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The Military Journal of George Ewing:
Were I to describe the hardships and the difficulties we underwent from this time untill the 4 of October no person but those who were with us would credit my relation therefore I chuse to pass it over in silence rather than those who should se this work should think me guilty of an Hyperbole-- October 3d the whole army receivd orders to hold themselves in ready= =ness to march this evening without their packs about eleven at they marchd off and about daybreak the next morning attackd the enemy at Germantown and drove them for some considerable distance but the morning being foggy and the smoak of the battle rendering the air very dark we could not distinguish our friends from our the Genl thought proper to retire which we did to Paulins Mills on Perkiomg
Page Twenty Four Here we lay a day or two and then marchd to White Marsh hills where we lay near a month and then the enemy came out threatning to drive us from there where they lay for three days in view of us but finding that we paid no regard to their threats they ene marchd back again a day or two after this we marchd from the hills in order to cross the Schuylkiln at a bridge we had built for this purpose but in this we were disappointed for just as we began to cross we were met by the enemy which made our troops to recross and cut down the bridge we then marchd a few miles and lay in the woods that night and the next day and at night crossd the Bridge and marchd to the Gulf Mills where we lay for some days
From here we marchd to the Valley Forge in order to take up Winter Quarters here we built huts in the following manner the huts are built in three lines each line four deep five yards asunder the huts eighteen by sixteen feet long six feet to the eves built of loggs and covered with staves the chimney in the east end the door in the South side the Officers huts in the rear of the mens twelve men in each hut and two corres of Officers in a hut.
Page Twenty Six 1778 January/ About the tenth of this month We got into our huts and I was Visited by my Uncle James Ewing who staid with me for three days 29th This day I was on fatigue building a brest work to defend the Middle line of the Camp had the Pleasure to meet with Mr. David Sayre who spent the Evening with me by whom I wrote to my Uncle Joshua Ewing 30th This day visited and Dined with Lieuts Bowen & Elmer of the Train in the Evening had company who staid very latte and spent the even at Cards -- 31st Rains very fast the whole day This morning we drrew a Gallon of spirits to each Mess of Officers in the Brigade
Page Twenty Seven Feby 4th Obtained a furloug of B G Maxwell and prepared to set out in the morning for Cohansey 5th This Morning set out on horseback in company with Mr. John Downey this Night logd at Dunks fery on Delaware as we pass through Smithfield we heard that last Night a party of the Enemy came out to this place and took of Coll Coats of the Militia this is 14 miles from Philad
Page Twenty Eight 6th Crosd Delaware and proceeded to Haddonfield where I saw many of my old acquantance among the Melita here I spent about two Hours and then rode to Mr. Lees in Sandtown where I spent the night this afternoon and night it raind very fast 7th Rode to the Blue Ball where I breakfasted and met with Major Maskell and Mr Tomlinson and had the pleasure to ride in Company with them to Roadstown I found my friends all in good health 8th Lordsday went to Meeting and from thence to my Uncle Joshua Ewings Snowd very fast
Page Twenty Nine 9th This day the snow was so deep that did not stir out In the evening had inteligence of an armd Schooner supposd to belong to the enemy that was drove ashore on Dunks Beach 10th This Morning went down with a considerable number of the Melitia to attack the Schooner if she provd an Enemy but she had got off and gone but provd to be in the service of the States this afternoon went to Roadstown 11th Raind very hard so that I did not stir out
Page Thirty 20th Nothing worth mentioning hapend untill this day except that I spent my time very agreeably among the Ladies This day I inlisted Benjamin Shurmer to serve During the present War 24th If I mistake not a part of the Enemy landed at Balensport and Marchd to Salem the Melita was cald to oppose them and I set out with them this day I met with Mr. Duclos and had a great deal of pleasure in his company we rode to Hancocks Bridge and then to Greenwich |
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