the lack of
provisions would eflectually prevent us from reaching Fort
George. To retreat was e.^ually impossible, unless each one for
himself should make his way as well as he could, throuoh the
pathless forests. With provisions we could, it was true, still
maintain ourselves in our present position for five days At
the expiration of that time, however, our situation would be
the same, our position in the centre and on the right win- un-
tenable, and the rout and dispersion of the army, an eve.rt not
only probable, but certain. After all these arguments had been
carefully weighed by each one of the council, (ieneral B.-r-
goyne solemnly declared, that no one but himself should answer
for the situation in which the army now found itself, since he
had never asked any one for advice, but had onlv asked obedi-
ence to his orders. This frank declaration, (ieneral J{iedescl
received with thanks, since by it, every one would be convinced
that he had had no share in the preceding mtivements; and he

•

106

LETTKIts AM) .lOVKNAhS

W-

there and tlien begged all the Knglish officers to bear testimony
to that eft'eet, if at any time he should be called to account.
Thereupon, General IJurgoyne laid before the council of war the
following question.H :

1st. Whether military hi.story furnished any examples of an
army having capitulated under similar circumstances'/

2d. AVhether the capitulation of an army placed in such a
situation would be disgraceful 't

3d. Whether the army was actually in such a situation as to
be obliged to capitulate ''.

To the first (jucstion. all answered that the situation of the
Saxon army, at Pirna, of (lencral Fink, at ^laxan, and of Prince
31aurice, of Saxony, was not as bad and helple;-s as that in
which our army found itself placed at this present moment;
that no one could have censured generals who, when placed in
such a predicament, had capitulated in order to save their
armies; and besides that, the king of I'russia had cashiered
General Kink chiefly through personal dislike.

To the second (juestion every one again answered, that the
ca])itulation could not be disgraceful for the reasons just cited.

In answer to the third (juestion, all present declared that if
General liurgoync saw a possibility of attacking the enemy,
they were ready and willing to offer up their blood and their
lives; but, if nothing could be gained by such a sacrifice, they
considered it much better policy to save to the king his troops
by a thoroughly luuiorable capitulation, than by remaining still
longer in their present dangerous situation be obliged, after
all their provisions were consumed, to surrender at discretion,
or, still worse, by awaiting, in their insecure position, an attack
from the enemy, to be scattered and separately destroyed.

After this unanimous declar.ation, (rcneral IJurgoyne produced
the draught of a capitulation, which appeared advantageous, and
without a dissenting voice was approved of on the spot. Upon
which General liurgoyne resolved to send a drummer into the
enemy's camp, and propose that, on the next day, a staff-officer

iiF MIts. (.ESEn.M. RlEnEsKL.

107

should be scut over to confer Avith the American (leneral dates,
who commanded tlic army of the enemy, upon aftiiirs of -reat
importance ; but in the meantime tliere was to be a cessation of
hostilities. To all of this General (Jates agreed.

On the 14th, at ten o'clock in the forenoon. Major Kingston '
was sent over to the Americans, with the propositi..ns of General
Burgoyne, the principal one of which was that our army should
surrender themselves prisoners of war only on condition that
they should be conveyed to Boston and from there shipped to
England, after they had pledged themselves not to serve against
the Americans in this war, or until exchaii'-'ed.

This condition, however, would not be entertained by General
Gates, who sent over another plan of capitulation, consisting of
six articles, the first of which was that the army should be sur-
rendered as prisoners of war, and the last, that the troops should
stack their arms in the entrenchments which they still occupied,
and then march to such places as should afterwards be deter-
mined upon.

General Burgoyne again called together the council of war.
and read to it these propositions of General Gates. All the
officers unanimously declared that they would rather die of
hunger than to agree to such disgraceful articles. - The entire
six were therefore rejected by General Burgoyne, with the
assurance that no other propositions would be entertained than
those which he himself had proposed. Upon this the armistice
ceased To every one's great amazement, however. General
(Jates sent, on the morning of the 15th, some new articles of
capitulation, in which he agreed to nearly all the points previ-
ously insisted upon by General Burgoyne, except in a fc.v
trifling matters. One point, however, was insisted upon, viz :
that the army should march out of their position that very
same day at two o'clock in the afternoon.

This sudden change on the part of General Gates, and the

1 At lliis liiiu' (Icpuly luljiifaiitKoiu'ral.

^h.

108

LKTTHns AM) .fOC/{.\Af..-!

last article ho streniiously insisted upon, created in our uiinds
some little hesitation. The council of war was af>ain convened,
and it was resolved that the proposals of (Icneral Gates, just
received, should he accepted, hut, as tlicy were only prelimina-
ries, and many suhse(|uent articles were to he settled hei'ore
(leneral IJurjioyne could sign the capitulation, the time given
(two o'clock in the afternoon) was too short; and it was
accordingly proposed to appoint two stafi-oflicers from hoth
sides, who should settle hetween them the secondary articles
and arrange for both parties the ratification of the treaty.
Upon our side Lieutenant Colonel Southerland and Captain
Craig were appointed ibr this purpose. The commissioners
renuiincd together until eleven o'clock in the evening, by which
time all that we had asked for was accorded by the enemy.
There was, it is true, a sending backwards and forwards to
(icnoral IJurgoync, upon various trifling points, but, as the
commissioners of the enemy granted every thing that our's
asked, (he hitter, who were i'ully authorized to conclude the
treaty, promised upon the word of honor ol' themselves and
(ieneral Burgoyne, that the capitulation should be sent back
the following morning ratified by (ieneral Burgoyne ; it being
understood, in the meanwhile, that the cessation of hostilities
should continue.

The commissioners came back at twelve o'clock at nisrht.
The same night a deserter from the enemy's camp came into our's,
and told us that he had learned, through a third hand, that the
English General Clinton had not only taken possession of the
entrenchments of the Highlands, but that he had, eight days
previously, moved up to J'^sopus with his troops and fleet, and
must, in all probability, have arrived by this time at Albany.
General Burgoyne and several officers were so much elated by
this doubtful intelligence, that a great desire arose to break the
whole capitulation. A council of war was, accordingly, once
mure convoked, ami the following <|«cstions proposed for its
consideration :

»»l

OF M/,'S. (iKXKUM. lUEDKi^KL.

101)

1st. Whetlicr a treaty which had been definitely settled by
fully empowered connnissioners — even after the promise of the
general to ratify all that the connnissioners had agreed upon —
could be broken with honor 'i

2d. Whether the intelligence ju.st received was sufficiently
reliable to authorize us to break so advantageous an agreement
in our present situation '!

8d. Whether the army had, indeed, a sufficiently reliant spirit
to defend their present position to the last man ?

On putting the first question, fourteen votes against eight
declared that a treaty, which had been closed upon such terms,
and in which the enemy had granted all our demands, could not
be broken without a violation of honor.

Upon the second question, the votes were also divided.
Those voting in the negative, based their opinion en the ground
that the intelligence brought over by the deserter was all of it
only hearsay. It would be adifl'erent matter if (Icncral Clinton
himself had sent a courier, or if the man had really seen Clin-
ton's army; and, even assuming thiit General Clinton was
actually at ^-Esopus, the distance from there was so great that
he could not help us a particle in our melancholy situation.

To the third (juestion, all the officers of the left wing an-
swered in the affirmative. IJut the officers of those regiments
composing the right wing, and stationed on the low ground,
answered that all the soldiers would certainly display great
courage if they should attack the enemy, hut that, as all the
defects of our position wore well known, it might be ((ucstioned
whether they would be able to resist an assault.

In order, however, to gain time, a middle cour.sc was atteniptod,
namely: (ieneral 1?urgoyne, early on the morning of the lOth,
wrote a letter to (ieneral dates, in which he informed him that
he had received, the previous night, from deserters and others,
intelligence to the effect, that he had, while the negotiations
were yet in progress, detached a considerable portion of his force
to Albany. .\s this was against faith and honest dealing, he

s*-.

LKTThlUS AS I) .KnnSM.X

could not ratify tlio capitulation until ho was convinced that
the opposinji; army was tliree or lour tin\es lar<j;er than his own;
therefore, would lieneral (Jates be willing to show hiw army to
a staft' officer selected by him ibr that purpose 'i Should his
report confirm the superior force of the American army, he
would immediately siyn the articles of capitulation. .Major
Kinj^ston was the bearer of this letter, and returned with tlie
answer of General (iates, to the effect, that he could assure
him, upon his word of honor, that his army was of the same
strenj:th as it was at the time of his moving uj) to Saratoga ;
that since that time, he had received a large accession by liaving
been reinforced by a brigade ; that during the negotiation iu)t
a single post had been reduced; and, finally, that to show one
of our staff officers the strength of his army, would be as
impolitic as it would be detrimental to his honor; and that it
could not, therefore, be allowed. Further, that General ]}ur-
goync ought to think the matter well over before he broke his
word of honor, and became answerable for the consequences.
As soou, however, as the capitulation should be ratified, he
would be prepared to show General IJurgoyne his whole army;
and he pledged him his honor, that he would find it was four
times stronger than his own, not reckoning the troops posted
opposite upon the other side of the Hudson, lie could not,
however, now grant him more than an hour'.s time for his an-
swer ; and after the expiration of that time, he would be forced
to take the most stringent measures.

Upon this, the council of war was once more convoked to
carefully consider the situation in all of its bearings; when it at
once appeared, that those eight, who before were in favor of
breaking the treaty, now were of just the contrary opinion. General
IJurgoyne drew Generals lliedesel and Phillips off on one side,
and begged their friendly counsel. At first both were silent,
until, finally, General lliedesel declared, that if General Bur-
goync should bi' held answerable in Kngland for his conduct,
it could only be for those movements which had brought the

'/F M /,'.<. (,/;.\A7,'.l/, ltlElih:sh:i..

Ill

army into such a .situiitioii; for liaviiij,' made the first overtures
for u capitulation, and ibr not havin|j; retreated earlier, a course
whicli would have made hiui master of the communication with
Fort Georue. But, that now, after all the steps which had
been taken, to break the treaty on account of intellij;ence that
was uncertain and not to be depended upon, he considered still
more hazardous. ]Jrif,'adier Hamilton, who had joined us, and
liad also been consulted, coincided in this opinion, (ieneral
IMiillips, however, said nothiufr, except that the situation of
affairs was such, that he could neither jiive advice, nor discover
any way out of our predicament. After much deliberation />/•'> and
con, (jeneral IJurgoyne, finally, determined to ratify, and there-
upon the ratified capitulation was sent over by ^Iaj(U' Kinjj;ston.
On tlic 17th of October, tiie army marched off, and every
thing was performed according to the articles of capitulation,
(reneral dates had his entire army, which was this side of the
Hudson, marched over on to the opposite bank of the Fish kill.
Some officers who were ordered to review it for the purpose of
countintr, found that it was between twenty-three and twenty-
four thousand men strong. (ieneral lliedesel ordered that
none of the colors should be surrendered to tlie enemy with the
arms; but that the staffs should be burned, and the cloths
carefully packed up. These orders were strictly carried out, so
that every cue of the German regiments retained its colors.

The memoir from which the preceding is an extract, is dated
at Stillwater, on the day after the capitulation at Saratoga —
the 18th of October — and signed and attested by all those officers
who were, at that time, commanders of the German regiments
and battalions. As a supplement, it may lune be added, that
after tlie captured army had arrived at Cambridge, near Boston,
the American congress did not ratify the stipulated article in
the capitulation, that the troops should be shipped from Boston
to PiUgland, and they were, therefore, obliged, contrary to the
treaty, to remain in America us prr.'<oiiers of war.

•<»•.

112

LtyriKiis .\si> jorttsALs.

This point (tccasionod a j;ro!it debate in congress. Upon the
qnestion whctlier, in roi-aid to tills particuhir artirlo, the capi-
tulation sliould be strictly adhered to, the votes were divided ;
and It was only owing to the influence and insinuations of
(ieneral Lafayette — at that time with the Americans — that
the aft'air, as already mentioned, was decided to tlic detriment
of the Miigllsh and (icrman troops; for he, easily foreseeing an
impending rupture between Kngland and France, wished to
guard against the king of Kngland having the use of this army
elsewhere. To overcome all the scruples of congress, Jiafayette
cited the case of Kloster Seven, in the Seven Years' war, when
the Knglish allowed themselves to break the capitulation.

When General Hurgoyne brought forward the first rough
draft of the capitulation, General Hiedesel advised him to
propose rather to General Gates, that the troops should return
to Canada without arms, and on the condition, that they should
not .serve during this war against the Americans unless ex- •
changed. IJut General IJurgoyne was of the opinion it would
be useless to, think of it, as such a proposition would not be
entertained by the enemy for a moment; and, therefore, pro-
posed that the troops should be transported to IJoston, and from
there shipped to England. Afterwards, however, when this
thing was talked over during the march, the adjutant general
of General Gates, gave it as his opinion, that this stipulation
would probably have been agreed to, as, on account of the great
scarcity of provisions, they had been at their wits' ends to know
how they should support the troops on the march to Boston.
If, therefore, (Jcneral Burgnyne had followed the advice of
General Hiedesel, this army would have been saved to England;
could have been employed elsewhere ; and thus been spared the
many hardships which it afterward experienced.

CONTINUATION OF MRS. GENERAL RIEDE-
SEL'S ADVENTURES.

^Wlien the army again moved, ou the lltli of September,
1777, it was at first inteuded to leave me behind; but upon my
urgent entreaties, and as other hidies were to follow the army I
reneived, finally, the same permission. We made only small
day's marches, and were very often sick; yet always contented
at being allowed to follow. I had still the satisfiiction of daily
seeing my husband. A great part of my baggage I had sent
back, and had kept only a small summer wardrobe. In the
beginning all went well. We cherished the sweet hope of a
sure victory, and of coming into the "promised land;" and
when we passed the Hudson river, and General Uurgoyne said,
" The English never lose ground," our spirits were greatly
exhilarated. But that which displeased me was, that the wives
of all the officers belonging to the expedition, knew beforehand
every thing that was to happen; and this seemed the more
singular to me, as I had observed, when in the armies of the
Duke Ferdinand, during the Seven Years' war, with how much
secrecy every thing was conducted.* But here, on the contrary,

» Lictenant A.il.urcy made a si.nilar re.nark, ,vl,on the army was yet In Canada •
W c have more dnnserons encMuio. a. lu.nR., than any we have to enconnter abroad '■
for all the rannacfons that are to take place, are publicly known, Ions before !!.«;
areolHcallygncn out in orders; and I n,ake no doubt, but you will be as m eh
snrpr .ed a. the genera, [«urgoyneJ wa.. when I tell you, that the w'.ole opTral '
of the ensuing campaign were canvassed for several days before he arrived, who no

•%>-.

Ill

i.hrrh/i's AX/) .nuiisM.s

the Aiiicricans were apprised beforeliaiid of all our intentioiiH;
so tliat at every plaee wliere we eaine tlioy already awaited uh;
a eircunistaiicc whieli hurt us exceedingly. On the I'.lth of
September, tlicro was unaft'air between the two armies, which, it is
true, ended to our advantage ; altlnmgh wc were, nevertheless,
obliged to make a halt at a place called Freennin's farm. I
was an eye witness of the whole affair ; and as I knew that my
hu.sband was in the midst of it, T was full of caro and anguish,
and shivered at every shot, for I could hear every thing. I
saw a great number of wounded, and what was still more har-
rowing, they even brought three of them into the house where
I was. One of these was Major Ilarnage, the husband of a
lady of »iur company ; another, a lieutenant, whose wife, also,
was of our ac(|uaintanco; and the third, a young Knglish officer
of the name of Young. Major Ilarnage, with his wife, lived
in a room next to mine. lie had received a shot through
the lower part of the bowels, from which he suffered exceed-
ingly. A few days after our arrival, I heard plaintive moans
in another room near me, and learned that they came from
Young, the young English officer just mentioned, who was
lying very low.

I was the more interested in him, since a family of that name
had shown me much courtesy during my sojourn in England.
1 tendered him my se.vices, and sent him provisions and re-

(toiil)t eiippoBcd that In slvlnj; out liin orders, he ^vn.^ comnuiiiicatiiif; an cntiro
Hi'crct. ♦ ♦ * (Jrcat cccri'cy, on tlie contrary, wan ()l)Hervi'd in tlio
Anicriam amiy."— Montreal, May ai. 177". vol. I. p. "^W. Tlie work from wliich tliis
extract Im taken, if intlie Slate Lil)rary. at All)any, X. Y.

A paiiMa^'e, also, from tlie IliMonj of the O'ennan Avfiliaries in America — an iii-
valunlile work, by the? way. an it is made up of the manuscrii)t journals of those
otllcers and i)rivates who served in the war — explains the reason of this want of
secrecy more fully. " The country peoi)le. whom Burjjoyne met on Ids march,
pretended to be jrood royalists, which he implicitly believed ; so that he allowed
them not only to bear their arms as hitherto, but to walk about the whole cam)) nt
their option, and without any restraint. These men, however, were anythinf.' but
royalists. They, coiiseipiently, improved the opportunity, jjaining intelligence of
all the occurrences in tlie army by appearances, and forthwith C(mimunicated to
tlie commanders of the eiu'my's forces, that whicli llicy had seen and heard."

OF Mils. iih:xh:iiM. iiih:i)t:sh:i..

115

iVoslmu>iits. III! oxpiTSMfcl a j^'rwit ilosiro to hoc iiis hoiicliiotross,
us ho oalloil 1110. I wont t(i him, and found him lyinj,' on «
litth! straw, for he liad lost his camp O(|niim,no. Ilo was a
youn;-' man, pmbahly oij;litoon or ninotoon yoars ohl ; and,
actually, tlio own nojihcw of the Mr. Youn-;, whom 1 had ivuown,
and tho only scm of his parents. It was only for this reason
that he grieved; on account of his own sufferings ho uttered
no complaint. He had bled considerably, and tlioy wished to
take off his log, but he could in>t bring his mind to it, and now
mortification liad sot in. I sent him pillows and coverings,
and my women servants a mattress. I redoubled my care of
him, and visited him every day, for which I received from
the sufferer a thou.sand blessings. Finally, they attempted tho
amputation of the limb, but it was too lato, and he died a few
days afterward. As ho occupied an apartment close to mine,
and tho walls wore very thin, I could hear his lust groans
through the partition of my room.

I lived in a pretty well built house, in which I had a largo
room. The doors and the wainscot were of solid cedar, a wood
that is very common in tliis vicinity. They burn it frequently,
especially when there aro many midges around, as these in.sects
cannot stand tho odor of it. It is said, however, that its smoke
ia very injurious to tlio nerves, so much so, indeed, as to cause
women with child to bring forth prematurely. As we were to
march farther, I had a large calash made for nie, in which I,
my children, and both my women servants liad seats; and
in this uianner I followed the army, in tho midst of tho soldiers,
who were merry, singing songs, and burning with a desire for
victory. We passed through boundless forests and magnificent
tracts of country, which, however, were abandoned by all the
inhabitants, who fled before us, and reinforced the army of the
American general, Gates. In the sequel this cost us dearly,
for every one of them was a soldier by nature, and could slioot
very well ; besides, the thought of figliting for their fatherland
and their freedom, inspired them with still greater courage.

ii<;

IKTIKIIS .Wit .KilltSM.S.

During tliis time, my liuHbaiul wftS oblimnl to oncniiip with tlio
iiiiiiii bddy (if tlio army. I remaiiit'd iilioiit iiii liuur'H niiircli
bi'hiiul the army, and vinited my husband ovory iiKirniiij; in the
I'limp. Very often I took my noon meal with liim, but niowt of
the time lio came over to my <(uarters and eat with me. The
army were cnj^aj,'ed daily in Hinall ."skirmishes, but all of them
of little eonHe((iienee. 31y poor liuHband, however, durinj; the
whole time, eould nut ^et a chaneo oitlier to ^o tu bed or
nndre.xH. As the sea.'ion had now beeome more inclement, a
Colonel WillianiH of the artillery, observing,' that our nmtual
vLsits were very fati;j;uing, offered to have a house built for me,
with a chimney, that .should not cost more tlian five or six gui-
neas, and which I eould steadily occupy. I took him up,* and
the house, which was twenty feet s(|uaie, and had a good tirc-
plaee, was begun. They called it the block-house. For such
a structure, large trees of equal tliickness are selected, which
are joined together, making it very durable and warm, espe-
cially if covered with clay. I was to remove into it the follow-
ing day, and was the more rejoiced at it, as the nights were
already damp and cold, and my husband could live in it with
me, us he would then be very near his camp. Suddenly, how-
ever, on the 7th of October, my husband, with the whole general
staff, decamped. Our misfortunes maybe said to date from this
moment. I had just sat down wit4i my husband at his quarters
to breakfast. Cieneral Frazer, and, I believe, Generals Burgoyne
and I'hillips, also, wore to have dined with me on that same
day. I observed considerable movement among the troops.
My husband thereupon informed me, that there was to be a
reconnoissancc, wliich, however, did not surprise me, as this
often happened. On my way homeward, I met many savages
in their war-dress, armed with guns. To my question where
they were going, they cried out to me, " War ! war ! " which
meant that they were going to figlit. This completely over-

* A Koimliie Yankeu cxprcBsloii, but, novertholess, literally so In the origiuul.

<«►•.

iittt

ta
m

J.KTTEHS .\.\Ii ,/of/,'XA/.s.

whelmed inc, and I liad scarcely got back to my quarters *
when I heard skirmish in J.^ and firing', wliich by degrees, became
constantly heavier, until, finally, the noises became frightful.
It was a terrible cannonade, and I was more dead than alive.
About three o'clock in the afternoon, iu place of the guests
who were to have dined with me, they brought in to me, upon a
litter, poor General Frazer (one of my expected guests), mor-
tally wounded. Our dining table, which was already spread,
was taken away, and in its place they fixed up a bed for the
general. I sat in a corner of the room trembling and quaking.
The noises grew continually louder. The thought that they
might bring in my husband in the same manner was to me
dreadful, and tormented me inces.-iantly. The general .said
to the surgeon, " Do not conceal any thing from me. Must I
die?" The ball had gone through his bowels, precisely as
in the case of 3Iajor Ilarnage. Unfortunately, however, the
general had eaten a hearty breakfast, by reason of which the
intestines were distended, and the ball, so the surgeon said, had
not gone, as in the case of 3Iajor Ilarnage, between the intes-
tines, but through them. I heard him often, amidst his groans,
exclaim, " Oh, fatal ambition ! Poor General IJurgoyne ! My
poor wife ! " I'rayers were read to him. He then sent a mes-
sage to General Burgoync, begging that he would have him
buried the following day at six o'clock in the evening, on the

* Tho qimrtiu-!' wliicli Mr^^. UUdcsol then ()(;oii|)iwl. iiiul in wliich (ioiionil Fruzer
died. lm« Hiiice boiMi liiiowu as IIk' Smllli lldiisc, and iiiiist not hi.' ('(inlbiindcd (as
lias soiiu'tinii's lieen doiii') witli tlic lu'iid-i|iiai'tci-t! of niir;,Myno, iu wliidi llii!
liannioHH had lluit moniiiiir talii'n ))i-cal<l'asf witli Iht luislmiid. It was situated
three miles and u liulf south ol" Kish eivek. and, at tlie time of tlie battle, stooil by
the roadi-ide, on the west mai-L'iu ol' the inlervales. at the foot of llii^ risim,' fjronnd.
When, some years afterward, the present turnpike road was eonstnieted, ruiiuinj^
twenty or thirty rods east of the (;ld road, tlie latter was diseoutiiiued, and .Mr.
Smith drew the house to the west side of the turnpike, and turned it into a tavern.
The late Theodore Dwi^'ht (who was killed on Ihe New Jersey rail road, in October
of last year. IsiMi), visited the spot in ISJO. and made a drawiiia: of Ihe house, which
was then slill standin;:. ThrouLrh his kindm'ss. I received from him, but three
days before his death, his ori^'inal draft, from which the cnf,'raviii};, on the opposite
pa;,'e, has been taken.

'Ills,

!liv

120

LKTTERH AW JOVIIXALS

top of a hill, which was a sort of a redoubt.* 1 knew no longer
which way to turn. Tlie whole entry and the other rooms were
filled with the sick, who were suffering with the camp-sickness,
a kind of dysentery. Finally, toward evening, I saw my hus-
band coming, upon which I forgot all my sufferings, and thanked
God that he had spared him to me. He ate in great haste with
me and his adjutant, behind the house. We had been told
that we had gained an advantage over the enemy, but the
sorrowful and down-cast faces which I beheld, bore witness to
the contrary, and before my husband again went away, he drew
me one side and told me that every thing might go f very badly,
and that I must keep myself in constant readiness for departure,
but by no means to give any one the least inkling of what I
was doing. I therefore pretended that I wished to move into
my new house the next morning, and had every thing packed
up. My lady Ackland occupied a tent not far from our house.
In this she slept, but during the day was in the camp. Sud-
denly one came to tell her that her hu.sband was mortally
wounded, and had been taken prisoner. At this she became
very wretched. AVe comforted her by saying that it was only
a slight wound, but as no one could nurse him as well as her-
self, we counseled her to go at once to him, to do which she
could certainly obtain permission. She loved him very much,
although he was a plain, rough man, and was almost daily
intoxicated; with this exception, however, he wiis an excellent
officer. She was the loveliest of women. I spent the night in ,
this manner — at one time comforting her, andat another looking
after my children, whom I had put to bed. As for myself, I
could not go to sleep, as I had General Frazer and all the other
gentlemen in my room, and was constantly afraid that my

♦ In his State of Ike Ej-jn-dilion, Biirgoyue Kpeaks of it as tlie Great Kt'doiiljt.

t Tlie tense used in tlie original answers to our imperfect potential (as in llie te.xt),
anil not tlie liiiperfeet indicative ( •• went " ) as in the previous English translation.
This is not so unimportant as might at llrsi appear; since it sliows how extremely
cautious (ieneral Hiedesel was — even wlieii speaking to his wile — of saying any
thing, that liy any possihility might injure tlie cause, before the action was ended.

OF MUS. <lE.\h:i{.\r. IllKnKsKi,.

Vl\

children would wake up and cry, and thus disturb the poor dying
man, who often scut to beg my pardon for making me so much
trouble. About three o'clock in the morning, tliey told me
that he could not last much longer. I iiiid desired to be ap-
prised (if the approach of this moment. I, accordingly, wrapped
up the children in the bed coverings, and went with them into
the entry. Early iu the morning, at eight o'clock, he expired.*
After they had washed the corpse, they wrapped it in a sheet,
and laid it on a bedstead. We then again came into the room,
and had this sad sight before us the whole day. At every
instant, also, wounded officers of my ac(juaiutance arrived, and
the cannonade again began. A retreat was spoken of, but
there was not the least movement made toward it. About four
o'clock in the afternoon, I saw the new house which had been
built for me, in flames : the enemy, therefore, were not far from
us. \Vn learned that General 15urgoyue intended to fulfill the
last wish of General Frazer, and to have him buried at six
o'clock, in the place designated by him. This occasioned an
unnecessary delay, to which a part of the misfortunes of the
army was owing. Precisely at six o'clock the corpse was
brought out, and we saw the entire body of generals with their
retinues on the hill assisting at the obsequies. The English
chaplain, Mr. Brudeuel, performed the funeral services. The
cannon balls flew continually around and over the party. The
American general, Gates, afterward said, that if he had known
that it was a burial he would not have allowed any firing in
that direction. Many cannon balls also flew not far from me,
but I had my eyes fixed upon the liill,j- where I distinctly saw

* " Never more shall he chiifc the rod (k^er througli the heather of Strath Evriek,
or fruide the fkifl' aerosg the futhomles;* lake of ceiitml Stiillaiid. or niufeover the
ruin of the Stuarts on the moor of lJnim-mo>ifie, or dieam of ghiry l)eside the
crystal waterH of llie Netfs. Death in itself in not terrible; hut he came to .Ame-
rica for cdtlsh advancement, and thouf,'li bravely true as a soldier, he died uneon-
f'OV'iX."— Huiicrufl'n Itvlution of the Ikalli of Frazer, Voi. IX, p. ll'.l.

+ The heiu'ht occupied by Burgoyne on the isth, which ran parallel with the
river until it approached (ieneral (iates's camp.

i^^.

•fFP-

122

LKTTEHS A.\l) JOCllXALS

my Imsband in the midst of the enemy's fire, and therefore T
could not think of my own danj^er.*

Tlie order had gone forth that the army should break up
after the burial, and the horses were already harnessed to our
calashes. I did not wish to set out before the troops. The
wounded Major Ilarnage, although he was so ill, dragged him-
self out of bed, that he might not remain in the hospital, which
was left behind protected by a flag of truce. As soon as he
observed me in the midst of the danger, he had my children
and maid servants put into the calashes, and intimated to me
that I must immediately depart. As T still begged to be al-
lowed to remain, he said to me, " well, then your children at
least must go, that I may save them from tlie slightest danger."
He understood how to take advantage of my weak side. 1 gave
it up, seated myself inside with them, and we drove off" at eight
o'clock in the evening.

The greatest silence had been enjoined ; fires had been kin-
dled in every direction ; and many tents left standing, to make
the enemy believe that the camp was still there. We traveled
continually the whole night. Ijittle Frederica was afraid, and
would often begin to cry. I was, therefore, obliged to hold a
pocket handkerchief over her mouth, lest our whereabouts
should be discovered.

At six o'clock in the morning a halt was made, at which
every one wondered. General liurgoyne had all the cannon

*(;ciu'ral I!iir;,'<pyno. in h[» .Stuft of Ihc Exjiedilion, p. Kitt, ilcreribes this scene,
in his usually IclicilDUs stylo, as follows:

"Tho incossant cannonade duiini^ the soletnnity; the steady attitude and unal-
tered voice with which the clia|)lain olHciated, though frequently covered with
dust, which the shot threw upon all sidtsof hini; the nuite but expressive mi.\ture
of sensibility and indignation upon every countenance ; these objects will remain
to the last of life iijion the mind of every man wlio was present. The ^xrowinj;
dusl<iiiess added to the scenery, and the whole marked a character of tlwit juncture
that would make one of tlie llnest subjects f(u- the jiencil of a nnister that the Held
ever exhibited. To the canvas, and to the faithful paije of a UKue important his-
torian, frallnni friend! I eonsifrn thy memory, There may thy talents, thy nnmly
virtues, their proirress. and their period, tlnd due distinction ; and lon;L;inay lliey
survive, long alter the frail record of my pen shall be forgotten I "

I '

OF M//S. <!K\h:ilAL niKDK^KL.

1 23

ranged and counted, wliicli worried all of us, as a few more
trood inarches would have placed us in security.* My husband
vas completely exhausted, and seated himself durinj^' this delay,
iu my calash, where my maid servants were oblij^ed to make
room for hiui; and wliere he slept nearly three hours with his
head upon my shoulder. Tn tlie mean time, Captain Willoe
brought me his pocket-book containing bank bills, and Captain
Geisiuar, his beautiful watch, a ring, and a well filled purse,
and begged me to keep all these for tliem. I promised them
to do my utmost. At la.st, the army again began its marcli, but
scarcely liad we proceeded an hour on the way, when a fresh
halt was made, in consequence of the enemy being in sight.
They were about two hundred men who came lo reconnoitre,
and who might easily have been taken prisoners by our troops,
had not General Burgoyne lost his head.f It rained in torrents.
My lady Ackland had her tent set up. I advised her once
more to betake herself to her husband, as she could be so useful
to him in his present situation. Finally, she yielded to my
solicitations, and sent a message to General Burgoyne, through
his adjutant, my Lord Patterson, | begging permission to leave
the camp. I told her that she should insist on it ; which she
did, and finally obtained his consent. The Englisli chaplain,
Mr. Brudenel, accompanied her; and, bearing a flag of truce,
they went together in a boat over to the enemy. § There is a

♦General Biirgoyne explains liis reason lor tliis halt ilitVerently. -'A halt was
necessary to refresh the troops, and to jjive time to tln> liatennx. loaded with provi-
sions!, which had not Ix'en ahle to keep pace willi the troops, to come abreast.'" —
State of the Kviitilition^ j). ITO.

