A Journal from British-Occupied Long Island, 1776, Pt. 4
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 It may contain outdated ideas and language that do not reflect TOTA’s opinions and beliefs.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 Three.]
Tuesday, June, 1778
Papa and Charles safely returned [from New York]; the latter much excited by all he saw, and the former cheerful and well, having met with no difficulties. I trust that he may be spared to see many good days, or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl broken.
Charles gave me a vivid description of the plains around Jamaica, which were filled with white tents, and presented a pretty and lively aspect. In the village of Bruyklin, he says there are built many small one-story houses for the soldiers.
He saw a sight too in New York, which, with your republican notions, dearest Edward, would excite little emotion; but the very mention of which made the blood tingle in my veins. They saw a Prince of the blood royal! Prince William Henry.
He is about seventeen years old, very stout (my father thinks) for that age. The royal family are said to be inclined that way. King George is portly. The young Prince wears the British army uniform; he has a pleasant countenance, but very crooked, knock-kneed legs, of which you must know papa is a keen observer, a handsome limb being in his eyes of no small importance in view of personal appearance.
They saw the Prince passing down Queen Street. My father took off his hat as he walked near, and bade Charles do the same. This may be a great weakness; but the seed sown in youth by the honored dead, and nourished and grown with the growth, cannot be rooted out in a day.
The French fleet has sailed for the West Indies without having accomplished anything of importance, being unsuccessful in all its enterprises. A great disappointment. Well, if no other good effect follows, its presence inspired confidence in the Continental army, and importance in the eyes of the enemy.
There is great distress from the depreciation of our bills of credit; it dispirits and enfeebles exertion. General Washington sorely perplexed amid his murmuring men. Heaven grant speedy relief!
(The Journal is defective here, and several letters are wanting.)
September 10th
Battle of Camden. 16th August. Hard fought. The Continentals defeated. Baron de Kalb, a Prussian gentleman, slain. The second officer in command.
The greater part of our forces, militia, who fled at the first fire, and could not be rallied, which I cannot find in my woman’s heart to condemn, dear as freedom is to its every pulse. I can so vividly fancy myself standing up for the first time before the enemy’s murderous batteries, and the courage oozing out at my finger ends.
Tuesday
News to-day of the arrival of another French fleet. Seven ships of the line; 6,000 land troops, commanded by Count de Rochambeau, at Rhode Island.
Will give new life to Congress and the army.
October 5th
A letter from my husband; still inactive, the South having now become the principal seat of action, which I do not regret. The French fleet returned to France! Thus has perished our hope of naval assistance. It seems unaccountable. The land forces remain.
Thursday
A deeply interesting document from Edward, in which is recorded a most detestable and flagrant instance of treachery.
The Lord be praised, we have been delivered from the consequences!
A plot of General Benedict Arnold for giving into the hands of the enemy the fortress of West Point! Who can imagine what might have been the result had not the despicable design been providentially frustrated?
Arnold has acted with bravery in several actions. It is said the cause of his dreadful defection is that the laurels which he won at Saratoga were awarded to General Gates by Congress, and but little notice taken of his valor on that occasion. Is this any excuse for such Satanic revenge? A bad man, and never a true lover of his country.
A patriot would drain his heart’s blood for her, even though she should prove ungrateful.
Saturday
General Greene appointed to the command of the Southern division.
Monday
This neighborhood is still infested with the odious Hessians. They are so filthy and lazy, lounging about all day long, smoking and sleeping. The patience of the good Friends is inexhaustible. After filling up their parlors, kitchens, and bed-rooms, the whole winter with chests, liquor-casks, hammocks, bird-cages, guns, boots, and powder-flasks, they were last week ordered to Jamaica. Oh the rejoicing! It would flash out of the eye, though their discreet tongues spake it not.
The moment the Hessians took their leave Friend Pattison caused the broken places in the wall to be repaired, for the Colonel’s lady had the room ornamented all around with stuffed parrots, perched on sticks driven in the wall. The quarterly meeting of the Society is near at hand. They expect friends and relations to stop with them, and make preparations for their reception.
Well, all were putting their houses in order, when the appalling news spread like wildfire "The Hessians are coming back!"
Running to the window, I descried them in the distance like a cloud of locusts, dusky and dim; but the fife and drum, assailing our ears, if we needed additional evidence, convinced us that it was too true. They had indeed been ordered back. How many tears of vexation I shed!
Monday
Major Andre! How my heart bleeds for him! Tis true he was a spy, and he dies the death of a spy; but his many noble traits and accomplishments, ardent temperament, intrepidity and gentleness, win admiration, and excite compassion and regret. I cannot think of his bitter fate. General Washington, it is thought, would have granted his last affecting request (to die by the musket), but others sternly just, refused the boon, and he died ignominiously.
My father knew his family, and remembers him. A noble, handsome-looking man; tall, and of a remarkably well-proportioned person.
He is spoken of by the officers as the soul of honor. It seems strange that a person of his character could engage in such an undertaking. The noble sentiment of Amor Patrice becomes soiled when made the plea for clandestine actions, which will not bear the scrutiny of justice, the light of day.
And yet I grieve at his sad end. Is it on account of his fascinating qualities, the blandishment which rank, beauty, and chivalrous bearing cast around him? Or is it simply as a man that I pity and deplore him?
I trust he would have my sympathy, were he the humblest private in the British army.
Major Andre had an unfortunate attachment, and died with the miniature of the young lady close to his heart. An ignominious death—how shocking to his feelings!
Tuesday
I have not courage yet to open Major Musgrave’s manuscript, having a presentiment that it will be of a very sad nature.
Post, Lydia Minturn. Personal Recollections of the American Revolution; A Private Journal, Prepared from Authentic Domestic Records. Rudd and Carleton, 1859.
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