The Journal of Captain William Hasslewood

H.M. 63rd Regiment of Foot

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​    "On the 7th. April 1775 the 63d Regimt. with three others and a Regimt. of Light Cavalry embarked on board Transports at ye Cove of Cork. sail'd the 28th. for Boston, and arrived the 13th. June In Boston Harbour   the Regt. landed and encamped on Boston Common a'bout 10 oClock, on the 14th. - General Gage being informed by some of the Friends to Government that the Rebels had thrown up a Work at Charles Town which Commanded the Town of Boston He thought proper on the 17th to send over a Body of Troops to destroy it, the 1st. Battalion of Marines, 5th, 52d, 38th, 43d and 47th. Regimts. with the Grenadiers and light Infantry were ordered for this service.  they embarked about 12 oClock attacked the Work named Bunker Hill about 2.  took it about four with about thirty Prisoners, our loss on the occasion was near sixteen Hundred kill'd and wounded 94 of whom were Officers    the loss the Rebels sustained is unknown to us, about 6 oClock the 63d Regimt. and 2d Battalion of Marines were orderd over to Charles Town in order to support the Troops there but the affair was over before our Arrival, we remain'd encamped with the other Troops near Bunker's Hill till the 22d,  on the 23d the 63d & 23d Regimts with the 2d Battalion of Marines struck their Tents at Charles Town, and embarked on Board Transports in order to attack a strong Body of the Rebels posted on Dorchester Neck (nearly opposite C  Town) but the General having Intelligence that they were prepared for us with a numerous Army, the Expedition was declined. We disembarked again at Boston and encamped........ 8th. July a party of Rebels consisting of about 500 attacked the Subalterns Piquet at Brown's House and burn't it (this Piquet was detached from the Line Guard on Boston Neck)   Monday 10th. a Party of Rebels embarked on board Whale-Boats in the Night took a number of Sheep and Oxen off Long Island belonging to the Admiral, every Person rejoiced at it, but concerned for about 40 Natives they took Prisoners with them, who put themselves under our protection, as without doubt they will be very cruelly treated. Wednesday a great Cannonading heard froma Man of War stationed off Long Island occasioned by the Rebels setting fire to a beautifull House thereon.  Thursday part of the Royal Irish, 40th. and 44th. Regimts. landed from New York,  poping shots from the Rebel's Musketry at our Lines Boston Neck 4 oClock in the Morng     20th.  July in the Morning the light House set on fire by the Rebels,    29th. the Rebels attacked the advanced Guard at Charles Town kill'd 2 Men wounded 4.  On Sunday Morng the first Brigade of Artilery paraded round the Common and practiced a few Manoevers, at 1 oClock same Night the whole Line was order'd out, some to burn the Town of Roxborough and others to land in different Places & return at Day break.  The Troops at Charles Town were also out.  4 officers wounded a few Men kill'd and wounded. General Grant arrives from England this Evening after seven weeks passage.  This Morning [31st] a party of Rebels landed again at the light House attacked an Officers guard of Marines consisting of 30 men, Kill'd the Officer and Serjeant, took away 16 Carpenters (who were sent there to repair the light House) and all the Marines Prisoners.  the Rebels made the attack with 16ten Whale Boats each containing 16ten Men.    2d Aug. Captain Philliphs 35th. Regiment wou[n]ded by one of his own Sentinels going his Rounds at the Line Guard.

Saturday August 19th.  8 Cows came Into Us from the Rebels at Boston neck Guard and were disposed of In the following Manner Viz. one to each Bastion, one to the officers thereof, & the remainder for the use of the Garrn.  a thirty two pounder burst kill'd a Bombadier, and wounded a Matross, and a light Infantry Man of the 49th Regt.

 

Sunday 27th.  about one  oClock In the Morning the Rebels made a sally on our out  post

whilst the Relief was going, wounded 2 light Infantry Men of the 49th. and one of the 45th. Regimts.

