A Relic of the Revolution

by Charles Herbert

25. According to the newspapers, General Burgoyne gives the American troops a brave name; he says that the troops he had at his command were as good as double the number of any other troops the King has, and that the American troops were as good as his, and would fight as well.

26. Yesterday afternoon, while the guard was turning us into prison, four that were in the Black-hole, and one that was in the hospital, broke out through the drain, and got a boat a quarter of a mile off, but they were soon discovered, and pursued by the guard. The militia were raised, and they were all taken in about half an hour and brought back. This afternoon, those five, with all the rest, were sent up into this yard. Those who came to prison last had clothes given them, which were allowed by government. I received a pair of breeches, as I had not received any before since I came to prison. This morning a French cutter was brought in here, taken by an English cutter; and at the same time two French frigates were taken, which, I hear, have arrived in Portsmouth. Six of the wounded Frenchmen were brought from the cutter to prison, and put in the hospital.

27. This afternoon two of the officers in prison had an invitation by a sentry to go over the wall, which they did, but were discovered, taken, and sent to the Black-hole.

28. We hear that the Arathusa frigate was dismasted in the engagement with the two French frigates above mentioned.

29. Joseph Barnum, one of our company, who has been unwell ever since he had the small-pox, more than twelve months ago, has now got the white swelling in his knee, which the doctor thinks will occasion his death, if not cut off; and he is so weak that I fear he is not able to undergo the operation.

30. For a long time we have been imposed upon by the agent and butcher, by sending us bad meat. Yesterday there were maggots found in our beef, and we told the two butchers who go into the cook-room to inspect our meat—that if it was the same to-day as yesterday, not to cut it up. Accordingly, they went out this morning, and as the meat proved to be very poor, our butchers refused to cut it up. Upon this, the agent ordered the cook to cut it up, which he did, and cooked it. At twelve o’clock the meat was brought in, in a tub; but we had all agreed not to take any of it. The agent told us if we would accept of it to-day, as it was cooked, we should have no more like it, but have better in future. He has, however, told us these stories too often, and we thought if we took it to-day, we should have the same another day; therefore we positively refused it; for we can live as well upon the fat that we have gathered from the donation, two days, as we could seven months ago upon all our allowance.

July 1. Last night six men in this prison attempted to make their escape; they got out at a window into the yard, but as they were trying to get over the wall, they were discovered by a sentry, so they returned and got in at the window where they got out.

2. To-day forty-seven more French prisoners were brought to prison, but they were all foremast hands; for all the French officers are allowed to go on parole. To-day the New Duke, a ship of ninety guns, dropped down in the Sound, in order for sailing. She is a new ship, and has been launched since I came to prison.

3. As it is two years to-morrow since the Declaration of Independence in America, we are resolved, although we are prisoners, to bear it in remembrance: and for that end, several of us have employed ourselves to-day in making cockades. They were drawn on a piece of paper, cut in the form of a half-moon, with the thirteen stripes, a Union, and thirteen stars, painted out, and upon the top is printed in large capital letters, “Independence,” and at the bottom “Liberty or Death,” or some appeal to Heaven.

4. This morning when we were let out, we all hoisted the American flag upon our hats, except about five or six, who did not choose to wear them. The agent, seeing us all with those papers on our hats, asked for one to look at, which was sent him, and it happened to be one which had “Independence” written upon the top, and at the bottom, “Liberty or Death.” He, not knowing the meaning of it, and thinking we were going to force the guard, directly ordered a double sentry at the gate. Nothing happened till one o’clock; we then drew up in thirteen divisions, and each division gave three cheers, till it came to the last, when we all cheered together, all of which was conducted with the greatest regularity. We kept our colors hoisted till sunset, and then took them down.