+ 1. e., lost his presence of mind.

t General Ilnrijoyne's three aid-de-eaini)s were Captain Lord Petersham. Lieu-
tenant Willbrd, and Charles (ireen. The i)arole of liiirfroyne's officers — the ori-
ginal of which is in thepossessicmof J. \Vini;ateTlioniton, Es(i.,of lioston, Mass.—
makes no mention of any officer by the name of Patterson. Mrs. Hiedesel, wliose
spellinj,' of Eni;lish names is natnrally not always accurate, jirolmbly means Lord
Petersham, who was afterward Karl of Uarringlon, Viscount I'elersliam, and in
ITitS, lientenant ueneral in the liritish army.

§The jrallant hearini; of the answer, which (ieneral Gates retnrned. by Cliaiilain
llriidenel, lo the letter wliidi linrgoyne sent him by Lady Ackland, recommending

'4h.

!!• :

"kii

'I
1,1

12 i

LKlTEliS AM) Juni.SALS

fUiiiiliiir Jiiid bciiiitiful cngniviiiij; of this event in existence. T
saw lier aj^aiu afterward in Albany, at which time her husband
was almost entirely recovered, and both thanked me heartily
for my advice.

On the 9th, we spent the whole day in a pouring rain, ready
to march at a moment's warning. The savages had lost their
courage, and they were seen in all directions going home. The
slightest reverse of ibrtune discouraged them, especially if
there was nothing to plunder. My chambermaid did nothing,
cursed her situation, and tore out her hair. I entreated her to
compose herself, or else she would be taken for a savage. Upon
this she became still more frantic, and asked, " whether that
would trouble me '( " And when I answered " yes," she tore her
bonnet oft' her head, letting her hair hang down over her face,
and said, '• You talk well I You have your husband ! IJut we
have luithing to look forward to, except dying miserably on the
one hand, or losing all we possess on the other ! " Respecting
this last complaint, I promised, in order to quiet her, that I

her to the iirotection of the American coniniiiiider, rcdDiiiuls fo iiuicli to the honor,
Bj)irit, mid hi;.'lmiiii(U'dn('sM of the writer, tliat it is liere j^iveu entire. The letter,
itself, i^< not, we believe, i,'enenilly linown.

sakatooa, ocl ni/i, nn.

Sir: I have Ihe honor to reecive yonre.xeelletiev'H letter Iiy Lady .\ekland. The
rei-peet due to her ladyship's rank, and the tenderness due to her jierson and sex,
were alone sntlleient seeiirities to entitle her to my iirotection, if yon eon-ider my
preeedini,' condnet w ilh respeet to those of yonr army whom the Ibrtniic of war lins
placed in my hands, I am snrprisod that yonr excellency should tliink that I could
consider the ^.'reatest attention to Lady Ackland in the lij.'lil of an ol)liijation. The
cruelties which mark the retreat of yonr army, in Imrinn^' f,'entlemcn's and farmers'
liousesas they pass alonjr, is almost, amoni,' civilized nations, without a precedent.
They shoidd not endeavor to ruin those they coidd iu)t coufpu'r. Tliis conduct
betrays more of Ihe vindictive malice of a bigot, than the generosity of a soldier.
Yonr IVlend, Sir I'^ranciM Clark. l)y the information of tlio director-general of my
hospital, langnishes under a dangerous wound. Every sort of tenderness and
uttentUm is paid to him as well as to all the wounded who have fallen into my
hands, and the hospital, whiLh yon were obliged to leave to my mercy,

I am. Sir,

Yours,

IIOUATIO OATKS.

To (.icucral Uiirgovne.

OF M/IS. dH.XEltAL IIIKDKSKI..

125

would make good all tlie losses of herself and the other maid.
Tlie latter, my good Lena, although also very much frightened,
said nothing.

Toward evening, we at last came to Saratoga, which was only
half an hour's march from the place where wc had spent the
whole day. I was wet through and through hy the frcfjuent
rains, and was ohliged to remain in this condition the entire
night, as I had no place whatever where I could change my
linen. I, therefore, seated my.sclf before a good fire, and un-
dressed my children; after which, wo laid ourselves down
together upon some straw. I asked General Phillips.* who
came up to where we were, why we did not continue our retreat
while there was yet time, as my husband had pledged himself
to cover it, and bring the army through ? ''Poor woman," an-
swered he, "I am amazed at you! completely wet through,
have you still the courage to wish to go further in this weather 1
Would that you were only our commanding general ! He halts
because he is tired, and intends to spend the night here and
give us a supper." In this latter achievement, especially,
General Burgoyne was very fond of indulging. lie spent half
the nights in singing and drinking, and amusing himself with
the wife of a commissary, who was his mistress, and who, as
well as he, loved champagne. |

On the 10th, at seven o'clock iu the morning, I drank some

* Ociioral I'liilliiJK, who i« rtcwciilicd by hi^- (•iiiitcinpornru'n iiii an •• lioiionililo. just.
iiiKl ui)i-if,'lit man," was an ohl and intimate rricnil (ifCionoi'al Uicilosol. witli wlioiu
ho had fotijjht on tin; side of tlie allies in the Seven Years" war,'

+ •• While the army were siitleriiif,' from cold and hiin^'er. and every one was look-
inj; forward to the immediate future with apprehension, Sehnyler's house was
ilhiminatod, and rung with Hinginjr, laui,'hter, and the jiniilinu; of <;lasses. There
Bnrgoync was i^ittint;. with some merry companions, at a dainty siipjier, while the
chumpai,'ne was flowinj,'. Near liim sat the lieautifiil wife of an Englisli commis-
sary, hiH mistress. Great as the calamity was, the Irivoloiis j;eneral still kejjt up
his orgies, 8ome were of opinion that he had made that Ine.Kciisahle stand, merely
for the sake of pftssinij a merry night, I{io(U'S(^l thought it iiiciinilient on him to
remind Hiirgoync of tlie danger of the halt, hiit the latter returned all sorts of eva-
sive ausweru,"— The Geitmin Auxiliaries in America.

'*h.

12G

/.KTTK/fs A.\/) ./oru.y.iLs

tea by way of rcfrcshiiieiit ; and wo now liopcd IVoui one inoinent
to another, tliat at last we would again pit under way. Gene-
ral Huri^oyne, in order to cover our retreat, caused the beautiful
houses and mills at Saratoga, belonging to Oeneral Schuyler, to
be burned. An English officer brought some excellent broth,
which he shared with me, as I was not able to refuse his urgent
entreaties. Thereupon we set out upon our march, but only as
far as another place not far from where we had started. The
greatest misery and the iitmost disorder prevailed in the army.*
The commissaries had forgotten to distribute provisions among
tlie troops. There were cattle enough, bat not one had been
killed. 3Iore than thirty officers came to mc, who could endure
luingcr no longer. I had coffee and tea made for them, and
divided among them all the provisions with which my carriage
was constantly filled; for we had a cook who, although an
arrant knave, was fruitful in all expedients, and often in the
night crossed small rivers, in order to steal from the country
people, sheep, poultry and pigs. He would then charge us a
high price for them — a circumstance, however, that we only
learned a long time afterward. At last my provisions were
exhausted, and in despair at not being able to bo of any further
help, I called to me Adjutant Oeneral Patterson, f who hap-
pened at that moment to be passing by, and said to him pas-
sionately : " Come and see for yourself these officers, who have
been wounded in the common cause, and who now are in want
of every thing, because they do not receive that which is due
them. It is, therefore, your duty to make a representation of
this to the general." At this he was deeply moved, and the result
was, that, a quarter of an hour afterward. General Kurgoyne
came to me himself and thanked me very pathetically for hav-

* Ooneral Wilkinson, who lind llio jirivilose of knowing Madame Ricdescl per-
sonally, calls lier tho "amialilo. tlic acconiiilislicd. and dJL'niflod liaroncss." "T
liavi' more lliaii onci'."" mivs he. " seen lii-v i-liamiiii:: l)liic eyes licdrwcd with li'aiH
at the recital oC her i*iifVcriiii.'s.""

t Sec note on i)rtj;e I'iJ.

OF Mils. CESFUM niF.DF.sEl. y>*i

\\v^ reminded him of his duty. lie added, moreover, that a

{■eiieral was much to be pitied wlien lie was not properly served

nor iiis commands obeyed. I replied, that T hefr.U'cd his pardon

for bavin-,' meddled with thinjis wliieh, 1 well knew, a woman

had no business with, but that it was impossible to keep silent,

when I saw so many brave men in want of every thing, and had

notbinj-- more to give them. Thereupon lie thanked me once

more (althougli I believe that in his lieart he has never forgiven

me thi>j lashing), and went from me to the officers, and said to

them, that he was very sorry for wliat had happened, but he

had now through an order remedied every thing, but why had

they not come to him as liis cook stood always at their service.
They answered that Englisli officers were not accustomed to ■
visit tlie kitchen of their general, and that they had received
any morsel from me with pleasure, as they were convinced I
had given it to them directly from my heart. He then gave the
most express orders that the provisions should be properly
distributed. This only hindered us anew, besides not in the
least bettering our situation. The general seated himself at
table, and the liorses were harnessed to our calashes ready for
departure. The whole army clamored for a retreat, and my
husband promised to make it possible, provided only that no
time was lost. But General Hurgoyne, to whom an order had
been promised if he brought about a junction with the army of
General Howe, could not determine upon this course, and lost
every thing by his loitering. About two o'clock in the after-
noon, the firing of cannon and small arms was again heard, and
all was alarm and confusion. My husband sent me a mes.sa"e

telling me to betake myself forthwith into a house which was •

not far from there. I seated myself in the calash with my
children, and had scarcely driven up to the house, when I saw
on the opposite side of the Hudson river, five or six men with
guns, which were aimed at us. Almost involuntarily I threw the
children on the bottom of the calash and myself over them.
At the same instant the churls fired, and shattered the arm of '*'

12S

I.ETTKIts AM) .iDlltSM.s

a pour Kn^lisli soklior beliiiid us. who was already wounded,
uiid Wiis also on tlio point of retreating' into the house. Imme-
diately after our arrival a friuhtl'iil cannonade bej;an, j)rineii)ally
direeled against tlie house in whieh we had soujj;ht shelter,
probably because the enemy believed, from seeing so many
people floekiiig nround it, that all the generals made it their
head-quarters. Alas I it harbored none but wounded soldiers,
or women ! \\c were finally obliged to take refuge in a cellar,
in which I laid myself down in a corn<u' not far from the door.
My cliildren laid down on the earth with their heads upon my
la]i, and in this manner we pas.sed the entire night. A horrible
stench, the cries of the children, and yet more than all this,
my own anguish, prevented me from closing my eyes. On the
i'ollowing morning the cannonade again began, but from a dif-
ferent side. I advised all to go out of the cellar for a little
while, during whieh time I would have it cleaned, as otherwise
we would all be sick. They followed uiy suggestion, and I at
once set many hands to work, which was in the highest degree
ncices.siry ; lor the women and children being afraid to venture
fortli, had soiled the whole cellar.* After they had all gone
out and lel't me alone, I for the first time surveyed our place of

* "IiKmcoriliosiMli'iisofwrotclu'dticsfi, in ii cellar. tlu'ivwni». nlfo, Lntly Riodi'sol
with her Iciidcr iiil!iiil!J niid waitiiiir-womcn. aniid^'t llic i^iiftcriiij,' and dopairiiij,'.
Till' dismal spaiv was tliroiiL'cd. and llieair, in conseciiirnccM)!' tlu! cvaporalionrt
and tlu' smell (if cariuns wonnds. (inilo inH'otcd. To tlio aijpallini,' objects around
luT was added her anxiety I'or hcv hiisliaiul and the care for her little ones. In
this dreadful sitnallon — in this ternl)Ie den of allliction — the extraordinary (icr-
inan woman |)reserved her coiiraLre and Iter compassion. She acted then the i)art
of an ani;el of comfort and help anions.' tliesiitl'erers. She refreshed them with what
she had k'ft of provisions, and almost forirot to take care of those who were lu'arest
to her. She was ready to perform every friendly service, evuii such from which the
tender mind of a woman will recoil. By her encrf.'y she restored order in that
chaos, and superintended the cleanin;,' of the cellar as far as circumstances would
allow. They obeyed her more readily than their siijierior ollicers."— The (itriiiun
Aiij-iliiiriiii ill AiiK ricii.

On the opposite |ias,'e will he found an eni^ravini: of the house and cellar, furnished
me by the kindness and courtesy of Mr. l-ossiiiLT. and >Ir. Vorsten. the l)ublisher of
the former's beautitul book of Tin Ifiidsim. The house and cellar were sketched
by Mr. I.ossinir on the spot, befure they were allowed by the farmers in the vicinity
to yo to ruin.

WKf^tmilm^^^^^^^'^

rivHiint (1S(m) appi'urancc nl' tlio limisc. in tlii! culliir ol' wlilcli,
Mrd. Uledi'91'1 stayed duriii!,' I In- (.'aniuniade.

im^^ *)

The Cellar.

•if.

it*.

If'' 'l

iir y/.'s. i;F\h'i!\i, iiih:i>h:sh:!..

li':>

rofuj,'o. It ciin.sisti'd df du'.'c licuutit'iil cellars, splcmlidly
arcluMl. I |ini|)(is((l tliat tlif imist (laii^cniiislv wimumIciI of fho
(iflicdrM slidiild lie linniulit iiitd (tiic nf tlu'iii ; tliat, the wimcii
sliould remain in aiicitlit-r; and that all tlio rest should stay in
the third, whieh was nearest the entrunee. I had Just ^^liven
th(> cellars a ;:oiid s\vee](inu, and had I'mniuated them hysprink-
linj; vinegar uu biirnin>; coals, and ea(di one had I'oiiiid his
place prepared ibr him — when ii fresh and terrihlt; cannonade
threw us all once more into alarm. .Many jpcrsons. who had no
riulit to eoiiu) in, threw themselves ai^ainst fhi; door. .My
children were already under the cellar st(>ps. and we would all
have ])een crushed, if (iod had not j;iven me strenj:tli to place
iny.sclf before the door, and with e.vtended arms prevent all
from coming in ; otherwise every one of us would have lieeii
•severely injured. Kleven cannon halls went throu;;h the house,
and we could plainly hear them rollinjr over (Uir he.-ids. One
poor soldier, whose leg they were about to amputate, having been
laid upon a tabic for thib purpose, had the other leg taken off
by another cannon ball, in the very middle of the operation.*
His comrades all ran off, and when they again came back they
found him in one corner of the room, where he had rolled in
his anguish, scarcely breathing. I was nnu-e dead than alive,
though not so much on account of our own danger, as for that
which envelo))ed my husband, who, however, fre(|uently sent to
see bow I was getting ahmg, and to tell me that he was still
safe.

The wife of Major TIarnage, a Madame Reynels, the wife of
the good lieuten;int who the day previous had so kindly shared
bis broth with me, thewMi'e of the connnissary, and myself, were
the only ladies who were with the urmy.f We sat together

* This nnfm'tiiiiate mnii was a Hritish siii'in'oii by tin' luiiiir iif .Idiics. Tin' can
noil hall I'lilcrt'd tlio northeast corner of the wall, and the hole was still visihie
until tlie hoiiso wan allowed to I'all to decay, u lew years since.

I Lady Harriet Ackland, It will be recollected, had fjone to the American camp to
nurse licr husband.

^►i;

180

LKTTIilts A.y/j .lalliXALS

bewailing our fnte, when one came in, upon which they all
bcjj^an whimpering, looking at the same time exceedingly sad.
I noticed this, and also that they cast silent glances toward me.
This awakened in my mind the dreadful thought that my hus-
band had been killed. I shrieked aloud, but they assured me
that this was not so, at the same time intimating to me by signs,
that it was the lieutenant — the husband of our companion —
who had met with misfortune. A moment after she was called
out. Ilcr husband was not yet dead, but a cannon ball had
taken oft" his arm close to the shoulder. During the whole
night we heard his moans, which resounded fearfully througli
the vaulted cellars. The poor man died toward morning. We
spent the remainder of this night in the same way as the former
ones. In the mean time my husband came to visit me, which
lightened my anxiety and gave me fresh courage. On the fol-
lowing morning, however, we got things better regulated.
Major llarnage, his wife, and Mrs. lleynels, made a little room
in a corner, by hanging curtains from the ceiling. They wished
to fix up for me another corner in the same manner, but I pre-
ferred to remain near the door, so that in case of fire I could
rush out from the room. I had some straw brought in and laid
my bed upon it, where I slept with my children — my maids
sleeping not far from us. Directly opposite us three English
officers were (juartercd — wounded, it is true, but, nevertheless,
resolved not to be left behind in case of a retreat. One of these
was a Captain Green, aid-de-camp of (Jeneral Phillips, a very
valuable and agreeable man. All three assured me, upon their
oaths, that in case of a hasty retreat, they would not leave me,
but would each take one of my children upon his horse. For
myself, one of my husband's horses constantly stood saddled
and in readiness. Often my hu.sband wished to withdraw me
from danger by sending me to the Americans; but I remon-
strated with him on the ground, that to be with people whom I
■\vould be obliged to treat with courtesy, while, perhaps, my
husband was being killed by them, would be even yet more

OF MUS. HKXEIIAL KIEDESKL.

131

painful than all I was now forced to suffer. He promised nie,
therefore, that I should henceforward follow the army. Never-
tlieless, I was often in the nij^jht filled with anxiety lest he should
march away. At such times, I have crept out of my cellar to re-
assure myself, and if I saw the troops lying around the fires (for
the nights were already cold), I would return and sleep quietly.
The articles which had been intrusted to me caused me much
uneasiness. I had fastened them inside of my corsets, as I was
in constant terror lest I should lose some of then', and I resolved
in future never to undertake such a commission again. On the
third day, I found an opportunity for the first time to change
my linen, as my companions had the courtesy to give up to me
a little corner — the three wounded officers, meanwhile, standing
guard not far off. One of these gentlemen could imitate very
naturally the bellowing of a cow, and the bleating of a calf;
and if my little daughter Frederica, cried during the night, he
would mimic these animals, and she would at once become still,
at which we all laughed heartily.

Our cook saw to our meals, but we were in want of water ;
and in order to queuch thir.st, I was often obliged to drink
wine, and give it, also, to the children. It was, moreover, the
only thing that n-.y husband could take, which fact so worked
upon our faithful uockcl, that he said to me onff day, " I fear
that till;, guic"' ,; H-inks so much wine, because he dreads falling
>uto cap^ivit}, and is therefore weary of life." The continual
di iu^ in which my husband was enconipasse(^. was a constant
source of Hnxiety to me. 1 was the only one of all the women,
whose husband had not been killed or ,, '1, and I often

said tc myself — especially since my husband was phiced in
such great danger day and pight — " Shall I be the only fortu-
nate one?" lie never came into the tent at night; but lay
outside by the watch-fires. Tlis a'onc was sufficient to have
caused his death, as the nighta A^ere damp and cold.

As the great scarcity of v/ntm' contuiuoc', we at last found a
Holdier's wife who had fhe cearage lo bring water I'rom the

"*••.

182

LETTERS AND JOrJiX^^LS

river, for no one else would undertake it, as the enemy shot at
the head of every man who approached the river. This woman,
however, they never molested ; and they told us afterward, that
they spared her on account of her sex.

I endeavored to divert my mind from my troubles, by con-
stantly busying- myself with the wounded. I made them tea
and .coffee, and received in return a thousand benedictions.
Often, also, I shared my noonday meal with them. One day a
Canadian officer came into our cellar, who could scarcely s md
up. We at last got it out of him, that he was almost dead with
hunger. I considered myself very fortunate to have it in my
power to offer him my mess. This gave him renewed strength,
and gained for me his friendship. Afterward, upon our return
to Canada, I learned to know his family. One of our greatest
annoyances was the stench of the wounds when they began to
suppurate.

One day I undertook the care of Major Plumpfield,* adjutant
of General Phillips, through both of whose cheeks a small musket
ball had passed, shattering his teeth and grazing his tongue.
lie could hold notliing whatever in his mouth. The matter
from the wound almost choked him, and he was unable to take
any other nourishment, except a little broth, or something
li(juid. We -had Rhine wine. I gave him a bottle of it, in
hopes that the acidity of the wine would cleanse his wound. lie
kept some continually in his mouth; and that alone acted so
beneficially that he became cured, and I again accjuired one more
friend. Thus, in the midst of my hours of care and suffering,
I derived a joyful satisfaction, which made nie very happy.

On one of these sorrowful days, General Phillips, having
expressed a desire to visit mc, accompanied my husband, who,
at the risk of his own life, came once or twice daily to see me.

* Prnbnbly ( 'iipt.ltn Tliomas Hlomclk'ld. This ofKriT. m-conlinsr to (ii'iionil Wil-
kiiisun. WHS, ill l.sKi, moinbi'r ul' iiiuliimuMit lor I'lymoiilli, major gont'iiil in tlie
unuy, liciiK'Uiiut coloiii'l of tlie royal artillery, ihicl' t'i|Ui.'rry, and marshal to the
king.

OF MUH. GEN En At ItlEDEHEL.

i;i3

He saw our situation, and heard me earnestly beg my husband
not to leave me behind in case of a hasty retreat. Then, as he
marked my great reluctance to fall into the hands of the Ameri-
cans, he spoke in my behalf; and as he was going away he said
to my husbaud, "No! not for ten thousand guineas would I
come here again, for my heart is entirely, entirely broken !"

Not all of those, however, who were with us deserved our
compassion. There were, also, poltroons in our little company,
who ought not to have remained in the cellar, and who after-
wards, when we became prisoners, took their places in the ranks
and could parade perfectly well. In this horrible situation wc
remained six days. Finally, they spoke of capitulatiisg, as by
temporizing for so long a time, our retreat had been cut oflF. A
cessation of hostilities took place, and my husband, who was
thoroughly worn out, was able, for the first time in a long while,
to lie down upon a bed. In order that his rest might not be in
the least disturbed, I had a good bed made up for him in a
little room; while I, with my children and both my maids, laid
down in a little parlor close by. But about one o'clock in the
night, some one came and asked to speak to him. It was with
the greatest reluctance that I found myself obliged to awaken
bin). I observed that the message did not please him, as he
immediately sent the man back to head-quarters, and laid him-
self down again considerably out of humor. Soon after this,
(jeneral Burgoyne requested the presence of all the generals
and staff officers at a couucilof-war, which was to be held early
the next morning; in which he proposed to break the capitu-
lation, already made with the enemy, in conse([uence of some
false information just received. It was, however, finally de-
cided, that this was neither practicable nor advisable; and this
was fortunate for us, as the Americans said to us afterwards,
that had the capitulation been broken we all would have been
massacred ; which they could have done the more easily, as wc
were not over four or five thousand men strong, and had given
them time to bring together more thau twenty thousand.

'V»

184

LETTERS AXD JOUIiXALS

On the luornint;^ of the IGth of October, my husband was
again obliged to go to liis post, and I once more into my celhir.

On this day, a large amount of fresh meat was distributed
among the officers, who, up to this time, had received only
salted provisions, which had exceedingly aggravated the wounds
of th. .,,en. The good woman who constantly supplied us with
water, - ^ > s capital soup from the fresh moat. I had lost
all appc.iti iid had the whole time taken nothing but crusts
of bread dipji. ' "n wine. The wounded officers, my companions
in misfortune, cut oflF the best piece of the beef and presented
it to me, with a plate of soup. I said to them that T was not able
to eat any thing, but as they saw that it was absolutely neces-
sary I should take some nourishment, they declared that they
themselves would not touch a morsel until I had given them
the satisfaction of taking some. I could not longer withstand
their friendly entreaties, upon which they assured mo that it
made them very happy to be able to ofter me the first good
thing which they themselves enjoyed.

On the 17th of October the capitulation was consummated.
The generals waited upon the American general-in-chief, (jlates,
and the troops laid down their arms, and surrendered them-
selves jirisoners of war. Now the good woman, who had brought
us water at the risk of her life, received the reward of her ser-
vices. Every one threw a whole handful of money into her
apron, and she received altogether over twenty guineas. At
such a moment, the heart seems to be specially susceptible to
feelings of gratitude.

At last, my husband sent to me a groom with a message that
I should come to him with our children. T, therefore, again
seated myself in my dear calash ; and, in the passage through
the American camp, I observed, with great satisfaction, that no
one cast at us scornful glances. On the contrary, they all
greeted me, even showing compassion on their countenances at
seeing a moth.er with her little children in such a situation. I
confess that I feared to come into the enemy's camp, as the

ttF MliS. (IKSEKAL llIh:i>E.<!KI..

135

thing was so entirely new to me. When I approached the
tents, a noble looking man came toward me, took the children
out of the wagon, embraced and kisseil them, and then with
tears in his eyes helped me also to alight. " You tremble,"
said he to me, " fear nothing." " No," replied I, •• for ycm are so
kind, and have been so tender toward my children, that it has
inspired me with courage." lie then led me to the tent of
General (iates, with whom 1 found Generals JJurgoyne and
Phillips, who were upon an extremely friendly footing with
him. Burgoyne said to me, '' You may now dismiss all your
apprehensions, for your sufferings are at an end." I answered
him, that I should certainly be acting very wrongly to have
any more anxiety, when our chief had none, and especially
when I saw him on such a friendly footing with General Gates.
All the generals remained to dine with General Gates. The
man, who had received me so kindly, came up and said to me, " It
may be embarrassing to you to dine with all these gentlemen ;
come now with your children into my tent, where I will give
you, it is true, a frugal meal, but one that will bo accompanied
by tlie best of wishes." " You are certainly," answered I, " a
husband and a father, since you show me so much kindness."
I then learned that he was the American General Schuyler.
He entertained me with excellent smoked tongue, beef-steaks,
potatoes, good butter and bread. Never have I eaten a better
meal. I was content. I saw that all around me were so like-
wise; but that which rejoiced me more than every thing else
was, that my husband was out of all danger. As soon as we
had finished dinner, he invited me to take up my residence at
his house, which was situated in Albany, and told me that
General Burgoyne would, als(j, be there. I sent and asked my
husband what I should do. He sent me word to accept the
invitation ; and as it was two days' journey from where we
were, and already five o'clock in the afternoon, he advi.sed me
to set out in advance, and to stay over night at a place distant
about three hours' ride. General Schuyler was so obliging as

•i^^

186

LHTTKItS AM) JOlIiXALs

to send with iiic a French officer, who was a very affreeahle
man, and commanded those troops who composed tlie reconnoi-
tering party of which l have before made mention. As soon
as he liad escorted me to the house where we were to remain,
he went back. I found in tliis house a French physician, and
a mortally wounded Brunswick officer, who was under his care,
and who died a few days afterward. The wounded man extolled
highly the good nursing of the doctor, who may have been a
very skillful surgeon, but was a young coxcomb. He rejoiced
gri'i' when be heard that I could speak his language, and
began to entertain me with all kinds of sweet speeches and
impertinences ; among other things, that he could not believe
it pv. ible wi.a I was a general's wife, because a woman of such
rank would not certainly follow her husband into the camp. 1
ought, therefore, to .stay with him, for it was better to be with the
conquerors than the conquered. I was beside myself with his
insolence, but dared not let him see the contempt with which
he inspired me, because I had no protector. When night came
on he oftered to shr.re his room with me ; but I answered, that
I should remain in the apartment of the wounded officers,
whereupon he distressed me still more with all kinds of foolish
flatteries, until, suddenly, the door opened and my husband
and his adjutant entered. " Here, sir, is my husband," said I
to him, with a glance meant to annihilate him. Upon this
he withdrew looking very sheepish. Yet, afterward, he was so
polite as to give up his room to us. Tlie day after this, we
arrived at Albany, where we had so often longed to be. IJut
we came not, as we supposed we should, as victors ! We were,
nevertheless, received in the most i'riendly manner by the good
General Schuyler, and by his wife and daughters, who showed
us the most marked courtesy, as, also. General -Burgoyne, al-
though he had — without any necessity it was said — caused
their magnificently built houses to be burned. ]Jut they treated
us as people who knew liow to forget their own losses in the
misfortunes of others. Kven (ieneral Burgoyne was deeply

OF Mils. (iKXEltAL ItlKDKSKl.

187

moved at their inagnauiiiiity, uiid siiij to rjeneral Schuyler, " la
it to //((■, who have done you so iiuicli injury, tliat you show so
much kindness ! " " That is the fate of war,'' replied the brave
man, "let us say no more about it." We remained three days
with them, and they acted as if they were very reluctant to let
us <,'o. Our cook had remained in the city with the camp eijuip-
age of my husband, but the second night after our arrival, the
whole of it was stolen from us, notwithstanding an American
guard often or twenty men had been deputed for its protection.
Nothing remained to us except the beds of myself and children,
and a lew trifles that I had kept by me for my o^vn use — and
this too, in a land where one could get nothing for money, and
at a time when we were in want of many things; consequently,
my husband was obliged to board his adjutant, <)uartermaster, etc.,
and find them in everything. The English officers— our friends,
as I am justified in calling them, for during the whole of my
sojourn in America they always acted as such — each one gave
us something. One gave a pair of spoons, another some plates,
all of which we were obliged to use for a long time, as it was
not until three years afterward, in New York, that we found
an opportunity, altliougli at great cost, to replace a few of the
things we had lost. Fortunately, I had kept by me my little
carriage, which carried my baggage. As it was already very late
in the season, and the weat.ier raw, I had my calash covered with
coarse linen, which in turn was varnisiied over with oil; and
in this manner we set out on our journey to Boston, which was
very tedious, besides being attended with considerable hardship.
I know not whether it was my carriage that attracted the
curiosity of the people to it — ibr it certainly had the appear-
ance of a wagon in which they carry around rare animals —
but often I was obliged to halt, because the people insisted upon
seeing the wife of the German general with her children. ]''or
fear that they would tear off the linen coverinj-' from the wao'on
in their eagerness to see me, I very often alighted, and by this
means got away more (juickly. However, I must say that the

\^.

i:is

Lm'TKlls AX/I ./OCJi'XA/.M

pefiji1<i \,orc very IViendly, and wort; jiartieularly delighted at
my being able to speak Knglisli, wliieli was tbo language of
their country.

In tiie midst of all my trials, however, (iod so supported me,
that 1 lost neither my frolicksomenoss, nor my spirits; but my
poor husband, who was gnawed by grief on ceount of all that
had happened, and on acecmnt, also, of his captivity, became by
these constant stoppages, peevish in the highest degree, and
could scarcely endure tliem. His health had suffered very
greatly, especiallj' by the many damp nights that he had sjjcnt
in the open airj and he was, therefore, often obliged to take
medicine. One day, wlion he was very sick from the effects of
an emetic, he could not sleep on account of the noise that our
American .,uard made, who never left us, but wore continually
drinking and carousing before our very door; and when lie sent
them a message begging them to keeji quiet, they redoubled
their noise. 1 resolved to go out myself; and 1 said to them
that my husband was sick, and begged that they would be less
noisy. They at once desisted from their merriment and all
became still. A i)roof that this nation, also, have respect for
our sex.

Some of their generals who accompanied us wore shoemakers ;
and upon our halting-days they made boots for our officers, and,
also, mended nicely the shoes of our soldiers. They set a great
value upon our money coinage; which, with them was scarce.
One of our officers had worn his boots entirely into shreds. He
saw that an American general had on a good pair, and said to
him jestingly, '• I will gladly give you a guinea for them." Im-
mediately the general alighted from his horse, took the guinea,
gave up his boots, and put on the badly worn ones ftf the officer,
and again mounted his lior.se.

At last we arrived at lioston ; and our troops were quartered
in barracks not far from Winter hill.* We were billeted at

* WiiitiM- liill, wlu'iv most of the (icnnan priHoiicrs wcic iiiinrtt'rod, was. at that
timi', covered witli wretclieil Ijarnieks, made ol'lioards. that liad been erected therein

OF MIts. (iF.SKItAI, ItlKDKsKL.