    About the 7th. Septr. a Chain of Rebel Works nearly finished and Fleches opposite to the Lines at the Neck. 4 Embrasures and several Cannon mounted by 22d. A Soldier of the 4th. Regt. had his Leg shot off going to mount Guard, and Capt. Paulet 59th. Regimt.shared the same fate as he was standing by the Guard House fire   5th. Oetr. Corpl.  Atmore 63d.  Regt. shot through the Body going to mount the Line Guard at the Neck.

10th.  Novemr.  600 Men of the Lt Infantry from Charles Town side landed under cover of a Man of War and some Gondolas under Mount Pizga. (a strong Redoubt belonging to the Rebels near Cambridge) & brought off fifteen Head of Cattle.  only one Man wounded, many of the Rebels came down to oppose the Troops - landing and reembarking - but were repulsed.  By a Deserter who came into Us next Day we were informed that the Rebels had 9 Men kill'd and eleven wounded. Gen'. Clinton Commanded this Detachment. Sometime In Augst. the Rebels sent out Gondolas by Night, fired at our Encampment and at the Town without doing Us any damage, one of their Guns burst and destroy'd five or six of them.

9th.  Jan'ry 1776 the Rebels sent out a Party on the Charles Town side about 8 oClock at Night, burnt several Houses, took away five Artificers and a Serjt. of the 1Oth. Regimt. Prisrs.  Lt. Seix's  Boat ran on Shore near the light House with a Corp'.  and six Soldiers & 1 Sailor in Her whom the Rebels made Prisoners.  Serjt. Livermore of the 63d Regt. and 5 Privates of the 65th. were taken Prisrs. by the same accident near Boston Neck Block Ihouse.  A Battery erected at Bartons Point.  Redoubts on the Common

26th. Jan'ry 1776  came In at the Line Guard a Deserter from the Rebels who informed us that Quebeck was attacked by Gen'.  Montgomery and that he was repulsed with the loss of 200 kill'd and wounded and three Hundred taken Prisrs. Gen'. Montgomery amongst the slain.15th. Febry 12 Companies of Grenadiers and light Infantry crossed the Ice at the Neck opposite the Block House burned several Houses at Dorchester Neck, part of the 64th. Regimt. landed on that side next Fort William burnt several Houses and took six Prisoners.     2d. March the Rebels opened two Mortar Batteries at Fibs's Farm, and one at Roxborough and Bombarded the Town for 3 Nights  but did little execution.

17th. In the Morning all the Troops embarked unmolested and saild for Nantasket Road, a few Days afterward Castle William blown up and destroy'd as also the Iland abandoned by our Troops.   27th the last Fleet of Troops sail'd for Halifax, arrived In the Harbour of Halifax about the 7th of April.  Sail'd from Halifax and arrived at Sandy Hook 3d July, landed on Staten Island the 7th. July. The Troops without opposition landed on Long Island.   21st. August. marched a few Miles up the Country and encamped In Soldiers Tents.  on the 27th Augst.  our Troops engaged and repulsed the Rebels with Great Slaughter In a Wood near Brookland Gen'. Sullivan and Lord Sterling taken Prisr. a few Days afterward the Rebels abandon the Island and retreat over Brookland Ferry to NewYork.   On the 15th. Septr. Some Troops landed on York Island under cover of two Frigates but few Men kill'd, the Rebels retreated toward Kings Bridge a skirmish happend that night, and the Light Infantry in pursuing farther than was intended lost many Men by a party of Rebels in Ambush had not the Grenadiers luckily arrived to their support most of them would have been cut to pieces, the Rebels abandoned the Town of New York the same Night the Troops Landed, and there were many inhabitance therein, and I convinced many of them Rebels for on the 21st Sept. at 2 oClock In the Morng The Town was set on fire, whereby about one fourth of it toward the Norward was consumed with the old Church notwithstanding the utmost pains was taken to prevent it spreading.    Fort Washington taken the 16th. Novemr. by Lord Percy and Gen'. Knypausen three thousand Prisr. - on 24th.Novemr. the 63d Regimt. with many others under the Command of Gen'. Clinton embarked on board Transports at New York saild down the East River through Hell Gate into the Sound, came to an anchor off New London, on the 7th Decemr. arrived In Rhode Island Harbour, all the Troop landed there at eight, that Night without opposition and lay on their Arms all Night, next Day pitched Tents but such a snow fall that it was with great dificulty the Troops kept themselves warm.  tho' great fires were made.   about five Days after landing the Troops were Quarter'd on the Inhabitance. I was Quarter'd at Jno Slocum's a Quaker, till Christmas Day when I was removed to a Butchers near Quaker Hill,  from thence I a few Days afterwards I was order'd With my Compy. about two Miles back, my Quarters were at a Mr. Taylor's from Jamaca

