March 31. 1777
Just about five months past at the end of October, Guppy ran up to me at the boatyard where I was about my work. He waved the New Hampshire Gazette in my face all excited by the notice it contained. It read something to the affect of,
The private armed Brig Dolton of Newburyport, Eleazer Johnston, Esq. Commander, will put in at Kittery Point on or about Nov. 15th. She is preparing for a 12 week cruise and will sail on Nov. 25th. Any gentlemen volunteer or others who wish to enter on board said ship should apply to Captain Johnston at the public house on Kittery Point.
Guppy is my old friend and I have sailed with him before and he knew this would be a good opportunity to strike back at the British and make some money at the same time, just as many of our other Piscataqua men have recently. We both are familiar with Capt. Johnston who is a fine sailor and I thought this a good plan. My only misgiving was my promise to Rebecca to give up the sea life and work on shore. But the cruise was for a limited time and it certainly provided more opportunity for action and prize money than my recent militia service at Fort Washington or Kittery Point defending the approach to Portsmouth. There was initial excitement at the beginning of the war with rumor the British would attempt to take back Portsmouth but since that time they had made no attempt and we in the militia had sat by idly without contributing to the war effort. I broached the subject with Rebecca and after long discussion she agreed reluctantly to my plan.
Friday, March 31, 2006
Thursday, March 30, 2006
March 30. 1777
The rumors we heard yesterday were true and the Apollo did indeed sail today. We watched as she ran down through Hamoaze into Plymouth Sound with General Burgoyne on his way to bring a pay day to his troops.
We are turned down to the lower gun deck every night at the evening gun and as I lay in my hammock it becomes increasingly difficult to sleep with the coughing and moaning coming from our sick. More of our men fall ill every day with several more being sent up to the Royal Hospital. I have been remarkable healthy since the fever I had recently but I fear I will be stricken with something more serious.
The lad caught stealing several days ago was caught again last night rummaging through the belongings of some of the sick who had been sent up to the hospital. He was made to run the gauntlet again today.
The rumors we heard yesterday were true and the Apollo did indeed sail today. We watched as she ran down through Hamoaze into Plymouth Sound with General Burgoyne on his way to bring a pay day to his troops.
We are turned down to the lower gun deck every night at the evening gun and as I lay in my hammock it becomes increasingly difficult to sleep with the coughing and moaning coming from our sick. More of our men fall ill every day with several more being sent up to the Royal Hospital. I have been remarkable healthy since the fever I had recently but I fear I will be stricken with something more serious.
The lad caught stealing several days ago was caught again last night rummaging through the belongings of some of the sick who had been sent up to the hospital. He was made to run the gauntlet again today.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
March 29. 1777
I spoke with Samuel Cutler our ship’s clerk today. He informed me that General Burgoyne will be sailing for Halifax tomorrow with a large sum of money to pay his troops who are stationed in Canada. He sails aboard the 32 gun frigate Apollo. Would that one of our privateers should capture his ship. That would make a fine prize.
I spoke with Samuel Cutler our ship’s clerk today. He informed me that General Burgoyne will be sailing for Halifax tomorrow with a large sum of money to pay his troops who are stationed in Canada. He sails aboard the 32 gun frigate Apollo. Would that one of our privateers should capture his ship. That would make a fine prize.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
March 28. 1777
As with many other rumors told us by our British sentries the one told us yesterday concerning our move on shore to Mill Prison proved to be false. Many of us were almost viewing this as a positive thing, providing us a change and perhaps more room to move about. Instead we are to remain aboard this ship indefinitely with little contact to the world.
As with many other rumors told us by our British sentries the one told us yesterday concerning our move on shore to Mill Prison proved to be false. Many of us were almost viewing this as a positive thing, providing us a change and perhaps more room to move about. Instead we are to remain aboard this ship indefinitely with little contact to the world.
Monday, March 27, 2006
March 27. 1777
We are told that we will be sent up to Mill Prison tomorrow but this has not been confirmed by Captain Bowyer or our Captain Johnston. We continue to be in a sickly way. This past week one of our men broke out with small pox and was sent up to the Royal Hospital. About forty of us have the itch now but William Smith, Francis Little, and John Abbot one of our Portsmouth men were bad enough for the surgeon to send them up to the hospital. He visits us twice a day, morning and evening. I am trying to get word on Joseph’s condition.
We are told that we will be sent up to Mill Prison tomorrow but this has not been confirmed by Captain Bowyer or our Captain Johnston. We continue to be in a sickly way. This past week one of our men broke out with small pox and was sent up to the Royal Hospital. About forty of us have the itch now but William Smith, Francis Little, and John Abbot one of our Portsmouth men were bad enough for the surgeon to send them up to the hospital. He visits us twice a day, morning and evening. I am trying to get word on Joseph’s condition.
Sunday, March 26, 2006
March 26.1777
It is four months since sailing from Portsmouth New Hampshire. How bold and confident we were that day when we sailed on the ebb tide down the swift waters of the Piscataqua. H0w full of good cheer and goodwill we were on the night that Captain Johnston conducted his recruting party at the inn in Kittery. We raised our cups to the good health and good luck of each man many times that night. Now half of us are sick, we have little hope of going home again and even smaller hope of good fortune. With tight quarters and idle time tempers grow short and disputes little and big break out nearly every day.
It is four months since sailing from Portsmouth New Hampshire. How bold and confident we were that day when we sailed on the ebb tide down the swift waters of the Piscataqua. H0w full of good cheer and goodwill we were on the night that Captain Johnston conducted his recruting party at the inn in Kittery. We raised our cups to the good health and good luck of each man many times that night. Now half of us are sick, we have little hope of going home again and even smaller hope of good fortune. With tight quarters and idle time tempers grow short and disputes little and big break out nearly every day.
Friday, March 24, 2006
March 24. 1777
Our thief was caught last night, a youth aged 13 caught while attempting to steal some leftover food. He was caught in a trap intentionally layed for him. Some of the men earlier in the evening had mentioned their stock of food layed by the way. After lights out several remained awake. In the near pitch black of the night they could hear someone quietly rummaging through their stock and they set up the alarm which brought the sentry and other marines. The youth was caught by the neck until the guards came. This morning the first lieutenant conferred with Captain Johnston and he has allowed us to punish the young thief ourselves. Captain Johnston informed him that stealing in a ship’s crew was a serious crime and could not go unpunished. The shirt was stripped from his back and we formed two lines along the length of our deck and made him run the gauntlet twice with each of us thrashing his back with nettles given us by the British. I dare say he will not sleep on his back tonight while the rest of us sleep soundly.
Our thief was caught last night, a youth aged 13 caught while attempting to steal some leftover food. He was caught in a trap intentionally layed for him. Some of the men earlier in the evening had mentioned their stock of food layed by the way. After lights out several remained awake. In the near pitch black of the night they could hear someone quietly rummaging through their stock and they set up the alarm which brought the sentry and other marines. The youth was caught by the neck until the guards came. This morning the first lieutenant conferred with Captain Johnston and he has allowed us to punish the young thief ourselves. Captain Johnston informed him that stealing in a ship’s crew was a serious crime and could not go unpunished. The shirt was stripped from his back and we formed two lines along the length of our deck and made him run the gauntlet twice with each of us thrashing his back with nettles given us by the British. I dare say he will not sleep on his back tonight while the rest of us sleep soundly.
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