189

the house of a couiitryiiiaii, whore wu liacl only one room uiicler
the roof. 3Iy woiikmi .'-ervants sU-'pt on the floor, and our men
.servants in the entry. Some straw, wliicli I placed under our
beds, served us i'or a lonu time, as [ had with me nothinj^- more
than my own field bed. Our host allowed us to eat in his room,
where the whole lamily togethe.' eat and slept. The man was
kind, but the woman, in order to revenue herself for the trouble
we brought upon lier, cut up the prank, every time we sat down
to table, of taking that time to eonib out her children's heads,
which were full of vermin — which very often entirely took
away our appetites. And if we begged her to do this outside,
or select another time for this operation, she would answer us,
" It is my room, and J like to comb my children's hair at this
time ! " We \^re obliged, therefore, to be silent lest she should
thrust us out of the house.

(.)no day the gentlemen of our party celebrated, in this filthy
place, the birthday, I believe, of tlie (lueen of England, and
drank on this occasion a great deal of wine. My oldest little
daughters, Gustava and Frederica, who had noticed tliat the
wine that was left over liad been placed under tlie stairs,
thought it would be a fine thing for them in their turn to drink
the queen's health. They, accordingly, seated themselves be-
fore the door, and toasted .so much — that is, drank healths —
that their little heads could not bear more. Frederica became
sick of a fever, which gave me the more anxiety as she had
spasms with it, and I was entirely at a loss to know the cause.
When, finally, nature helped lier.self by vomiting, then I .saw
that it was the wine, and blamed the little maidens greatly, who,
however, replied that they, also, h)ved the king and queen, and
could not, therefore, resist wishing them happiness.

We remained three weeks at this place, until they transferred
us to Cambridge, where they lodged us in one of the most

' M

IT"), for I ho pui-posi' ol'iitVonliiiitu t-hdlcr ((lioii;,'h ti i^cauty one) to the .Vmcvifiiiis
while hesie-jiiig Ueueial (iuse in Uoi^toii.

"4*- .

140

LETTEIiH AM) JOIIISALS

beautiful houses of the place, which hail formerly been built by
the wealth of the royalistH. Never had I chanced upon such an
ajjreeable situation. Seven families, who were conneeted with
each other, partly by the ties of relationship and partly by aft'cc-
tion, had here farms, gardens and niafinificcnt houses, and not
far oft" plantations of fruit. The owners of these were in the
habit of daily meeting:; each other in the afternoons, now at the
house of one, and now at another, and making themselves merry
with music and the dance — living in prosperity, united and
happy, until, alas ! this ruinous war severed them, and left all
their houses desolate except two, the proprietors of which were
also soon obliged to flee.

None of our gentlemen were allowed to go into Boston.
Curiosity and desire urged nie to pay a visit to Madame Carter,
the daughter of (Jeneral Schuyler, and 1 dined at her house
.several times. The city, throughout, is pretty, but inhabited
by violent patriots, and full of wicked people. The women,
especially, were so shameless, that they regarded lue with re-
])Ugnance and even spit at me when T passed by them. jMadame
Carter was as gentle and good as her parents, but her husband
was wicked and treacherous. She came often to visit us, and
also dined at our house with the other generals. We sought to
show them by every means our gratitude. They seemed, also,
to have much friendship for us ; and yet, at the same time, this
mi.xerable Carter, when the English (Jeneral Howe had burned
many hamlets and small towns, nuide the horrible proposition to
the Americans to chop off the heads of our generals, salt them
down in small barrels, and send over to the Knglish one of
these barrels for every hamlet or little town burned down; but
this barbarous suggestion fortunately was not adopted.

During my sojourn at Bristol, in England, I had made the
acquaintance of a Captain Fenton, from Boston, to whom the
Americans, upon the breaking out of the war, had sent a sum-
mons, but which, true to his king, he would not obey. U[)on
this, the women of the exasperated rabble seized his wife — u

OF MIts. HK.\ /■:/,' A/. ItlKItKsni..

\\\

woiimii dcsorvinf,' of all cstocni — and his very bcaiitil'iil
tlaufiliter of fifteen years, and witlioiit ref-ard to tlieir good-
ness, beauty or modesty, stripped them naked, besmeared tbeni
Willi tar, rolled tlieni in feathers, and, in this condition, led
them through the city as a show. What might not be expected
from sueh people, inspired with the most bitter liatred !

Tn the same manner, there were two brothers who had loved
each other very much, one of whom had espoused the side of
the king, and the other that of the republicans. The former,
desiring again to see his brother, obtained permission and paid
him a visit. Ilis brother received liim with great joy, and said
to him, " How rejoiced am I to sec you return to the good
cause!" " No, my brother," answered the royalist, " I remain
true to my king, but this shall not hinder me from loving
you." At this, the American sprang up in a fury, seized a
pistol, and threatened to shoot liim if he did not instantly go
away. All the representations of the good brother, that their
differences of opinion should not alter his love, availed nothing.
The other exclaimed, " Only my old love for you hinders me
from shooting you this very moment, for every royalist is my
enemy." And he would certainly liave carried out his threat if
his brother had not finally made his escape. Almost every
family was disunited; and I saw hero that nothing is more
terrible than a civil war. With such people we were obliged
to live, or sec no one whatever I I naturally preferred the
latter.

General Phillips was. and remained, ever our kind and sin-
cere friend, and we saw much of him. Our house, also, was
constantly full of Englishmen, after wo learned t'l u r was con-
sidered by them polite usage to invite them lu tall again.
Before we knew this, we observed, to our astonishment, that
some courteous people, whom we had received kindly, came not
again. After this we adopted the same custom, and found it
very convenient, since one could make a selection of those
whose company was most agreeable. Still, a few persons fa-

H'l.

I'll

142

/./:"/'T/://s A\/) .mrit.SM.S

vorod UN witli their i)ruHeiit'o uimskud, who wcro, um tho Kii^Mich
term it, '• biiivliK-cd."

Wliilc ill ('iiiiil)i'itl<io, I hiiw iiii entire Imiise etirried oil' ii)iiiii
hdij^ loyn, tt) tho cikIm (if which tliey had iittuclied wiieelH.
Tlio lioiist* i« raised by a screw, tiic Idjim Hhovcd underneath it,
and tlie building is then imived readily.*

( )n tlic .'id of .luiic, 1778, r j;iivc a ball and siii>i)ei' in celc-
bratinii dl the birthday ol'my husband. I had invited to it all
tho {"CiieraLs and nthcers. Tlie ( 'arter.>*, uIho, were there. Gene-
ral IJnruoyno sent an e.\(;use iii'ter he had made us wait till
oi^ht o'clock in the eviuiinj;. ' lie invariably excused liiinseli',
on various pretenses, I'roiii coniing to see us, until his dc|iai'turo
for J'liiiiiand, when he came and made me ii great many apolo-
gici<, but to which I made no other answer than that I should
be extremely sorry it' he had •;t)ne out of liis way on our
account. \Vc danced considerably, and our cook jireparcd us a
magnilicent supper of more than eighty covers. Moreover, luir
court-yard and garden wt'rc illuminated. As the birthday of
tlie king of England came upon the following day, which was
the fuurtii, it was resolved that we would not se])aratc until his
health had been drank; which was done with the most hearty
attachment to his person and his interests.

Never, I believe, has •• (iod save the King" been sung with
more enthusiasm or more genuine good will. Kveu both my
oldest little (hiughters were there, liavingstaid up to see the
illumination. All eyes were full of tears; and it seemed as if
every one present was proud to have the spirit to venture to
do this in the midst of our enemies. Kven the Carters could
not shut their hearts against us. As soon as the company
separated, we perceived that the whole house was surrounded

* Thin Amei'lcnii niamicr DrniDviiii.' Iioiisos is as unkiKiwii tn the Kiif.'lish nt llio
present (lay nn It was to Mrs. Hiedcsel almost a (•cntllfy since. A ireiitlenian last
year dsillil. eliaiiciiii.; tii lie in a (•iinipaiiyorintelliL'enl and educated Kiii,'lisli iKuiiiIe,
in Kntrland. alluded, in the eoiirseof cdnvei-sation. to this ciistoni. iii><in which his
heaii'i's thoiiirht he desiiriicd to lioax Iheni : nor was it until he had wnvinced them
ol'lmving nu i-ueh inteuliuii llial they cuiild he induced lu credit it !

'//•' i//.'v, i,n.\h:i!M. /,'//■■ /I /■:.s/-; I..

V.\

h\ Aiiifiiciins, who, li.iviiii; sci'ii so iii.iiiy [icoplc n,. jntd tin;
liiiu.Mi!. and liaviiiL; iinticcil, ulsn, tlic illmiiinatioii, Hus|u'ct('(l (hat
wo wt'i'i! plaiiiiiiij.' a imitiiiy, anil if ilic sli-litrsf <lisliirl)aiifo
had arisen, it wrndd have vn-H us dear. 'I"hc Aiiii'ricaiis, wlicii
tliov dcsin^ to collect tiieir troops touctiier, |daee Imiiiiiin-
torelius o|' j)it(di iijioii lli.^ Iiill tops, iit wliidi ,si^'iii»l every one
liustoiiH (o liio rendezvous. We were oitcc witnesses id' liiis,
when (leiu'ral lloW(! attempted a iandinu' at lioston in order to
rescue the captive troops. 'I'liey h'arned ol' this |dan, as usual,
long beforehand, and opened barrels i<\' pitch, whereupon, for

tliree or four Hucccssivts diys, u lar^e nundier ol' | pie. witliout

slnies ami stoekinus. ami with jiuns on their hacks, were >vt>\i
hastily eninini;' from all direction hy whicdi means so many
jKioplo came toi^ether so soon th.it it would have been a very
difficult thinj^ to effect a landinji'.

We lived very happily and content<!d in ('ainbridj;e, and
were, therelore, widl pleased at the idea of remainiiiji there
during the captivity (d' our troops. As winter approached,
liowevcr, wo wore ordered to Virginia.* Now I was forced to
con.sid(!r how I should safely carry tin; lolors of our (lerman
regiments still further, as we had made the Americans at
Saratoga believe that they were burnt u]) — a cireinnstanee
which they at first took in bad part, though, afterwards, they
tacitly overh)okcd it. IJut it was only tlie staves that had been

burned, the colors having been thus far ( ceded. Now, uiy

liusband confided to me this secret, and entrusted me with their
still further concealment. I, therefore, shut myself in with a
right honorable tailor, who ludjied me make a mattress in which

* Tlic cnusc of thiM onliT was CliiiloiiV ilci-Ijiniliiiii llial ^iiicc the Coiivi'iiliim
trcxipsti. c. tluL-^c who siin-i'iKU'icd at SaraloLrai, were not ackiiowlc(l.;,'C(l an siicli,
but looked upon in the same liirhl as onlinnrv piisoiicrs of wai-, lio was no loiiijcr
disposed to forward provisions lo IlK'in, or pay tin- "e.xorliilant hills of tlio
Ainerieans," consecinenlly eonirress nnist maintain tlio i)risoners itself. As tlio
country in the vleinity of Hoston was very delleieni in i)r<ivisloiis. Ilie Convention
troops were aecordiiiKly sent to Vir;,'inia. wiiieli, it was tlioiiglil. would l)e luMter
able to fiiridsh the needful supplies.

144

LETTEliS A.YD JOVIiXALH

we sewed every one of them. Captain O'Connell, under pre-
tense of some errund, was sent to New York, and passed the
mattress off as his bed. He sent it to Halifax, where we again
found it on our passage from New York to Canada, and where —
in order to ward off all suspicion in case our ship should be
taken — I transferred it into my cabin, and slept, during the
whole of the remaining voyage to Canada, upon these honorable
badges.

While we were on the point of taking our departure, I dis-
covered that ouv cook, whose receipts I had luckily received
daily, had paid nothing whatever; and they brought to me
unpaid bills which amounted to the sum of one thousand rix
thalers. My husband had him arrested. But he slipped off
and went into the service of General (iates, who found him too
expensive; whereupon he went to General La Fayette, who
afterwards told us that " he would answer only for a king ! "
My husband wished him well on account of his skillfulness in
cooking, which was very great. But the scoundrel had con-
ceived a hatred against nie, because 1 watched him. I have
always believed, also, that he had a share in the robbery of my
husband's equipage at Albany. We afterwards found him in
New York in the greatest poverty. lie had seduced and ran
away with the wife of an American, and afterwards deserted
her, because he was in such an indigent situation that he was
not able to .support her.

My husband had often a kind of nervous and anxious feeling,
by reason of which he was never easy unless he was walking or
working \\\ the garden. I, therefore, always took care, when-
ever we changed our quarters, to have a garden made in a
suitable place. This was not difficult, neither did it cost much,
as almost all our soldiers understood garden work, and were,
besides, glad of an opportunity to earn' something. I thanked
(Jod now more than ever that he had given me courage to follow
my hn.sband. The grief of being in captivity, the unpleasant
situation of our troops, and the want of news from his father-

OF MRS. OEXERAL lilEVESEL.

145

land — all these things threw him into deep despondency.
Yet how much more had he suffered when he had no one to
divert him, and when he had often been a whole half year and
even longer without receiving intelligeuce from us ! IIow
joyful am I, even now, when I think hack upon those times,
that I resisted all those who would have prevented me from
performing my duty and following the inclination with which
my tender love had inspired me ; and that I faithfully shared
all his sorrows and his cares !

It was in the month of November, 1778, that we received the
order to go to Virginia. My husband, fortunately, found a
pretty English wagon, and bought it for ma, so that, as before, I
was enabled to travel easily. My little G ustava had entreated one
of my husband's adjutants, Captain Kdmonston, not to lea>^ us
on the wjiy. The confidingmanner of the child touched hini, and
he gave his promise and faithfully kept it. I traveled always
with the army, and often over almost impassable roads.* The
captain, who was very strong and always at hand, sprang from
his horse at every dangccous place, and held our wagon. Our old
yager, Rockel, who was with me and was much delighted at this
assistance, as he was very much fatigued, often sat quietly on his
box and contented himself with crying, " Captain ! " Instantly
he wa" down from his horse. I did not like him to use such

* A u'linipsc (if that which Mrs. Riodoiid endured on this journey is afforded us by
the folh)\vinu' fjraphic description of one scone on the march, from tlie diary of one
of tlie (ieruian otHcers wlio was with Mrs. Kiedesd and tlie troops at tlie time :

"Tlie roads were covered l)y a glazeil frost ; and a cold and jjierciuij wind drove
tlie snow and rain into tlie faces of the marcliinsj; troops. IJeinj,' very much weak-
ened by their inevions privations, they were unable to reach their designated
quarters for the night, and therefore halted at midniglit in a wood, wliere they
bivouacked in tlieir drenched clothes, without even straw upon which to lie down.
It was an awful night of storm and tempest. N'akcd rocks, lik.jso many iihaiitonis,
pointed towards tlie heavens ; mountain streams dashed unceasingly over miglity
pieces of rock; and in the ploughed up ravines stood lofty, dark lir.-'. in whose tops
the wind whistled dismally. The prisoners endeavored to shelter tlicmsches as
well as they could, from the blowing gale and the falling snow and rain, tiy taking
refuge in the deep crevices of the rocks and the dense tliickets."'

1!>

146

LETTERS AND JOVSNALS

freedom ; but it amused tlie good captain so much that he begged
me not to notice it.

I had always provisions with me, but carried them in a second,
small wagon. As this could not go as fast as we, I was often in
want of every thing. Once, when we were passing a t'>wu called
Hertford,* where we made a halt, which, by the wa appened
every fourth day, we met General La Fayette, whom my hus-
band invited to dinner, as otherwise he would have been unable
to find any thing to eat. This placed me in rather an awkward
dilemma, as I knew that he loved a good dinner. Finally,
however, I managed to glean from what provisions 1 had on
hand enough to make him a very respectable dinner. He was
so polite and agreeable that he pleased us all very much. He
had many Americans in his train, who were ready to leap out of
their skin for vexation, at hearing us speak constantly in French.
Perhaps they feared, on seeing us on such a friendly footing
with him, that we would be able to alienate him from their
cause, or that he would confide things to us that we ought not
to know. He spoke much of England, and of the kindness
which the king had shown him in having had all objects of
interest shown to him. I could not keep myself from asking
him how he could find it in his heart to accept so many marks
of kindness from the king, when he was on the point of depart-
ing in order to fight against him. Upon this observation of
mine he appeared somewhat ashamed, and answered me, " It is
true that such a thought passed through my mind one day,
when the king oflered to show me his fleet. I answered that
I hoped to see it some day; and then quietly retired, in order
to escape from the embarrassment of being obliged to decline,
point blank, the ofler, should it be repeated." Some, however,
charged him with being a 'spy in England, npon which he
immediately went to America.

One day we came to a pretty little place, but our supply

♦Hartford, Conn.

OF MBS. GKNEliAL RIEDEHEL.

147

wagon not having been able to follow us, we could not endure
our hunger longer. Observing a quantity of butcher's meat in
the house in which we put up, 1 begged the hostess to let nie
have some. >' I have," answered she, " several different kinds.
There ia beef, veal, and mutton." My mouth already watered
at the prospect. " Let me have some," I said, " I will pay you
well for it " Snapping her fingers almost under my very nose,
she replied, " You shall not have a morsel of it. Why have
you come out of your land to kill us, and waste our goods and
possessions? Now you are our prisoners; it is, therefore,
our turn to torment you." " See," rejoined I, " these poor
children, they are almost dead with hunger." She remained*
inflexible. But when, finally, my tliree and a half year old
little daughter, Caroline, came up to her, seized her by the
hand, and said to her in English, " Good woman, T am very
hungry ! " She could not longer withstand her : she took her
in a room and gave her an egg. "No," said the good little
child, " I have still two sisters." At this the woman was
touched, and gave her three eggs, saying, « I am just as angry
as ever, but I cannot withstand the child." She then became
more gentle, and offered me bread and milk. I made tea for
ourselves. The woman eyed us longingly, for the Americans
love it very much; but they had resolved to drink it no longer,
as the famous duty on the tea had occasioned the war. I
offered her a cup, and poured out for her a saucer of tea This
mollified her comp-letely, and she begged me to follow her into
the kitchen, where I found the husband gnawing at a pig's tail,
while his wife, to my great satisfaction, brought out of the cellar
a basket of potatoes. When she came back he reached out to
her his tit-bit. She ate some of it, and gave it back to him in
a little while, when he again began to feast upon it. I saw this
singular mutual entertainment with amazement and disgust;
but he believed that hunger made me begrudge it him, and
he reached out to me the already thoroughly gnawed tail.
What should I do? Throw it away, and not only injure his

■^H-

:*•;!

"•'.I'iim >.'

148

LEI'TKIIS AXl) JOUnXALS

feelings, but lose my loved basket of potatoes ! I accordingly
took it, pretended to eat it, and quietly threw it into the fire.
We had now made our entire peace with them. They gave mc
my potatoes, and I made a good supper off them, with excellent
butter. But besides this, they moved us into three pretty
rooms with good beds.

The next morning we again set out on our journey, and still,
on every hand, drew upon us the curiosity of the inhabitants.
Upon reaching the bank of the Hudson river,* we were quar-
tered at the house of a boatman, where we were given, as a
special mark of favor, a half-finished room without windows.
We hung our bed clothes before them, and slept upon some
straw, as our baggage wagon was broken, and we had, therefore,
no beds. In consequence of this accident, also, we had, unfor-
tunately, neither coff'ce, nor tea, nor sugar, -vhich had often,
upon this journey constituted our only refreshment. Our
landlady, a perfect fury, finally allowed us, on the following
morning, when our things had arrived, to breakfast in her
room, as it was in the month of December, and we could not
make a fire in our room. ]Jut we were unable to induce her to
let us have a table to ourselves ; and we were not once permitted
to sit down to hers, until she, with her children and servants,
had finished breakfast, which consisted of what had been left

* Mr?. Kii'rtesel and the troopn struck tlic Hudson nt Fislikill. WluMi tlicy ar-
rivod aX that i)lacc, Wasliiiigloii, on liorsoback, attcndod by his staft', saw them
march by. A journal of a IJrunswick ollUcr, HiK'akin}; of the American commander-
in-cliief on tliis occasion, naively says : — •' He reviewed all our divisions, and was
very polite to our ortieers. All that, in ffcncral. can be said on the sulyect of the
said general amounts to this; that it is a pity, a man of his character and talents
is a rel)el to his kins,'.''

Mrs. Kiedcsel and the first division of the troops reached Lancaster in the latter
part of December. The credulous inhabitants of that town had been hoa.Ked with
tlie story, that the kin;.' of Kujiland had made a present of the worthy town of Lan-
caster to CJeneral Uiedesel, to reward liini for his services, and that the latter had
now come to take possession of the place with liis troops. The irritati(ni of the
l)eople, accordin<;ly, was so roused against the (ieruian general, that serious conse-
(piences were at first feared: and it was a long time l)efore tlieycoidd be convinced
of tiie falsity of tlie report.

OF MliS. O EN Eli A L RIEDEfiEL.

149

over from the evening meal, viz : cabbage, liam, and the like,
with coffee and coarse sugar. They left us a filthy table, which
we were first obliged to clean before we could use it. And yet
they insisted that we should put every thing in order, and re-
place the cups and saucers in a perfectly clean condition ! At
the least remonstrance they pointed us to the door. She did
all this to torment us, for she was an anti-royalist. Unfortu-
nately, a storm, with adverse winds, came up, so that we, as the
boatman assured us, could not cross the river without danger.
The wicked woman insisted, notwithstanding, that we should
go ; and it was only after many entreaties, that we obtained
permission to remain two days longer. On the third day, the
husband, with a perplexed air, came and announced to u£ that
we must go. I entreated him to think of our danger, and at
least to accompany us, as I should then have more courage to
attempt the passage over. lie promised to take us over him-
self; and we embarked upon a little boat with one sail; but as
he shoved it from the land, our man sprang up and out of the
boat, and left us only one sailor, who did not understand very well
how to guide the tiller. We were, therefore, on acco\int of his
unskillfulness, and the contrary winds, driven hither and thither
in the river for more than five hours, until, at last after a thou-
sand anxieties, we landed upon the opposite shore. Even then
we were still obliged to wade up to the knees through a morass,
till we came to the house of Colonel llorbovn * — a very rich
man, where we were to lodge. f

♦Probably Osborn.

t Mi>. Uit'di'scl (loos not ('xa!.'.i.'i'nil« Iho peril of lior piisfafro across tlio Hudson in
this storm; and knowini,' men at the lime were surprised that she escaped wilhonl
accident. Indeed, the treatment she received from the inhabitants of tlu; towns
throui,'h whidi slie passed on this jonrinn-. was siieli as to excite the indlsna-
tion of Colonel Troup, who luid been detailed to accompany the party to its
ilestination. In a letter to (ieneral (iates. dated at Sussex Court House. January
3d, I'Tlt, Colonel Troup writes: •■ You canmit inia;.'ini' wiiat dillleulties we liad to
overcome on our marcli hither. The jn'ople of almost every house wliere we
stopped, seemed to deli^dil in reiulerini.' otu' slay with theui as uni)leasant as they
possibly could, 1 am sorry to add, lluil lliey behaved very iniproi)eriy to Lady

'"d*-

/ : ,

160

LETTERS AND JOVRXALS

In that place, I had a small room, it is true, but a good
one, for niyscU", husband, children, and both my maids; in
which, however, the adjutants had to take breakfast, dinner
and tea. As I wished to change my stockings on account
of my feet being completely soaked, I begged our officers to
go out long enough for mc to do this. In the meantime
they went into the kitchen to warm themselves, and while
there, suddenly the host came in, took them by the arms, ex-
claiming at the same time, " Here, you nasty royalists! ia it not
enough that I harbor you ; can you not sometimes leave me in
peace ?" He had just come in from the field ; and in his coarse
cloth garments, his long beard, 'snd his dirty linen, looked so
like a bear, that we trembled before him. His wife, however,
was kind. On the following day, which was Sunday, she
begged me to drink coft'ee with her after dinner. Scarcely had
I seated myself, when the husband entered looking much more
respectable, as he had shaved himself, and put on his Sunday
linen. As I could not yet forget the scene of the day before,
I got up and wished to leave the room. But he shut the door
and asked me, " Are you afraid of mc ? " " No," answered I,
" T am afraid of no one, not even the devil, whom you so resem-
bled yesterday." " But to-day," replied he, " 1 look much

Ricdescl. They coiilil not disiiiisfi from their miiidi* the cruelty with which onr
prisoners have been treated. I'art of tlieni were nfraid of biding plundered, otliers of
being murdered l)y lis. A young woman, wlio liad been married only shortly before,
wept continually, crying and gnashing her teeth for almost two hours running,
merely because I asked her to let Lady Kiedesel slee]> in her chamber, where she
kept some gowns, petticoats, i)ots. and the like. The rudeness with which they
treated ns, of every degree and kind, was carried to such a point, that since my
departure from Cambiidge, I have always stood in the greatest fear. Lady Kiedesel,
the general and his family, have testitled to me, in every way, their esteem and
kindness. A few minutes ago. they and the children, before setting out for Easton,
were in the best state of health." And in another letter to tiates, shortly after, he
writes : " The army has made a stand at Middlebrook ; and the; otticer, who was
dispatched by Lord Sterling to attend Lady Kiedesel to Virginia, assures me that
they are well salistled with their lodgings, In spite of his assurances, however. I
cannot disengage myself from my private opinion, which, I am persuaded, does not
much difl'er from yours."

OF MliS. GENERAL RIEDESEL.

151

bettor." " Yes," said I, " ncvertlieless, I desire to got out of
the way of f|fther discourtesies." 3Iy demeanor, instead of
vexing, pleased him, He took me by the hand, and urged me
to sit down again in my chair. " I am not so bad as you think,"
said he, "you please me, and if I had no wife I would marry
you." " But," rejoined I, " how do you know that I would
have you ? " " That," said he, " we should soon see. I am very
rich; the whole landscape, as far as you can see, is mine, my
wife is already old ; 1 think, therefore, you had better remain
here." From this moment, I could have h?d every thing that
the house afforded ; for the good wife was deligi<ted to share
with me all that she herself was accustomed to have.

We were obliged to remain here eight days in order to give
our troops time to cross the river, vifhich, on accouut of the
scarcity of suitable boats, was very tedious. Our third stopping
place for the night from this place, was at the house of a Gorman,
where we were well lodged and well fed. The old man, it
seemed, was the son of a coachman who had been in the service
of Count Giirtz in Germany. In his twelfth year, his father
on one occasion chastised him on account of some roguish
prank. Thereupon he resolved to run away ; and chance led
him to London. Servants were at that time often sent thence
to the American colonies, and he was also sent over with one
of these companies. As his lucky star would have it he fell
into the hands of a kind master, who, taking a fancy to him,
had him well educated, and, after some years of service, gave
him some land to cultivate, as was customary in this country,
after one had served out his apprenticeship, lie was very active
and industrious, and soon found himself in a position to take a
lease jf it from his master, who, finally, when he observed how
every thing prospered under his hands, gave him his daughter
for a wife. The man had nine sons who were also farmers;
and the only thing that disturbed his happiness was, the thought
of having left his father, to whom, however, he often sent
money. As he knew that the Riedesel family were neighbors

162

LETTERS AXD JOVliNALS

and friends of Gortz, he took good cure of us, and was exceed-
ingly grieved when we again set out on our Journey.

At another time we had our quarters for the night at the
house of a Colonel Ilowe, to whoin I thought I was paying a
coniplinient by asking him if he was a relation of the Englisli
General 't " God forbid," answered he, very much affronted, " he
is not worthy of it." They said that this colonel was a brave
man. When he was not in the field but at home, he plo\yed
his acres himself, and busied himself with his household affairs.
lie had a daughter fourteen years old, pretty, but of a wicked
disposition. As I was once sitting with her before a good chim-
ney fire, she gazed at the glowing coals, and cried out " Oh, if
I only had the king of England here, with what satisfaction I
could cut his body in pieces, tear out his heart, dissect it, put it
upon these coals, and consume it ! " I looked at her with horror,
and said, " I am almost ashamed to belong to a .sex that is capable
of taking such pleasure." I have never been able to forgot this
detestable girl ; and I was glad to get away from this house,
although, in other respects, we were very well treated.

lieforc we passed the so-called Blue mountains, we were forced
to make a still further halt of eight days, that our troops might
have time to collect together again. In the mean time such a
great quantity of snow fell, that four of our .servants were obliged
to go before my wagon on horseback, in order to make a path
for it. We passed through a picturesque portion of the country,
which, however, by reason of its wildness, inspired us with terror.
Ofteu we were in danger of our lives while going along these
break-neck roads; and more than ail this we suffered from cold,
and what was was still worse, from a lack of provisions. When
we arrived in Virginia, and were only a day's journey from the
place of our destination, we had actually nothing more remaining
but our tea, and none of us could obtain any thing but bread
and butter. A countryman, whom we met on the way, gave
nie only a hand full of acrid fruits. At noon we came to a dwell-
ing where I begged for something to eat. They refused me with

OF M/iS. GEXh'JLil JilEhESHL.

168

hard words, saying that there was notliing for dogs of Royalists.
Seeing some Turkish meal * lying around, I begged for a couple
of hands full, that I might mix it with water and make bread.
The woman answered me " No, that is for our negroes, who work
for us, but you have wished to kill us." Captain Edmonston
offered her from me, two guineas for it, as my children were
so hungry. Hut she said, " Not for a hundred would I give you
any; and should you all die of hunger, it will be so much the
better." At this reply, the captain became so provoked, that he
wished to take it by force. I, however, entreated him, in order to
prevent disturbance, to keep quiet, as we, perhaps, would soon
come across better disposed people. But alas that did not hap-
pen ! Wc did not once meet with even a hut. The roads were
horrible, the horses completely tired out, my three children ex-
hausted by hunger, very wan, and I for the first time was tho-
roughly disheartened. Captain Edmonston, exceedingly touched
at this sight, went from man to man to see if he could not obtain
something to eat. At last he received from one of the drivers
of our baggage-wagons, a piece of old bread, a quarter of a
pound's weight, which had been considerably gnawed at, since,
on account of its hardness, no one could bite off the smallest
piece. The instant he brought it to us, joy sparkled in the eyes
of the children. I was about to give the first piece to Caroline
as the youngest. " No," said the kind child, " my sisters are more
hungry than I." Gustava and Frederica also refused to take it,
wishing to leave it for their little sister. I therefore divided it
and gaveit to all three to eat. Tears ran down both my cheeks ;
and the good Edmonston was so affected, that he was unable
longer to endure the sight. If I had at any time refused a piece
of bread to the poor, I should have thought that Uod wished now
to punish me for it. The kind driver, who had so willingly
given us his last piece of bread, received a guinea from Captain

* Indian meal.

154

LKTTKUs AM) .KJlliSM.S

Ktliiioiistdit, and, on our iirrival tit the place ol' our dcstiiiiition,
a laryo stock of bread lor liis return journey.

Tlie place of our destination was Colle in Virj^inia, whore my
liusband, who had j^one ahead with our troops, awaited us with
impatient lonj^inj;. Wo arrived here about the middle of Feb-
ruary, 1"T1>, having, on our journey, passed throuj^h the pro-
vinces of Connecticut, New York, Now Jersey, Pennsylvania
and Maryland, and having traveled in twelve weeks, six hundred
and seveuty-eight Knglish miles. The house in which we lived,
and the entire estate, belonged to an Italian,* who, as ho was to
be absent for some time, gave it up to us. We looked forward
longingly to the, departure of himself, wife and daughter, for
not only was the house small, but more than all, the scarcity of
provisions seemed to trouble them — a circumslanco which caused
the husband to exercise a kin dof guardianshij) over us. Tlius,
when he had a ram killed, he gave us on the first day, nothing
more tlian the head, the neck, and the giblets, although I repre-
sented to him that more than twenty persons wore to nuike a meal
off them. He assured mo that a right good soup might bo made
ol' these articles, and gave us besides, two heads of cabbage, with
which, and half of a putrid ham, wo were obliged to be satisfied.