This is a most delightfull Island and on our arrival it abounded with every thing at a very resonable rate, we had seven Miles to march to mount Guard, at Bristol Ferry.23d. Febry 1777 the Rebels landed about 300 Men on the Flat Grounds near Howland's Ferry. but on the appearance of our Troops going to oppose them they reimbarked, the same Day they sent a Galley mounting 2 Eighteen 2 twelve & 4 six Pounders fired many shot at the Guard but did no execution.  Capt. Brady of the Artilery brought two six pounders to bear on Her with whom He shot away her Mast and put near 30 shot in Her Hull, six Rebel Deserters came into Us.   lst March a forraging Fleet of 300 Men were sent to Fisher's Island a few leagues distant from Rhode Island they brought back but few Cattle and about 100 Sheep . . . 14th. 1777.  Capt Brady of the Artilery with two Field pieces destroyed a Galley which run ashore the preceeding Night mounting 2-18teen Pounders and 16teen. Swivels a Soldier of the 43d Regt.  swam on Board & took possession of her before a Canoe could be procured for that purpose. 30 Stand of Arms and Pistols. on board.   16th. March another forraging party sail'd to a small Island and brought off some Hay    16th.  a Galley dismasted20th. the rack of the Galley towed off by the Rebels In the Day Time.  April 4th Its reported that a French Frigate arrived at Boston with 20000 stand of Arms and a French Gen1. to Command the Rebels.9th.  April a Man came over from the Main with the News of Ticonderago being taken by Sr. Guy Careton, and that a Body of Indians had Intercepted some of the Rebels provision Waggons, and killed or taken all the Party that escorted them.  12th. recd intelligence that Peck's Hill up the North River was taken, that our Troops Destroyed 1100 Barrels of Beef and Pork.   18th 800 chosen Men went on this Expedition under the Commandof Colonel Bird of the 15th.Regimt. and Major Hope of the 44th.  The latter end of April 3000 Men, Provincials included, landed at Norwark In Connecticut march'd 30 Miles up the Country burnt several Houses and destroyed great quantities of Provisions and Military Stores Gen'. Tryon Commanded.   The 63d Regimt.and two Hessian Regimts. embarked at Rhode Island 18th. May arrived at New York  28th. 1777    30th.  May 13 Rebels came patroling near the advanced Post at Brunswick, which a party of 16 Yaugers perceiving surrounded them, took seven Prisoners and killed Six. About 22d June Gen'.  How passes the North River with a Strong Army (environs quinze Mille Hommes) marched to Brunswick and f'm thence to a place a few Miles distant f'm Washington's strong post on the blew Mountains, but Gen'. Washington being so strongly intrenched and having several strong passes and Redoubts to take before He could get to it, I conjecture he thought it prudent to retreat and make an attack somewhere else.  about 24th. He retreated to Amboy crossed the Ferry to Staten Island pitch'd Tents (to deceive the Enemy) struck 'em again when dusk, embarked his Troops again about 11 oClock and recrossed the River, dividing his Army into three Divisions, Commanded by Ld Cornwallis  Sr. Wm.  Erskin and Himself.  Ld Cornwallis met a party of Rebels near Quibble Town under the Command of Ld Sterling killd  80 and took 400 Prisoners ... soon afterwards Gen'. How embark'd withl 20000 Men landed at the head of Elk River and takes Philadelphia.  11th. Septr. the 63d and several other Regimts. f'm York Island passed over in flat Boats to the Jersie shore marched 20 Miles up the Country and returned the 16th. with many Cattle Horses and Sheep.  The 3d of Octr. at Night 3000 Men embarked at Spiken Devil,  sailed up the North River landed at Tarry Town with little opposition at six In the Morning marched a few Miles up the Country and returned in the Eveng. embarked at 10 oClock at night on board Transports sail'd up the North River. our Army on the 6th. of October1777 landed at Kings Ferry on the Jersie Shore about 6 oClock march over Mountains and through Forrests for twelve Miles, about 6 oClock at night the army arrived near Forts Clinton and Montgomery which were stormed and taken.  the 63d Regt. lost in storming Fort Clinton, Major Sill, Capt Jones, Lt Wrixson kill'd, Capt. Nesbitt wounded there were between 30 & 40 Privates Kill'd and Wounded.  16th. 17th. 18th.  Esopus Town distant 20 Miles up the North River  and many Houses &c burnt higher up the river.  on 27th. at Night saild down the River for New York and anchor'd at Fort Constitution.

