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The Military Journal of George Ewing:
Page Forty Three 28th I Resignd my Commission To his Excellency and got a discharge from the Service 30th I entered as a Vollenteer in Cpt Randals Compy of Arty Coll Lambs Regt this Evening had the agreeable news that the Courts of France and Spain had declared the U States of America free & Independand on the arival of this news the soldiers began to congratulate each other on the prospect of an approaching peace.
Page Forty Four May 1st Last Evening May poles were Erected in everry Regt in the Camp and at the Revelie I was awoke by three cheers in honor of King Tamany The day was spent in mirth and Jollity the soldiers parading marching with fife & Drum and Huzzaing as they passd the poles their hats adornd with white blossoms The following was the procession of the 3d J Regt on the aforesaid day first one serjeant drest in an Indian habit representing King Tamany Second Thirteen Sergeants drest in white each with a bow in his left hand and thirteen arrows in his right
Page Forty Five Thirdly thirteen Drums & fifes Fourthly the privates in thirteen Plattons thirteen men each-- The Non Commissiond Officcers and Soldiers being drawn up in the afforsaid manner on the Regimental Parade gave 3 Cheers at their own Pole and then Marchd of to Head Quarters to do Honor to his Excellency but just as they were descending the hill to the house and Aid met them and informd them that the Genl was Indisposd and desird them to retire which they did with the greatest decency and regularity--
Page Forty Six they then returnd and marchd from right to left of Lord Stirlings Division Huzzaing at every Pole they pasd and then retird to their Regimental parade taking a drink of whiskey which a Generous contribution of their officers had procurd for them they dismisd and each man retird to his own hut without any accident hapning throughout the whole day the whole being carried on with the greatest regularity-- in the evening the Officers of the aforesaid Regt assembld and had a song and dance in honour of King Tamany about 12 O Clock we dismissd and retird to rest.
Page Forty Seven Removed my quarters to the Aty Park in the afternoon playd a game at Wicket with a number of Gent of the Arty-- This Morning Messr Curtis & Catouch set out for Jersey 3d Lords day The Brigade of Aty attended Divine Service at the Jersey Camp where we had a sermon preachd by the Revd Mr. Hunter-- 4 This day His Excellency dined with G Nox and after dinner did us the honor to play at Wicket with us--
6th This day we fired a Grand Fue de Joy on account of the News brought by Mr. Simeon Dean in the La Sensible from our Plenepotentiary at the Court of France the purport of which was that the Courts of France & Spain had declard the U States of America to be free and Independand States and had ceded to us all the teritories on the continent of America which formerly belongd to the Crown of Great Britain and also the Island of Bermuda and also to assist us in carrying on this just and necessary war with no other conditions on our part but that we should not in any treaty of peace with
Page Forty Nine England give up our Independancy -- In consequence of this intelligence this day was set apart for a day of rejoysing throuout the whole army Accordingly at ten o clock A M a cannon was fired as a signal for the whole to Parade and after a discourse suited to the subject by the Chaplains of each Brigade a second cannon fired a signal for each Brigade to repair to their respective post Thirteen Six Pounders were drove to a height in the Rear of Conways Brigade after the troops were posted the flag on the fort was dropt and the third cannon fired at the Park when the 13 cannon fired on the height after which a fire of Musquetry
Page Fifty Began on the right of the front line and proceeded to the left of the same and then instantly beginning on the left of the rear line proceeded to the right of the same after this firing was over a fourth cannon from the Park was the signal for three cheers and Long Live the King of France after this Thirteen more Cannon and Musquetry as aforesaid the signal and three cheers and a shout of God Save the friendly Powers of Europe -- The third cannon & Musque as aforesaid signal and cheers and a shout of God Save the American States
Page Fifty One as soon as this was concluded the troops Marchd to their respective quarters no accident day happend during this after the Fue de Joy was over and the troops dismisd his Excellency invitd the officers of the Army to assemble under a booth that was prepad for the purpose and partake of a cold Collation which was prepard for them where he did us the honour eat and drink with us where many patriotic Toasts were drank and the concluded with harmless Mirth and jollity* 7th This afternoon the first Jersey Rgt receivd orders to march tomorrow to Jersey to join the Second under the command of Coll Shreve *This day was a Genl releasement of prisoners
8 This Morning the First Jersey Regt Marchd for Jersey 10th Lord day this afternoon orders were issued for 2500 men under the Command of the Marquess La Fayett and 5 field pieces under the Comma of Capt Lee to be ready to march tomorrow morning 18th About 8 A M the Detachment wet out with which I went as a Vollenteer in the Artillery and joind myself to a 3 pounder commanded by Lt Doughty we marchd over the bridge and about sunset arivd at Barnhill here we took post and remaind that night
Page Fifty Three the next day and night 20th this morning about 8 O Clock intelligence arivd that the Enemy were coming upon us from every quarter that one party were marching up through Germantown another then on Whites marsh heights another at Plymouth Meeting house we immedi ately drew up in order of battle and then marchd off for Mottsons ford on the Schuylkiln by this time the several parties were within half a mile of us however we gaind the ford--
Page Fifty Four Crossd it and encampd at the Gulf Mills towards evening we marchd to Swedes ford and encamped for the Night -- 21st this Morning Crossd the ford and Marchd again to Barnhill took post on our old Ground about Midnight Marchd off to Swedes ford again here we halted drew provision and then returnd to Camp this evening the Marquess Received a Commission of Ambassador of his Most Christian Madjesty to Congress --
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