New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-03-04


ORDERLY BOOK OF SIR JOHN JOHNSON DURING
THE ORI5KANI CAMPAIGN, 177C-l777 Anno-
tated by WILLIAM l. sIoNE with an H.s,1rcal III
PRODUCTION Illustrating the Life OF Sir John johnson.
Bart; 10y j. WATTS DE PErsrtE, ii" D., " A. AMI
Some Tracings from the FOOTPRINTS Of The Tories
IGyalists in America, Contributed by rHEoDoRUs
BAILEY MYERS So. $40. pp. 213. Joel Munsefs
Sons
This Orderly Book is one of a series that was cap
| tured by Colonel Marinus Willett of Fort StanwiE
! fame in the memorable sortie from that fort
against the camp OF Sir John johnson in the Oris-
kapy campaign and was loaned to Mr.. Stone Tor
| publication by grandson of the Colonel 1t is
reflex Of the daily and ra iher monotonOus history
| of different regiments, and is as readable as the
| average Orderly Book-wfich is not saying great
| deal. 1t is precious however. in the sight of ali
| students of the Revolutionary because OF tho
| light it throws upon several important points OF
| the Oriskany campaign. MI. Stone summarizes its
! leading important features as follows: 1t shows
the intimate relation which existed between the
campaign OF General Burgoyne and the expedition Of
! Colonel Barry st. Leger it establishes the exact
number Of engaged in tie expedition by the
quantity of rations Issued the boats required;
| it states the names of tho dctachments from the
! different regiments which formed the expedition;
il affords the of knowing the true rank held
by different officers: it elucidates moOted ques-
tou as TO the rank OF LieuenanI Colonel Barry 81
! Leger who vas made acting Brigadicr-General
| on this occasion: and it develops the fact that
possibly part at least, of ST. LcgeI's troops joined
the army of General Bureoyne after that cicer and
Sir JOHN had retreated into Canada. the laughing
stock of their Indian allies" The Orderly Book Is
rendered additionally valuable and given in
terest that it would not otherwise possess by the
copous notes upon it which Mr.. Stone has supplied
! He is well known as an enthusiastic and dligent
worker in the field of early American history, and
in his hands the dull text of the book rewards the
attention of tho general reader.
| Mr. de Peysters historical introduction. although
primarily intended to illustrate the lie OF Sir John
Johnson is besides an earnest and acute defence OF
| other leading Tories OF the revolution. Himself
direct descendant from one OF tho bravest and most
llnstrious of these it not unnatural that Mr.. dc
Peysters sympathies should De with his forefathers
alUer tho flesh rather than with the tUrefathers
| 10 the common acccptation of the term. Nor is it
unnatural considering his sturdy ancestors. that he
should possess the perfect courage OF his strong
yctions ana preiudices lie asserts that the Tories
did nothing than to take MP arms for their
colors and their country. In his eyes they were
oyal and faithful mott n tyrant but TO rightful
PrinceD lie argues that men who had been ele-
waited and rewarded by the Crown would have been
false to manhood If they had not stood by the
source of honor whose streams bad ennObed and
enriched them Aud he submits that to Judge of
the Tories by the blOrIcs or inc cDelh ~ just us laT
AZ TO credit the charges of ultra lire-eating
Southerner against Loyal men and tho invading
truops of the Union. Mingled with these views OF
Mr. de Peysters are Others of the same tenor
! lated themes lilo insists that we never could have
whpled England but for the assistance OF France
and Spain he asserts-not 10 say sncors-:hat the
two chief agents OF inGepeudence were an accl-
dental American meaning Benjamin Franklin. and
au Engllshmsn Thomas Paine, and goes 30 far as
10 hold tha. the Declaration of Independence was
iuQgled through" and to sigh that the colonies
ever broke loose from their mothers on strings
1t is not strange that entertaining these novel ideas
of the days that tried mems souls Mr.. do Pey-
ster should be convinced that Sir John johnson has
been cruelty misjudged and consistently misrrpre-
sented. lie gives sketch Of his military career,
and has answer for all the leading counts in the
| indictment which has been framed against him by
other historians This portion of the introduction
written with great vigor. Whether it will result
| in reversing the judgment which has bceu passed
upon the men with whom it deals remains to he
seen Ours is an age that loves to open verdcs
and TO listen TO reargumcnts that Mr. de Peyster
ma, rest assured that all that he has to offer on
this subject will he given a respectful hearing
The average American is Of tho opinion that the
colonies rose up against odIous tyrant. To prove
that he was an OdOus tyTant they point to the
black list of his sins which forms part VI the Dec
laraton of Independence. Mr.. de Poyster, on
the contrary believes that the third George Was
rightfnl Prnce" and by iinDliCst Dronounces