Boude’s light dispatch, Capt. Thomas boude’s Co. 2015 1st Qrt. News letter

 

Letter from General Wayne to General Washington

Dear General

Being convinced that our field-pieces were too light to make the wished impression on the block-house by Bull’s Ferry, from an experience of more than an hour(at no greater distance from fifty to seventy yards), during which time both officers and men evinced a degree of bravery seldom equaled, but never excelled; and seeing the enemy in motion on York Island, and their shipping under way, together with certain accounts of the embarking of a very large body of troops from Valentine’s Hill, it was unanimously determined, in a Council of War on the field, to withdraw the artillery and fall back by easy degrees to this place, to prevent the disagreeable consequences of being shut up in Bergen Neck. We accordingly moved off, after burning the flats and boats lying at the landing, and driving the cattle from that county, which was part of our plan. Our loss is from fifty to sixty killed and wounded, whom we carried.

I will have the honor of transmitting to your Excellency the particular to-morrow.

I think it my duty to mention, that the enemy are in full motion on the North River, chief part of their troops embarked. As they have completed their foraging in East and Westchester, may not good policy induce them to take post between the Liberty Pole and this place, in order to render that essential article very difficult for your Excellency to procure, in case of a siege? I will shift my ground about two in the morning, and fall back towards the camp. Interim, I am your Excellency’s

Most obedient, humble servant,

Anthony Wayne

New Bridge 9:00 PM 21 July 1780

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Letter from the Editor

By RA Cunningham

Hello 5^th Pa,

Welcome to 2015, we have a lot great events this year. Let’s participate in the events we voted on to go. And please let me know as soon as you can if you are going, whether one or two days for weekend event. I would appreciate that.

I want to give all of the new member’s a big 5^th PA welcome, we are happy to have to and look forward to having you in the field with us.

Let’s get together our equipment and be ready for the upcoming events.

Yours Faithfully,

Rose

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Harris & General Faust Feb 22, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Betty Zane (c. 1765-1823)

Elizabeth Zane, better known as “Betty Zane,” is hailed as a heroine of the Revolutionary War for her defense of Fort Henry in the wilderness of western Virginia.

She was born near the Potomac River in Berkeley County, Virginia on July 19 — but the year is indefinite, with historians placing it between 1759 and 1766.  In any case, Betty moved with her family at an early age to the area that now is Wheeling, West Virginia.  The Zane family and a few others established Fort Henry in 1774.

(For more information on Betty, check out the link below)

http://www.nwhm.org/education-resources/biography/biographies/betty-zane/ 

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Blast from the Past:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Famous Sayings: Benjamin Franklin

“All mankind is divided into three classes: those that are immovable, those that are movable, and those that move.”

“A learned blockhead is a greater blockhead than an ignorant one.”

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 Visit our Calendar of Events page to visit us at our next event! 

You can also visit our recommend Suttler’s page here…

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General Orders

 “The hour is fast approaching, on which the Honor and Success of this army, and the safety of our bleeding Country depend. Remember officers and Soldiers, that you are free men, fighting for the blessings of Liberty — that slavery will be your portion, and that of your posterity, if you do not acquit yourselves like men.”

George Washington, General Orders, August 23, 1776

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Brown’s Raid Fort Ticonderoga

Out of the hazy twilight before dawn on September 18, 1777 rushed Colonel John Brown’s men, catching the British and Brunswick garrison around Fort Ticonderoga completely by surprise. John Brown, no stranger to dangerous missions, helped engineer the first capture of Ticonderoga in 1775. With the stakes even higher, he would test his luck again. As General Gates prepared to stop the British advance on Albany, he ordered General Lincoln to divide, divert, and harass General Burgoyne’s supply lines back to Canada. Colonel Brown chose his men carefully, allowed first pick of the ragtag patriot force assembled by General Lincoln at Pawlet, Vermont.

