Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 21876, for Christian Osterman, New York
Page 1

(3-1776)
Service 
New York 

Osterman, Christian
Elizabeth 

Number 
W.21876
Page 2

20366

New York 
Albany Agency 

Christian Osterman 
of Schenectady County in the State of New York 
who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain McKeen of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Wynkoop in the New York line, for the  term of nine months from March 1776 to 22 December 1776

Inscribed on the roll of Albany Agency 
at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to 
commence on the 22nd day of November 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 23rd of November 1831 and sent to Hon. A Spencer
Albany New York 

Arrears to the 4th of March 1832 $27.43
Semi-anu'l all'ce ending 
$27.43

Recorded on Book D
Vol. 5 page 115
B.L.B
Page 3

Albany 3098
Elizabeth Osterman 
NY 
widow of Christian Osterman who was
a pensioner under Act Mach 1818
who died on the 5 March 1839
of Albany Co. in the State of N. York 
who was a Private in the company commanded 
by Captain McKeen of the regt commanded 
by Col. Wynkoop in the N. York 
line for 9 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany 
at the rate of 30 Dollars - Cents per ann
to commence on the 6th March 1839

Certificate of Pension issued the 5th day of Nov. 
1839 and sent to Lemuel 
Jenkins Albany, N.Y.

Arrears to the 4th of Sep '39   14.83
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar '40   15.00
$29.83

Revolutionary Claim 
Act July 4, 1836

Section the 3 Jany
Resolution July 1838 

Recorded by D. Brown   Clerk 
Book A. Vol 2. Page 114
Page 4

State of New York
County of Schenectady } On this second day of November in the year one thousand eight hundred and eighteen before me the subscriber one of the Judges of the court of common pleas of the county of Schenectady, personally appeared Christian Osterman, aged nearly sixty three years, resident in Duanesburgh, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provisions made by the late act of Congress entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval services of the United States, in the revolutionary war. That he the said Christian Osterman enlisted in Col. Wynkoop's Regiment State of New York. Capt. Robert McKeen's company continental troops
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in the year 1776 in the Marret and Nyack and served more than nine months and was discharged an cot by the enemy and that he was in no battles at that time but since at Johnstown and that he in in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his country for his support and that he has no other evidence near in his power of his said services bit is annexed. 
Christian Osterman 

Sworn to & declared 
before me the day and year 
aforesaid
Simon A Groot one of the Judges of the court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Schenectady

Christian Osterman
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4662
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State of New York
Albany County ss: On this 18th day f July in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine personally appeared before the Justices Court of the City of Albany (the same being a court of record) Elizabeth Osterman, a resident of the Town of Guilderland, in the said County of Albany, aged eighty two years and upward who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed July 4th 1836, and the joint resolution of July 7, 1838.
That she is the widow of Christian Osterman, who was a Soldier in the Army of the United States in the Revolutionary War, and at the time of his death, a pensioner under the Act of Congress of 18th of March 1818. 
She further declares that she was married to the said Christian Osterman on the eighth day of July in the year seventeen hundred and seventy seven; that her husband the aforesaid Christian Osterman died on the fifth day of March in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine. And that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will sure fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. 
She further declares that she was married at Caughnawaga in the county of Montgomery and the ceremony was performed by the Rev. McRomaya who was then the Pastor of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in that place. Also that her name previous to her marriage was Elizabeth Nukirk. also that she has never learned to write and therefore makes a marker cross for her signature. 
her
Elizabeth x Osterman 
mark

Sworn & subscribed on the day &
year first above written in open court
Witness the seal of said court 
& the signature of the Clerk thereof
J.G. Wasson Clk
Page 8

State of New York
Albany Justices Court ss Elias Gray of Guilderland in said County, being duly sworn deposeth that he is a son in law of the within named Christian Osterman and Elizabeth Osterman which the said Christian died on the fifth day of March last past leaving the said Elizabeth his widow who has ever since remained and now is such widow. 
Elias Gray
Sworn and subscribed this 18th day 
of July 1839 In Open Court 
J.G. Wasson Clk

It is hereby certified that the above deponent is a credible witness
Witness my hand and the seal of said court this 18th day of July 1839
J.G. Wasson Clk
Page 9

State of New York
Montgomery County} ss. I do certify that on oath, that it appears by the Register of Marriages of the reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Caughnanaya of which I have the custody, that Christian Osterman and Elizabeth Nukirk were married on the eighth Day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven. 
And I further certify that the following is a true copy of the record of said marriage, as contained in said Register, vix - "1777 July 8th Christian Osterman met Elizabeth Nukirk." and that the date is impressed in fair legible figures. 
Jacob D. Fonda