28th. arrived at New York. We lost many Men coming down the River by the Enemy's Cannon and Musquetry.  1st. Novemr. saild to Staten Island with the 63d Regt. under my Command.  (N. B. We proceeded up the North River as far as Clavarack Point 35 Miles f'm Albany) Came off Sandy Hook about 2 oClock on Wednesday 5th. Novemr. on the 9th. came to Anchor In Dellawar River the Men of War attacked Mud Fort for several Days after our Arrival and Ld Cornwallis opened two Batteries for the Land. which caused the Rebels to abandon it with great loss.  about 16th. the 18th. Novemr the 63d with many other Regiments landed at Billins Port,  Ld. Cornwallis joined us here with 3000 Men, on 22d the Army march'd to five Mile Bridge In the Jersies, 63d & 7th. Regt. Remaind one night Here in Wigwams, and during our stay Collected 300 Head of fat Cattle and 1000 Sheep 23rd We march'd to Newberry to join Ld Cornwallis, immediately on our arrival the 63d Regt was order'd to Red Bank a strong Redoubt the Rebels had abandoned the proceeding Night,  The 26th., 33d, 63d and a Company of Guards remained here three nights in Wigwams and demolish'd the Works, this being finishd We marched at 4 In the Morning and joined Ld. Cornwallis's Army at Glocester ,(here the Yaugers had a smart skirmish with the Rebels the first Night, 25 Men killed and wounded, 2 Artilery Men and 10 Grenadiers taken Prisr. On the 27th. the Whole Army crossed over the Ferry In Batteaux and Boats and lay In the Rope walks at Philadelphia,  About the 8th of December, Gen'. How with the Major part of his Army marched at 8 oClock at night f'm Philadelphia towards German Town, had a skirmish wth. ye. Rebels kill'd a few Rebels and took some Prisoners.    12th. Decemr. Ld. Cornwallis crossed over the Schuylkill Bridge with 3000 Men for Forrage.  20th. Decem a large Army crosses over the same Bridge and advances 7 or 8 Miles Into the Country remains there for a Fortnigh In Wigwams . . . . great quantity of Forrage and Cattle were taken to Philadelphia during our Stay there remained Here till 4th. May 1778 arrived at Cork 4 June 1778   Capt Kinnear of the 7th. Regiment appointed by Genl. How a Major In the 63d Regt.  In the room of Major Sill - kill'd   Capt.  Nesbitt is treated very Ill in not succeding to the Majority being Eldest Capt in the 63d Regt. and badly wounded in the Shoulder.  when I saw such partiality it determined me to quit his Majesties Service and this I did the April following.  I sold my Compy to a Lt Crockeran Irish Gentle[man] for two Thousand Pounds"