The troops had been expected earlier, and accordingly many
oxen and swine had been killed for food; and, as salt was very
scarce, they cut th(; meat into ijuarters, placed it in a vault in
the earth, and scattered between the pieces ashes instead of salt
which answered equally as well. But as in this part of the
country, the sun, even in January, often shines out very warm,
all the top layers were spoiled. The meat was brought to us on
a wheel-barrow ; but we were often obliged to throw the whole of
it away, although sometimes we could wash it, in which case wo
salted and hung it up in smoke. The day of our arrival, when
I had scarcely enough for dinner to satisfy us alone, I saw with
tears, eight of our officers ride up just before dinner. What

* The name of this ItiiUnn is siippoiti'd tn Imvo l)euu .Muz/.ui.

OF MRS. iiESKUM. lilKDh'SKL.

inr)

cdulJ wo d(» butslmre with tlioni tlie little wo Imd '( Tlu; troops
wore Htiitii)rie(l at Oharlottsvillo, two hours ride from us. To
roaeli them we wore obli,nod to j^o throuuli a very beaiitifiil piece
of woods. At (irst they endured many privations. They occu-
pied hlock-hou.scs, which, however, wore without plaster, and des-
titute of doors and windows, so tliat tlicy were very cold inside.
They worked, however, with great industry to build them.selves
better dwellings; and, in a short time, I saw a pretty little town
spring up. Behind each barrack, they laid out gardens and
constructed pretty little inclosnrcs Ibr poultry. Afterwards,
when the old provisions were consumed, tliey received fresh meat
and meal enough to uiako bread. As this hitter was Indian
meal, it served them for omelets and dumplings ; so that now they
were in want of nothing but money. Very little of this latter
commodity was sent to them by the English, and it was diffi-
cult sometimes to obtain credit — a circumstance whicli often-
times gave great, inconvenience to the common soldiers.

In the middle of tlie month of February tlie fruit trees, which
were already in blos,som, were all killed by the night-frost.
As .soon as the temperature of the air would allow, wo had the
garden and tlie field tilled and planted; and, as our landlord
went oft' three weeks after, we took possession of every thing —
swine, wild turkeys, etc. Some of the latter weighed over fifty
pounds, and were perfectly tame ; but when spring came, they
all flow off to hatch their eggs, which they had laid in the forests.
We gave them up for lost, but they all came back and brought
with them a great number of young ones.

We had built for us a largo house, with a groat drawing-ro(mi
in the centre, and Uj)on each side two rooms which cost my
husband one hundred guineas. It was exceedingly pretty.

Many of the negroes brought us every thing that we needed, in
the sliape of poultry and vegetables. Every week. General
Phillips and ourselves killed, by turns, an ox and two pigs.
Very soon we wanted nothing. ]5ut tlie heat bothered us very
much in .summer ; and we lived in constant terror of ruttle-

•,ii".

15G

LETTERS AX/) ,1 or II \ Ms

Hiiukes. Tlio friiitH a\m wiiro uatoii into, liy tliree kiiula til'
ticks.* Wo had, umrcovcr, vory heavy thiiiiclor wtoriiiH, hiHtiii(j;
for fivf (ir nix days at a tiiiio, and ariMiinjmiiu'd Ity tt'iiijichts
whiuli toru iqi l>y tlic mots inoro tliaii oiio limidiod triHi.s in onr
vicinity. Tiie tires stdud very hionely, and their nidts were
liglitly covered, uh the stronj;' wimls Mew away t'niin tiieni the
eartli, wiiicli was inustly j^aiid. Hesidcs all this, the negroes
and herdsmen often made fires under the trees, for whieh they
cared nothing. IJy reason of this the trees were more easily
blown down. Often wliole foreats wore set on tire, and burned
down in order to obtain new land. At night, we were obliged
to leave our windows open, that we might be able to draw in
fresh air, and sleep. Thereupon, three or four nasty bats, three
times as largo as with us, would wake us up, and wo were ob-
liged to spend half the night in chasing them around the room.
On one occasion a jier.xon came in the night to my husband, to
tell him that the stable, whieh was a new one, was in danger of
being blown down by the wind. Every one ran out to prop it
up, except myself, who was left alone with my children, and
women servants. The wind continually grew stronger. A great
piece of the chimney fell into the room; tlie whole house rocked ;
and I remained half the niiiht in the greatest fear of beiny, killed
by a fragment. Wo were often frightened in this imuinor.

We had no chairs to sit on, only round blocks, which we also
used for a table, laying boards upon them, in this manner we
lived for three f or four months, ])retty contentedly ; my husband,
only, was always sad, and could not at all endure the heat, which

* .\ kind of insect wliicli oven now iiill'fts the ccmtli, espodaliy tlii"^"ii'
tioii ol'Ivoiitucky.

t Mrrt. Ifoidom;! isyet rcmemlxM'pd in Vlrgiiilu. Tradition dcscri
!nf5 lit tldn tinu! conHidcriiblL' eiii/ioiiiKi/iif, and a liaiidsomc and lovely l
in tlu! cnffravini,' acciimi)anyini: lliir< volnnici. Slic is also I'cporti'd usii.
dcrod licrscir an ol)jcct of wonder, in ridintr in lioots, after wlial wasllicn ealle •
tin' Kimipean fasliion. Slie was nMdoul)le(lly in advanee of her aije. and l)y
keeping licr feet warm and repudiatini; pasteboard soles, sliowed lier slerlfiii;
sense.

.- lisv-
is seen
-' ren

Oh MHS. liKSKU.iL UIHnKSKl..

157

stood itt Olio liuii(lr«!tl iiiul tlirou doj^rtioH, niul wiw oxuooiliii^ly ojt-
jircssivo. Wo endeavored to cheor him up us nmoli hh poMMible.
Ah hooii hm till) V(.',!^t!tiil)Ii!s lieiidii to j^row in our pirdon, lie look
consideraljlo rtiitisl'aotion in Ijusyiuj^ liiiiiselt' in pirdening. Hut
UH lie would wear no hat on hiw head on account of hiiviug much
licachu'ho and its iineoinf'ortalilc feeling, he met witii an acci-
dent, which I will prescndy relate, that was the beginning' of
my greatest sufferiiigH. I was engaged in pulling to rights our
new house and my husband'H room, when I heard a noise out of
doors. I ran to the window and saw my hushand being carried
into the house by some men. His face was lilue, his hands
white, his eyes iixed, and great drops of sweat stood upon his
forehead. He had received a sun-stroke. I was more dead than
alive ; and the children uttered piercing shrieks. We immedi-
ately laid him down, and tore otf all his clothing. Fortunately
the surgeon of our regiment, who was already with us, happened at
tlio moment to be in, and at once opened a vein. He now reco-
vered his speech and told us that as he was walking through the
garden, the sun shone down intensely upon his head; and he had
been scarcely able to reach the hou.se when his adjutant arrived ;
had it not been for this timely aid he would have been killed. My
(iod I what would then have beco ne of me and my little child-
ren in the midst of captives, so far from home, and in an enemy's
land ! Even now my hair stands on end whenever I think of
it. As soon as my husband again came to himself, he took me
by the hand, and gazed upon me with an affectionate look.
One could not but observe that he considered himself very dan-
gerously ill. If I went away even for au instant, he became
very uneasy and followed me with his eyes. The physician,
whom we had summoned, came ; and after we had used all pos-
sible care, (xod was finally pleased to preserve for me my beloved
husband. 15ut for many years afterward he suffered from pains
in the head, and from debility, which made him grieve the more
over his situation.

The use of a certain bath in A'iryinia, which is called I'lede-

158

LETTEBS AND .Jori{.\AhS

rick-spring, was prescribed for liiiu,and we accordingly journeyed
thither. 1 believe that lie incr(!»sed his disorder by always wet-
ting his head before bathing; and what was still worse was, that
in spite of all we could do, his hair would remain damp. His
fretfuluess continued and the thought of his imprisonment
worried him more than ever. At night he could not sleep. I
therefore hit upon the expedient of reading to him in a particu-
larly drowsy tone. This was successful, for he always went to sleep.
His hands and feet were constantly blue, and cold as ice. When-
ever I thought that I might safely venture to lie down, hi.s
aii'^uish would invariably wake him up. Every thing irritated
him. One day aA^irginian came into my room, and said that he
Wfis ?urious to see a German woman, eying me, at the same time,
from head to foot. I was delighted at the idea of enjoying my-
self over something. Hut when, at his request, I brought him
to my husband, the latter was so moved at the idea of his situa-
tion compelling him to be gazed upon at the whim of this or
that man, that the tears came into his eyes, and I sincerely re-
pented of having been so inconsiderate.

We made at J"'rederiek-S])ring, the acquaintance of General
Washington's family, and also of Madam Garel — !i very lov-
able woman — and her husband. She was an ardent American
patriot, but reasonable, and we became great friends. She spent
most of the forenoons with us. At such times Captain Gcisnnr
played the violin and I sang Italian airs, which gave her the
greatest delight. One day, while thus engaged, a countryman,
from whom wc had endeavored by many kind words to obtain
fresh butter, came in upon us. As the Americans, generally,
are fond of music, he listened attentively, and when I had finished,
asked me to sing it once more. I asked him sportively what he
would give nie for it ''. as I did nothing gratis. " Two pounds of
butter," he at once answered. The idea pleased nu;, and 1 began
to sing. '• IMay auotiier one," said he. as soon as T had finished,
" but something lively." At lengtli 1 sang so much, that the
next morning, he brought me four or five pounds of fresh butter.

OV iUiS. UF.SKUM ItlKDEsEL.

159

He, also, had his wife with him, and entreated me to sing once
more. I thus succeeded in winning their aftection ; and after-
wards I lacked for nothing. The best of the joke was, that lie
actually believed I wished to be paid for my singing, and won-
dered njuch when I paid them for the butter which they supposeu
they had already sold.

The Virginians are generally inert, a fate which they attri-
bute to their hot climate; but on the slighest inducement, in a
twinkling, they leap up and dance about ; and if a reel — ,an
English or a Scotch national dance — is played for them, immedi-
ately the men catch hold of the women who then jump up as if
they were possessed; but as soon as they are led back to their
chairs they sit on them like blocks of wood, llcgardiug the prac-
tices of the people in this part of the country, one cannot give a
pleasant description. For example, they informed us that two
maidens had been got with child by their father; a circumstance,
which, it is true, occasioned some talk, but which, nevertheless,
remained unpunished. Another man also, who thought his
d;.ughter-in-law handsomer than his wife, proposed an e.vcliatigo
to his son, who consented, on the condition, that his father should
give with the mother, two cows and two horses. The exchange
was accordingly made, and the whole afl'air excited no farther
comment.*

The landed proprietors in A'irginia own many negro slaves,
and treat them badly. Many of them are allowed by their mas-
ters to run naked until they are fifteen and sixteen years old,
and the dre.ss which is then given them, is scarcely worth wear-
ing. 'J'he slaves have an overseer who leads them out at day-
break into the field.*, where they aie obliged t(j work like beasts

* If tlu' sloi'ios which odiiic to us from our wi'slerii froiilior nri' to be believed,
euc'h gwdjin are not unei)iiinioii. Xor, indeed, need we i;o to the west for Bueli
examples of ijruoraiice. A few months since, a man livim,' in Warren county, New
York.nanjed I'eterVrasUee, swapped liis wife for that of auotlier man. irivin>,' a cow
to boot : and wlici he was told liy the authorities of tlic town llial sueli a transac-
tion was invalid, li^ si'i'med hi^'hly otfended at what lie considered their imperti-
nent interference w)th his individual riifhls 1

■H^'

IGO

LETTEIl.S AXD JOUIiXALS

or receive beatings ; and when thoroughly exhausted and burned
by the sun , they come into the house. They are given Indian meal
called hominy, which they make into pastry. But often they arc
tired and had rather sleep for a couple of hours, when they are
again obliged to go to work. They view it as a misfortune to
have children, as they in turn will become slaves and wretched
men. As they have not the time to cultivate the little land which
they have, they possess nothing, and are only able by the sale of
poultry to scrape together sufficient money to clothe themselves.
Still, there are also good masters, who can be easily told, by their
slaves being well clothed and housed. Under such auspices,
the negroes are also good servants, and are very faithful and much
attached to their masters. That wicked masters have disaffected
servants is not to be wondered at.

During our sojourn at this bath, my husband received news
which gave us all much pleasure; namely, that he and General
Phillips, with their adjutants, had permission to go to New
York, in order to be exchanged. My husband, upon this, went
back to Colle, to make arrangements for the maintenance, in his
absence, of the troops, the command of which he handed over
to Colonel .Spccht, and to take measures for the sale of our su-
perfluous things, and especially, our new house, which we had
as yet not lived in — in which situation, indeed, we at various
times afterwards found ourselves. We were often troubled in
this way; for we would come to a place, expecting to remain for
some time, but we would scarcely get our things to rights, at
infinite pains, when we would receive an order, bidding us, in-
stantly to depart. This time, however, every one was rejoiced.
I set out from this bath, in the month of August, 1777, to join
my husband in York-town, Pennsylvania. Madame (!arel. the
clever woman, whom I have already mentioned, had begged me
to visit them at their country seat, in the province of Maryland,
in case we should be in the vicinity. I, therefore, determined
to do it now. Captain Freeman, one of my husband's English
adjutants, remained with us. Captain Edmonston had been

^ ^

OF MltS. (IKXKIIM niEDKsEI..

161

cxchaiiired through the intercession of his Cather. He was so de-
voted to the interests of'uiy husband, and it gave him so much
pain to leave liim, that the latter was even obliged to persuade
him to retura to England. His departure affected >is deeply,
especially when lie said, " T am certain that I shall never see
you again."

On our journey to the country-scat of Mrs. Ciarel, Captain
Freeman saw a black snake — which, liowever, is not danger-
ous — licking a frog and swallowing him down. Crying out
sportively, " I declare myself the Knight of the I'^rog," he drew
his sword, and split the snake open, when lo I the frog hopped
out of its stomach, thoroughly alive; at which we all were
greatly amazed. Before we arrived, 1 was overturned with my
wagon, but without the slightest injury. I had advised Ma-
dame Garel of my arrival, and she sent a man on horseback to
meet me. After I had passed through a very pretty hamlet,
iuhabited by pure negroes — each of whom had his garden, and
understood some handicraft — we drove through a large court-
yard, to a very beautiful house, where the whole family received
us with a joyful welcome. The family consisted of an old latlier-
in-law, eighty-four years of age, of a spriglitly humor, and the
most extreme neatness, upon whose venerable countenance, ap-
peared happy contentment j four perfectly lovely grandchildren ;
and their kind, beloved mother, our amiable hostess. We were
served upon silver, and entertained, not, it is true, with much
di.^play, but with taste. Nothing was wanting for our comfort.
iShe said to me that, as she hoped I would remain with her a long
time, she had received me as if I belonged to the family.

The garden was magniticent ; and, on the following day, she
drove us out to show us her vineyard, which was splendid, and
disi)layed great taste, in fact exceeding my expectations. l''irst,
we went through ii great fruit garden. Then we ascended the
vineyard by a winding path, which led up to the toj) of the hill.
IJetween every vine, a poplar-rose an<l an amaranth grew. 'I'lie
efifeet of this arrangement was to give a magnificent appearance
21

162

lETTKh'S AM) JOUUXALS

to every part of t lie viiicyanl, to one looking down from tlic top,
such a one, indeed, that for beauty. 1 have not found its e((ual
in any portion of America which I have seen. The husband
of Madame Garel had traveled abroad, and had {iathered these
ideas of the laying out of grounds in Kngland and France.
In other respects he was not very lovable, but rather brusque,
and niggardly, and not at all suited to his wife, who, although
she never showed it by outward signs, nevertheless did not ap-
pear to be happy. , Her father-in law she loved very much.

Not far i'roiii this estate, was a town, called Baltimore, which
they told me was very pretty, and inhabited by many amiable
families. We received a visit from an intimate friend of our
liostess. IJotli these women reminded me of Kousseau's Ileloise
and her friend, and the old father of the husband of Ileloise.
^ladame Uarul was as i'uU of tender feeling as she, and would,
I believe, have gladly had a St. Preux for a husband. We ar-
ranged for her a temple adorned with flowers, after the design
of Captain Freeman, and dedicated it to Friendship and Grati-
tude. She wrote mo some years afterward, that the family
still continued to trim it with flowers. The lovely, agreeable
3Iadame Garel, is now dead; and her family, but especially her
children, have met with a great loss. We remained here eight
or ten days, and our parting was very sad. They suj)plied us
with provisions of the best (|uality, enough to last for a long
time. We. however, did not really need them, as the royalists,
through friendly feeling, and the others, through custom, wel-
comed us kindly, and I'uruished us with every thing needful for
our sustenance. In this country it would be held a crime to
rel'use hospitality to a traveler.

Not flir from the place where T was to meet my husband, we
were overtaken in a forest, by a violent thunder-storm. A trunk
of a tree broke atul fell b(!tween the carriage-box and the horses.
Here we sat fast agrouiul. and could not stir from the place, as
none of our servants were strong enough to move the tree from
the spot where it had fallen. In the meantime, it thundered

OF Mils. (I EX h: I! A I. HrKDEsKI..

163

tearfully; the liiihtiiing struck in several places round about
us; anil another and larger tree threatened to crush us. I
could only urge the servants to disengage us from the jam,
but the coachman, who was completely bewildered, assured me,
that it was impnssible. At last, my little (iustava, who was at
that time only eight years old, said, '■ Only unhitch the horses,
and put them behind the wagon, and you can draw it backwards."
This suggestion was immediately acted upon, and every one asked
the other, why that idea had not occurred to them likewise'/
So finally we arrived happily at York-town, in Pennsylvania,
where we (bund my husband, who had been vci*y much worried
about us, on ace Mint of the vivid lightning. We rode through
a magnificent country, and passed, among others, a very well
cultivated section inhabited by the ^Moravian brethren. One
place is called the Holy Sepulchre, and another district goes by
the name of the Holy Land, in which is a town called IJethlehem.
We found a right good tavern, where we waited for those of our
party, who were still behind. T had brought with me from
\"irginia, some splendid birds. The male was scarlet, with a
still darker red tuft, as large as a jack-daw, and sang magnifi-
cently. The female was gray, with a red breast, and had also a
tuft. As soon as these birds are caught they become tame, and
cat out of the hand. This bird lives a long while, but if two
males are hung up in the same room, they become so jealous
of each other, that one of them soon dies miserably. 1 saw also
in ^'irginia, blue birds, just as large, that constantly cried willo !
This afforded us considerable amusement, as one of my husband's
aids was so named. One of our servants found a wlu)le nest of
these red birds, and trained them, and, as he knew I loved them
very much, he carried to me two cages full of them from Colic,
iipoii his back. l?ut they all died before he arrived, which gave
us considerable sorrow. .1 had also made a collection of very
beautiful butterflies, and had packed them very carefully in a
trunk, but the wagon in which they were was overturned, and
the trunk dashcil to pieces. This hapjiened to me twice, and

1G4

LETTKlls ASl) JoritXALK

entirely took away from me any further desire to make another
(.•(lUcetion.

After we all had once more got together and rested, we again
set out and came to the house of a family wlio gave themselvea
out for royalists. Their name was Van Horn. They showed us
much kindness, and begged us to recommend them to (Jeueral
Cornwallis, who, as well as (general ("linton, was a friend of
(ieneralJHiillips and had brought about our returu from Vir-

We came to a very pretty place, opposite Staten island, called
Elizabeth-town, where we found many royalists who welcomed
us joyfully and treated us with hospitality. We wore now so
near New York and counted so surely on the exchange of my
husband and the actual fulfillment of our dearest wishes, that,
as we sat together at dinner, we confidently believed that we
should cross over immediately to New York and be restored to
freedom that same evening. But suddenly the door opened and
an officer, sent by tieneral \Vashington, stepped inside and
handed to General IMiillips a letter with an order to return again,
as the congress had refused to ratify the exchange. The eyes
of (icneral Phillips, who was by nature very i)assionate, fairly
scintillated with rage. He struck the table with his fist, and
said, "This is pleasant I but we should have expected it from
these people who are all rascals 1" I was like one petrified, and
could not utter a single word. He seized me by the hand, and
said to me, " Now, my friend, ih) not allow your courage to fail
you. Follow my example; see how collected I ami " " Every
one," answered I to him, " shows his sorrow in his own fashion.
I keep mine in my heart, and 3'ou manifest yours with passion.
But it's my opinion that you would do better not to allow these
people to see you in such a passion, who will only make sport
of you, and may perhaps make you still more trouble." He
acknowledged that I was right, thanked me, and assured me
that he, like myself, wnuld bear his sufferings with resignation.
From this time lie conducted himself perfectly (quietly.

OF Mlis. <lK\h:itAI. IlirDKSKh.

105

I was at this time with child, and in constant pain, so that
the journey fatigued me exceedingly. I had hoped to find (|uict,
and he amonj,' people, from whom I could have received good
nursinj^. Vain hope I After the single day's halt wliich was
allowed us, we were forced to turn about again, and stop once
tnore at the liouse of the Van Horns. This time we found
there a nephew of (leneral Wasliington, with ((uite a number
of other American officers, who within three days had wrought
such a wonderful change in the sentiments of these people (they
were among tho.se who hang their cloaks to the wind*), that we
not only saw tlie daughters of these pretended royalists on the
most familiar footing with the anti-royalists, and allowing them
all kinds of liberties ; hut, as they thought we would not now
dare to remonstrate, we heard them singing during the whole
night, "God SAVE (iUEAT Wasuin(!Ton 1 God damn the
Kino I " Upon our departure the next morning, I could
scarcely conceal my indignation. AVe now returned to Bethle-
hem, where my husband and General Phillips were allowed by
the Americans to remain until the particulars of the exchange,
which was yet unfinished, should be settled; and, as our I'ormer
landlord in this place had treated us with kind hospitality, we
all of us determined to board with liim — "all of us " being six-
teen persons, and four house servants. The latter received
money with which to pay their board. We had, also, about
twenty horses. Our host would make with us no definite agree-
ment about the price, and, as none of us had any money, this
was very convenient, as he woidd cheerfully wait for his pay till
we received some. We supposed liini to be an honest and rea-
sonable man, and the more so, as he belonged to the community
of Moravian brethren, and the inn was the one patronized by
that society. But how great was our surprise, when, after a resi-
dence of six weeks, and just as we had received permission to
go to New York, we were served with a bill of thirty-two thou-

* Thu Ijioniiau cxpivs^ioii lor luiu wlm tfiniiorizes.

166

I.HTTKItS AM) .11)1-1! \.{l,s

suiiJ tlolliirs, tliiit in to siiy, in Aini'iieim jiapcr inoiiuy, wliit-li is
alxiut (our l)iiiulreJ uuiiK'as in actnal money. Had it not hoeii
for a royalist, who Jnst at this time elnmi'ed to pass throiijih the
viUaj^e seeking to j)nrehase liard money at any price, wc should
have been placed in the {greatest cmbarrassnient, and would not
have been able by any possibility to leave the town. From him,
we were so fortunate as to receive for one piaster, eighty dollars
in paper money.*

My husband suffered greatly the whole time from constant
pains in his head ; and at night he could scarcely breathe. To
obtain a little relief, he now accustomed himself to use snuff, a
practice, which until this period, he had regarded with the great-
est aversion. I first persuaded him to take one pinch. He
believed that I was making fun of him ; but as the very next
instant after tlu; trial, he experienced relief, he exchanged his
pijie for a snuff-box. My little Caroline was very sick, with a
choking cough and, as 1 ))ecame continually further advanced
in pregnancy, we all heartily wished to reach New ^'ork as soon
as possible, in order to have near at liaiid the comforts of lH'e,
good nursing, and all necessary help.

In Bethlehem, as in all other Moravian communities, there
were separate houses for tlie brethren and sisters. In the latter
establishments they made magnificent embroidery, and other
beautiful handiworks, and we l)ought at these places several
articles. A .Miss (iirsdorff, a (lerman, who al'terwards resided
at Herrnhut, had taught the sisters all these kinds of work.
The houses of this community were well built, ami there were
at this place all sorts of numufactories. Among others, there
was one that dressed leatlier. which was as good as that of Kng-

* 111 tlio iiiDiith orDcci'iiilicr. IMIil.a iiUTclimit in Ni'w Vork received fnini aOcr-
iMiin liDiise. Iwi) liiindred d<dliirs in Vwilhn nlitl iikhkij. willi l!u' leciiiesl Hint it
iiiiL'liI lie placed In liiscn'dit, Tl is not al all an iinpi-obalile suiiposilidii. that lliis
was part ol s{inie t'onliiieiilal money wliicli had been cavried over In (ierinanv. after
IIk' Hevoliitinn. by llie (ierinan anxiliai'ies, Anbiirey in liis Trnrih. says, thai lie
discbariri'd in an inn at Kredericlisinwii. ji reckoning' (d' CT^W sterling: "itii almiil
I'uiir Linineas and a hall.

of Mits. <ii:.\h:ii.\i. iiii:iii-:si-:i..

167

Iniiil. ixnd liiiU' as (.-lioaii. Tlio ^'oiitlemeii of o>ir ]iiirfy liouu'Iit a
(lUiiiitity of it. Tliure won; also vory clovor eabiiict-inakors,
workcrw in stool, and oxooliont sniitlis. Wo had vory luuoh
wisliod to sue I'liiladolphia, which is only twolvo or thirtoon
niilos I'rom Uothii-honi, and to which place there is a clear, iiood
road, liut as this was not allowed to my husband and tlio other
gontlonien. and, a,s f wished to share with my beloved liushaiid
his joy,s and sorrows, I cheerfully }j;avo it up. While at IJetli-
loheni wc often wont to church, and enjoyed the .splendid sinj;-
ing. The wife of the minister died while wo were there. We
saw her laid out in a se]iarate enclosure, witli bars, waiting for
burial; for hero thoy never keep a dead body in the house.

Finally, at the end of November, 177!>, we again set out from
]Jothlehom. .My husband, (lOiioral Phiili])S, and their .several
aid decamps, had not, indeed, boon exchanged, but pormi.'^sion
liad been received for them to go to Now Vork on [)arole. 1 did
not wish to call again on the Van Horns, for I despise doul)lo
dealing people ; but wo had the fatality of having our wagon
break down before their vory door, so that I was forced to tarry
with them until the d, image could be repaired. 1 did not, how-
ever, remain over night at their liouse; and when thoy again
asked tluit we .should recommend them, and assured us of their
devotion to the king, in wliose army the head of the family had
served as a colonc:!, I answered c(ddly that I believi'd be did not
need our rec<imniendatious ; which reply he was welcome to take
as he pleased. We came, al.-;o, once more to Klizabeth-town,
where we were again kindly received, embarked upon the Hud-
son river, and roatduid New York very late in the evening,
where my husband, who had gone on ahead of us, had already
airivod before me. A soldier, who at the gateway, liad been
ordered to show us the way, conducted us to a very great and
beautiful house, where we fi ind every thing jireiiared for our
reception, and lietter than all. a good supper. I was too much
occupied in putting my cliildren to bed, and too tir(!d to inquire
where 1 was, and snpj)0sed 1 was in a public-house. My husband,

ins

i.hrrrKiis .wo .mrusM.x

wlio liiul takon tea witli (iiMiural ('oniwallis, eaiiir huiiiL- lato.
Till! next murniiiu a servant eaiiie in tuask me what I desired lor
dinner, and liow many visitors I would proliably have daily at
tabl(!; I replied that as my husband did not dine at home, I should
not need nuu'e than three disiios for six persons, nanudy : myself,
my children, my women servants, and the pasUu', Mylins, the
chaplain of my husband's regiment, whom we retained in our
family, and who j;ave my children instruction in every thinj^'
useful, lie was a man of piety and of excellent character, and
good humor; and the children and we all loved him very much.
[ was then told that the order had been ;jriven to serve upon my
table every day six larj^e, and four small dishes. Jiein;^ still
luider the imprew.sion that I was in a tavern, I decidedly forbade
this profusion, as I dreaded the l)ill. Hut I soon discovered,
that [ was staying al the luuise of the governor, (ieneral Tryon,
who liad forbiden them to tell me where I had been taken,
through fear that 1 would not accept of his house.* This noble
minded man, moreover, in (u'der to avoid my thanks, crossed
over to liong Island, where he had a jirovisional command. All
my wishes were anticipated, and 1 was only in continual fear
lest [ should abuse so much kindness. J also received a call
i'rom (ieneral I'atter.'^on, tiie commandant of the city, who told
me that they were still busy with the arrangement of the house
which we were to have as our own residence. Jiord Cornwallis

* Till' silo ol'llii; iH'i'si'iil llsCiTI Hank nrNcw York.

"On lluMiiirhl (ilDi'ccniliiT •,>!i|li. ITT:i. tlic L'dvcrnnicnl liiinsi' iicciiU'iilally ciiii^'lil
lliv. So rapid was llic priiL'rcss iil'ilii' ilanu's ilial in a I'cw nionicnls alter tlic alarm
was irivcii. a lliiuk <'iiin(l of snidkc and llanio piTvad<'d llic wliolf liniliiinj;. and in
less Ijian Iwo luinis ll was cMliicly consniMcd. Kniin lliis dicadlul i(MillaL'iali(jn,
inilliini;- in llic huildin;;. rxci'pl a lew arlirli'sol liiniilun'. taken linni one oriiic par-
lors was saved. 'I'lie niannerin wiiieli llw lire iiri},'iiiate(l was not diseoveivil. 'I'lie
deep snow wliieli covered the idols of the other ImildiiiL's in tlu' eity. ccnitrilinted
towards their proleition, anil the lire <lei)artnient of the cily showed great activity
in preveiiliiii,' the progress of the llainos. Gov. Tryon was a resident of the govern-
ment honse ill the fori al the time of Us destrncllon. and was a heavy loser by the
event. Ileaflerwarils resided in a liouJC on the corner of Wall and Willhim streets,
the sanio house having hceii sitl)se(|iienlly, and until lale years oecnpied by the Hank
of New York." - \'(i/tii/tile'.i .Uiiniidl fur INil. page lU:i.

OF Mi!s. <iK\h:iiM. itii:itt:sh:i..

109

anil Qcnenil Clinton likewise came to see nio. Tho tornicr
went off soon uf'terwiinls uiion an expedition. The latter offered
me a country-seat, ot'wiiich he hud the disposal, where L mij-iit
have my children inoculated with the smull-iiox ; an operation
which it would bo dangerous to have performed in the city, as
that disease was raj-ini^ there violently. 1 accepted his offer with
much satisfaction, and we made all necessary preparations to yo
there. I gave our cooii ten guineas to purchase all kinds of
provisions. IJut when ho very soon came back and asked for
more money, I learned to my surprise that the money I had given
him would scarcely la.st for two days — so dear was every thing,
even the commonest thing. For exanqtle, one pound of meat,
reckoning according to our money, cost twelve groschen ;* one
pound of butter, eighteen groschen; one turkey, four rix-tha-
Icrsja fowl twenty groschen J an egg, four groschen ; a quart
of milk, six grosciien ; a busliel of potatoes, two rix-thalers ; a
half bushel of turnips, two florins; ten oysters, eight groschen,
and six onions, one rixthaler. But what was there left for me
to do, but to bear it with patience'::' f

One day a general was announced. I received him, and, in
the course of conversation, he asked me, among other things,

* A fifoj-chcn, nH has been mentioned In 8 preceding note, is a fraction over three
Amoricau centn.

t All contemponinoons accounts rullycorroliorate iIk^ Ktatcnicnt olOur uiilliDreso,
Thuricli, iiitliecily. at llrst ntrovcao keep ni> tlicir six courses, tlieirtluve side ser-
vices, and llieir profusion of llsii, llesliaiid fowl ; l)ut at len.utli their resources failed ;
many articles of food couhl no louirer i)e olitained, and others were so dear as to ex-
haust tlie means of the wealtinest. A turkey was cheap at four dollars, (iood meat
could seldom he procured, and ve^'elahles were extravairantly dear. Fifty dollars,
says an eye witness, would not feed a IHniily for two days. Sir Henry Cliuton en-
treated tiie farmers in the vicinity to l)rinL! i" provisions, but in vain. Nor was lie
more successful in tlie foraiiini,' parties he sent out. At siu'ht of the enemy, the
alarm was },'iven. 'I'he farmers of Weslport and Soulliport, of I':iizabelh-lowu and
Itahway, hastily buried their corn and oats beneath the snow, and old liimily furni-
ture was carried otf at midnii;lit and hidden in tlie depths of the forest. The Itri-
tish lorairin!,' parties, accordingly, found tlie harns empty, the cattle driven oil', and
tlie farm-houses deserted. In their ra!,'e tlie forai,'er» set tire to the old homesteads,
and desolated whole districts -- thus iucreasini; the general misery without accom-
plishing tlie least jjood.