I Jacob Fonda above named depose and say that I hold the Office of Pastor of the above mentioned church, and that the above is a true  entrance from the record of said church, in words & figure as above written. 
Sworn & subscribed this 30th day 
of July 1839 before me
Jacob Groff Justice of the Peace
Jacob D. Fonda
Page 10

State of New York 
Montgomery County 
Clerk's Office ss. I do certify that the within named Jacob Graff Esquire whose name is subscribed to the jurat of the foregoing affidavit made on the day of the date thereof a Justice of the peace in and for said county and duly authorized by the law of the said state to administer oaths and that his signature subscribed to the same is genuine. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of my office this 30th day of July 1839
A.J. Connie Clerk
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V.L.W. 

Rev. War Section. 

January 4, 1921. 

Hon. Daniel A. Reed, 
House of Representatives. 

My dear Mr. Reed:
In response to your letter dated the 31st ultimo I have the honor to advise you that it appears in the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim W. File No. 31.876 that Christian Osterman enlisted in Tryon County, New York in March 1778, as a Private in Captain Robert McKean's Company, Colonel Wynkoop's Regiment and served until December 22, 1778. He was in no battles during the above noted period but was afterwards engaged in the battle of Johnstown. 
He was allowed pension on an application executed November 2, 1818, while a resident of Duanesburgh, Schenectady County, New York, aged "nearly sixty-three years."
He married July 8,1777, at Caughnawaga, N.Y. Elizabeth Nukirk, and died March 5, 1839. She was allowed pension on her application executed July 18, 1839, while a resident of Guilderland, Albany County, New York, aged eighty-two years. Elias Gray was a son-in-law, the name of his wife is not stated, and there is no other data on file as to his family. 
Very truly yours, 
F.D. Byington Commissioner.
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1921 Jany 4 Hist. to Hon. D.A. Reed

Rev 
Widow, & c. 

File No. 21.876
Elizabeth Osterman 
Widow of Christian Osterman 
Priv. Rev. War
Act: July 4, 1836

Index:- Vol. M, Page 104

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 13

Private July 8 1777
Husband died 5 March 1839

New York 3098
Elizabeth Osterman 
Act 1836 & 7 July 1838

Col. Wynkoop Capt. McKean
N.Y. cont. 

Admitted
Private 9 months

Lemuel Jenkins
Albany NY
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Judge Boyds
certificate
Page 15

Schenectady County 
Nov 10th 1831
In the case of Christian who is applying for a pension
I am perfectly satisfied that the witnesses sworn before me in the above case rt. John Bartholomew and Robert Casey are both entitled to credit being men sustaining a good & fair character. 
Given under my hand the day and year above written. 
D.Boyd
first Judge county of Schenectady
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pen: to com. Nov. 22 1831

Hon. A Spencer 
Albany, N.Y.
Page 17

Albany Nov 18th 1821

Sir:
I re-enclose to you Christian Osterman's papers, together with sounding documents, which I trust meet enclose all doubts, on the subject of his pension as they fully show most the witnesses procuring his service in Capt. McKeens company are credible and meet Col. Wynkoop was appointed by Congress a Col. of the 4th Battalion is proved by the Journals. The papers sent heretofore and now returned those that Osterman applied seasonably for a pension indeed it turns to me not the profile plenancy and as full as can be expected after such a lapse of years. 
I am well acquainted with Gen. John H. Wendell and unite in saying that he is a man of high respectability, truth, & honor Should thought be to any dispute of proof which cannot be anticipated, I beg to be informed. 
With high respecy
Your obet. Servt. 
A Spencer

Hon. Lewis Cass
Secretary of War
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Gerrit S. Veeder's 
aft.
Page 19

I Garrit S. Veeder of the town of Rotterdam in the County of Schenectady do certify that I was a Captain in the Regiment commanded by Cornelius D. Wynkoop during the whole of the company in 1776. That said Regiment was in the service of the United States then the United Colonies. That the pay and muster rolls of the company commanded by me of which I have yet some upon all state the said Wynkoop to be the Colonel of said Regiment and I have no doubt he  was Colonel thereof. That said Regiment was called the fourth Battalion by Congress by commission stated 1st March 1776.
Gerrit. S. Veeder
I Samuel W. Jones a Judge of the County Courts in and for Schenectady County do certify that on the 11th November 1831 before me appeared Gerrit S. Veeder named in the
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above certificate and he being by me duly sworn did depose that the matters stated in the said certificate are true and I further certify that the said Gerrit D. Veeder is a respectable man and a credible witness. 
S.W. Jones
Page 21

