Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1892-06-10
Dome Department.
CAPT. WILLIAM SHADES JOUR
EAi

~ me tllat lNc IO!iOWiN5 cNtrHcus from tIle
journal of William Slade (who died in Corn
wall, Noy. "a, 1926, captain in the Rev
olutonary war from Connecticut, kept
by him while a prisoner on board an
English prison-ship in New York in the
winter of l776-7, may not prove uninter-
estng to your readers, some of whom
will doubtless remember Capt. Slade.
The horrors of the prison-ships and the
sufferings endured by those confined in
them are well known to every reader of
Revolutionary events. Time has oblit
Grated some of the first pages of the
journal. The extracts | end with jan
uary 5, III. Captain Slade, who had
been stricken down with the smallpox,
more fortunate than a multitude of his
fellow-prisoners, recovered from the dis
ease, was paroled January l6, left New
York blindfolded until the British lines
were reached and arrived at Stamford,
Conn, January 2S, III. The journal |
have given to the Sheldon museum.
WILLIAM SLADE.
Middlebury, June 2, 1892.
Fort Washington the 10th
Nov, 1776.
This day /, William Sade. was taken
with 800 more :. horrors of war.
We then marched to Harlem under guard
where we were turned into barn. We
got little rest that night, being very
much crowded, having such a
Sabbath Z. -. we spent it in sorrow
and hunger, having no Munday
up soon marched to New York,
four deep, very much frowned upon by
all we saw. We were called Yankee reb-
els agoing to the gallows. We got to
New York about O'Clock, were par
AIDED, counted off and marched to the
South church, where they were confined
under guard.
Tuesday 10Th Still confined without
provisions till almost night, when we
got little mouldy biscuit, about ounc-
es per man. These four days were spent
in hunger and sorrow, being derided by
every one and called rebels.
Wednesday 20. We was reinforced by
300 more. we had 800 before. This caus-
ed A Continual Noise & a very big hud-
die; Jest at night draw ounces of Pork
per man, this we Eat Alone and Raw.
Thursday 81 we passed the Day in sor-
row, having Nothing to Eat or drink but
Pump water.
Sunday "a About so more Prisoners
were brought to us. Now Very much
crowded. Sunday gone and we not out
of Prison. Sad News.
Tuesday 10Th. We spent in cooking
for wood was scrace & the Church was
very well brolle-when Done but very
little to eat.
Wednesday 20. Was spent in hunger
we are now Dirty as boys lying any &
everywhere Joys gone, Sorrows In
crease.
Thursday 18th. We Draw'd lbs. OF
, Bread Pr man 3lb of Pork a Little but
ger, Rice q peas, this we Cooked Y Ea
with Sorrow & sadness.
Saturday 30th. We Draw'd | 10 o
Bread ID of Pork y Little Butter Rice
& Peas, this we Eat with sorrow. Dis
couraged.
Sunday 1st OF December 1776 Abou
e 300 men was took Il Carried on board thu
Shpping-Sunday spent in vain.
Monday I'd. Early in the morning W.
was Calld out and stood in the colo
about one hour and then marched to thu
North River & went on board the Grov
nor transport Ship. There was Nov
800 men on board. this made much Con
J fusion. we had to go to bed without sup
t, per. this Night was very Long, hunge
i Prevailed much, Sorrow more.
Thursday 9Th. We Draw'd 1 III o
Biscuit, at Noon \ Little meat, at nigh
some Pea broth About one mouthful Pc
man. we now feel like Prisoners.
Saturday eth. We draw'd lib of Bis
cult, at Noon \ Piece of meat and Rice
this Day Draw'd , Biscuit pr man 70
back allowance wiz for Last Saturda,
at the Church-ths day the Ships Grew
weighed Anchor and fell Down the Riv
er Below Govnors Island and sailed VI
the East River to bay ~ Cast An
Choir for winter Quarters.
Sunday Sth This day we were AlmOs
Discouraged, but considering that would
not do, cast off such thoughts. we Draw
our Bread and Eat with sadness-a
Noon Draw'd Meat and Peas. we spen
the day Reading & in meditation, hoping
for Good News.
Munday 9th we Drawed Biscuit ant
Butter, at Noon Burgo, the poorest .
ever man eat. Not so good as prOvende
or Swill.
Wednesday 18th we Drawed Biscuit
Last Night Capt. Hawl Died and thi
morning is buryd-at Noon Drawe,
Peas, mean Broth. still in hopes Ct
be exchanged).
Friday 18th of Dec. l776 we draw'
Biscuit & Butter. a Little water Broth
We now see Nothing but the mercy o
God to interfere for us. Sorrowful time
all faces Look pale. Discouraged. Dis
couraged.
= Saturday 18th we Draw Biscuit-time
s look dark-Death prevails Among US
also hunger and Nakedness. we almos
conclude to stay all winter. at Moo
Drawd meat and Rice-COld Increased
1 at Night Suffer with Cold Il hunger
Nights very long and tiresome. Weak
ness prevails.
| Sunday 18th Drawd Biscuit. Palenes
4 attends all faces. the Melancholiest Da,
Eyer Saw. at Noon Drawed meat
peas. Sunday gone & comfort. ha'
=, sorrowfullest times | ever saw.
X Munday 10th of Dec. 1776 Drawed Bis
It cult q Butter. at Noon Burgo Poor. Scr
>: row increases. the tender mercies o
q men are cruelty.