170

IKTTKIts AM) .lorriXM.n

wlioflicr I wua satiBficd with my (|Uurlor8 't My hoiirt wns too
full ol' tli!ink('ulii(;,s« Ibr nil tlio kiiidiicHs that had buou shown
nil', nut. til jiivo full vent ti) my I'tiidiiiys in this roj^anl ; and I
at last oxjiressod tlio wish to know personally my nohlu heno-
factor wiio liad treated nie with sn mueli delieatty. He laii;;hed,
and just at that moment my husband stepped in and said tn
mc, '• That is the man who has shown us so much kindness!"
I was so deli;^hted at seeinji him. that I eonld not find words
to express my I'eelinj^s. Upon seeinj:,- my emotion the man was
very much aiVeeted. [ have invariably received I'rom him the
the jireatcst proofs of iiis Iriendship.

'I"he country residence of (lencral Clinton, where we went,
was an hour's ride from the city. The grounds were beaut ifid,
ns was also the house ; but the hitter was arranjred more for a
summer residence, and, as we liad come fliere in the month of
Deccndter, we suffered much from the cold. Notwithsfandiuf^'
this, however, the inoculation was perfectly successful. Accord-
inj:ly, as it was now completed, and we had nothinj!,' more to fear
from the infection, we yot ourselves in readiness to return to
the city, an<l sent our cook and the rest of our servants ahead to
pre})are every tliinj;- for our arrival, which we exjieeted would
be upon the followinj;' day. During;' the night, however, we had
such a terrible storm that we believed the whole house would
be overturned. As it was, an entire balustrade actually fell
down with a dreadful crash ; and, on getting up the next morning,
we saw that on accoimt of snow having fallen during the night
f(Uir or five feet on the level, and eight feet in drilts, it would
be utterly impossible to venture Ibrth without sledges. I there-
fore went to work to hunt up all that I could find for our dinner.
An old hen that had been forgotten served us for soup, and some
potatoes which the gardener gave us, with some salt meat that
still remained over from our stock of provisions, made up the
entire meal for more than fourteen persons, which number we
then were.

While I was standing, the same afternoon, by the window,

oy Mils. i,h:\i-:i/M. itiHDHsui,.

171

lluirou^ilily peijilcxuil, I saw uiir cook iiiiiirouoliirigitii li(ir«ohaok.
["'illed with joy, I (itrrii)il roiiiid to (lit' ri.-st of tlin i-oinpauy to
iiiiiiouiiL'o tlio iiii.spiL'ious iirriviil. Hut iiiioii jiLiain lnokinj;' out,
I i!uukl not HOC or liuar any tliiii;;' iiku'c oI' tlio cook ! 'rci-rilicd
lit \m diHappuaraiieo, tlio <^LMitloiiiuii ininicdiatoly ran out, and
found liini, to^i'tlior witli liis liorwo, completely Imiicd in the
nnow, from which position without their help he coulil not havo
ij,ot out, and perliaps never would have heen able to extricate
him.self. Our people had been (|uite uneasy at our uon-arrival,
and, iM they knew our larder was completely exhausted, the cook
had brouj;lit us some jirovisions which supplied us with an ovo-
nin?;' meal. It was impossible to drive into the city in a waj;,((n.

The morning of the next day brought us Captain Willoe with
two large sledges, In which wo seated ourselves. I was, liowever,
not without anxiety, in regard to the children, whoso pocks had
not yet entirely dried up, on account of the terrible cold weather.
The ride, however, did them no injury whatever. During the
period of inoculation Carolina lost her whooping-cough, but
immediately after it came back again and lasted a whole year.

On our return to New York I found, to my great amazement,
our new dwelling fitted uii throughout with mahogany furniture.
I was at first frightened at the exi)ense which this would occa-
sion. JJut Captain Willoe informed me that the entire cost
would be defrayed by the governor, and that tlie commandant,
General Patterson, considered himself fortunate in being able to
justify the confidence which 1 had placed in the Knglish nation.
To render tliis remark intelligible, I must hero state that I had
assured him, when he consulted me ujion the arrangement of our
house, that 1 would leave every thing entirely to the Knglish,
from whom, up to the present time, I had received sincere kind-
ness and courtesy, and who certainly would still preserve towards
us that full confidence, which tlioy had shown towards us.

They overwhelmed us with distinguished marks of courtesy
and friendship, for which avc had, in a great measure, to thank
deueral Phillips, who in New York was very much beloved, and

lit-

172

LETTEll.S AM) .1 Of II SALS

was so strong a friend of ours, that liu doclared tliat wliatover
was done for ii.«, would flutter him more tlian as ii' done for him-
self. I had also the good I'ortuue during our stay to make
many friends on my own account.

As the birth-day of the queen of England was approaching
(which indeed really comes in summer, but as the king's birth-
day also comes in that season, is celebrated in winter, to give
more custom to the trades people, as every one upon those days
appears at court in gala-dress) they wished to celebrate the day
with a great fete; and as it was the general wish — partly to
please Generi;! Phillips, and partly to make me forget my own
sufieriiigs — to confer on me a distinguished honor, they desired
me to be queen of the ball. In order to bring thia about they
persuaded the wife of General Cernwallis's adjutant — who as
an English lady of noble birth would have had precedence over
me — to remain at home, on the ground ihat she was near her
confinement.* V/hen at length the great day arrived, all the
ladies assembled at Governor Tryon's, where they received me
with all ceremony. The general iutroduced me to all the ladies,
some of whom were envious of the honor which was shown me.
But 1 immediately declared that I received this distinction only
on account of the day, as they had conferred on me thelionorof
representing the queen, and that in future I would give place
to those ladies who were older tluin I. As there were quite a
number present who were my elders, my explanation conciliated
them. Their countenances, accordingly, quickly brightened up,
and I was soon upon a pleasant footing with the whole company.'

At six o'clock in the afternoon T was obliged to seat myself
in a carriage with Generals Tryou and Patterson to be driven
to the ball, wliere we were received with kettle-drums and
trumpets.

I wi.<hed, as I was far advanced with child, not to dance.

■

* Ah Madam Tiii'ili'spl was in ii similar silimlinn lifi'sclf. the valiility of this cx-
ciiM-' i^■ uul su ai>iian'iil.

■■

OF MliS. aKXaUAL HIKHESEL. 173

IJut I was obli^eJ to open tlic hall with one ni' the geucra!> by
u t'oruiai uiiauot. i\Iy situutioa as well as my bashCiiliiess was
the oocaijiou of my tluiikii:;^- luysell' very awkwarJ. In order,
however, to remove my timidity, tliey all assured me that I did
very well, aud must dance ouee more ; aud the result w;ii.s, that
1 daaced several Enj^lish u luces.

At sui)per, I was obli<;vd, as I represented the (fueen, to sit
undor a canopy, and drink the first toast. I was certainly
mucl. touched at all the marks of friendship I received, although
extremely tired; still, in order to show my gratitude, I cheer-
fully stayed as long as possible, aud remained until two o'clock
in the morning. Not only on this oecasiou. but during the
whole of my sojourn in this place, I was loaded with kindness;
and [ passed the remainder of the winter very pleasantly, with
rhc exception of suffering very much from the cold, iis the com-
missary had not had a sullieient quantity of wood cut. To save
expon.-*!, he had this work done by his negro slaves ; and the
winter setting in earlier tlian usual, aud it being impossible, as
the river was frozen half over, to bring in wond either by boats
or sledues, many of the garrison suffered for fuel. We, indeed,
received an order for it; but how did that help the matter since
there was no wood to be had '. V\'e weri,-, therefore, often obliged
t"': or:'ow wood of General Tryon for Saturday and Sunday, which
we .vould return (ui ^londay if we received any. 'i'lic cold was
so intense, that I frequently made the children lie in bed in
ordi'r to keep th(mi warm. Wood often could not be purchased
for money ; and if by chance a little was fir sale, it cost ten
pounds by the cord. I have myself pai<l one; piaster (which
is a crown with us) for a single stick, 'fhe ))oor were obliged
to burn fat, in order to warm themselves and cook their meals.*

* ■•Tlin v.i'ivlih.v." wnli's !i CDnrenipDnirv. •' ?liivori'(l I'or cold in tlioir Hplendiil
!i)inrtuuMiis. Ill viiiii did sif Henry Cliiitiiii i^^<lll' i)nii'l,uiiRti(iiiH to the farmnrsiil"
l.oiii; Inland 10 vijid in tUcir wood. In vain did Im diiiiialeli foragjiic jmrticf (ci iit
down till! Ion Bin on tliu laino I'stateo ot the pah'iols William Floyd and Williani
Suiilli, llu' palroouii ol' Loujj Island. Tlii.' douiand for fuel i;oiild iiol \k siij.plii)i|.

<!»•.

174

I.ETTEUS AX/) JO('i;XAlS

One Jay J was at tlic lioiise of the lady of Geueral (^irtiwallis'y
aid-dt'-iamp, who had boon coufined, and complained bitterly of
tliis lack of wood ; whevoupon, .she promi.sed to send lae some
coals, which I eonld relurn at my own convenience, i showed
!?o much joy at thi.s, that a cert^iiu major named Brown, who
happened to be present and was- attached to the (•ommis-a-
riat, and who had already expi-e(<.sed nuieh sympathy at our
want of wood, was so much affected that he imD-.juiately lei't ihe
romn.

The next day, as I was looking out of the window, T .saw
•juite a number of wagons full of chopped trees .standing still in
the street. Each wagon contained two cords of wood. I went
into tlie room where the pastor, .Myliu>, sat with the children
before the fire-place in which tlie la.st stick was burning, and .said
to him, ''Mev,''r before have J been envious, but now the distress
and i»aiu which these poor children suffer, make me so; for just
now there has come to our very door Jnur wagons filled with wood.
How happy would 1 be if I only had some of it ! " Scarcely had
I thus f^pokeu, when a servant brought me a message froni Major
Brown, stating that he had sent me these loads of wood with his
compliments, and begging us to send to him whenever we should
again be out of fuel. Imagine my joy, and my eagerness to thank
our guardian anucl. 1 had scarcely .seen his lace, as the lyuig-in
chamber of milady had been so dark. Home days after I was at
a ball wliere he also was expected to be present. Ue had been
described to me as a man with a \ery [>romincnt tiu-ncd up no.se.
For such a per.son, theiefore. I lookc<l attentively; but 1 was
obliged to look for a long time, because the cxccUeut man kept
continually out of my way, that 1 might have no opportunity
to thank him. At la<t. however, I found him and thanked him
right heartily, lie then told me that up to that time he had
known nctliingof our necessity, but that when he heard my slurv

ami llu' niiroiir><r» Kioili-'M.'I, till' ^•alv^'so(l 111' all tin' ann>. MilUri'il t-fVi'ivly in lliul
iiakiiuMit wiiiluf '

fiF MRS. (rI-:.\Elt.lL h'lKDKsKL.

175

ho had not been fiMo to go to sleep <|uictly t!i(> whole night, through
fear that the dispositions which he hud already made for our
relief would not arrive suflieicntly speedy. These '•■ dii-positions "
consisted in giving the order tn cut down some of the trees in
the great avenue in front of the city; * and when this proceed-
ing was objected to on the ground that it would make consider-
able damage, he replied, that it was much better to spare a few
trees than to have a family, who had served the king with so
mucli zeal, suffer from want. He further told me that in future
we must, under all circumstances, whenever any thin.; was want-
ing that it belonged to the eouunissary to supply, apply directly
to him. Tliis actiuaintance was of great advantage to us. .'Nly
husband was supplied with many kinds of jnovisions ; with In-
dian meal, part of which we used for bread and p;irt for cake, and
aho with salted meat, which latter article, however, was entirely
useless to us, as we received nmre than we could consume; and
it often was so uneatable that 1 gave it away to gi;t rid of it,
es])ccially since our .servants were also supplied wi(h the same
kind of food J'hc major, accoidlngly. advi.sed us to pursue ihc
same plan in this regard as the oiuer generals, viz: to exchange
our meat for hoxes of tallow and caudles of spermaceti (wliicii
burn better and are more beautiful t'um those of wax), and also
for butter, which they did gladly, as they were obliged to sup-
ply the soldiers with meat. By this means, we saved consider-

* Prr.liuhly. the pro-cnt Wiil! street. .\ll the princiiiiil hiu'hwiiys ofthe eity were
ildonied at this period wiih luxuriaiil sliiul<: tree.-. A eelehniled truveh'r, whi.
visited New Vorli.jiist iJicvidns ti) the ftrHv.-d of (ioveiiiorTryou, thiisdeserilK's llie
Viiridiis liiiids tlion gnuvinjrlii tlieeity, " [n tlieetiief streets tlieruarp trees planted,
whieii ill siiniiiie- irive them a line appeiinjiice. and during; the e-cccHnive heat at
tliat time, a fiord a eoolin:; shade. I iMimd it, e.Ntreniely pleuxant !>, wiilli in tlie
town, for it seemed qnil(; lilie a f,'arden. TIk; trees whieh are plunn-d for this |)ur-
poho are chii tly of i wo Itiuds ; the water lieaeh is tlie most iiuiiierons. and irivo an
ai;reeal.>ie shade in snmmer l>y its larire and niniierons leaxes. The loen>-t tree is
liliowise fre(|Uent : its ftne leaves and ilio odorifemus scent wliieh evhnles fri^n its
tlowerf, make it very proper for 'leiOL' plnntrd in the streets, near the house- anil
in the iinrdens. There are lilvewisetinie iicis and e!m- in these walks, but they are
not. hv r.r. so fre<|lient as the otliers. One seldom meets with trees of lie- sam.'
-ort adjoiniiis eaeli otln r, Ihey lieini,' in irenenil plaeed •■illernalely."

17(1

u:tt1':i;.-< a.\ij jouiixals

able. We were now no l(iu<,'or troubled for the want of wood,
for they broke to pieces an old and worthless shlji in order to
furnish us with fuel, and from this time we received weekly two
eorda of fire-wood.

A little while before my confinement I had a dreadful
friij^lit. One of our servants brought mo somethin:.;', and I
noticed that his eyes rolled, and that he could scarcely speak.
1 was terrified, and attempted to run out of the room, but lie ran
ahead of me, fell down, slammed to the door in Iiis fall, and
innncdiatcly was tittackcd with an awful infirmity.* As he lay
directly in i'ront of the door, rendering it impussiblc for me to
escape, 1 began to call out and shriek. The persons in the
house endeavored to conu; in to my assistance, but the lock was
sprung and they were oldiged to break open the door, Kveii
then, the poor man had to be pushed aside to ntake room ; and 1 was
linally obligc<l to leap over hiin to get out, he in the mean time
gntisbing his teeth in a horrible manner, and beating himself
with his hands. iUit 1 had been for such a long time accus-
tomed to sad and dreadful sights, tliat this eircutustance fortu-
nately did m(! no injury in my delicate situation.

In the beginnirig of the month of March, 1780, an o]duci[uaint-
ance of ours canto to New York, the Hessian General Loos, who
had known me in my girlhood. " Why ! '" said he to me, as he
looked at me from head to foot, " what has become cf your
slender waist, your beautiful complexion, and your fair white
hands ! They are gone, but in their stead you have seen many
lands ; attd when yui again return home you will be called upon
by this and that one of your acijuaintance to relate your adven-
tures, and, perhaps, the very next itistant, those very ladies,
who iirsl asked you, will out of envy, declare your narrative
wearisome, and while playing with their fans, will say. ' The
woman can talk of nothing but .\merica.'" As 1 knew iKifori;-
time, that it was very much bis custom to speak the truth.

*rri'ljal)l> nij e|iik'|itii' lil

OJ' Mils. (,H\h'llM. IIIKIiKSI-T,.

i I

seemiri<>.y in jest, I answered that I tlianked liiin for the cnution,
and would endeavor to uuard iiiyself against tlio weakness oi' talk-
ing constantly of this journey, into wliicli limit I might otlicrwi:;e
easily have fallen. On my :<ide, however, I counseled him,
that Avlien \nt\\ other women, he should also guard himself
against speaking of the jjerishahility of their clKirnis, as he had
done in regard to luine, otlierwise lie might lind many who would
not take it as good naturedly as myself.

On the following day, which was tlie seventh of Marcli. I was
hrouglit to btid with a daug])tor. My liushand wished very much
for a sou, but the little one was su pretty that we were soon
consoled for its not being a boy, We had intended, in case it
had been a boy, to have named it Amerieus, which we now
changed for the little girl into America. The baptism, how-
over, was so hurried, owing to the fact that General IMiillijis,
who, with the Hessian tieneral Knyphausen,and Colonel Wurnd>,
was the only sponsor, was obliged to leave town on a short
expedition, that the mime of America was forgotten ; and we
were obliged afterward to have it placed (Hi the parisli register.
Tlie same day, my eldest daughter was seized with a dangerous
illness, called uMlnna infantile, and soint; days afterward my
third child became also very sick ; and., I. therefore, lay in
bed between both my almost dying children. IJut if my heart
sulfered deeply, my body had by this time become enured to
hardship, and I got along nicely, although I was in the first days
of my continenient. Si.v weeks afterward, my husband per-
suaded nie to accompany him to a dinner given by General
Tryon. This had been concerted betwceu them for a ])articular
object; for while I was absent my husband liiul tliecliild inocu-
lated by an Hnglish j)hysician, as the small-pox was raging
violently in the city. He. therefore, bad it done without my
knowledge in order to save me anxiety, iind he would j)robably
liave succeeded, had not his taflierly uneasiness betrayed him.
15nt he was continually going every instant to look at the child,

178

i.trrTKiis AM) .loriiXAis

and ill a little while, siiid, " Alas ! how pale she is," or, " She is
certainly sick ;" so that 1, womlering at all these expressions,
at last, said, that he must most assuredly have a reason I'or I'eel-
ing so uneasy, and asked him it' he had had the child inoculated?
Immediately I rolled hack the sleeves, and there sure enou^li
were two pocks on each arm. I must conCess that for a moment
T was quite provoked; still I appreciated the good intention
of my hushand. The child was so bad that we feared we
should lose her. My p(Hir husband was inconsolable, accusing
himself of being the cause of this misfortune; and 1 had enough
to do in keeping up his spirits. But (iod be praised it came out
all right in the end. The experiment, however, did not termi-
nate so Imppily with a nobleman who followed our example, for
he was so unfortunate as to lose his child.

Throughout the whole winter, tienorals Phillips, Tryon and
I'atterson were our constant friends and guests, and every week
we gave a gentleman's dinner party. This was all that we could
afford to do, as every thing was so terribly high in the city. At
the end of the winter fleneral Tryon mailed for England, but
just before his departure, he sent to my house, unbeknown to
nic, magnilicent furniture, tapestry, carpets, and curtains,
besides a set of silk hangings for an entire room. Never shall
I forget the many marks of friendship which I have received
from almost every one of this excellent nation ; and it will always
be to me a source of satisfaction to be able at any time to be of
use to the English, as I have learned by experience how plea-
sant it is to receive kindness from foreigners.

About this time our friendly relations began with our excel-
lent friend (ieneral Clinton, who was the gencral-in-chief of the
English army in the southern provinces of America. As is the
case with every Englishman, it was at first very difficult for our
ae((uaiiitaiice to ripen into intimacy. His tirst call upon us was
one of ceremony, as he came as general in-chief, attemled by
his entire staff'. As his general appearance and conversation
weri' agreeable, I said to his friend, (ieiicral I'hiliiiis, that I

f>F Mf/s. GKXKhWL llfKDEsKI..

17!)

rej^rcttcd that he treated us witli so much ceremony, and that a
more friendly manner wouhl liave l)etter aceiu'ded with our i'eel-
inj^H. Alterwardti lie invited us out to his country-seat to spend
the summer, an invitation which was accepted. His country
residence was magnificent, a most beautiful situation, orchard,
and uieadovvs, and the Hudson river running directly in front
of the house. Every thing was placed at our disposal, including
I'ruits oi' the most delicious flavor; indeed, of this latter arti-
cle we had more than we could eat. Our servant-^ feasted on
peaches even to satiety, and our horses, which roamed through
tlie orcliards, eagerly ate the fruit from the trees, disdaining that
upon the ground, which every evening we had gathered up and
given to the pigs to fatten them. It seems almost incredible,
but nevertheless it is true, that with notliing but this fruit we
Hittened six pigs, the flesh of which was capital, only the fat
was somewhat soft. Peach, apricot, and other iruit trees, are
raised here, witliout espaliers, au<l have trunks as thick as those
of ordinary t'-ecs.

Not far from us were tlic Ilcll-gatcs, which arc dangerous
breakers for those ships that pass through them up the river,
We often saw ships in danger, but only one wa.s wrecked and
went to peiccs during our stay at this place.

General Clinton came often to visit us. but in hunter's dress,
accompanied by only one a.id-de-camp. On one of these occa-
sions, he said to us, ■• I i'eel confident that you look upon me
more as a friend than a stranger, and as I feel the same toward
you, you shall always be regarded by me as such. The last time
he came to see us. he had with him the unfortunate — as he after-
wards became — Maj(n' Andre, who, the day afterward, set out
upon the fatal expedition, in which he was captured by the
Americans, and afterwards jmng as a spy. It was very sad that
this preeminently excellent young man should have falleu a
victim to his zeal ami his kind heart, which led him to under-
take suc'i a jirecarious errand instead of leaving i( to older and
known ofliccrs, to wlioni projicrly the duty belonged, but whom

180

LI-:TTEIIS AM) .lor It .SALS

on tlmt very account (n« they would be more exposed to (lunger),
he wished to save.

We passed iimeh of our time at this most aj^i'eea))le place ; but
our contentment was broken in upon by a malignant fever,
that prevailed in New York, and of which, in our family alone,
twenty fell ill ; eight dangerously. Among these eight were
my husband and my daughter Gustava. One can imagine my
grief and apprehension ; day and night I did nothing but divide
my nursing between my husband and daughter. The former
was so ill, that we often thought he would not survive the day ;
and (lustava had such violent paro.xysms of fever, that she
entreated me, when she was shivering with the ague, to lay my-
self upon her, at which times she violently shook me together
with her bed, although she was oidy nine years old. It fre-
(juently happened that those sick of the fever died in these fits
of shaking ; and every day persons would tell me of fifty or sixty
fresh burials, which certainly did not tend to raise my spirits.
The hciit which the sick suftered was so intense that their pulse
beat one hundred and thirty-live times in a minute. All our
servants were sick, and of course I was obliged to do every
thing, I was then nursing my little America, and had neither
opportunity nor desire to lie down, except while giving her the
breast. At such times [ laid down upon the bed and fell asleep.
At night I was often busied in making for my patients a lemonade
of salts of wormwood mixed with lemon juice, sugar and water.
By which means, as all the sick in the Iiouse had them, I used
up I', the space of two weeks, two full boxes of lemons, each box
containing five hundred.

One day, we expected the physician from New York with the
utniosi impatience. My husband was taken with a severe diar-
rhea, and constant vomiting, and became so ill that our courage
completely gave way. lie slept continually, and when I wished
to give him sago-water, wliich I had boon recommended to make
him drink much of, he begged me inijiloringly to allow lii;n to
die in peace, as he could not lujld out much longer. At this

OF Mns. aESh'ltAh lilKDKsEL.

isl

iiKiinoiit the pliysiciau came in, and I pressed him to tell me
candidly it' he thought there was still any hope. " Yes, surely,"
said he. At this confident an.swer, our two oldest children
whom we had not ohserved (as, fcarinj; that the opinion of tlie
doctor would he uiifavorahle, they had hidden under the table to
listen), when they suw the good news upon my face, suddenly
S|)rung up, threw themselves at his feet and ki.s.sed his hands.
Kvery one who witnessed this scene with me wasdeejily moved;
and the doctor, himself, who was a man full of feeling, was
affected to tears. Before this, he had visited us very punctu-
ally, hut now he redoubled nis attentions, and so managed it as
to dine with us every day that he might lose no time, as he had
many patients. He recommended to me strongly a drink nuide
of sago-powder and water. At first he remained with my hus-
band three minutes, then five, and then fifteen, and finally a whole
half hour. 1 had always a watch in my liand, and I was beside
myself for joy at the increased length of his visits, a feeling in
which every one that was with me shared. The pastor, Mylius.
and our trusty yiiger, Ilockel, both of whom remained well,
assisted mc by turns in watching at night. Of thirty persons
who composed our family, only ten remained in good health.
The cook, cook-maid, etc., were all sick, and could work only on
their alternate well days; and in addition to which, the weather
was terribly hot. It is perfectly amazing what mankind can
endure, and wliat I also went through. But 1 was well, and
blessed with a cheerful happy temperament, which made me
receive the snnillest particle of hope with heartfelt joy. I cer-
tainly believe that by degrees the health is undermined by
repeated sufierings; still, 1 thankfully rejoice that 1 was able to
be of use, and that without my attentions, I might, perhaps, have
lost the dear objects of my affection, who now contribute so much
to my happiness. At length all of our household who were
sick were restored to health, and not one died, a result that
abundantly paid me for all my trouble.

We remained the entire summer of 1780, upon this lovely

■n

ISl'

LICITFIIS AX/) .KiritXM.S

cstiiti!. Two MisH Uobiiisoiis caim! to sliare our loiielinoss, and
enliven our little company. They remained with iih a f'ortnij:,ht
jirevions to unr ri'tnrn to tlic city, wlien the new.s of the arrival
of a shi|) I'roni England hriiif^in^ over the latest fiiHhiona, took
them hack aj;ain to the tnwn. On our return to the city, I
scarcely recognized them in their odd and actually laughable
garb, which a very pretty woman, just over from England, had
imposed upon them and the other Now York ladies. This
lady was with child and did not wi.sh it to be known. Accord-
ingly, she made them think that in Kngland they wore bodices
which were parted in the middle, whereby the points stuck
upwards, hoojis as large around as those of a hogshead, and very
short cloaks tied up with ribbons, all of which they believed
implicitly and coi)i(Kl after.*

Upon our return to New York we wore received in the most
friciully manner; and our friends vied with each other in mak-
ing the winter pass most pleasantly. My husband, (ieueral
Phillips, and their aid-de-camps, were fimvlly excimnged in the
autumn of 1780; but the rest of the troops captured at Sara-
toga remained prisoners.

(ieneral Clinton, partly through i'riendship to my husband,
and partly out of attachment to our present duke, wished to place
General Kiedesel in active service where he could, serve to
advantage. He, therefore, by virtue of the power which an
English general has in his own army, appointed him lieuten-

* The taste foi-fasliiiiimUlo frivulily and dis-iilay seems to liave1)een tlio onlytliiiif,'
unatl'celed by tlie privalioiis ol'thal ^'lixiiny winter. Kiigeiie Lnurence, in si)eal<intj
of Now York city at this time, in a i)ai)er read helbre the N<'w York lIi>tori(al So-
ciety. January (llli, IS.")", says : •■ Meanwliih! in the midst of all this suirerhii; and
want, the elty streets were filled with the fashions and the luxtirles of tiiirojje. The
ladies crowded William street, and the merchants spread out the most costly
wares. French silks captnred in some nnlncky vessels sold readily at exlravaj,'ant
rates. Lnteslriii^'s and |ii)])lins. hrocades and the best hroad-elolli of Kii;,'land, were
shown on thecunnlers of William si reel and Wall i niid il is a ciirii >ns cir('Uinslanc<',
that llin>iij;h all the war. William Prince, of I'lushin:;. conliniied his adverlisemeni
of fruit an<l Mowers, of mairnolias and apricots, an<l of llii^ linest i,'rafts and the
rarest seedn.'"

OF Mils. (if:M-:i!M. i!ii\i>h:si:i,.

is:?

iintf^ciicml, Jind jiiive liiiii tlio corroHixiiidiiij,' KiiyliHb iillow-
iiiicc; wliii'li, (III iiciMiunt of llie dournoHs of every tiling ( liy
reiiHOii of which wc liiid hiid dirticulty in inakinj; Ixith ends
moot), proved very iiceeptiihlo to us. At the smiiio time lie j;iivo
liiiii ii coiiiiimiid at Limt:' Ishiiid. whieli is'iiiiid lies ojiiioHite New
York. boin<^ Hopfiraled IVoiii it liy only a ii.'irniw ehaiiiiel called
the Kiust river. 1 wiiw not iihle diirinj;' the winter to bo with
him, as the house, in which he had his (|uarters, was not habit-
able lor mc, as it was possible to heat only a lew rooms in it.
]\Iy husband, accordingly, went back and forth, whieli he easily
did all winter, as everything was ((uiet. The autumn before he
was appointed to this post, he had a severe relapse of his old
complaint, caused i)robably by a cold which he caught by4^oing
"in sea-bathing while heated, lie suddenly became perfectly
stiiFund could not sjjcak ; and had it not been for friend Colo-
nel "Wurmb, who, fortunately, was in his room, it miglit, perhaps,
have been all over with him. The doctor immediately opened
a vein and rubbed him strongly, and (iod once more spared him
to me; but his cramps, oppressions, headaches, and drowsiness
increased. All the physicians gave it as their opinion that the
climate thoroughly disagreed with him, and that he never would
be any better as long as he remained in the southern provinces
of North America. Still there was nothing else for us to do.
My husband could not think of receiving permission to leave,
and was, therefore, obliged to remain at his post.

Tn the spring of 1781, I also .settled down on Long Island,
where we, although pretty lonesome, might have lived perfectly
contented if we only could have been without solicitude: but
as the river was not frozen over, the Americans constantly
attempted surprises in order to take prisoners. Major 31ay-
baum was drawn out of his bed; and we knew that they aimed
to do the same thing with my husband. Our house was situ-
ated close to the shore and was perfectly isolated, so that il' they
had overcome the watch, they could easily have carried him
away. Every one was thereibre constantly on the watch.

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23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, NY. 14580

(716) 872-4503

1S4

LETTKIts t\n .HHIIX.M.S

Tliroiiglioiit t.it> entire niglit, at the slightest noise, he would
wake up and place hiniselfin readiuesfs lor an attack ; and thus
he Itist considerable sleep. I also became so accustomed to
watching, that day light would often surprise me, when I would
lie down and catcli a few hours sleep ; for it was only when my
liusband believed that I was wide awake and on guard, that he
would allow himself to sleep — so terrible was to him the
thought that ho might again be taken prisoner. We had from
our house a magniiicent prospect. Kvery evening I saw from
my window the city of New York entirely lighted up, and, as
the city is built close to the shore, I saw its reflection in the
water. We heard also the beating of the drums, and, if every
thing, was particularly still, even the calls of tiie sentinels. We
had our own boat and could cross over in it to New York in a'
quarter of an hour.

One day I .><aw out of a window of my room, a fleet of thirty-
five ships approaching under full sail, and shortly afterward,
from another window, I perceived them all lying at anchor
between us and the citj'. My husband had many English under
his command, and among others the light dragoons. Although
the Knglish troops arc proud, and, as it is said, difficult to
manage, yet they loved my husband, and were perfectly contented
under his command. On one occa.siou, when the Knglish offi-
cers were dining with us, my husband said to them that he
W(juid accompany them back to their camp ; whereupon they
very politely begged me al.so to go with the party. 1, therefore,
seated myself in a carriage, and reached the camp in advance of
them. But I believi that they had sent word of my arrival
ahead of me, for an officer came up, and, to my great |)erple.\ity.
re(|uested me to get out of the carriage and walk with him down
the line. Upon my complying with his re((uest. 1 was greeted
with all military honors, even to the beating of drums, which still
more increased my confusion. I remarked to the officer that
this was not suitable to me, and that we (Jenuan women were
not accustomed tosuch distinctions. But he atoncc very politely

OF Mils. UF.SKUM UIF.hKsKt..