County of Schenectady ss:
Personally appeared before me David Boyd First Judge of the County of Schenectady on the 12th day of October 1831 Jellis A. Fonda formerly Clerk of said County who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he was employed during the month of November in the year eighteen hundred and eighteen by Christian Osterman of the Town of Duanesburgh whose oath is hereto annexed to prepare his papers and to forward them to Washington for the purpose of obtaining for him the said Osterman the provision or pension allowed to old soldiers, that owing to the circumstance of his discharge from the service being lost and to other causes not known to this Deponent he did not at that time succeed in his endeavors to get the said pension. Notwithstanding the affidavit of his services were forwarded to the Department. And further this deponent saith not. 
Jellis A Fonda
Sworn before me
this 13th October 1831
D. Boyd First Judge County of Schenectady
Page 22

County of Schenectady ss. Personally appeared before me David Boyd First Judge of the County of Schenectady, Christian Osterman, of the Town of Duanesburgh, whose oath on a former occasion is hereto appended and made oath to the following facts, That in the month of Nov Eighteen hundred and Eighteen he applied through his agent Jellis A Fonda Clerk of the aforesaid County to the War Department for the benefit of the Pension allowed to Revolutionary soldiers that owing to causes unknown to him he did not at that time obtain it. That he applied again some where about four years ago, but that not having received his papers back from the war  department he is ignorant of what became of them. And further he deposes not. 
Sworn before me this 13th day of Oct 1831
D Boyd first 
Judge County of
Schenectady

Christian Osterman
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Albany August 1 1839
James L Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir
I herewith transmit the declaration and proofs in the case of Mrs. Elizabeth Osterman in support of her claim for a pension under the Act of July 4, 1836 & the jurat resolution of July 7, 1838.
Her husband was a pensioner under the act of 18 March 1818. 
I am sir, 
Very respectfully
Your obed. servt
Lemuel Jenkins
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Christian Osterman 
Papers
Page 25

21.893
Page 26

County of Schenectady ss
John Bartholomew & Robert Casey of the Town of Florida in the County of Montgomery, being duly sworn and examined do depose and say that they these deponents were well acquainted with Christian Osterman referred to in the preceding declaration and depositions during the revolutionary war; that they these deponents were privates in the company commanded by Captain Robert McKeen and know that said Christian served in said Company also as a private, and for the term of nine months as in said declaration specified and further that he was regularly and honorably discharged from said service at the time in said declaration set forth and belief of these deponents. 
(Signed) John Bartholomew
Robert Casey
Subscribed & Sworn
this 25 day of April 
1831, before me

D Boyd
first Judge Schenectady County
Page 27

State of New York
County of Schenectady 
Clerk's Office
ss. 
I, John S. Vrooman Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the Deposition taken by John Bartholomew and Robert Casey in the matter of the application of Christian Osterman a resident in said County, for a pension under the Acts of Congress of 18th March 1818 and the 1st May 1820, which deposition is on file in this office, and is the identical one referred to in my certificate dated the twenty sixth day of April last past, and given by order of the judges of said Court in open Court & being the testimony corroborating that of said Christian, which declaration accompanied said certificate and a duplicate whereof is on file in this office. 
Given under my hand and seal of office this tenth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-one
John S. Vrooman 
Clerk
Page 28

State of New York
County of Schenectady
Court of Common Pleas ss.
On this twenty sixth day of April 1831, personally appeared in Open Court Christian Osterman a resident in said County, aged seventy five years and four months, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the Acts of Congress of the 18th March 1818, and the 1st May 1820, that he the said Christian Osterman enlisted for the term of nine months in the first week (and according to the best of the recollection of him the said Christian on the second day) of the month of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy six, in the (then County of Tryon now) County of Montgomery in the State of New York in the company commanded by Captain Robert McKeen in a Regiment then under command of Col. Wynkoop in the line of the State of New York, on the Continental Establishment; that he continued to serve in said Corps until the twenty second day of December in the year last aforesaid when he was discharged from the service in the town of Johnstown in said County of Montgomery; that he hereby relinquishes every claim what ever to a pension except the present, that his name is not on the roll of any state. 
Christian Osterman
Page 29