Massachusetts and Vermont militia men would get their chance to strike a major blow against General Burgoyne’s attack to divide the colonies. Steadying them would be regulars from Colonel Warner’s regiment of Vermonters. Out front, Vermont rangers were to lead the way. Leading the rangers was, Captain Benjamin Whitcomb, a ranger so skilled in his craft he was a wanted man to the British Army.

Rushing down into the LaChute river valley from Lake George landing, Brown’s men captured 330 British prisoners and set 118 American POWs free. Dawn at Fort Ticonderoga would see British Cannons atop Mount Defiance, which forced the American’s to flee that summer, turned on the British garrison itself. British soldiers awoke to the sight of a Brunswick soldier cut in half by a British cannon ball fired by Brown’s men from the summit of that hill. Rearmed with captured British weapons, American POWs had a chance to settle their score shoulder to shoulder with Brown’s militia, regulars, and rangers. Destroying supplies, and livestock, capturing boats, guns, and cannons, Colonel John Brown’s raiders disappeared back up Lake George, jumping into the pages of history.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Spirits of Our Forefathers

By Tom Jewett

“Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants to see us happy.” (Benjamin Franklin)

“Wine is necessary for life.” (Thomas Jefferson)

“My manner of living is plain…a glass of wine and a bit of mutton.”(George Washington)

The above statements by three of the Founding Fathers reflect the prevailing attitude toward alcohol in the 18th century and throughout much of our country’s early existence. Alcohol has played a major role in our nation’s history, and its use is a part of our heritage. In colonial times, Americans probably drank more alcohol that in any other era. Spirits were an integral part of daily life throughout the colonies no matter the geographic or economic differences. It was reported that the average American drank eight ounces of alcohol a day. And it didn’t matter what. Americans drank beer, and cider with breakfast; rum and wine with dinner; claret, ratafias, creams, punches, and other concoctions in the evening. (Robinson, 2001)

“Revolutionary War era persons drank a phenomenal amount. We have here an account of a gentleman’s average consumption: ‘Given cider and punch for lunch; rum and brandy before dinner; punch, Madeira, port and sherry at dinner; punch and liqueurs with the ladies; and wine, spirit and punch till bedtime, all in punchbowls big enough for a goose to swim in.'” (As cited in Washington and Kitman, 1970)

There are a number of reasons for all of this tippling. Our English heritage declared that water was bad for a person’s health. Given the sanitary standards of the day this was probably true. Beer consumption especially, was seen as a healthy substitute for water. Beer was considered a food, which showed social status (only the most destitute drank water) and allowed for persons to put in a full day’s work. Franklin while working in a printing house in London was known as the “water American”, because of his affinity to water, by his fellow printers who were “great guzzlers of beer…My companions at the press drank every day a pint before breakfast with his bread and cheese, a pint between breakfast and dinner, a pint in the afternoon about six o’clock, and another when he had done his day’s work.” (As cited in Barr, 1999)

Americans of the period believed it was particularly healthier to drink lukewarm alcohol during hot weather rather than drink cold water. Signs were displayed at public wells warning individuals of the dangers of cold water during the summer. The rationale for this is that when a person sweated, heat was conducted from the inside of the body.Therefore, the stomach needed warmth, which could be provided by alcohol. (Barr, 1999)

The bias against water was so great that a recent immigrant from Italy, Phillip Massei, caused a stir at a large dinner party where he “asked for a glass of water. I perceived some confusion among the servants, and the water did not arrive. The host, next to who I sat, whispered in my ear, asking with a smile if I could not drink something else, because the unexpected request for a glass upset the entire household and they did not know what they were about.” (As cited in Barr, 1999)

Beer usually replaced water as the daily drink. An early morning tankard of beer was typical in colonial America, even for children. This tradition, as stated earlier, came from England. The Pilgrims loaded more beer than water on the Mayflower. And, there is some evidence that they were put off at Plymouth, rather than Virginia, because the ship’s crew wished to make sure they had enough beer to consume on the return voyage. (Royce, 1981)

The ingredients for beer did not grow well in New England. As a substitute, the Puritans made do with hard cider. The many apple orchards of the area were planted for its production. Men usually began the day with a quart or more at breakfast.

