A Journal from British-Occupied Long Island, 1776, Pt. 5
Diary entries of a female witness to the British occupation of Long Island, New York, during the American Revolutionary War.
Location: Long Island, New York, USA
From Personal Recollections of the American Revolution; A Private Journal, Prepared from Authentic Domestic Records, by Lydia Post, 1859.
Note: This article has been excerpted from a larger work in the public domain and shared here due to its historical value. It may contain outdated ideas and language that do not reflect TOTA’s opinions and beliefs.
[On August 27, 1776, British troops won a crucial early victory in the American Revolutionary War. In the Battle of Long Island, the British defeated General George Washington and seized control of the Port of New York and its surrounding areas. New York would remain under British occupation until 1783. This journal, compiled by Lydia Post, is from the personal writings of Grace Barclay, the wife of an officer of the Revolution, as she witnessed British occupation on Long Island. Click here to read Part Four.]
Tuesday, 1781 [Further date information missing]
The news of the battle of Yorktown confirmed. Some months since General Washington broke up the camp at White Plains and crossed the Hudson river, passed quietly through the Jerseys and the Province of Pennsylvania, and joined the young Marquis de la Fayette, who commanded a large force at Elk river.
Here they separated the forces, one body sailing for Virginia, the other marching for the same point.
At a place called Chester (I believe in the Province of Pennsylvania), General Washington heard the joyful news of the arrival of twenty-four French ships of the line, under Count de Grasse.
They had an engagement with the enemy under Admiral Graves, in which the French Allies were victors, and left masters of the Bay of Chesapeake.
The whole American force under Washington surrounded the king's troops at Yorktown; they were blockaded by land and by water by an army (including French and militia) of 16,000.
The tremendous firing of artillery took the enemy by storm; they could neither rally nor recover. Their batteries and defences were completely demolished; their guns were silenced, and no hope of relief or way of escape remained.
On the 17th of October, Lord Cornwallis, the British commander of the land forces, proposed a cessation of hostilities, and two days afterwards surrendered; and articles were signed by which the troops, stores, and shipping fell into the hands of General Washington. Thus was the pride of the royal army laid low.
The thanks and praise be to God! We do not dare ascribe it to the strength of an arm of flesh, but to the righteousness of our cause, and to the might and power our great commander hath been endued with from on high.
The people are cautious in their expressions, being surrounded by the British; but their joy is irrepressible at the good news, though no public demonstration can be made.
Divine service was performed in the American brigades, and the Commander-in-Chief recommended that all who were not on duty should join in worship, enjoining "a serious deportment, and that sensibility of heart which the recollection of the surprising and particular interposition of Divine Providence in our favor claims."
Wednesday
While joy reigns in a large portion of the country, we are not released from persecution. It has indeed been at times almost beyond endurance. "Day unto day uttereth speech." Sometimes we are ready to exclaim, "Wo is the day that ever my eyes saw the light!" But the morning is breaking; our Father in heaven hath not utterly hid his face from us.
November 5th
My husband writes most cheeringly. The letter was brought by a friend of Major Musgrave, who wished to make inquiries respecting him, and take charge of his effects. The gentleman seemed to have loved him well, and to have appreciated the sweetness and delicacy of his nature. He was much moved at my recital of the Major's sufferings, mental and bodily. We weep, but not for him; he sleepeth well.
A day of public thanksgiving. May the incense of prayer and praise ascend from the altar of my heart!
My honored father participates in the general joy; not for the discomfiture of the British, but from the hope of peace, which his soul loveth, and the healing of discord.
January 1st, 1782
It is the first day of the year. The little ones are very merry, and are wishing all they meet "a happy coming year." It is for them a pleasant day, but we are saddened by its recurrence. The sunshine of their hearts is not clouded; blessed season of hope and joy! In my own, too, it dawns more brightly than the last. My loved partner is not here, but I have cause to sing the song of deliverance, in that his precious life hath been preserved amid so many and great dangers, which he has never shunned but rather courted. Is not the prospect brightened for my country since this time last year? And for him whom the voice of men placed at the helm — the great Washington — is there no joy, no gratitude, in the deep places of my heart, that God hath raised him up, hath preserved, hath prospered him?
August 10th
News of Lord North's resignation of the office of Prime Minister, and the forming of a new cabinet, who advise His Majesty to discontinue the war. Glorious news! Heaven grant it may be true. It is certain the war has proved but great loss of life and treasure, without any real gain to English valor, or concession on the part of the Colonies.
Faces of men, women, and children, brighten with expectation of better times. May their hope be not again over-clouded! In war there is not a gleam of light to illuminate the darkness. Its practices are adverse to the law of conscience, and lacerating to the feeling heart.
We are ready to shout the pean of victory, to exult afar off in the triumph, and to cheer on the conflict. Buf could we witness the heart-sickening details, see the loathsome reality, hear the piercing groan, the horrid imprecation, the fiendish laugh, we should "rejoice with trembling," and mourn the necessity, while we return thanks for the victory.
Then let us pause in silence, and while the good angel of our thoughts brings to our recollection the frightful Gorgon-brood of evils which follow in the train of War, pray without ceasing that Peace may come and reign in our land.
April 23rd, 1783
The cry of peace resounds! The news came to-day. The children ran from school, dismissed by the teacher, that all might share in the general joy. They are told that some great good has happened, they know not what. The time will come when they will experience and treasure it as the highest favor vouchsafed by a kind Providence. God be praised!
The soldiers and Hessians are moving off in bands, and the sick are left behind to follow after. Many of the poor creatures have formed attachments, and the ties of kindness and gratitude are hard to break. The human heart, of whatever clime or station, will respond to good treatment; and it is cheering and delightful to observe that, in spite of the greatest personal inconvenience, by patience and good offices, we may awaken interest and gratitude in those beneath us.
Many of them begged to be permitted to remain in some menial capacity; but the ties of kindred prevailed with the greater part.
Post, Lydia Minturn. Personal Recollections of the American Revolution; A Private Journal, Prepared from Authentic Domestic Records. Rudd and Carleton, 1859.
About TOTA
TOTA.world provides cultural information and sharing across the world to help you explore your Family’s Cultural History and create deep connections with the lives and cultures of your ancestors.