In pursuance of the Act of the 1st May 1820, I the said Christian Osterman, do further solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the  United States on the Eighteenth day of March 1818, and that I have not since that time by gift, sale, or in any manner disposed of my property, or in any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War" passed on the 18th day of March 1818; and that I the said Christian, have not, nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities, contracts or debts due to me, nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed. 
Christian Osterman
I the said Christian am a farmer, but am unable to pursue me occupation in consequence of old age and general debility arising from several maladies to which I am subject. My family consists of myself and my wife, who is seventy-five years aged and unable to contribute to my support. I have no real estate of any description nor have I had any for many years previous to the year one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, and have no personal property except one cow, and a few articles of kitchen furniture and necessary clothing and bedding for myself and my wife. 
Christian Osterman
Page 30

The foregoing declaration, deposition and schedule were severally signed and sworn to in open court before the Judges thereof, the day and year first aforesaid. 
John S. Vrooman 
Clerk of said court 

State of New York
County of Schenectady
Court of Common Pleas ss. I, John S. Vrooman Clerk of said Court, do hereby certify, that upon the oath of the before named Christian Osterman, and the corroborative testimony of John Bartholomew & Robert Casey on file among the records of this Court it satisfactorily appears to this Court that the said Christian Osterman did serve in the revolutionary war as stated in the preceding declaration, against the Common enemy for the term of nine months under one engagement on the Continental establishment. I also certify that the foregoing oath, and the schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the records of said Court and I do further certify that
Page 31

it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule does not exceed the sum of Thirty Dollars. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this twenty sixth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-one. 
John S. Vrooman Clerk
Page 32

City & County of Albany
State of New York }ss. John H. Wendell of the City of Albany, being duly sworn doth depose & say, that he was appointed by the Continental Congress a Captain in Col. Wynkoop's Regiment & received a commission to said office under the signature of John Hancock Esquire then President of said Congress, bearing date the first day of March 1776 which commission is now in the possession of this Deponent. And this deponent further saith that immediately hereafter, he procured an enlistment & to organize his company & in the month of May hereafter he marched according to the best of his recollection to Lake George. That this deponent knew and was acquainted with Capt. McKeen who was also a Captain in said Col. Wynkoop's Regiment & that this deponent believes and has no doubt that all the officers of said Regiment including the said Capt. McKeen were appointed and commissioned at the same time this deponent received his appointment and this deponent further saith that he well recollects the said Capt. McKeen was a Captain and acted as such during the said year 1776 in said Col. Wynkoops Regiment & further he saith not. 
J. H. Wendell
Subscribed and sworn before me
this 19th day of November 1831
James McKown
Recorder of Albany

I certify that I am well acquainted with the above named John H. Wendell & that he sustains a fair and irreproachable character as a man of truth and veracity. Albany November 19th 1831
James McKown 
Recorder of Albany
Page 33

Extracts from the Journals of the Continental Congress of 1776
Page 34

Nov 16
1831

W. Aug. S. North Esq. 
Duanesburgh
Page 35

Extracts from the Journals of the Continental Congress
Saturday January 27th 1776
The Committee of Claims reported that there is due 
To Colonel C. Wynkoop for expenses in bringing a party of prisoners from St. Johns the sum of 765.7 dollars of which 86.2 dollars ought to be charged to the officers of the said party of prisoners Vol 2. p 40

Friday January 19th 1776
Resolved that four battalions he raised in the Colony of New York for the defense of that colony upon the same pay with those to be raised in the Colony of Pennsylvania and that they be stationed as the corresponding officer of the New York department think but to garrison the several forth in that colony from Crown Point to the southward and to present depreciations upon Long Island and promote the safety of the whole. 
Ordered that a copy of the foregoing resolution be transmitted to the council of safety of New York and that they be requested with all possible expedition to transmit to Congress the names of a number of gentlemen at least two for each command out of whom the Congress may act field officers for said battalions. Vol 2 p 30

Thursday February 8th 1776
Ordered - That the sum of 12000 dollars be advanced to the convention of committee of safety of New York for the use of the four battalions ordered to be raised there. That the same be transmitted by the delegates of that Colony that said convention or committee of safety to be accountable.
Vol 2. p. 55
Page 36

Thursday February 22d 1776
Resolved that the President be directed to write to the Convention of New York and desire them to inform Congress what progress they have made in raising the four battalions recommended to be raised in that colony for the defense of the same - Vol 2. p 73

Monday March 4 1776
Sunday letters read viz
A letter from the Convention of New York of 28th February including a recommendation of gentlemen for field offices of the four battalions ordered to be revised in that Colony. Resolved that the same be referred for consideration till tomorrow- Vol 2. p. 81

Thursday March 7 1776
Resolved that tomorrow be assigned for electing the field officers of the four battalions ordered to be raised in the colony of New York for the defense of the said Colony. 

