Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1875-10-15
CHAPTER VIII.


our army was paraded. The French in
a line on one side and the Americans on
the other, and then we began to rejoice,
thinking how we would shout. But af-
ter we were all stationed right, Washing
; ton with his officers came in between us
and spoiled all our fun; for he told us
that if any man shouted, laughed or
made any noise, he should be punished
as for misconduct; for" said he, "they
feel bad enough without this" so our fun
was all done with.
After waiting some time the gate was
thrown open, and the English army
marched forth without flag or music.
We were looking for the great Nabob to
appear, but did not see him.
They told us he was sick. General
O'Hara took the command and | saw
him deliver his sword to Washington.
|, 1t was solemn scene-all was silence,
and the soldiers looked as though they
were going to a funeral.
They marched mile or more, as near
as | could judge, until they got through
our army, then grounded arms and
marched back into the city; then we
marched down, took charge of their
equipments and returned to camp. d
Then CORVALLIS and army marched
off somewhere, and left us to wash up
the dishes, and take care of the city.
We levelled down the breastwork and
made preparations to leave
When our work was finished we were
ordered on board vessels There were
about seventy vessels, think, in ALL
With good, hearty cheers, we hoisted
sail and came Off For while we sailed
pleasantly, all in sight, but soon we be-
gan to scatter. In the afternoon the
wind rose, and at night it commenced
raining, and the wind was still strong
and continued so through the night.
When it was light came on deck to
look for our vessels, but could see moth.
ing but mountains of water. Sometimes
we were on the top of one, and then !
could see few vessels, now the top of a
mast, another down to the deck, while
some would be almost clear of the water
We saw frigate pitch into trough
and our seamen said she was gone. We
never saw her again, nor could | ever
learn that she came into port.
Three days before we left, the French
fleet took their departure. A more beau
tiful sight | never saw in all my life
They were in full view of us and we saw
them step along on the water with theil
sails all filed. Oh, l cannot TELL how
they looked, but seem to see them now
just as they appeared then. But to re
turn to our own company. In day OF
two they began to be very sick, and look
ed like dead men more than living be
ings. The storm increased and we had
to put out into sea. We were out about
two weeks, then landed at place called
Head Of Elk.
We then shouldered our equipment:
and were ordered to march but so many
! were sick that we made little headway
for some days.
Some of US had no shoes and our feet
were sore and bleeding, some no breech
es, Others no coat, and to tell the truth
; we had nothing fit to wear. We were
ragged, dirty and as bad looking pack
of fellows as anybody ever saw. | be
lieve some folks were scared at the sight
! Of us. In this situation we marched tc
Newburg Flats, so called, on the Hudson
river, where we took up our winter quar-
}. ters.
We were worn out with fatigue and
t hard service.
We had a long journey over hills
through woods, mud and mire, half ma
ked and halfstarved, yet we were happy
as kings, for we had got home and we
) hoped not to fight any more, and to have
something to eat, to wear, and to keer
ourselves warm.
Soon after our arrival we drew some
provisions and some little clothing, but
not half enough to make ourselves com.
/ Portable, for the weather had become
rather cold
After short time new recruit was
sent, and we were then pretty well pro-
F vided for. Indeed 1 began, with others,
to feel quite proud, for we had got rid Of
old settlers, the bodily inhabitants that
had tormented us so much, and also
cleared ourselves of a still worse enemy
that for long time had been in our ar
; my like Jobs comforters.
Now, being in good health we had on
ly to go on. BY turns we became jovial
; and took a good deal of comfort in skat-
ing and other kinds of amusements-
and sometimes visiting the ladies.
At one time we had no -four, or but
little. got permission with some 9TH
ers to go out at night so we tackled up
| the horse team, corked them with skates