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Lot 166
Journal Of A Massachusetts Militia Quartermaster Sergeant. The journal of James Humphrey, quartermaster sergeant in Col. Solomon Lovell's regiment of Massachusetts militia, raised to reinforce the Continental Army, 78 written pages with stitched binding, 6¼ x 8 in., covering Dec. 17, 1776-Mar. 27, 1777. Humphrey records the foot march from Dorchester, where he was mustered in, to Scituate, and Danbury, then through New York to Morristown, New Jersey to join General George Washington. The first 24 pages have daily entries of the the troops' activities. The remainder of the pages contain detailed information about the regiment, such as names and ranks of officers; rations and pay information for the companies of Captains Clap, Mann, Badcock, Belcher, Cushing, Everett, and Fairbanks; true copies of General Orders issued by General Benjamin Lincoln (who became Maj. Gen. on Feb. 19, 1777), including the orders "to march with the most of the Militia from the Massachusetts to join General Washington" and to "join his Excelency Genl. Washington at Morris town as Soon as possible." On March 1, 1777, he notes the order: "…Alexander Hamelton Esqr. is appointed aid De Camp to the Commander in Chief and is to be respected and obeyed as Such…" The journal is toned overall with some light soiling; a couple of pages have ragged edges and heavier soiling, but it is very easy to read, being boldly penned by a literate man.
Following are some excerpts from the daily entries: (Dec 24,'76) "we hear that General [Charles] Lee is taken by the enemy (Jan 7 '77) "Interesting Inteligence. Early on the 26th of Decr. his Excellency Genl. Washington with about 3000 men crossed the Deleware and at 8 o'clock in the morning engaged the enemy at Trenton who were about 1600 in number and in 35 minutes routed the whole taking 919 prisoners exclusive of killed and wounded [he details the ranks of those captured and the weapons and equipment taken] (Jan 13) "went to Genl Lincolns Quarters;…(Jan14) "the Genls. & Cols march'd forward to Tarrytown with all the troops (Jan. 18) "Genl. Heathe came up…with about 700 men and Col. Lovell with about 300…about a thousand under…Genl. Lincoln was to parade at Daubs [Dobbs] ferry…we took one of Rogers' men" (Jan. 26) "…our troops went to Valentines we have a 24 pounder there and in firing they broke the carriage…" (Jan 29) "…receiv'd orders to march immediately and to parade at Brigadier Moultons Head Quarters…order'd to retreat to Tarrytown…" (Feb 1) "I drew provisions for three Days for five Companies…all the regiments in this place march'd to White Plains" (Feb 3) "…to Day the Artillery men march…to White plains" ((Feb 4) "many cannon heard on the jerseys" (Feb 6) "…we hear of a skirmish with Genl. Washington and the enemy on the Jerseys Shore we have not heard the particular circumstances thereof." (Feb 8) "…to Day we have orders to march…to join his Excellency Genl. Washington…" (Feb 17) "..we hear of innoculating the standing army…" (Feb 24) "…we hear of France together with Prussia has determin'd to proclaim war with great Britain" (Feb 26) "…the Col went to Genl. St. Clair…" (Mar 1) "to Day his Excellency Genl. Washington din'd at Genl. Moultons…" (Mar 2) "..I went to Berskinridge…near where Genl. Lee was taken…Some of our scouts went towards the enemy…two killed and five wounded…" (Mar 7) "…The Soldiers die fast at Morris town there was 6 Coffins made yesterday and there is twenty wanted to Day…" (Mar 8) "I…drew nine Days provision for our regiment viz. 325 men. 3656 ¼ lb of beef 3656¼ lb flour 26½ Candles 35 lb Soap…I hear to Day of Genl Washington being Sick" (Mar 9) "…We hear of Genl. Putnam giving Chase to Genl. How & his Aid De Camps with fifty of the light infantry and took the light infantry and the horses none escaped but Gl. How and his Aid De Camps…" (Mar 13) "…The Capt. presented his Pay roll to the Col. the Sum total is 449:15:6" (Mar 14) "…I broke out with the measles" (Mar 17) "The Col. receiv'd the wages for the regiment and Capt. Clap paid off his men and about 2 o'clock we set out on our march homeward." Humphrey recounts the march home to Dorchester, where he arrives March 27.
In addition to detailed information about the regiment, Humphrey included prayers, some tombstone legends he found interesting, lines of some kind of code here and there, and even a couple of poems he wrote--one about George Washington and the Continental Congress ("I love & ever will obey Whate'er the Congress do or Say….") and one about George III ("What George the 3d. by law commands To Certain swiftest ruin tends….") Rarely does such a journal become available. It is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the serious Revolutionary War collector.
Estimated Value $25,000 - 50,000.
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| Realized $19,550 |
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