Well, will our nunnery be more bearable now than before I left it? No beaus since I left here; so I have the advantage of the girls. They are wild to see Major Jameson.
May 11th, 1778.—The scarcity of paper, which is very great in this part of the country, and the three last months not producing any thing material, has prevented me from keeping a regular account of things; but to-day the scene begins to brighten, and I will continue my nonsense. In the afternoon, we were just seated at tea,—Dr. Moore with us. Nelly (our girl) brought us the wonderful intelligence that there were light horse in the road. The tea-table was almost deserted. About fifteen light horse were the vanguard of 16 hundred men under the command of Gen'l Maxwell. I imagin'd that they would pass immediately by, but was agreeably disappointed. My father came in with the Gen'l, Col. Brodhead, Major Ogden, and Capt. Jones.
The Gen'l is a Scotsman,—nothing prepossessing in his appearance; the Col. very martial and fierce; Ogden, a genteel young fellow, with an aquiline nose. Capt. Cadwallader Jones! If I was not invincible, I must have fallen a victim to this man's elegancies; (but, thank my good fortune, I am not made of susceptibilities!) tall, elegant, and handsome,—white fac'd with blue regimentals, and a mighty airish cap and white crest: his behaviour is refin'd,—a Virginian. They sat a few minutes after tea, then bid us adieu.
This brigade is encamp'd about three miles from us.
First day evening.—This afternoon has been productive of adventures in the true sense of the word. Jenny R., Betsy, Liddy, and I, very genteely dress'd, determin'd to take a stroll. Neighbour Morgan's was proposed. Away we rambled, heedless girls; pass'd two picket-guards. Meeting with no interruptions encourag'd us. After paying our visit, we walk'd towards home, when, to my utter astonishment, the sentry desir'd us to stop!—that he had orders not to suffer any persons to pass but those who had leave from the officer, who was at the guard-house surrounded by a number of men. To go to him would be inconsistent with propriety; to stay there, and night advancing, was not clever. I was much terrified. I tried to persuade the soldier to let us pass. "No; he dared not." Betsy attempted to go. He presented his gun with the bayonet fix'd. This was an additional fright. Back we turn'd; and, very fortunately, the officer, (Capt. Emeson,) seeing our distress, came to us. I ask'd him if he had any objection to our passing the sentry? "None at all, ma'am." He waited upon us, and reprimanded the man, and we, without any farther difficulty, came home.
Third day, June 2d, 1778.—I was standing at the back window; an officer and private of dragoons rode by; I tore to the door to have a better view of them; they stop'd; the officer rode up, and ask'd for Jesse, who was call'd.
Afternoon, 4 o'clock.—Oh, Deborah! what capital adventures! Jesse came. The idea of having Light horse quarter'd at the farm was disagreeable,—the meadows just fit to mow; and we had heard what destruction had awaited their footsteps. This was the dialogue between Jesse and the officer:—"Pray, sir, can I have quarters for a few horsemen?" "How many?" "Five and twenty, sir. I do not mean to turn them into your meadows. If you have any place you can spare, any thing will do." And he dismounted and walk'd into aunt's parlour. I—determin'd to find out his character—follow'd. "I have," reply'd Jesse, "a tolerable field that may perhaps suit." "That will do, sir; but if you have any objection to putting them in a field, my men shall cut the grass and bring it in the road. I am under the necessity of quartering them here, but I was order'd; I am only an inferior officer." Some elegant corporal, thought I, and went to the door. He soon join'd me: speaking to his man, "Ride off, and tell Mr. Watts we rendez-vous here."
He inquir'd the name of the farmer, and went into aunt's; I into the back room. The troop rode up. New scenes, said I, and mov'd up-stairs, where I saw them perform their different manoeuvres. This Mr. Watts is remarkably tall, and a good countenance. I adjourn'd to our parlor. The first officer march'd up and down the entry. Prissa came in. "Good, now, Prissa. What's the name of this man?" "Dyer, I believe." "Capt. Dyer. Oh, the name! What does he say?" "Why, that he will kiss me when he has din'd." "Singular," I observ'd, "on so short an acquaintance." "But," resum'd Prissa, "he came and fix'd his arm on the chair I sat in: I Pray, ma'am, is there not a family from town with you?" "Yes." "What's their name?" "Wister." "There's two fine girls there. I will go chat with them. Pray, did they leave their effects in Philadelphia?" "Yes, every thing, almost." "They shall have them again, that they shall." There ended the conversation. But this ugly name teaz'd me! "Oh, Sally, he is a Virginian that's in his favour greatly." "I'm not sure that's his name, but I understood so." Prissa left us. I step'd into aunt's for Johnny, and desir'd him to come home. Up started the Captain: "Pray, let me introduce you, ma'am." "I am perfectly acquainted with him," said I, and turn'd to the door. "Tell your sister I believe she is not fond of strangers!" I smil'd, and return'd to our parlour.
Third day night, nine o'clock, aye, ten, I fancy.—Take a circumstantial account of this afternoon, and the person of this extraordinary man. His exterior first. His name is not Dyer, but Alexander Spotswood Dandridge, which certainly gives a genteel idea of the man. I will be particular. His person is more elegantly form'd than any I ever seen; tall and commanding; his forehead is very white, though the lower part of his face is much sunburn'd; his features are extremely pleasing; an even, white set of teeth; dark hair and eyes. I can't better describe him than by saying he is the handsomest man I ever beheld! Betsy and Liddy coincide in this opinion.
After I had set a while at home, in came Dandridge. He enter'd into chat immediately. Ask'd if we knew Tacy Vanderen; said he courted her, and that they were to be married soon. Observ'd my sampler, which was in full view; wish'd I would teach the Virginians some of my needle wisdom; they were the laziest girls in the world; told his name; laugh'd and talk'd incessantly. At last, "May I" (to mamma) "introduce my brother officer?" We assented; so he call'd him. "Mr. Watts, Mrs. Wister, young Miss Wister; Mr. Watts, ladies, is one of our Virginia children." He sat down. Tea was order'd. Dandridge never drank tea; Watts had done; so we set to the table alone. "Let's walk in the garden," said the Captain; so we call'd Liddy, and went, (not Watts.) We sat down in a sort of a summer-house. "Miss Sally, are you a Quaker?" "Yes." "Now, are you a Quaker?" "Yes, I am." "Then you are a Tory." "I am not, indeed." "Oh, dear!" replied he, "I am a poor creature! I can hardly live!" Then, flying away from that subject, "Will you marry me, Miss Sally?" "No, really! A gentleman, after he has said he has not sufficient to maintain himself, to ask me to marry him!" "Never mind what I say. I have enough to make the pot boil!"