Beer and cider were not readily available on the frontier. Settlers west of the Allegheny Mountains converted their corn into whiskey as a substitute and to make their crop transportable. Life was hard on the frontier. The pioneers called their whiskey the “Good Creature of God”, giving them the strength needed to dull the pain of the brutal manual labor of making a home in the wilderness. (Powell, 1999)

“…there is unquestionably too much spirituous liquors drank in the newly settled parts of America, but a very good reason can be assigned for it. The labor of clearing the land is rugged and severe, and the summer sweats are sometimes so great that it would be dangerous to drink cold water…”(As cited in Barr, 1999)

The first businesses established on the frontier were often simple taverns located along trails and roads to take care of the needs of travelers. Tradition of the time dictated that a drink be had at every halt in a journey. One story tells of two travelers on a seventy-mile trek by coach who drank a quart of liquor at each of the eight stops that were made.

Tavern owners enjoyed higher social status than did the clergy during the colonial era. Taverns were the center of civic life. Because of this they were often required to be located near the church or meeting house. Religious services and court sessions were often held in taverns. Judges interrupted court to drink, and clergy were obligated to drink at every house call and were often seen reeling home. (Powell, 1999)

All of this drinking did not go on without some comment. John Adams stated: “If the ancients drank as our people drink rum and cider, it is no wonder we hear of so many possessed with devils.” (As cited in History of Alcohol in America) But, among the founding fathers Adams stood pretty much alone. Washington, Franklin, and Jefferson all imbibed and enjoyed brewing or distilling their own alcoholic beverages.

Jefferson was one of the most knowledgeable wine connoisseurs ever to hold national office. And, he was the wine advisor for Washington, Madison and Monroe. He felt that wine was “…indispensable for my health.” He further advocated the virtues of wine stating “no nation is drunken where wine is cheap; and none sober, where the dearness of wine substitutes ardent spirits as the common beverage.” (As cited in Insider’s Guide to Virginia Wineries) Jefferson believed that wine stimulated conversation. There must have been quite a bit of talking at Monticello because there are records that he and his guests consumed 1,203 bottles of wine in just over two years’ time. (Garr, 1997) Jefferson, though, thought of himself as a man of moderation.

“…you are not to conclude I am a drinker. My measure is a perfectly sober one of 3 or 4 glasses at dinner, and not a drop at any other time. But as to those 3 or 4 glasses I am very fond.” (As cited in Garr, 1997)

Jefferson’s interests in wine went far beyond just drinking. He was also involved in viticulture. He planted vineyards at Monticello and encourage others to take up the practice. Jefferson’s attempts were not successful since the phylloxera louse, which was not discovered until the 1860s, attacked his grapes.

The sober picture we have of Washington is not correct if we are to believe anecdotes of his day. It was said that he could dance the night away with four bottles of wine under his belt. And, that his Revolutionary War personal expense account for alcohol from September 1775 to March 1776 amount to over six thousand dollars. (Washington & Kitman, 1970) He was a devout lover of beer; in particular a dark porter was always in ample supply at Mount Vernon. A typical Washington hosted dinner “included several wines, beer, and cider.” (Mount Vernon An Illustrated Handbook, 1974)

With all the drinking that went on during this era, one tends to agree with Adams’ statement and wonder how we fought a war, won our independence, and established a government. Perhaps the Spirit of ’76, which inspired our forefathers, was indeed spirits.

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Our Commander Captain Thomas Boude

Thomas Boude was born May 17, 1752 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.

During the American Revolutionary War served as lieutenant under General Anthony Wayne with the Second, Fourth and Fifth Pennsylvania Battalions from January 5 1776 to November 3, 1783 and was promoted to captain and brevet major. He engaged in business as a lumber dealer in Columbia, Pennsylvania. He was a member and one of the organizers of the Society of Cincinnati. He was a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1794 to 1796. He was elected as a Federalist to the Seventh Congress. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1802 to the Eighth Congress. He resumed his former business as a lumber dealers and died in Columbia, Pennsylvania, on October 24, 1822. Interment in that part of Mount Bethel Cemetery known as the “Brick Graveyard.”