Friday March 8 1776
Agreeable to the order of the day the Congress proceeded to the election of field officers of the four battalions ordered to be raised in the Colony of New York for the defense of the said Colony and the ballots being taken the following gentlemen were chosen
Alexander McDougal Esq Colonel 
Herman Gedwite Esq Lt. Colonel 
Joseph Benedict Major 
of the 1st Battalion

James Clinton Esq. Colonel 
Henry B. Livingston Esq. Lt. Colonel 
Peter P. Sineyter Esq. Major
" 2d battalion

no Colonel sworn
Hendrick Wiesenfels Esq Lt. Colonel 
John Fisher Esq. Major  
3d bn 

Cornelius D. Wynkoop Esq. Colonel 
Phillip Courtlandt Esq. Lt Col. 
John Nicholson Esq. Major 
4th bn 

Vol 2 p. 85
Page 37

Tuesday March 12 1776 
Resolved that if any of the gentlemen appointed field officers in the four battalions raising in New York for the defense of the Colony are provided for in Canada they be directed to continue there exercising the offices to which they are appointed, and that others be elected in their room in the four battalions aforesaid, and that much of them as are not provided for in Canada be directed immediately to repair to their respective battalions- Vol. 2. p. 90

Thursday March 28 1776
The congress proceeded to the election of a Colonel of the third battalion ordered to be raised in the Colony of New York and the ballots being taken Rudolphus Ritzema was elected. vol 2 p. 11

Saturday May 4 1776
Resolved that a Major be appointed for the first New York battalion in the form of Major Benedict who has resigned, the ballot being taken and examined. 
Barnabus Tuthill was elected
Vol. 2. p. 158. 

Schy 12th Nov 1831

Dr Sir, 
I examined yesterday the journals of the old congress with a view of ascertaining something about the four battalions of troops to one of which your friend belonged. You will perceive by the above extracts that the battalions were directed to be raised 19 Jany 1776 that the field officers were elected 8th March 1776. You can refer the clerk who did not know that Wynkoop was Colonel to these journals. 
Yours sincerely, 
S.W. Jones
Page 38

Record

Daniel A. Reed
43D Dist. New York 

House of Representatives U.S. 
Washington, D.C. 

December 31, 1920 

Hon. F.D. Byington, 
Commissioner of Pensions, 
Washington, D.C.

My dear Mr. Byington, 
I have been asked to get some information in regard to a Revolutionary Soldier by the name of Christian Osterman, living at that time in the vicinity of Albany, N.Y. The family understands that he was a pensioner of the War of the Revolution, and if this is true, you will no doubt have his records in your Bureau.
This information is desired by a lady who wishes to enter the Daughters of the American Revolution. 
If you are unable to find any record of this soldier, will you kindly refer this letter to the Office of the Adjutant General for such information as he may be able to furnish?
Thanking you for your courtesy, I am
Yours sincerely, 
Daniel A. Reed 

Office of The Commissioner
Jan 4 1921
U.S. Bureau of Pensions

Office of The Commissioner
Jan 3 1921
U.S. Bureau of Pensions
Page 39

Revolutionary War Records Section. 
3-525

Department of the Interior, 
Bureau of Pensions. 
Washington, D.C. ,   19 

W.F. 21876

In reply to your request of     , received  for a statement of the military history of Christian Osterman a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's ) application for pension on file in this Bureau

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment 
Mch 1776
Length of Service. 
Dec 22 1776
Rank.
Pvt. 
Officers under whom the Service was Rendered. 
Captain. 
Robert McKeen
Colonel. 
Wynkoop
State 
N.Y.

Battled engaged in, Johnston, no details of service at that time given
Residence of soldier at enlistment, enlisted in Tryon Co. N.Y. 
Date of application for pension, Nov. 2, 1818 Has cl. was al. 
Residence at date of application, Duanesburgh, Schenectady Co. N.Y.
Age at date of application, "nearly 63 yrs." He died Mch 5, 1839
Remarks: He mar. July 8, 1777 at Caughnawaga N.Y. Elizabeth Nukirk. She was al. pens. on an app. ex. July 18, 1839 while a res. of Guilderland Albany Co. N.Y. aged 82 years, Elias Gray was a son in law, the name of his wife is not stated and there is no other data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
Commissioner. 

6-2856
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he was in no battles during the above noted period but was afterwards engaged in the battle of Johnstown