1S5

miHWcred that tlioir whole corps could not sufficiciitly lioiKirthc
wile of a geiierul who, as their coiiimaiidin|^ olficcr, ticiited them
with so much kindness ; and more than all this, they would
never forget what I had done for their comrades at Saratoga.
Although not unmindful of all this, which wits very flattering and
agrceahle, I welcomed the first favorable moment to get away.

J)uring our sojourn in this place, I often saw people buried
up to their necks iu the earth; for in this manner they cure
the scurvy.

We had a hospital in this place, in which wore many wounded
and invalid sailors. These good people replied to those who
bewailed their fate : " We have fought for our king, and arc
satisfied, and when we are once in Chelsea,* we shall be suffici-
ently rewarded." This is an excellent hospital for seamen,
near London, where they are kept, clothed, and nursed in the
best manner.

About this time, General Phillips was sent off on an expedition
to Carolina. The parting on both sides was painful. We never
again beheld this excellent friend, for he died there of an inflam-
matory fever, which he brought upon him by exposure. We
have always mourned his loss, lie was a very brave man, and a
thorough friend to his friends.

As the Iiealth of my husband did not get any better, and
his presence, moreover, was necessary to that portion of his
corps which had remained behind in Canada, (leneral Clinton
was finally induced to send him thither, although he loved
him so much that he parted I'rom him with regret. This friend-
ship continued between them — although separated — until the
death of the former general.

As the time of our departure had been continually very uncer-
tain, I had not wished to wean my little daughter America, and
had accordingly nursed her the whole of the i'ourteeii months.
Finally, however, she became so large that I feared my milk would

* I. 0., tJifcnwich Hospital.

4> »• «

ISO

l.h:TTh:i!f< A\f> .llHI!\M.S

not liuld out, and i tlieict'orc weani'dhor the bo^innintr of May.
Hut by tliis t'ourso I iininediatfly broujj;ht upon inyscU" a mis-
fortune which occasioned nic even more vexation; namely, an
eruption of tlie skin to wliich most of the pcoj)le in this warm
climate are subject. Little pimples come out over the whole
limb, which itches so tliat one has no peace whatever. They
come with the hot and disappear with tlic cold weather: other-
wise the person is jjcrfeetly well.

Our departure was determined upon for the month of July.
I had for so lon^' a time received my orders for wood, that
durinj; my sojourn upon 1-ong Island, T had saved thirty cords j
and I now wished to give them back to my excellent major of
the commis.siviat, who had helped me so faithfully. lUit he
would not receive it, but begged me me cither to sell it, or share
it with the poor. " I know you," said the honest man, ''y(Ui
will take more satisfaction in alleviating distress." This was
the view of the case that my husband and myself both took.
We, therefore, gave twenty cords to a very worthy family ol'
royalists, who had already lost much of their property and
were al'terwards obliged to emigrate, and divided the remaining
ten cords among other poor families.

Before going away, we desired to deliver up our furniture,
but they did not wish to receive it, saying that it belonged to
us, and that we had better take it with us to Canada, where we
would certainly need it. We, however, did not wish to abuse so
much kindne.xs, and accordingly sent it back into the lloyal
magazine, except one Knglish bedstead which we kept by way of
remembrance. Nevertheless, I must frankly coni'ess that 1 after-
ward somewhat repented of my decision, j)artly because we found
nothing whatever in Canada, and partly because this beautifully
furnished Royal magazine was subse(|ueutly plundered and
burned by the Americans. At last we set out, or rather went,
on board the <hip,* for we remained at anchor within about an

* Tlu' iiiiMU' (if ilic ship was the l.illk' Si'iil.

Oh' i/A's-. (,h:\h:ii.ii, i!ih:i>K-<i\i.. ijjy

liimr's sail of Now York, I'or iiiin-e than a week, (iuiicral Cliu-
tdii, desiriiiii: our Hufe convoy, luul solectod an ai;oiit (ship's aL'crit )
whom he suiiposed to bo an active and skilled man, and desired
him to seek out from amonjr those ships that were to sail, one
that should bo comfortable and at the same time u good sailer —
om; that c(mld run away from danger and not be captured on the
way. IJiit this furnishes fresh evidence bow the best of us are
deceived ; for this ajrent was a corrupt, coarse and ignorant man,
who cither, through laziness, bad not taken the trouble to
examine the sliip, or, as often happens, had been bribed by the
.ship's captain. But enough : we were placed on board one of
the smallest and most miserable sliips of the whole fleet, upon
whiob, we were often in such danger from falling behind, tliat
the captain of the second man-of-war, appointed to convoy us,
was obliged to tow us, that is. to draw us along by a rope, l-'or
this purpose, one end of a great cable was attached to the ttjwed
ship, and the other was made fast to the man-of-war wliicli drew
us along. This, liowcver, was very unpleasant, and often, indeed,
dangerous ; for if there was a calm, one ship would strike against
the otlier, and if we had been so unlucky as to meet a ship of
tlie enen»y, wc would have been obliged to receive the shock of
battle. Besides, our .ship had too lew sailors, which would have
been the cause of additional danger if we bad been overtaken by
a hurricane; in which case wt; should probably have been upset, as
on account of the small number of men, we could not have taken
in the sails quickly enougli, esj)ecially a.s the ship was leaky and
all the men would have had to be jilaced at the pumps, And to
crown all, our ship was badly loaded, and lay so much upon one
side, that we were obliged, while on the pa.ssage, to till empty
casks with sea-water in order to give the slii[) the nece.s.sary
equilibrium, an emergency wliich ought always to be guarded
against. In .-iiMition to all this, the conq)any of the above
mentioned agent, was in thi! highest degree unjilcasant. We
were obliged to defray his expenses, and have him near us,
where he made himsiill' exceedingly troublesome l»y his grum-

188

LhrriEus Asn .nuitsM.s

iil

bling and whining' jawiiH by wliU-li he wiikencd all the iiiun on
the whip, and even ournelveH, althouj^h we were in another room.
JuHt as we were on the eve of embarking, we met with still
another great vexation. Our lUithrnl negroes, a man, his wife
and a young kinswoman of theirs, were reelaimcd by their first
owner (from whom they had been taken on the ground that he
was a rebel), under the pretense that he had again become a
royalist ; and he brought an order, that they should be delivered
up to him, actually at the very moment in which the signal had
been given for our departure. As they had served us faithfully,
and the man was a bad master who treated them shockingly,
the shrieks and lamentations of these poorpeoi)le were very great.
The young maiden (Phillis by name), fainted, and when she again
came to herself, wo\iId hear nothing whatever about leaving us.
She threw herself at my feet and embraced them with cla.'<pcd
hands so strongly, that they were obliged to tear her away by
force. My husband offered her master money for h.;r ; but when
the latter observed that we wished so much to kcctt her, he de-
manded for this girl thirty guineas, a ,«um which my iiusband did
not wish to give. Had it not been at the very moment of our
dei)arture, I believe that we would have kept her notwithsta»id-
ing. We made them a presentof their clothing, and also the mat-
tresses, which, in view of the voyage, we h.ul had made for them.
This very course, however, aff'ected them still more, and Phillis
cried out, " Tf I do not die, 1 will come again to you, even to the
end of the world." This good maiden, also, afterward actually
begged two or three persons to take her with them and bring
her to me, adding at the same time, " My good lady will be very
glad to pay my passage." She was perfectly right, but as none
of these persons were confident in the matter, they were not
willing to take charge of her. My hu.sband had the money for
this one purchase, but her greedy master, in order to compel us
to buy them all three, refused to sell her separately ; and as this
would have been too mtich for our purse, we were obliged to
relin((uish the (h-sign. We afterwards, however, repented that

OF Mils. (iKXKIlAL UIKDKNKL.

1H9

we did not iiiake tho satrifice, iiH we i'ouiid that the female
doincsticH in Canada were too siniplo and too clumsy.

The very first day of our voyaj,'o my eruption entirely disap-
peared, which rejoiced me cxceediufrly. This distemper, how-
ever, had ratlier an evil influence on my health tlie rest of my
life, for three days afterward I was taken with such severe pains
in my head and teeth, that T could neither eat nor sleep — and
I had to endure this state of things day and night. The sharp-
ness of tlie pain took hold of my very vitals; and my feet were
so cold that they could not be warmed even with liot water.
They gave me opium, which, it is true, stupified mc somewhat,
but gave me no sleep, as my pains were too violent ; and I
therefore suffered in this way during tlie whole voyage.

We had all kinds of mishaps on our passage. Among other
things, a ship, during a calm, once came too near us and gave
us a tremendous tlimnp, and we were obliged to push it away
with poles. At another time, also, a ship, with its stern, tore
away our little necessary, and it was very fortunate that no one
was in it at the time.

One day, while we were enveloped by a thick mist, we thought
we saw land. Most fortunately, however, at the same instant
the mist, owing to a gust of wind, suddenly drew up like a cur-
tain ; and then the captain noticed with terror that we were at
a place called Dusky-bay and close to a well known and dan-
gerous rock, which, on account of its shape, is called the " old
woman," and actually looks like one sitting there with bent back
and bowed head. lie immediately cried out to the captain of
the man-of-war tiiat had us in tow, who, making this voyage for
the first time, did not know of tliis danger; and at the same
moment a favorable wind I'ortunately arose, which we used to
such good advantage that in less than an hour we had left this bay,
which by the way is full of rocks, and on which ships are often
wrecked. In the course of this voyage, wo t("niched at Nova
Scotia, where we landed for a short time. We were welcomed
at this place in the most IViendly manner. The governor and

190

I.KTrt:ilS AMI .liillt.SM.S

his wife (both aiiiiiiliKi jii'oplo) bejrj^ed us at oiicf to diiu' with
tliciii. Wd acc'i'|itt'(l this invitation, and IkuiuI asst'iiihlL'd at
tlieir house, a vory aj^rooahlo company, consist intr of seven or
eif^ht families, who were eontinuaily exchanj^inj^ visits one with
another. The next day, they sliowed us, not oidy the city
itself, hut the country in the immediate vicinity, with whicli
we were exceediniily jileased. One can live in tliis jilace very
cheaply. Sea-lish. also, are found here remarkably L'ood. It
was remarked upon as a curious circunistancc, that while, before
the revolution, lobsters or larj^e craw-tish had never been seen
in this vicinity ; yet no sooner had that struirirle commenced,
tlian numbers ol' them left the continent of North America and
came to New Scotland. This j;ave rise to a standinj; joke among
the people of this jilacc, that the lobsters were good royalists,
and accordingly wore the I'jiglish (red) uniform.* During our
stay in New Scotland, I suU'ered .so terribly with the tooth-ache,
that I resolved to have the troublesome tooth extracted In order
however, to spare my Imsband and children all care and anxiety,
1 got up at tivc o'clock in the morning, and sent for our cliirur-
geon, who was considered very skillful in drawing teeth. We
went into a remote room, where he made me sit down on tlic
earthen floor, and with a coarse, dirty instrument, gave me such
a jerk that I certainly thought he had done the business, and
asked him for my tooth. "Only have patience a moment
longer," said he. as he made nic again sit down, giving, at the
same time, another tug at the tooth. Now, thought I, I liavc
surely got rid of it ; but by no manner of means, f<jr he had, oil
the contrary, .seized hold of, and loosened a healthy tooth, with-
out, however, pulling it entirely out. I was exceedingly angry
at this bungling : and, although he ottered to pull this and the
decayed one, I coidd not. and would not again trust myself to
him. I liave had good reason to rcjient this experiment; for

* Tliis illiistriilioii is nol ii Impipy (inc. since liny do niil wear ttiis uiiilorni iinlil
lln y iiic iHclty hc|| ,i»/<c./

or Mi!s. (,I:m:i;.\i. iiirnKsh:!., jgj

tliis liiOMMietl tooth was so piossed upon one side, that Cor more
than two years afterward it prevented nie from shutting; my
teeth toM;ether; while, in addition, this experience made me
swell a i,.ward, that I have never heeii ahle to hrinj: myself to
submit to a similar operatifui.

During the remainder of our voyage, we had a few storms,
and just as we entered the river St. Lawrenee, we met witli tlic
disagreeable mishai) of losing two anehors. We ancliored in
this river every evening on account of the ebbing of the tide.
Unfortunately an anchor was dropped upon a reef, which on
account of the continual motion of the ship by the wind, parted
from the cable. They then threw out a second anchor, which
met with the same fate. We had now only one small anchor
left. If we had lost that we should liavc been at the sport of
the wind, and would have had to pass an exceedingly wretched
night. At the sumo time, also, our provisions failed us, a boat
that we liad .sent ashore liaving brought back ouly^ some iowls
and eggs. All tlie.>^e ronlfitrmjis made my husband resolve
that we should not remain another night on board the ship.
Accordingly, when the ship again came to anchor the same eve-
ning, lie ordered the long-boat to be let down, and we, namely,
my husband and myself, our children, both the aid.s-de-camp, my
maidservants and two attendants, .seated our.selves in it and were
carried to the land. We chanced upon a pretty cottage occupied
by a pea.smt, where we were received in a very friendly manner.
The captain of the ship brought us hither, together with our
jiilots. Some of the.^^e pilots come on board, immediately upon
the ships entering any distance within the St. Lawrence. These
people are well paid, receiving often twenty guineas. As the
ships are all insured, every sea captain is bound at his peril to
take one. On the contrary, however, every captain is released
from all responsibility, the moment the pilot is on board, who
then takes the entire charge, and is answerable with his head
ftu' any danger.

My husband, with one of his aids-de-camp, went on, the same

1!I2

LK'n'Klts AM) JOVIISAI.S

cveniiif^, t<> Qiiohcc, iinil I followt'd liiiii tho next day, but did
iio( iinive there until tliri'o djiys af'torwnrd. The country through
wliicli I pa^xi'd, wa.H exceedingly picturesque. Every inhabit-
ant haw a good houMc, which tiiey take great |min8 to cleanse
thoroughly once a year. This causes them to have u very neat
look, and gi-es them, also, n glistening appearance in the dis-
tance.* As their sons, and also their sons-in-law, as soon as mar-
ried, build close to their parents, very pretty settlements soon
spring up around them, on which account tliese people call them-
selves huhitiim (settlers), and not peasants. The.se dwellings,
every one oC wliich has attached to it a stable, orchard and
pasturage, lie along the St. Lawrence, and jiresent a splendid
appearance, especially to those who sail up and down the river.
To every house, also, an ice cellar is attached, whicli is made
with very little trouble. A hole, for instance, is dug in the earth.
This is then filled, first with ice and then with water, which,
in congealing, fills up all the interstices, and makes the top as
smooth as the surface of a mirror. Over this the inhabitants
lay a very clean board, and jjlace upon it various articles of food,
which are thus kept with the greatest cleanliness. They take
special pains to keep out of the ice-house any straw or hay,
which they say causes the ice to melt more quickly. These ice
houses are indispensable, particularly as each one kills his own
cattle, nor would they be able otherwise to keep the meat fresh in
summer when the heat is very great. As a general thing, these
ice-cellars arc made under their barns.

These people, also, keep in summer much cattle, whidi they
kill at the beginning of winter, and bring into the city for sale.
S<mie of the animals that they keep, for their own support —
such as beeves, sheep and swine — they drive to the forest in
the morning, and only in the evening give them provender in

♦When Mrs. RicdcHcl snys, " clrniinc them every yciir," hIic probably iiiciint,
" itliiliirush," lbi)u;;h Aw (Idck not lur Ihnt word. One wlio bii« fvcr ]ia!<HtMl (h)\vii
the SI. Lawri'iKo, will retail the tihiniii^ aiipeuruiiee of the Cuiiadluii collages, the
efleet of the w liitewusU.

the Htablc. They liavt-, nlsn, in fliis part dl' the counfry, a liltli'
fish called Hiiiall cud,* wiiicli are (•au;.dif under tlic ico. Knr
tlii.s j)iir|Mis(' lari;!' Imh's are niadi; in tlii' ice at intervals ul" six
ti> ei^ht hundrt'd t'ei't. in these (ii(eninj;s ihey jilaee nets
which are made last to jrreat jiolew by streiij; cords. In this
way they catch sonietiiues five or six sledj^'cs lull. The fish are
then thmwii into the ice-cellars, where they (Veeze instantly, and
they remain in thi.s cimditioii until they are needed. 'I'heu
they are bmuylit forth, thawed out, jilaced immediately in the
kettle, and eaten. These <i.sh, esiieeially when tried in buttctr,
taste very nicely.

The dwellings are exceedingly coml'ortahle ; and in them one
finds remarkably good and clean beds. All the heads ol" the
households have curtained beds; and. a.s the sitting-roonis are
very large, they have their beds stand in them. They have,
moreover, gr(Nit ovens, in which they cook. Their .soups are
very substantial, and consist, lor the most part, of bacon, fresh
meat and vegetables, which are cooked all together in a pot, and
served out at the same time with the entremets. The Cana-
dians prepare a kind of sugar from the maple-tree which lor this
reason, is called the sugar-maj)le. They go in the .spring of the
year into the forest, armed with kettles and puts, in which the
sap is gathered from incisions made in the trees. It is then
boiled and that which is uppermost, and on tlnit account the
best, they keep especially fur their own u.sc. 1'his maple-sugar
has only one fault, that it is too brown; otherwise it is right
good, especially for diseases of the Itreast.

The natives are hospitable and jovial, singing and smoking
the whole day lung. The women frci|uently have goitrts.
Otherwise, however, the people are healthy and live to be <|uite
old. Indeed, it is not unfrequent to meet witli very aged
persons living with their great grandchildren, who take the
greatest care of them.

♦ Pr()l)iil)ly Toiii-coil.

t!M

IhTTI-ltx Wn .11)1 ItSM.S

Wf iiniviil ill (^iifl)cc till' niiddlc nl' Sr|itfiiilii'r, 17^1, iillor
n joiirncy (ifciulit wifks, and wi re wt'lcmiii'd in a very I'liciidly
iiiaiinci'. My liii.Hliand >nw\\ L^aiiicd (lie alK'ctiiin ol'tlie Kn^lisli
Liciitonaiit (ieiuM.il llaldiinaiid, (wlio wan tlic pivurnor ot' tlio
province and tiic cDinniaiidoi'-iii-eliift' nl' tliu liiKips in Canada)
altliiiiiu:)) he had lici'ii ri'iirt'scntcd as a man witli wlnnn it was
dirticiiit til ;;t't alimj;, as iinlindy cuiild over jdcasc liiin. I had
thi' satisrai'tiiiii not only ul' it'ci'ivin;.^ kindni'ss IVoni liini, luit <d'
winning his rrieiidshi]i, whi(di I also kept aH long uh hu lived."'
I'eiiple endeavored In insjiire us with distrust of him; but we
would hear nothing against him. On the contrary, we behaved
toward him with great ojien-heartiness — a lino of condiipt
whiidi he was nut slow to aeknowledge with thank.s, es|ieeitilly
as he was very little aecustomed to such treatment in this jdaee.
(ireat ehanges were now made in the governor's house, which
up to this time had re.-<embh'd a barraek. lie had it now lur-
nislied and arranged after the Knglish fa.>^hiou ; and, although
he had only been hero five years, yet his gardens were already
full (d" elioiee fruits and foreign plants, wliieh one would
scarcely have believed cimld be made to grow in this climate.
lie had, however, taken advantage of an excellent southern
exjiosure. The house was situated mi a height, almost on the
very top. We remained four weeks in Quebec, during which
time, (leiieral llaldiinaiid went with my husband to Sorell, and
pointed out tn him where he was to be stationed in that place.
While there he said to him, with great frieiidliiie.«s, that he felt
badly at our having to reside here in such miserable lodgings,
but as this was a jiost of considerable importance be knew id' no
one so capable id' filling it as himself. As he was unable to

* rnpi't'ti diary, Hpi'iikiii}; nl' llii^* i:!''"'"'"! "iiyi' : " lli^ I'Xii'llciuy. (loncnil
lliililinmnil, i^" not ii riiciiil of ^.'rcal ri)riniilitii'H. tml Iniiil of ii pind iliniirr. anil
^alir'lil•ll wlini 111' I'aii iiiiiclly Hiiinkr iii^ pipi' in UU ni'al IM-Iuri' llu' cliiiiinry."
.Xnolhi'i- ltnin!<\viik nlUci'i' iIim'h iiiun- jii^lirr lo Ihr i;iiiiTal. am! roiisiilriH liiiii olio
nrilic inii^l iloMTviiii: iilllii'ii' Knulaiiil imi' had ; and our. " wIidiii llic Uruiiswick-
(•!>' will ahvavK irincinbiT willi llir ^'l■l'all■^'l ''laliliitli.' anil rslfrni."

nh' Mils iih:\h:iiM. iiii-ii^sh'l..

105

Imvu II luuiM! Iiiiill i'lty us imiiictliatoly, lie bmij;lit niic, I lie wiiIIh
of ^vliicli liad only Jii.->l Ihtii ('(iiiiidflcil. lie, liuwcvcr. pivo
(inlers tliat i^vcry tliiii;; mIhhiIiI Im in rwidiiiess liir mil' riM'('|iliim
]>y ('luistiiias-iivi', anil l)i'i;iic(l im t(i jjjivi! ilinM'tiiiii,s I'm- tlio
iirraii;;i!iiu'iit ol' diir ruimis In llu' incantinH^ we it'siiU'd willi
an inlialiitant III' tlio place. ( hir |ilan vas ^ivi-n nut; ami tit
• iiir ^rcal asloniHlimt'iil we won.' aldi; lo uaf mir Cliristinas pic,
in our nt^w Iiouhc — wiiii wliicli diwli I'n" Kii>;lisli always ccKs-
bnitc Ciiristnuis day — altli(iuj,di tiu' lnos for our liuildinj.^ Iiad
not hecn I'cllud nor the boards sawud until after "ur arrival.
I 'poll tlic walls pretty jiajie'-l ,,iiij:s were pas d. and we had
really (|iiitc a s|iruee residv iice. Wu • id a lar^e diiiiiij;-riPoni,
uiid near by, a ;irutty room I'or my IiuhIimuJ, dose to which wiiH
our sleeping apartmunt : then i mie i euiiiiinjj; little nursery, to
which was attached a closet fitted uji jiccially I'or our eldest
daiijihter; and last of all, a larjie and beaiilil'iil par!' r which we
used as ii sittinj^ room. The entry resembled more a fine upart-
iiieiit. Aloiif^ itH sides wei" benches, and in it stood a irreiit
stove, from which stroiij:; pipes (;xtendcd to the eeilinj:; and
heated the whole house. Over head were still four larj:e rooms :
line for our fiMiiale servants ; another for our male domestics ;
und the two others for spare chambers.

In the spring; of 17S2. two covered pa,ssaj,'e\vays were built
on to th" house, one of which led to the kitchen, and the other to
our wash house. Over this latter was the i;uard room. We
did not live in the villaf;e of Sorell itself, but about a (juarter
of a mile distant, and so near the outposts, that, as my husband
did not wish to be captured, six men sK'pt every night in the entry
upon the benches. Our immense stove, which stood in this hall,
gave out such an amount of heat, that the house was kept always
so warm, that notwithstanding the biting cold which exists in
('aiiada. we never felt in the least chilled as long as we remained
in the house. An unpicasant cireumstaui-e. however, h.'ippencd
to us, namely : oU' walls became warped during the winter,
tearing our pretty paper-hangings, and creating draughts of air.

n »■

lyo

LtriTKltS ASD JOIJISAI.S

-■ifm ;■

In the suiuiucr of 1782, my liusbaiid iiiiidc a journey of three
weeks, (luring whieli time I begged tlie Englisli artisans, who,
aceording to the orders of the governor, were all at our disposal,
to help me set every thing to rights against his return. Cabi-
net-makers, painters and paper-hangers ail set themselves to
work. The walls were repaired ; doors, windows, chairs, and
tables painted afresh, and the rents in the wall-paper mended
with new paper which 1 had brought hither. On his return, my
husband found to his great amazement every tiling arranged in
perfect order, and, as it wore, a new house, and all this too had
been accomplished withvtiry little cost, as we were not allowed to
give the artisans any thing except their food and drink ; for
which recompense, however, they worked with a will. Our
company consisted solely of men. What we missed of society,
however, was fully made up to us during both the winters, we
spent in Canada, by the invitations which we received from
General Ilaldimand to visit him at Quebec, where we staid six
weeks at a time, at the house of Dr. Mabini^ a staunch friend of
the general. Wo dined every day with the general who, at the
same time, was so kind as oven to .send fitr my children. In the
evening he would come to the iiouse of our host to make a hand
at cards smd take supper. He said that he did this in order
not to keep me from my children. He often played until mid-
night, sometimes, indeed, till after one o'clock; but he was so
polite as not to force nie to remain up against my will, and
accordingly I could not have retired even had I been so disposed.
I have hardly ever seen a man who was more amiable and friendly
to those to whom he had once given his friend.ship ; and we
flattered ourselves that we were included among that number.

In the spring of 1782, ho begged us to come to Montreal,
where he had business, on which occasion he assured us, that
the time which ho then spent with us, was the dearest moment
of his life. I rode to Montreal in a sledge, upon the river St.
liawrence which was frozen solid. We remained tiiere almut a
week, and returned home in the same manner. This proceeding.

OF Mils. UKSKHAL liJUDlCsKL. I97

however, Wiw not only very imprudent, but in the highest def>reo
liaziudous; for by this time it had begun to thaw, and along the
whole of our traek, which was marked by brandies of trees stuck
up at intervals, the ice was already covered with water. (I
may here remark, that this practice of marking out a particular
path on the ice by these trees, .soon makes a well beaten road,
as every sled goes in the same track). Our Camulian drivers
seemed to be ijuite timid, but they would not go out of the regu-
lar beaten track, as they said there was less danger in following
that, than in making a new one. At last about five o'clock in
the afternoon, we arrived at Sorell in safety, though we had
traveled most of the way in water which, at times, came into
our sledges. The next morning when I got up, I saw, to my
horror, a ship under full canvas, sailing up the river in the very
track that we had come over with so much risk the night pre-
vious.*

The Canadian winter is very healthy, although severe ; for as
the weather is steady, one can take proper precautions against the
cold. Thus is it, that the people here do not suffer from cold
near as much as with us. In the beginning of November, each
household lays in all their stores for the winter. I was very
much astonished when they asked me how many fowls, and par-
ticularly how many iish T wished to have for the winter; I asked
whore I .should keep the latter as T had no fish-pond? " In the
loft," thoy replied, •• where they will keep better than in the
cellar." I accordingly laid away, between three and four hun-
dred, which kept fresh and sweet the entire winter. All that
was necessary to do, when we wanted something for our table,
such as meat, fish, eggs, apples amd lemons, was to put them
in cold water the day previous. ]}y this means, all the frost
was taken out, and the meat and fi.sh became as Juicy and ten-
der as they are with us. The fowls, moreover, are packed in

* There Is nothinc; improhable In thin slatrnuMil. Fiviiiioiitly tDWiirdt" s|ir',MLr. Ilic
whole siirrncf ol' Liikt- ("hanipliiiii, for instaiieo. will be covered apiinrenlly willi
Kolld Ice line diiv. while oil I he iicxi. iiol llic Icasl panicle of il can he seen.

198

LETTKRS ANT) ,JOVI{\.\hS

the snow, wliich forms around thoiu such a crust of ice, tliat
thoy have to be cliopped out with a liatchct. They have a fruit
iu Canada, which is called ottocas.* It yrows in the water, is
red, and as large as a small cherry, but without a stone. It is
carefully gathered, particularly by the Indians, and sold without
the stalk. It makes a very good preserve, especially if picked
after a hard frost. All other fruit is very scarce; and only in
Montreal, can one find good, yes, e.vcellent apples, viz : " rei-
nettcs," and a kind of large red apple, of a very excellent flavor,
which is called " bowrrassas." The Canadians pack them in
barrels which must be headed up, and pasted over with paper,
where they keep good until the very last. But small barrels
are used for this purpose, for if they are once broken open the
apples can no longer be preserved. Fruit, however, is very dear,
especially pears, which are less seldom met with than apples,
and are not so easily kept. I ordered six barrels of apples,
and half a barrel of pears. One can imagine my surprise at
being compelled to pay for them, twenty -one guineas. I had,
it is true, asked the price beforehand, but they had not been
able, at that time, to name a definite sum. My husband had a
large patch of ground behind our house, converted into a pro-
ductive garden, in which he planted twelve hundred fruit trees.
This made the garden not only ornamental, but useful, espe-
cially as we raised in it a few vegetables. Every thing grew
splendidly ; and each evening, we went into the garden and
picked between one hundred and fifty and two hundred cucum-
bers, which I made into pickles. This manner of preparing
these vegetables, was not known to the Canadians; and I accord-
ingly made them all presents of pickles, particularly our good
General llaldiiuand, who declared them to be excellent.

It was, in fact, as if I lived upon a magnificent farm. I had
my cows, a large number of fowls, and Virginia hogs, which arc

* TIk^ iTiuiborry. The t'lmiulinii priisnrilM still soil lliciii in the iimrki)t» at
Mmilival. iukUm- this iiaiiic.

OF Mils, c i:\Fn.\i. niFDFsur,.

199

black, smaller tlian ours, and very short-legged. I also made
my own butter. This was truly the promised land to the
soldiers, for their barracks were prettily fitted up, and attached
to each one was a garden. 3Iy husband gave them seeds ; and
it aflbrded us great satisfaction to see their hou.se-keeping, espe-
cially their kitchen arrangements; a pleasure we often indulged
in when we were out walking. They exchanged half of the
salt meat they received for fresh ; after which they would boil
both kinds together in a large kettle with all sorts of vegetables
and dumplings. There was also considerable rivalry among
the soldiers as to which of them could prepare the best meal.
They divided regularly among each other all their work. Some
worked in the garden; others attended to the cooking; some
kept the barracks clean; and others again went out into the
forest and cut wood, which they brought in on little carts made
especially for that purpose. jMy husband, also, had fishing nets
made and each company wont fishing in turn. Every time they
went, they were so considerate as to send us some of the fish which
they had caught. In this way they had fish two or three times
a week ; besides which they received every six days a bottle of
rum, rice, butter, twelve pounds of Indian-meal for bread, and
every day either a pound of salt pork or half a pound of beef.
Yet, notwithstanding all this, the greater portion of them looked
wistfully toward their native land. My husband had also
Indians under his command who loved him very much. His
frank disposition had completely won their hearts. Ueforc my
first arrival in Canada, one of his Indians, named Hansel,
heard that he was sick, was married, and felt very uneasy
at my not having arrived. He, therefore, came with his wife,
to my husband, and said to him, " See here now ! I love my
wife, but I also love thee , and as a proof of my sincerity I
give her to thee ! " My husband replied, "I thank thee and
recognize thy attachment, but I already have a wife, whom I
love, and I, therefore, beg thee to keep thine own." Upon this
refusal he seemed sad and very much cast down ; and it was

rr^

200

LKTTKKS ASn JOIIIXM.S

only after considerable persuasion that he could bo induced to
take buck his wife, whom T afterwards saw very ft-equently.
She was (|uite handsome. This Hansel was not, it is true, a
real Indian, but a German, who in a battle with the savages,
had been taken prisoner with several others, when only fifteen
years old. All the rest of his party who were not captured,
were killed. All of his companions were killed, but his figure,
and his courageous defense had so pleased the Indians that they
gave him his life on the consideration that he would marry
among them and assume their manners and dre.ss, which he
accordingly did. The life of a savage must bo very attractive,
for a nephew of General Carleton lived a long time among them ;
married an Indian ; and became so accustomed to this restless,
but free and pleasant life, that it was not until many years after-
wards, and only after repeated entreaties, that he returned to
his uncle. He then married the general's sister-in-law, a pretty
and amiable person, but, they told me, he continually longed
after his former mode of life, and his Indian wife, the marriage
with whom was afterwards annulled. He served in the army, I
believe, as a major, and was an exceedingly agreeable man.

It wiis at this time that I saw the renowned chief of the
Indians, Captain Urant, whoso likeness has been engraved. As
he sliowed considerable intellect and talent when very young.
General Carleton sent him to England to visit the king, upon
whom he made so good an impression that he had him educated,
and promised to care for him in the future. He profited by the
tuition which he received, but when he was between twenty and
twenty-four years old, he begged very hard to be sent back to
his family.* At the time we were in Canada, he was the leader
of the Indians. He conversed well, possessed polished man-
ners, and was highly esteemed by General Iluldimand. I have
dined with him at the general's. He was dressed partly as a
military man, and partly as an Indian. He had a manly and

* Mr!-, liii'de^i'l wan inisiuforiiKMl ill ivfranl to llie oarly lilu of Hniiil. His llrst
visit to Kiiglaiul was in 17T5, at thcajjo ol'lliii'ty-tliioe. TWcStoiiu's Lift of li rant.

OF MltS. liKXKltM. ItlKDKSEL.

201

intcllij^ent cast of couiitonaiico. Iliw churactor was very gentle.
3Iy husband was once invited to a gatliering of Indians, wliere
they first made liini a speech, and then begged him to take a
scat among them. They tlien oft'ered him a pipe of tobacco,
which with tliem is tlie Iiighcst compliment they can pay, and
is an evidence of their esteem and friendship. They also gave
him a name which in their language signifies tiik si;n. lie, in
turn, invited them to visit him. They came, and ho entertained
them, after the fasliion of their race, with tobacco and rum.

One of these Indians especially, was decorated with medals
which are marks of personal prowess. We invited him to dinner
and forced him to drink. He drank, however, very little, and
said to us in broken French, " Bon enfant Ic sauvage, lorsijue
sobre, mais trop bil, animal foroce ! " My daughter, Frederica,
won his friendship. He begged her for a new ribbon, upon
which to hang his medals, assuring her that then he should
prize them still more highly. Altogether, he was a very kind
man, full of gentle courtesy. The Indians lay great stress upon
dreams. A certain Johnson, before our arrival, became a rich
man through this belief. It happened in this way: the Indians
were in the habit of often coming to him and saying to him,
" Brother Johnson, we have just dreamed that we came to you,
and you gave us a great quantity of rum and tobacco." " In that
case," he would reply, "I must make your dream come true,"
giving them of the same as much as they wished. This delighted
them J and they came more frequently to repeat to him their
several dreams. But one day he went to them and said, " My
brothers, I also hUve just dreamed that I came to you, and that
you were so well satisfied with the friendship and hospitality
which I have shown you, as to make me a present of a very
large piece of landj" at the same time mentioning the particu-
lar tract. " Indeed ! " tliey exclaimed, terribly frightened,
" Have you dreamt that? ' Th.ey immediately went out and
held a consultation, the result of which was, that on their return,
26

20-j

LETTERS AND JOURSALS

they said, " Brother Johnson, we give you this piece of land,
but do not ilrciim lujain.*

The Indians generally treat their bodies with harshness,
making incisions and marks in their faces, which they paint
with difl'erent colors in order to give them a more martial
appearance.

One day a youth was chosen chief of a tribe. This caused a mur-
muring among the other tribes, and at a general council .so many
oflensive epithets were applied to him by one of the other chiefs,
that after much altercation, his temper kindled; and, springing
up, he split open tho head of his antagonist with his tomahawk.
When, however, he afterwards reflected upon the consequences
of his rash step, which, among savages, occasions for all time
feuds and bloodshed between the tribe of the murdered and
that of the murderer, he went to the house of the English
commandant in the place, called for a black ribbon, punched
holes in both his arms (through which he drew the ribbon, and
with which he had his arras tied securely behind his back), and
in this condition delivered himself up to the tribe of the Indian
he had slain, at the same time acknowledging that he had killed
one of their number in a fit of passion. He further said that
in order to prevent the shedding of blood between the tribes,
which otherwise must immediately follow, he had rendered him-
self defenseless, and now delivered himself up to them in this
condition. Upon this noble behavior and his evident courage
and penitence, the Indians of the injured tribe were so touched
and pleased that they not only forgave but adopted him into
their tribe in the place of the murdered man; and subscciuently
even chose him for their chief.

The Indians behave bravely in battle as loLg as victory is
upon their side. But on retreats, as, for example, previous to our

* A capltiil sliry, but utterly without foundation in trutli. Mn^. Uiedcsel, how-
ever, undoubtedly telln it as it was related to her, as tlie story was current at the
time. Vide Slone"n Life of Sir l)//i. Johnson, vol. I, i)ft;,'e 34), wliere the (acts in
relation to the origin of the royal grant, are given in lull.

OF M/IS. aKSF.lt.il. ItlEDESEL. 208

being taken prisoners at .Saratoga, I saw them first run and then
hide tljomselvcs. But it is very likely that this may have been
caused by their fear of being captured and then killed.

During the summer of 1782, we passed several weeks very
pleasantly at (Quebec. General Ualdimand had built himself a
house upon a hill, which he called Montmorency, after the great
and famous waterfall of that name. He took us over to his
house. It was his pet, and certainly nothing could eciual its
situation. This celebrated cataract of the Montmorency plunges
down from a height of one hundred and sixty-three feet, with a
frightful din, through a cleft between two mountains. While
the general was pointing out to us this magnificent spectacle, I
accidently let fall the remark, that it must be splendid to have
a little house directly over the cataract. Three weeks after-
wards he again guided us to the fall. Wo made our way up the
steep path, and over pieces of rock that were united by little
bridges after the manner of Chinese gardens. When we at last
reached the top, he gave me his hand to assist me into a little
building which hung directly over the fall itself He was
amazed at my courage, when, without a moment's hesitation, I
immediately entered it. But I assured him that I was not in the
least afraid, when accompanied by such a careful man as him.
self. Ho showed us how the house was fastened in such a situa-
tion. The manner of it was this. He had caused eight strong
rafters to be extended from the bank, some distance over the
chasm, through which the cataract plunged down. There beams
rested for a third of their length upon the rocks, and upon them
the house stood. It was a frightful but majestic sight. Nor
could one remain in the house long, for the din was horrible.
Above this fall they catch very fine trout, which, however, once
cost an English officer his life. He was springing from one
rock to another, in order to catch thorn, when his foot slipped
from under him, and he was carried away by the strength of
the current. Nothing was ever found of him afterwards, but
a few mangled limbs.

204

LKTTKItS AM) .loVltNALS

Wo wore also at this fall once in tiic winter, on which occa-
sion the various and stranj^e tij^ures made by the ice, afforded a
magnificent spectacle j but we missed the roaring of the waters.
The cold was at that time so intense that even the freneral's
Madeira wine froze in the bottles. Instead of being spoiled,
however, it was found to be especially fine when thawed out.
lie gave us one day some of that which had not beeu frozen,
and we found it most excellent.

In the autumn of 1782, when I was liir advanced in preg-
nancy, my husband received orders to go to the Isle aux Noix,
and lay out a fort which should protect the place in case of
attack. During his absence I felt perfectly forlorn ; and my
only consolation was that he came to see me every three or four
weeks. On his part, also, the time was passed at that place very
unpleasantly. lie made from there a short journey to a place
called Point do Fer, which lies at the confluence of the river
Sorell with Lake Champlaiu, to visit the outposts. While there
he came very near being burnt in the barracks. In the middle
of the night he heard a great commotion ; and, as this was an
advanced post, he thought, for the moment, that the Americans
had learned of his whereabouts, and were intending to capture
liim. While thus thinking an English oflicer came in and
asked where the general was. Upon the latter answering
" Hero," he called out, " For God's sake, (ioneral. run, or we
are both lost for the barracks are in flames." The subaltern did
not allow my husband any time to gather together any of his
things, so that he was obliged to run out naked and barefoot,
through the flames upon the ice. The danger was indeed great,
on account of the barrels of gunpowder stored in the barracks,
which might easily have gone oft' had the flames reached them.
However, as soon as my husband observed that the soldiers
remained, and were busily engaged in extinguishing the fire, he
returned and dressed himself by one of the watch fires.

In the meantime I was taken sick. During the absence of
uiy husband I had been in the habit, by way of dissipating my

OF Mlis. (iKSEUAL UIEnKsKl. 206

loneliness, of driviii}^ out in my ciirriii^c. On one of those occa-
sions, my pains, of wliich I already had premonitory symptoms,
became so great as to compel me to return. They endeavored
to persuade me to sit down at table, as I alone felt tluit I had
a severe trial before me. I had hoped that my confinement
would be delayed until my husband's arrival on the 5th, but \
was disappointed in my expectations, and T was happily delivered
of a beautiful little daufrhter. I was so well that I was able to
write to uiy husband myself, announciufj; the new arrival. IJut
as he wished very much for a little son, he thought I was only
joking ; and when at table the health of his newly born daughter
was proposed, he again read my letter attentively to see if it was
not really a little son. Finally, however, he was obliged to give
in ; but on his arrival home, on the 5th, he found the little
maiden so handsome, that he was consoled for his disappoint-
ment, and the little one contributed much to the joy of us both.
But, alas ! this joy was of short duration, for she was spared to
us only five months. I nursed her myself, but in doing so, suf-
fered so much with my breasts, that I was obliged to have an
operation performed on them. I was strongly advised not to
nur.se her longer, and I at last yielded, although with the great-
est reluctance, as I had almost a foreboding of what would be
the sad result. The very first night after I had weaned the
little one, my imagination became so very much e.vcited, that I
actually thought I heard a voice calling out to me, "You have
done very wrong to wean her; she will die !" Half asleep and
terribly frightened, I sprang out of bed, tore away the things
wliich had been put on my breast to dry up the milk, and was
about to give my dear little Canada (for so we had named her)
the breast again. But my nurse would not allow it, giving as
a reason, that it would only injure the child, as she was now
weaned. Three days afterward, she was attacked by a diar-
rhea, and on the 5th was very bad. They would not allow me
to nurse her, as T was also very sick with the milk-fever. Hut
I can uever forgive myself for allowing them to prevent me from

200

LETTEliS AXn JoCtlSALH

doing 118 my juJi^mont dictated ; for 1 afterwards hoard that
they gave her very little nouriHhniciit. It is true that at length
upon my repeated urging, our cook, who was a wet nurse, gave
her tlie breast anew, which she took eagerly, but it was probably
already too late. We had a distinguished English physician,
named Kennedy, come from Three llivers, who, as soon as ho
saw the child, said it was dying from debility. Ho had aw old
hen killed, and took out the entrails, which he had cooked with-
out being cleaned. Of this, he gave her every half hour injec-
tions, which at first seemed to infuse into her new life ; but she
was too far gone to rally permanently, and we had the unhappi-
ness to lose her. My oldest daughter, Augu&ia, who had loved
her little sister very much, became sick from sorrow ; and my
youngest daughter, America, also, almost died from the same
cause, before her sister even was buried. ]?ut the physician
who was still with us, made such good use of his remedies that
she was spared to us.

My husband was so beside himself In consequence of all
these calamities, that he could not be persuaded to come into the
house, until the doctor assured him that his patients were all
well.

We buried our beloved dead little one in Sorell; and the
officer promised me that they would have a tombstone, with an
inscription, put over her grave, which would prevent the iidia-
bitants, who were blind and zealous Catholics, from taking up
the heretic child out of the consecrated earth.

Ill order to dissipate my sorrow, (Jeiieral Ilaldimand, in the
summer of 1783, begged us to visit him in (Quebec. We had,
however, when the invitation came, just heard of the death of
my father-in-law, and my liusband, very naturally, therefore,
longed more than ever to return to Europe His health, also, was
very uncertain ; and, although the climate of Canada suited him
better than that of New York, yet he was never free from
unpleasant buzzings in his cars and violent headaches. So far as
regarded myself, also, I wished very much to see my mother,

fiF Mils. i,h:.\h:iiM. }!ii:iih:sKi.

207

brothorH nnil Histers, once more. IimIihmI, Iiiid it not been for
this lionicsickiiess, T hIkiuM have hccMi iiertbctly cuiitentcd in
Caiiiidii; for tlio cliniiitc iij:;reed well with «iy cliildron. and wo
wore beloved by, and on a very pleasant footin;;' witli the people.
News Inid been received that as the preliminaries of peace had
already been sij^ncd, our troops would, perhaps, be sent back to
Europe that same year, (ieneral Ilaldiniaiid, also, very mueh
wished to return to Knj;land, and had even j^one so far as to
solicit bis recall. We often formed plans with each other to make
the return voyage together on tbe .same ship. One day, when
we were at his bouse and were walking together in his garden,
we saw a number of ve.s.xels arrive in the harbor, and among
others, a very beautiful ship anchor at the foot of tbe mountain.
The general said, " Those are certainly the vessels that arc to
carry your troops back to Europe. I'erhaps we shall make tho
journey together." Thereupon my little daughter, Frederica,
who stood at my side, said to him, " Well then, if wo go, you
must give us that ship, it is so beautiful ! " " My child," ho
replied, " I will do it right willingly, if it is a transport, but what
would the king of England say if I should hire one especially
for you, for the cost would be considerable?" "Oh!" she
rejoined, " the king loves his wife and children, and it would
certainly give him nmch pleasure if papa brought back his
family safely; and you, would you not be delighted if your little
wife was also taken back without any mishap?" (The good
general always called my eldest daughter, Augusta, bis little
wife). He laughed beartily at this rally, and said, "Well, wo
will see about it."

Two days afterward, he called upon me in the morning, and
with tears in his eyes told me, that wo must separate. "You
arc to go, but 1 must remain. I shall miss you very much. I
have found in your husband a man whom I can depend upon,
and in your entire family friends — such as are seldom met with,
1 had hoped that we should have returned together, but the
king has ordered it otherwise, and I must obey him. Mean-

'i %

208

/.A/'y'A/.'.s A\/) .HH US.iLS

wliile, I Iiuvo tliouglit over wliiit your (l»U};1itur Hiiid t(» ino, niiJ
as it i« my most uariiL'st wish to liiivo you iiiaito (lie voyajio to
Europo saiuly, I luivo myself oxuiiiini'il tliu siiip titat lias beun
choHeu for you to mcu if it was Huitable, but I tind it unsufe.
On tho contrary, howmur, tho one tiiat your tlau^litcr was so
pleased with, I find to be as ^ood as I eould wish fur you, and
therefore, althouj^h it is not of the number of those that were
selected for the transportation of tho troops, I have, neverthe-
less, assumed the responsibility of hirinj^ it and havinjj; it put
in proper order for the occupation of yourself and family. Now
\x,o and look at it, and order it fitted up for your comfort exactly
as you wish. I have already given orders that every thinj^ shall
be as you desire. Vour husband is about to go to Sorell, and it
would be well if you should also accompany him thither to make
all necessary arrangements for your voyage, liut you must
return soon and give me your company for tho little time that
will remain to you before your departure." lie tlien left me
deeply moved. How could one not give such a man his whole
friendship '!

An hour afterwards Major Twiss came to take mc on board
the ship. It was a largo West-India three-decker, and in good
condition. The captain, also, was highly praised as an excellent
seaman, and a courteous and upright uian. They showed me
every part of the ship, and reijuested me to select those apart-
ments I desired, as I would certainly need a dining and a sitting
room. I laughed and said, " How can you manage to give mc
such accommodations," " Let mc alone for that," replied tho
major. He immediately ordered tho cannons, which were on
tho gun deck, to bo taken away, a large window to be cut
through above it, and on each side closets,* for the gentlemen,
in which their beds, chairs and tables were securely iastened.
We retained for ourselves the great cabin, in which my husband
and myself had a closet with two beds, and close by one lor our

' State-rooiuB In modern piirlanco.

nl' Mils. i,h:.\t:iiM. iiii:i>txi:i..

200

cliildrcii. Tn sliurt. cvcrv tliin;r \«iis (•innrnitaldc as coiiM lio
exjK'ctc'd ill siicli u lluatiiij;' jirisdii.

Tlie (lay aftKi' I went to Sdri-ll, in unlcr lo tiavt-l Taster, I
WUH ndvisod to make tlio journey in a boat, i loliowt'd flutsuj;-
p'stion ; but we soon loiintl tbc water too shallow, and tbey told
«H wo must a]L::ain take to land. " Hut how siiall we rcacii it,"
Haid 1, ''lor here tliere is nofhini; but swaiuiis an<l stonesy " it
was tiien j)roj)osed to carry us, whieh, indeed, was a rriuhtlul
undertakin<.', lor our l)earers Hlijijied every instant. When wo
lit last reaehed the land, a new dillieulty awaited us ; I'or we were
oblij;ed to climb up a hij;h and very stony nioimtain. I pni-
te.sted that I never hliould be able to useeiul it; hut the ('arm-
dians who are inured to this kind of work, ami can climb like
chamois, assured me that this was a mere trifh; to them, and
besides, that there Wiis notiiinj; else left for us but to ascend
the mountain. Aecordinjily they carried up my children, at
the Hame time that two of the men drau^ed nu! up the ascent
umler their arms. The mountain was so steep, that those who
went ahead of me, seemed as if they would fall on to me; besidew
all of whieh, the beat was unbearable. Finally, after much
toil and trouble, we arrived at tlic top ; and it was hij^h time,
for I was so completely tired out, that I was obliged to sit
down, while my veins, also, were so swollen, from my bavin;.;
overheated my.self, that my poor children felt exceedinyiy
anxious about me. We were compelled to pass a niyht on the
way. I found, however, a yood bed and some refreshment, both
of whieh T needed to restore my strength ; and the next morn-
ing we again set out on our journt'y.

On our arrival at Sorell, I i'ound my husband already very
busy, and I, on my part, set myself to work to such good pur-
pose, that in about a week E was able to return to (Quebec,
whither my husband very i^oon followed me. IJefore leaving,
however, I took pains to speak to the parish priest, who was a
very good man, about my little daughter's grave in that jdace,
and to express to him my fears, that some of the very bigoted
27

I ^

210

LETTElls AXh JorriXM.S

people living there, out of blind zeal, would violate the resting
place of one who was no Catholic child. But lie assured nie
that the child had only been christened, not yet confirmed j
and that it was therefore regarded as an angel, whose ashes
would not be disturbed. He, also, gave nic his word that he
would personally watch over them.

On our return to Quebec, I heard that the new alterations of
our ship had already advanced so far that every thing in it had
assumed an entirely different appearance, and that General
Ilaldiniaud himself had been there several times to oversee
matters, besides having sent on board a oow and her calf, that
we might be supplied constantly with fresh milk. He had also
caused a place upon the upper-deck to be covered with earth,
and salad-plants set out, which was not only very agreeable but
exceedingly healthy on a sea-voyage. We bought also many
fowls, sheep and house vegetables, so careful was I (as there
were many of us), that our table — at which twenty-two people
sat down daily — should be well supplied.

Our physician. Doctor Kennedy, on our passage through
Three liivers. pressed us to arrange it in such a manner that his
family, namely, his wife and three daughters, two maid-servants
and an attendant, could go with us to Europe. We promised
him, accordingly, to speak with the general, for he was very
skillful, and we thought it would be a capital idea to have such
a man with us. The general replied to me, when I asked him,
" The ship is yours, arrange matters as you please; but you do
not know the pretentions of these people, who will make you a
gi'od deal of trouble." T learned afterward, by dear experience,
that he knew his man well.

Another cabin was, accordingly, fixed up close to ours for
Madame Kennedy and two "f her daughters and a maidservant ;
my children taking her third daughter, who was ten years old,
in their own state-rodm. The doctor, himself, occujiied one of the
cabins in the great space adjuining the saloon.

On our departure, my husband sent to the good general his

OF .uns: GEXKUAL UlEDESKL.

211

favorite marc, with her bciiutit'iil foal; and in return he sent
nie ii magnificent muff and tippet of sable, to remind us of the
land where we had so lonjj; resided. This, too, was the more
appropriate, as furs of many kinds are the principal products of
Canada. English merchants become rich by sending over com-
mon articles of merchandise, which they exchange for furs,
that are afterward dressed in England.

The general also, presented my daughter, Augusta, with a
beautiful hound; and indeed he neglected no opportunity of
showing his great friendship for us ; and on our departure he
was so much moved, that we also, were deeply affected. Two
days before our departure, the English olficers paid us the atten-
tion — in a comedy which they gave twice a week, and the
receipts of which, after deducting tlie expenses of lighting up,
went to the poor — of giving, at the end of the performance, a
truly touching song, expressive of their regret at the departure
of our troops; closing with thanking my husband for his kind
treatment of each one of them, and with wishing us a prosperous
journey.

After my husband had seen to the embarkation of the troops,
we took dinner and tea with the general; after which, he car-
ried us himself, to the ship, where we took a right hearty and
sad farewell of him, and .several others, wljo had showed us
friendship.

MRS. RIEDESEL'S ACCOUNT OF HER RETURN
JOURXEY TO EUROPE.

It was about tlio middle of the month of August, when we
set out on our return journey to Europe. My husband, myself
and our three children went, as I have already said, in the
same ship. The morning after we had embarked, the signal
of our departure was given. Every one laid in as great a
supply of fresh meat as he could; and an liour after, our
whole fleet was under sail We sailed as far as the Isle do Bee,
at the mouth of the river St. Lawrence, where we were obliged
to lie two whole weeks waiting for favorable winds. This made
it the more unfortunate for all hands, as we were consetjuently
forced to use up our sujiplies of fresh meat and vegetables, i'or
the surrounding country had those articles neither as good, nor
as abundant as was necessary to meet the wants of the whole
fleet. We also learned that we would not be able to reach
Europe before the e(iuinoctial, and would run great danger
of meeting with the storms so prevalent at that time oft' the
English coast.

While we were in this frame of mind, our chaplain, Mylius,
of my husband's regiment, held one iSunday his accu.stomed
service; and just as he was praying most fervently that God
would soon grant us a favorable wind and a happy arrival in our
father-land, the ship, which had hithi^rto lain motionless in the
calm, suddenly began tumove; and as the chaplain said, "Amen,"
the cry went round that the English commodore, who com-
manded the fleet, had just given the signal for our de})arture.

LKTTKIIS .1A7> JOVllXMS.

213

lliilFan hour after, ho passed us witli his sliip, and the whole
fleet followed him under full sail.

As the passage with the fleet, which was often delayed, was
exceedingly tedious, my husband wished very much to leave it
and go on ahead in order to deliver, as (|uiekly as possible, the
dispatches which General llaldiniand had sent to the king
through him. It was also the wish of our ship's captain to And
an opportunity of separating from the fleet and sailing faster,
but he dared not do it without permission from the commodore
who commanded the convoy. Two days afterward, one of the
ships nuide a sign that it had something to say to the commo-
dore, on whicli all the ships came to a stop. But the couimodore
was so courteous as to call out to my husband tlirough a speak-
ing trumpet, "General, go on !" Our captain profited by this
order; for, taking it as his general warrant not to wait for the
other ships, he spread all sail, and in a .short time we saw our
fleet no more. At first we were very much delighted, but after-
ward, this very isolation made mc fearful of the result in case
of our meeting with any accident.

Just as we separated from the fleet, a singular circumstance
luippened, which deserves mention in this connection, only
because it was regarded by our captain as a sure nnd auspicious
omen of a happy termination of our voyage. It was this : two
pigeons, belonging to the ship of the commodore, flew I'rom that
ves.sel to ours and could not be driven away. As I have just
said, this incident, our captain regarded as an important and
auspicious onion, but the crew of the commodore's ship, on the
contrary, reasoning on the same principle, considered it as very
unlucky for them ; which foreboding, indeed, was afterwards
accidentally confirmed, for the poor commodore during this very
voyage, had the misfortune to become in.sane. ]}efore this I
had no idea of the many superstitions that prevail among sailors.
These people notice every little trifling incident, and draw from
them conclusions and omens,

iSoou after our departure we noticed that a large number of

I '

214

LETTEliS AM) JOCllXALS

black-birds, ami an amazing- (juantity of'clolphiiis, gatlmred around
our ship, and the horizon became a yelh)wish fawn color. Our
captain prophesied i'roni this a heavy storm, which set in, sure
enough, the same evening, and, with the exception of a calm of a
single day, when we were on the banks of Newfoundland, con-
tinued with unabated fury, day and night, for three weeks. As
wo were fortunately, however, sailing before the wind, we made,
by this very means, the passage from the Isle do ]icc, to the
bay of St. Helen, in eighteen days, an instance of unheard-of
speed, as the only example in the least similar, was that of a
French frigate, which went the same distance in eighteen days,
one day longer than our passage.

One evening, one of our sails was torn away, and as it was
very dark, this made bad work, for our ship was dreadfully
tossed, and lay entirely upon one of her sides. However, before
the next night the injury was repaired.

Some days after, we perceived a burning smell, and were the
more anxious to discover whence it came, because under our
cabin was the powder room. After searching in vain for a long
time. I at last found that in the state-room of .Madame Kennedy,
a string which held a lantern, had caught fire, and had already
burned u[) clo!<e to a rafter, whicii, as is customary upon ships,
was smeared with tar and on that account would the more easily
have burned. T hastened to point it out, and the captain was
very much delighted at the discovery of the source of the lire.
He represented to Mrs. Kennedy the danger in which she had
placed us all, and begged her to be more careful in future.
IJut she, instead of acknowledging it with thanks, as she had
also escaped the danger, considered herself a very much injured
woman, was sulky toward me for miu-e than a week, and did
7iothing less than to place upon the thior of her cabin a night
lamp, which, as it slid hither and thithi'r by the motion of the
ship, gave us much anxiety. My husband and I could scarcely
sleep on account of the violi.Mice of the storm, and the flu'iner
passed the greater part of (he night on deck. On one (jcca-

! I

OF MliS. (iEXKU.M, niKDKShU.. 215

sion, I said to the captain that wliat I most feared was tlio so-
called (lea(l-li;;hts. These are wooden windows which in case of
a violent storm are [ilaced in the windows of the ship to keep the
water from eoniirit;' in. The captain, a very kind and amiable
man, endeavored to reassure me by saying that our ship was so
very high out of the water, that a storm must be extraordinarily
heavy to render these windows necessary ; and further, that in
sunnner tliere never liad been an instance known of a storm so
violent as to render such a proceeding needful.

It was eight o'clock in the evening when he said this to me,
and at ten o'clock tlic storm was so violent that no one went to
bed. Toward midnight some one knocked at our door; 1 inquired
who was there, and received to my great horror the reply that
the captain had sent down the dreaded dead lights for our win-
dows. " It is impossible," cried I, " beg the captain to come to
me." He came at once and told us that the storm was so violent
that he must resort to these means to keep the waves from dashing
in at the windows. He, however, assured me, that otherwise
there was no actual danger, a.s the ship was amply strong enough
to ride out the storm. The storm continued the whole night
with unabated fury, and just at sunrise it carried away one of
our masts. Madame Kennedy was in tears the whole of the
night, and lamented especially that her sons had by this time
arrived safely in England, and would in all probability survive
her.

Early in the morning at five o'clock I went into the room
where my children were asleep. [ hesitated whether to wake
them, or allow them to sleep on in peaceful ignorance of our
dangerous situation. I could not, however, in tlio sorrowful
presentment that W(! were all al)(mt to perish, restrain myself
from embracing them all in turn. When 1 came to my eldest
daughter, Augusta, I found her awake ; but she had abstained
from uttering the least cry. in order not to disturb nu' still nmn!.
"Alas I what a storm," said I, '• are you not terribly frightened '/ "
" Oh yes," she replied, '• but my consolation is, that at any rate

yi'r-'-mum^^

21(1

LETTERS AXfl JOVRNALH

wc shall not survive you." These few words, which showed
their tender love, as well as resignation, touched my innermost
heart.

At one time during the gale the ship was so dreadfully shaken
and thrown so violently upon one side, that I said to myself,
one more such a shaking and it will be all over with us. At
last, however, day-break put an end to my sufferings; for although
the wind was still strong enough in all conscience, yet the storm
had considerably abated. The wind, nevertheless, was always
favorable for us, and drove us along with such I'orce, that we
made fourteen knots every hour, a circumstance which greatly
assisted our progress.

One day the captain said to us, " Should the wind continue
as favorable as hitherto, wc shall be in England within three
days." This caused us the most lively joy ; for although we had
a sufficiency of almost every thing, fresh bread and other provi-
sions, milk (which is very seldom to be obtained on board a
ship) and oven nmsic, as the hautboys of my husband's regi-
ment were with us, yet we were all worse off than as if we had
been in the most miserable hut Indeed, my husband, who
shared all my troubles, remarked to me one night, that even a
pig-sty would be better. He could not lie still in bed with
comfort to himself, and I believe that during the whole of our
voyage he did not sleep in bed more than five or si.K nights.

During one of the violent tossings of the ship, one of our cows
was thrown out of a hammock in which she was hanging, and
so much injured that we were obliged to have her killed. We
then made her meat a prcsfcnt to the crew.

Towards the end of our voyage, a constant and strong mist
prevented the ca[>tain from taking accurate observations, and
his reckoning did not agree with that of my husband, who was
positive that we had already passed the Scilly Isles (of whose
rocks the captain was exceedingly apprehensive), and were
accordingly very near the English coast. In this uncertainty,
the captain determined, on the evening of the eighteenth day of

OF .)//,'■<. (iE\i-:i!M. I!II-:/>ks/:l

217

our passage, to lie to. Uy this moans tlu> sliiji would remain sta-
tionary, and be in no danger of running on the rocks at night.

In this unpleasant state of expectancy (for while a ship is
lying to, the wind gives it a very disagreeable motion) we were
one day sitting in our cabin. The gentlemeu, although they
had finished their dinner, were still seated at table, sad and
thoughtful, and the cajitain liad already got up, and gone on
deck to give in person the preliminary orders for lying to,
wlien suddenly my husband heard from above the cry of land !
land ! and soon after, he was called ou deck by the captain,
who pointed out to him, a small white speck glistening through
the mist. At fir.-^t he would not believe that it was land, but
the captain as.sured him that having made the passage so often,
he indeed recognized it as chalk, and that it, therefore, could be
nothing else than the shining coast of Kngland.*

Soon after, a gust of wind dissipated the mist, drawing it aside,
as it were, like a great curtain, and to our indescribable joy, dis-
closed the Isle of Wight, and the whole English coast, lying in
the clear atmospliere, directly in front of us. " Xow," exclaimed
the captain, " I must put on all sail, for we must, this very eve-
ning- "ct round the Isle of Wiuht : otherwise, I will not be able
to find a place to anchor, and may be driven, by storms, through
the channel, into the North sea." This was no small undertak-
iu"'. It was already four o'clock in the afternoon, and the Isle
of Wight is thirty leagues long. It cost the captain a great
amount of trouble to stretch out the sails; and as it was. he had
more than twenty sail-yards — which cracked like glass — shi-
vered to pieces in the operation. Hut at last we got things fixed ;
and then the ship shot away with such amazing velocity, that

* Ifroport speaks corn-Illy, liaroii liicdosol was a bclUT u'ciicral lliaii navi^'ator.
There is yi't a tvailition current in Hmnswicli (wlicio lie residcil tVir sn Ions a (inie)
that on his voyage to Anu'vica — wliich. it will be recolli'ded. was \cry lonu' and
tedious — he. one niornini?. j,'raicly iiuinired of llie captain, •■ w helher it wimv pos-
tdlile that the sliip could liave sailed past Canada in the uighl ! "

218

LETTKliS AM) .fftri}.\ALS

at eight o'clock tlie yanie evening, we arnvcd safely in St.
Helen's bay.

The same Jay, I came very near having my foot crushed. I
had gone upon deck witli the others, to feast my eyes for a
moment upon the land so close at hand. Captain O'Connell,
one of the Knglish officers that wore of our party, jumped up for
joy, slipped, and knocked down in falling, a block pulley, which
rolled upon my foot, and crushed it against the side of the ship.
The pain made me shriek out, and I was not able to stand up.
They carried me into my cabin, and washed and dressed my foot.
On each side of the cabin, there was a sofa securely fastened.
I sat down upon one of these, and my little seven year old daugh-
ter, upon the other. Suddenly the ship gave such a violent
lurch, that the child was thrown from the opposite sofa, on to
niiiic. It was fortunate that she did not break her arm, or a
bone. Although my bruise was extremely painful, it was luckily
followed by no i'urther serious consc(jueuces.

During the night we remained at anchor in the bay of St.
Helen, and expected to be at Portsmouth on the following day.
liut our ship in entering the harbor, settled upon the sunken
man-of-war, the Eoyal George,* or, to speak in nautical phrase,
'' stuck fast." "\Ve were, therefore, obliged to remain the next
night also, in this unpleasant situation, and only got off the day
after. The night was accordingly passed very unpleasantly, as
our ship lurched violently while lying upon the sunken ves.sel.
The sight, also, on all sides of us of the floating fragments of
those ships which had been torn from their anchorage in the
harbor of Portsmouth, and were wrecked by the same storm
which we had eiiconntered at sea, was very sad.

1 must also particularly notice the fact, that we anchored in
the harbor of Portsmouth, between the ships that carried me

* Tli« Koynl Ocorjjrc. sunk .'iboiil a year and llnoo nionllis picvions tii Mrs. Rie-
(Icsi'l's arrival, viz: tin IlicSMli ol' .liini'. 17s-.'. Ailniiial Koinponfcll anil '.ho crew
wuru lost, toyclhor with nearly two iimidruil women.

OF nns. CtEXEtiAL mEDESEL.

219

from Knj-laiul to ('anada, and tlio one which oouveycd us from
New York to Quebec.

\:i the ebb of the tide prevented our ship from coniiuj^ to
land, and it would consume too much time to have waited fur
the incoming tide, my husband chartered a lu<;jj,er, which is a
liglit boat, in order to land as quickly as possible. Hut for this
conveyance, although tlie time consumed in making the trip
was not more tlian half an hour, we were obliged to pay fifteeu

So we at length arrived at Portsmouth, about the middle of
the month of September, 1783. Our liearts were very light as
wc stepped out upon the land, and T thanked (iod for the
liappy return of us all, and especially for his having preserved
my husband to me. We ordered ourselves driven to the best
inn of the place; and the dinner which we ate there seemed
to us, after what we had gone through, to be the most deli-
cious morsel of our whole lives. The white bread, especially,
tasted remarkably good, for it was not only really very fine
itself, but doubtless seemed to us much better, because, either
on account of the bad weather, or lack of skill, that which we
liad had daring the voyage was scarcely ever well baked. In
the evening we indulged ourselves in some oysters ; but wc
soon paid very dear lor this delicacy, lor in the night my
daughter, Augusta, was taken with a terrible colic accompanied
by incessant vomiting, which Doctor Kennedy, who luckily was
with us, and whom I immediately called in, pronounced to be
cholera morbus, which by the bye, is one of the most dangerous
kind of colics. lie gave her remedies which at once acted bene-
ficially. The next morning our chaplain, Mylius, was also taken
very ill, even worse than my daughter. At length it was
discovered that the oysters had been taken from a spot near
Portsmouth, where there was either a quantity of copper, or
else, where co|)per-bottomed ships were accustomed to lie at
anchor, and had thus absorbed verdigris. It was strictly for-
bidden to take oysters from this ground, and those persons wlio

220

LK'l'TKliS A.\l) ./or//.\A/.s

wore eauLtlit at it were severely jdiiiisluid. Thla, however, diil
nut jireveiit peojile IVdiii venturiiiji', as tliey could thus obtain
them with iiiiich less trouble and expense.

in the I'orenoon of the f'ollowinjr day, my husband with his
adjutant, set out for London. I entreated him earnestly to spend
the nii^lit at tlie inn, kept by tlie honest landlord, who had
received nie so kindly, on my first journey; but tlie postilion.s
drove him ever a difl'erent road. My postilions, al.><o, wished
to take the .sinic road, but 1 insisted on havinj,' my way; and T
was received by the honest man with sincere demonstrations ol"
joy. He i^ave in my honor, a little I'amily concert, at which
one of his sisters, wlio had been blind lor seven years, played
very well upon the harpsichord, accompanying it at the same
time with her voice. She did not like to have strangers know
that she was blind. She, accor lingly, seated herself at her
liarpsichord before any one came in ; and as she had her book
before her, and her eyes were not seen, no one would have
observed her misibrtune, had not her brother told us of it,
for fear some one might discover and speak of it, and thus
injure lier feelings. He seemed much pained at my husband's
having gone on without stopping. \ asked him why it was,
that the postilit)ns had prevented my husband !Vom stoi)ping
at liis inni' He answered, that it was because he considered
it disreputable to bribe thorn, ])ut that two miles from him
there was a landlord who gave them considerable money, which,
indeed, did not come out of his own pocket, but out of the
money he made out of strangers. '• IJut those strangers," he
said to me, " who once nuike my accjuaintance, come again to
me, for they know that 1 take the greatest pains to treat them
well." His house was prettier than ever. The whole of the
entrance hall and the inner court, was adorned with flower-pots
and trailing .xhrubs. Those latter wore hung tastefully all
through the house; and between each vine, wore suspended
glass globes, in which gold-fish sportoil ; the whole arrangon'ient
producing a most charming eiiect. lie again gave me tlie best

ny l/A'.v. liK\K/{M. h'IKHKsKI..

'2-n

mollis, ami as i;(i(i(l Care as I could possibly desiro, for a prieo
that was doy- clu'ai). My liiisliand, oil flic contrary, hud to pay,
at till! house whcri' ho stopiicd, a trtMiiondoiis bill. Two days
al'tcrward, 1 arrived in Loudon, whoro wc were uiayiiilicuntly
lodf^i'd ill a hir>;e hotel, called, if my niciiiory serves mo, Tho
King (Jcorgo. The very first tliiiij,' I did, tho morninjj,' after
my arrival, was to hasten to pay a visit to excellent Mr. llus.sel,
who, duriiij,' my first .■sojourn in JiOiidon, before my voyaye to
America, hud shown me so much aflection and consideration.
I took u hackney couch, seated myself in it with my four child-
ren, and arranned matters so that those ;,'ood jieople knew nothing
of my intended visit. As the husband was in his rooui enj^agcd
in making his toilet, wo went iuto the shop, and placed ourselves
directly opposite Mistress Kussel who was just then engaged in
selling some sugar. As soon as she perceived me standing
before her, she looked me sharply in the face and exclaimed,
"Can I trust my eyes';' Is it actually you? IJut you had
only three children, and now tliere are four of them ! " F could
not restrain myself longer: my tears of joy betrayed me; 1 fell
upon her neck. At this very moment, some one grasped me
from behind and cried out; " I'urdon my lady; L must eiiibrace
you ! " It was worthy, honest ^Ir. llussel. The good people
wept very much when I left them ; but [ promised to come
back again once more, and bring my husband with me.

Wo were daily the guests of some one ; and, on one occasiou
dined with our kind New York friend, (ieneral Tryon. One
day, while we were yet seated at table, tho queen's first lady of
lienor, my lady Howard, sent us a message to the effect that
her majesty would receive us at six o'clock that afternoon.
As my court-dress was not yet ready, and I had nothing with
me but a perfectly plain augloise, * I sent my apologies for not
going at that time, which I again repeated when we had the
iionor of being |ireseiitcd to their majesties, who wtM'e both

* Tlic iiaiiu' ol'ii irarincnl worn al that tiiin'.

•)•>•>

I.KTTNIIS AX/) .InrilXM.s

j)n!soiit at the rucciitidii. Tlic iiiiccn, Iiowcmt, iih did al.xd llic
kiiij;', reruivcd iis witli oxtriinidiiiiiry ;;rafi(iiiKnrss, niul replind
to my excuses, l»y sayiiij;, " Wo dn imt look at tlie dicss ol' tluisc^
|)t'isoiis we are ^lad to see." Tliey were surrounded by tlio
pi'ilieessos, tlieir daughters. We seutiid ourselves buloro the
eliininey-lire — tliu (|iieeii, tlie princesses, the first lady ol'hoiKU-
and niyseir I'oriniiiu' a liaif circle, and my husband, with the kinj^,
standinj:,' in the ct-ntre close to the lire. Tea and cakes were then
passed round.* F .sat between the ((ucoii and one of tlie prin-
cesses, and was oblinod to ^^o over a ^reat part of my adventures.
Her majesty said to me ver_> graciously, '• I have followed you
everywhere, and have ol'ten iucjuired after yt)u; and I have
always heard with delij;ht that you were well, contented and
beloved by every one." I happened to have at this time a
shocking' couirh. Ohservirif;' this, the J'rincess Sophia went
herself and brought me a jelly made of black currants, which
she ri!prcsente(l as a particularly ^ood nnicdy, and forced me to
accept a Jar full.

About nine o'clock in the eveninj^, the I'rinee of Wales came
in. His younjicst sisters Hocked around him, and he endjraced
them and danced them around. In short, the royal family had
such a peculiar ^ift for riinioviiij;- all ri'straint that one could
readily imajj;ine himself (o be in a eheerfid family circle of his
own station in life. We remained with ihein until ten o'clock;
and the kinji' conversed in!!ch with my husband about .\nierica,
and in (Jornnin wbicli he .p ike exceedingly well. My husband
was perf'eetly amazed at ilic Icinj;'s excellent memory. As wc were
about taking- our leavt;. tue (pieen was so courteous as to say,
that she hoped we would not very soon take our departure, and
that she wished to see me onee more ; but as we shortly after-
wards received intelligence that the Heet, destined to convey
our troops back to (iermany, was already in waiting, we were

* TluMlellcntocDiniilimciit ipiiid to llic l!ii'(l('<cl< liv llii- iiifniiiml icccplioii will
at oncci Htriko llie iviuUt.

tiF Mils. (lExiniM. itiFiih:sh:i..

'I-IW

ohli^^cul to Imstcii (iiir (Icpai'turi- so tniifli, dial wo wen? iiol alilc
(i^niin to wait u|ioii tli(> royal titiiiily.

|)iiriiii,' our sojoiini at this tiinc in London, I made tlni
aci|uaintan('t", ol' Lord Norlii and .Mr. l'"o.\. Hotli calli'd upon us.
I nuidi', also, Hovoral trips into tlio Hiirrounding oonntry, partly
to bccoino better at'(|uainteil witli liondon and vicinity, and partly
to sec tlie most note-worthy olijeets of interest. 1 mi^ht have
profited still more by my stay, but the news that the fleet wliieh
was to take us to (iermany was in .sailiiif^ trim, ehan;;ed all our
plans, and obliged us to take our departiirt! as speedily as pos-
Hible. Wc went to Deal, where we were to (sndiark. 'i'h(M'((ui-
noetial storms, which we hadsomueh feared, had already be^uii,
and our eaptain, himstdl'. also, wished it to be over before we
embarked, beeau.se the storm was very violent, and the entrance
of the Elbe, particularly in contrary weatluM', is pri'tty dillicidt.
.\fter waiting a day in J)eal, and the weather continuing;' unpro-
pitictus, my husband, not wishinj^' to detain the transports lonj^er.
determined to sail, let tbo weather be as it would. The wharf
at this port is vt^ry bad, but especially so when there is a heavy
storm. The ship's boats lie on the beach, from which the
embarkation is nuide, waiting for the tide to come up; and the
Instant that it rolls in, the sailors draw the boats into the waterand
shove them off. This process made us all very timid, as it seemed
such an extremely perilous undertaking. 1' had my youngest
three years old daughter, America, in my laj). and around our
boat a nundjer of people were standing. Suddenly the frightened
child cried out in Knglish, " Is there uohody here who will take
inc '/ " at the .same time .stretching out both of her little arms.
Thereupon an exceedingly well dres.scd woman came running
up, and was on the point of snatching her out of my arms as
the boat was being shoved ort', and 1 had as much as I could do
to keep my hold upon the little one. .\t last we were safely in
the boat, but the waves to.ssed us hither and thither. As I
believed that with our arrival in Knglarul I. had escajjcd all
further perils, this unlooked-l'or danger, completely took away

iL'4

LET'l'EIlS AS I) .lorilXM.S

all my presence of mind. We, however, at last came safely to
the ship, but here a new difficulty awaited ii8. The waves,
which ran so hij;h, tossed our boat hither and thither, so that,
for a time, we did not know how we should get on board the
vessel. I at once declared that I should be the last to leave the
boat, and wished the others to climb up first, in order to be
assured that all my family were safe. jMy husband, therefore,
took the initiatory. The .sailors then took uiy children in their
arms, and climbed with their precious burdens up the little ladder
that hung over the vessel's side. While they were being thus
carried up, I was in a constant state of fear and anguish, for if
the sailors had slipped, the children would have been crushed
between the ship and the boat, and lost beyond the possibility
of rescue. I myself was drawn up in a chair. As soon as I
touched the deck, the captain came up to me and said, " I wish
you joy, for you have to-day. run more danger than during your
whole voyage.''

The following morning we weighed anchor, and were three
days on our passage to Stade. We were obliged to sail to and fro,
as we were not able to pass the barrels — which lie in that part
of the Kibe, to uuirk those places where large ships can sail
through — only on a full tide. 3Iy husband, finally, became impa-
tient, lie accordingly had himself put ashore, and traveled to
Stade in a calash. I, however, remained behind with the child-
ren, as it was thought that this journey would give too much
needless trouble.

The day alter, however, the captain — who accidentally, and I
may say fortunately, was the same one who had brought us from
Quebec to Kngliind — begged me with his customary and
thouglitrul i)olitcne.<s, to allow him, in ca.<e the ship was obliged
to remain at anchor, to take me himself, to t?tadc. Accordingly,
at four o'clock in the afternoon, we left the ship in the long-
boat. Ik'fore leaving, Ibllowing the iustructions of my husband,
1 m ide the kind cai)tain a present of the whole of our provi-
sions, consisting of two cows, fifteen sheeii, six hogs, and a con

OF MBS. GENERAL RIEDESEL.

225

siderable quantity of poultry, for we had taken great pains to
provide ourselves with every thing. For these presents, he
thanked us warmly. We had six sailors to manage the boat,
but as they had to row against the stream, these poor people
became thoroughly exhausted, and I feared that wc should have
to spend the night upon the Elbe, which would have been
exceedingly unpleasant. At last, after much exertion, we
reached Stade at eleven o'clock in the evening; but on account
of the many ships that lay there, we were not able to land,
especially as it was very dark. In this dilemma, we deter-
mined to cross over thme or four ships to the shore, by means
of boards laid from one to another. This feat was success-
fully accomplished.

Having at length arrived in the town, I knew not where to
look for my husband. Every one, almost, was already asleep ;
and those whom we did meet, were either drunk, or were unable to
give us the least information. I thought, in the innocence of
my heart, that every one must of course know the newly arrived
German general, because he seemed so dear to me ; but when
one said, " We know no German general," and another, " What
do we care about him ? " I felt mortified at having placed
myself, as I thought, in such a ridiculous position, before the
captain and our oaiiors, who were helping my trusty Kockel
in carry' g :i ^ children. At last we found a good soul who
guide! us o t.c inn, where my husband had put up; but
ho h(\ is through so many narrow streets, that wc were fearful
'le wiS ittking us out of the way, into sone by-path, with
the iirit«ution of robbing us. We therefore determined not to
enter any house which should have a Sc.j..>.iuus appearance.
But V hen we finally cinne to the inn, I saw, to my great joy, a
night watch composed of our dragoons, standing before the door,
and among them an old soldier, who had always been attached
to the person of my husband. J'his good old man took myself
and children by the hand, nnd srid, '' He w rejoiced I am, tliat
you are once more safely in iJevi iany ! " And lie said this in

226

LKTTEUS AND JOVHNALS

such a cordial, sympathetic tone, that wc could see how full of
kindness and deep feeling his heart was towards us. My hus-
band, who had already gone to bed, was perfectly overjoyed at
our safe arrival. I wished to entertain our kind captain with
tea, but the people of the inn were in such a snarling humor,
that I could only obtain miserable tea, stale milk, bad bread and
worse butter, and besides, every thing was served up in such a
filthy manner, that for the sake of the captain, I was heartily
asliamod of my countrymen, and begged him not to judge my
father-land from these specimens. The next day he took ...o
departure, when we took an affecting leave of this honest man,
who had invariably shown us so much courtesy, attention and
deference.

We remained a day longer in Stade. My husband was obliged
to remain there until the rest of the troops arrived, but I set
out the following day, and passed the night at Zelle, in the
delightful expectation of being in Brunswick the day after.
But in the middle of the night, I saw all at once a soldier with
fierce mustaches, and a light in his hand standing in front of
my bed. It was the hostler. I was terribly frightened, but still
more so when he handed me a letter from my husband which
had just been brought by a courier, for I feared that something
had happened to him. However, it was nothing more than a
message from liim directing me to alter the plan of my journey
and go first to Wolfenbiittel.

There I found our entire family mansion in the same order
as I liad left it on my departure for America. My good friends,
Madame I'aasch and her daughter, had come expressly from
JJrunswick to arrange every thing for our reception. They had
also prepared for me a capital supper; and after refreshing
myself with it, I retired to rest with a feeling of the most hearty
and sincere thanks to God for having preserved me through
so many manifold dangers, but especially for his having so
graciou.sly watched over all my family, and for the precious gift
of my little daughter America.

OF Mas. GEXERAL RIEDESEL. 227

On the following day I had a call from our excellent duchess,
and many old and dear friends. About a week afterwards I
had the great satisfaction of seeing my husband, with his own
troops, pass through the city. Yes ! those very streets, in which ,
eight and a hnlf years before, I had lost my joy and happiness,
were the ones where I now saw this beautiful and soul-stirrinji
si)eotacle. But it is beyond my power to describe my emotions,
at beholding my beloved, upright husband, who, the whole time
had lived solely for his duty, and who had constantly been so
unwearied in helping and assisting, as far as possible, those who
had been entrusted to him, often, too, out of his own purse,
never receiving any return for the expenditure — standing, with
tears of joy in his eyes, in the midst of his soldiers, who in turn
were surrounded by a joyous and sorrowful crowd of fathers,
mothers, wives, children, sisters and friends — all pressing around
him to see again their loved ones.*

* " In judging of the hearty reception which tliosc warriors, who lind fought
80 bravely on the otlier Hide of the ocean, met on tlieir return to their lather land,
one cannot lielp observing, that they were not looked upon l)y the public, as mcr-
cenarieg and hirdingx. On tlie contrary, Ihcy were lionored as l)rave soldiers, who
liad delled innunienible dangers in remote countries, and experienced many adver-
sities. All the dili'erent classes of the population, hastened to tender them llu^ir sym-
pathy and esteem; and even aflcr a long lapse of time the common people would pay
great respect to hhn who liad participated in the war in Amerua. Of course they
had heard for years of thesi- warriors, or read in the newspai)ers of the renown
tliey had gained by their valor, both in the eyes of friends and eneniies, « hat ven-
turous voj'ages tluiy had made, and to what hardships they had been subjected in
severe captivity. Their deeds were celel)rated in song, some of which are still
in use. With the exception of a few individuals, perluips. pcojile were far from the
idea of abuHing and calumniating those warriors. That was to be reserved for a
later period." — 77(6 Gtrmuii Aiu-iluirks in Amfrim.

All of the Oerman tj'oops, however, did not return to the father-land, as llie follow-
ing extract, whicli I copy from the (Itneral Ailrer/iser and Morning IntelUtjencer,
allows :

" If America has been the grave of n great number of Germans, sonii! of tliein,
Innvevcr, have fouiulit the road to fortune: and among the latter we learn is t'ol.
De Menger who, having been taken prisoner of war, had the good fortinie to
become acquainted with Miss Hancock, only daughter of the late president of the
American congress, and obtained the baud of that rich heiress, who is besides
endowed with the most amiable (|ual!ties, and with whom thai fortunate olllcer
has gone to settle at Philadelphia,

228

LETTEUS AND JOUliSALS.

Tlie following day we both went to Ikunswick. I reiuenibor
well the day. It was Sunday, in the autumn of the year 1783,
when we arrived in that town. We dined at the court, where,
in the evening, I again met, after this long separation, most of
my friends who resided in the place. This was great joy ; but,
at fhe same time, it excited in me emotions, which moved my
iuL .most soul.

I N I ) E X .

Aci'LAND, Liuly iriiniet,, 93, 130.

ArMimd, Majoi-, UH).

JEsojiuH, 108.

Albany, 1;}5.

AniM, Major, 179.

Anstrut/ier, Colouel, 85.

Arbuthnot, Captaiu, 88.

Batten km, loo.

Baum, Lieutenant Colonel, 90.

Benm heights, aelion of, 98.

Jlcniiiiigtoii, action near, 9G.

Ikrmdorf, Count, 16.

Jiluimfidd, Captain Tlionias, i;J3.

Brunt, Josepli, 300.

Bristol, 46.

Breymann, CJolonel, 90,

Briuknd, Chaplain, 123.

Bremer, General ,19.

Brunswick, 27, 226, 228.

Buryoytie, General, 0, 61, GO, 97, 99, 113, 122, 127, l;!0.

Calais, 43.

Carlcton, General, 0, 20; personal ai)pcarauce of, 30; delivers over the

army to Unrgoyne, 84.
C'ark.'on, Mr.s. CJeneral, 30, 70,
Carl, Duk(! ot" l^ruii^wiek, 17.
Cambridge, ill.

Carter, son-in-law to Schuyler, 140.
l.'uMi: Toirn (('asUetcii, Vt,), 96.

230

l.\l>KX.

CliamhUj^ 88.

Champhiiii, Lfiko, IJi.'.

aiintfm, (iciicrnl Ilonry, 108, 100, 170, IT!*, 182, 185.

Cou()thu, VXmrk'n, 8. •

ConiinuiiK, (Jcnenil, 173, 174.

Crmrn Point, m.

DoUGlAS, Adiiiinil, ;Vi.
J)t(i,u. Piofcssoi- K. P., 8.
Dicirjht, Thi'odorc, 8, 119.

EoMCNPTON, Cuplain. ll.->, io'i, IGO.

Vi-/ ■ -/, F' ^ i\
fklUnj, y\»\ Von, 8.
Ehrenkron, Colonol, (!0.

Ferdinand, Duku, xn.

Fiiil-,(inwY:\\, 100.

Fid,l, T. W., 8.

Fuhkill in:{.

/!>//, Cajitain, ^0, 2.">.

/'■<-//, Mrs. Ciiptain, ;27, 40, .1(1, 7:}.

Fox, Mr., 228.

/sVwfT, Jingiidier GnK-ral, 11.1; clc'ith of, 110 : hi, rial of, 121.

Fneiim/i, Captain, 101.

IWcmmi's farm, action of, 114.

Frederick, Prince, 1.1.

Freikrick, Prince, regiment of, ai.

(.J ALL, Brigadier General, 101.

Oarel, Mrs., 101.

Oittcs. General, 107; letter of, to Biirgoyiic, 124.

Ucwijb, Fort, 01.

Germaine; Lord George. 50.

Oermnine, Lady George, 50.

Hifliorn, 18.

Glirlz, ("onni, Ml.

Orecn, Captain, 130.

(frote, Mv. (le, 19.
(luildftmalin, Mr., 4.-5.
Gunther, General, 14

II.VLDIMAXT), r.ciural, 194, 198, 200, 203, 200, 313.

IfiniuHoh, Brif;a(li( r Gem lal, 104.

//«>•'/;/, Fort, 103.

lLtruii(i(\ Major, 114, \9.-l.

Jliirnofji , 3Irjs. Major, 129.

U(iy, IIoii. Will., 8.

llcme-IIiinau rc,i;iinfnt, 3/5.

Jliuilher, M. lie, llaiioNt'rian minister, 45.

Howe, General, 32, 61, 127.

JTowe, Colonel,' l.')2.

Jlotcml, Lady, 221.

Ihibcrton, action at, 9.').

llunthohU, Baron Von, Lii.

JeRU.SALEM, A1>1)c, 30.

Johnson, SirWm., 201.

,Mh\h Farm, General l?iedet>el stalioneil at, 97.

KaPP, Frederick, 8.

Kennedy, Dr., 200.

Kennaly, Mrs. Br., 210, 214.

Einiiskni, Deputy Adjutant General, lOT, HO.

Kityphausen, General, 177.

231

LaFAYKTTE, General, 112, 110.

Ltijcrt, 19.

Loos, General, 176.

MaSSOW, Ucrr Von, Hillier of Mrs. General P.icdesd, 10, 13.
MiHiviw, Priuee of H.i.vony, 100.
Meiningen, 8.
Milhr, Fort, 97.
Montreal, 31.

282 is'DKX.

MunKcll, Joel, 6.

Newfoundland, nimks of, 214.

jYf)//', Isle nu, fW.
Korth, Loril, 44, 2^3.

O'CONNELL, Oiiptiiiii. 44.
Ofiborm, Coloiid, 14<,t.

PaASCH, Mu.biiiic, IS), 22(!,

PdcrHham. Lord, Vi;}, Vli\.

riulUpn, (UnLTiil, 01, 78, 104, 125, IGO, 107,171, 177; deiilh of,48.').

Pli/mou(h, 2\.

PortiiHonth . ii2.

iW/ici, Captain, 81.

Quebec, 25; (Uscnpiion oc, 75.

ReDEN, Adjtitiuit.lo.

/iV'/,v,t, Coniil Jlcniy the XLIV, 10.

Iii:yiu'h, Mrs., 120.

limh'sd, Mrs. Gi'iicral, .<k('ti.h of her life, Ui: letter to her niother,
;}(); leiive-s Wolt'eubUltel, ;>8; arrive.-; iu London, 42; iulveulnre in
London, 45; arrives in Uri.-tol. 4(1; iueidents of her stay in
Bristol, 48: sets out for Porlsmouth, 51 ; returns to London, 50;
visits the king iiud queen under the (inspires of Lady Geoig-c
Cterniaine, 59; sails for (hteliee, 62; diar^- of her journey from
Porlsmouth to Quebec, (>S; sets out from Quebee to join her
husband, 81; arrives at Three Rivers, 82; rejoins her husband,
84; returns to Tliree J{i\ers, 85; deseription of the i^rand-
vicar of 'J'hreo Uivers and his housekeeper, 8(); visits the
L'rsiliuc convent, 87; sets out again to j(.iin her husband, 89;
pas'ies an uncomfortable niu,ht on Hattlesnake islaiul. !K1; ]iasses
through Fort treorge and arrives at Fort Edward, 91 ; resides at
tlie lied House in Fort Edward, !i2 ; account of her journey with
the army on its inarch to Saratoga, 113; is an eye wilness o)' the
battle of Freeman's farm, 114; attends the wounded ofh,':er
Young, 115; the action of the 8th of October, lltj ; ministers t.i

/.\7»/''.V.

2^:1

tlie wahls of Fmzcr and is luesfiit iii liis (li>atli — iilTrctinfr ficcount.
oflhe scene, 121; licr i-cMiinit-ccnocs ol' Lady JIariict Arklaiid,
advises her to t-o to tlie American camp, Vi:\ ; arrives at Sarnlojra
Oil the retreat, 125; seeks refuge in a (ullar diirim;- tlie hoiniiard-
jncnt, 120; after the capitulation of lJuru'oyne sets out with tjie
army for Candn-idge, l;j4 ; is entertained by ( Jeneral Hchuyler and
his will' in Albiiny, VM\ arrives in Boston, 188; is quartered
m Cambridge, 139; celebrates the birthday of the <|ueeu of
E'lgland, l;«l; pays a visit to Jfrs. Carter, a diuighter of (ie-
neial Schuyler, 110; sets out for Virginia, 148; incidents of the
j lurncy, 145; invites La Fayette to dinner, 140; arrives in Vir-
ginia, 134; account of her stay in tlial province, 155; nuikes tlie
acquaintance of Madame (larel at Prederick->pring, 158 ; habits of
the Virginians, slavery, itc, 159; sets out to join her husband
at Yorktown, 160; arrives at Elizabeth-town, 104 ; visits Iktlde-
hem, a :M(iravian eomnumity, 100; reaches In ew York, 107; visits
as a guest Governor Tryon, 108; also tlie country seat of General
Clinton, 170; 's uverwhelined witli attentions during her slay in
New York, 171 ; attends a ball (of which she is ([ueeii) in honor
of the queen's birthday, 172; sifl'ers for the want of fire wood,
173; is brought to lied witli a daugliter, whicii she names
America, 177; again visits the country seat of General Clinton,
and sees shijis wrc(.'ked at Hell-gate, 179; removes to Long
Island on tlie present Brooklyn heights, 183; sails lor Quebec,
180; touches at Nova Scotia when she and her husband are
cordially Avelcomed by the governor, 189; enters the St. Law-
rence, 191 ; account of the Canadian peasantry, 192 ; arrivis in
Quebec, Ifll; pleasant relations with General ITaldimand, visits
him at Montreal, 190; description of a C:anadian m inter, 197;
visits with ITaldimand the Montmorency, 203 ; is again brought
to bed with a daughter, 205; its death, 300; visits Sorell, 209;
returns to Quebec, and embarks for England, 210; aec(nint of
lier return journey to Europe, 312; arrives at Porismouth, 219;
sets out for London, 220 ; dines with Governor Tryon 221 ; visits
the royal taiuily, 222; makes the acquaintance of Lord North
and Mr. Fox, 223; embarks at Deal for Germany, 223; ariives in
the Elbe, and lands in the night at Stade, 325; arrives at Wolfen-
btlttcl, 220; witnesses the entry of her husband into that city at
the head of his troops, 227; goes to Brunswick, 22S; her death,
15; names and histories f)f heV children, 10.
. 80

284

i.\/>/:\.

Rleiiesd, Oencrnl P'rcdcrick, his niiirriiijrc, 15; Irttfrs to liis wifd,
17, IH, JO. 20, 21, 22, 2:i, 2 1, 25, 2m, ;J0. :il, :i;i, ;!4, ;I5. (iJi, ltd. rl7,
7i>; Joiiniul 1)1" liin cimiiniii;!! with Hiivi;oyii(«, written by himself,
M; has 11 sunstrckc while ill Viruiniii, 157; >j,()es t.i) New York
to lie oxcliMiijred, 1(10; hecoiues very ill, 180 ; ree('iveH iicoiiiinMiMl
on lionu Isianii, 18!J ; returns to Ciiiehei: and receives a eoiiimaiKl
at Sorell, lUl; returns to WollenhUttel al the head of his troojirt,
227; arrives at Bninswiek, 228; is raised to the rank of lieiiteu-
ant-Lti'iieral, aiul is appointed t'oinniuiulanl of the city of Hruns-
wiek, 15 ; death, 15.

Itotiiihaii, Baron, 8.

Uil::iMUUi, 21.

ii-/mV/, iMr., 221.

KiimU, Mrs., 58, 221.

Sa1NTON(U-:, ,ii;i'aiid- vicar, at Three llivers, ti5.

Stiint JAiinrnr^tWvr, 28.

Hiivit Jiihii, (i7.

SiiniUiijii^ eapiliilation, at, 111.

i<<-hlkff('/i, General, 42.

S-/i"j/lir, (General Philip, 0, l:!0.

)Silliii<(iii, Professor, 5.

Sk,eii«linmii'jli ( WhilehaH), mi, 110

S'a'ii, (^ijitain, i^'overiior of Georgia, 71.

S'xrht, liieult'iiant Colonel, ;M.

^•^jiiiwr, Carl, 12.

/S/ii(I<; 20, 224.

Stijiu, Mr., David, 8.

Tic()N1)]:k(hia,!ii.

Thrct' Jiinrs, (15, 85.
Touii-diiamH, Colonel, (i5.
'IVyon, r.eneral, 1(18, 172, 1 18, 221

VaI.KNTINH, David'!'., 8.

Washington, General, u, iii5.

WiUhoii, Mr., a ricii Lomloii banker, 01.

/\/)/:'\.

285

\Vif//it, Isli; of, (Imifrcrous liindint; iit, '217.

WHkimoii, GoiKTiil, puMislicn portions of AfiKlttnu' HleilcHcrs lotters, T).

Willoc, C'aplaiii, M^), !)!), li'A, 171.

W'/nitl), Coloiiul, sponsor nt ii 1):i|>ti<ni, 177.

I OUXG, Captain, in Suvcn Yuiirs' War, 5.").
I'van'j, Mrs. Captain, ."ili.

Zel

LE, arrival al, 'i-i*\.