(We have the location of his grave, we should make a trip to his grave as representatives of the fifth PA. We also have a contact at the cemetery to assist in location of the grave)

His Military History:

8 Jan 1776 with 4^th PA, 2^nd LT

Jan –Jul 1776 Canada Campaign(II), 2^nd Lt

18 July1776-24 Jan 1777 Fort Ticonderoga Garrison duty, 2^nd Lt

11-13 October 1776 Lake Champlain, 2^nd Lt

5^th PA- 15 Feb 1777 with fifth PA, 1^st Lt

22 Jun 1777 New Brunswick, NJ(II), 1^st Lt

11 Sep 1777 Brandywine, Capt.

19 Sep 1777 Freeman’s Farm, NY(I),Capt.

4 Oct 1777 Germantown, PA, Capt.

7-15 October Freeman’s Farm NY (II), Capt.

19 Dec 1777-19Jun 1778 Valley Forge Encampment, Capt.

28 Jun 1778 Monmouth, Capt.

15 May 1781 – 14 Dec 1782 Southern Campaign, Capt.

6 Jul 1781 Green Spring/Jamestown, Capt.

6-17 October 1781 Yorktown, Capt.

Jan – Nov 1782 Carolina Campaign, Capt.

1 Jan – 3 Nov 1783 with 2^nd PA, Capt.

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Previous event photos; 

Hope Lodge Nov 4, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crossing – Dec 25, 2014 with some of our new members! Possibly our last as;  ‘His Excellency’s Life Guard”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Trivia March Questions

1. During the revolutionary war, how man physicians had their licenses?

2. Who was Polly Cooper?

3. When was the first hospital founded?

 Trivia December Questions & Answers

1. What is James Armistead known for during the revolutionary war? He was an African American slave who served the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War as a spy and double agent. He served under Marquis de Lafayette, reporting on the activities first of Benedict Arnold – after he had gone over to the British and then Lord Cornwallis during the run up to the Battle of Yorktown. He also fed false information to them.
2. Who was known as the “Heroine of the Battle of Cowpens? Catherine Moore Barry, volunteered as a scout for the American forces. Familiar with every trail and shortcut around her plantation in South Carolina and being an excellent horse women , Kate was crucial in warning the militia of the approaching British.
3. What Fort was originally known as Fort Carilion? Fort Ticonderoga, built between 1755 and 1759
4. Where was Fort Augusta build? In the upper Susquehanna Valley from the French and Indian War to the close of the American Revolution, Fort Augusta was built on the site of Shamokin, the largest Indian town and Trading Center in Pennsylvania.

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SUTLERS

Avalon Forge, 409 Gun Rd, Baltimore, MD 21227/ www.Avalonforge.com

410-243-8431( Books, Tools, cooking & eating equip., field gear, Misc. )

Dixie Gun Works, 1412 Reelfoot Avenue, Union, TN 38281/

http://www.dixiegunworks.com

1-800-238-6785 ( Guns, parts and other supplies )

Dixon Muzzleloading Shop

9952 Kunkels Mill Rd, Kempton, PA 19529

www.dixonmuggleloading.com

1-610-756-6271 (Guns, supplies, clothing, misc. )

Gedney Godwin, Inc., 2139 Welsch Rd, Valley Forge, PA 19481/ www.ggodwin. Com

610-783-0670 (18^th Century Supplies )

Livonia Smithery, 3913 Clay St, Livonia, NY www.livoniasmithery.com

585-367-2130 (Canteens, lanterns, plates, coffee pots, frying pans, etc. )

Jas. Townsend & Son, Inc., 133 North First St, Pierceton, IN 46562/800-338-1665

www.jas-twonsend.com

18^th century supplies

Track of the Wolf, Inc. , 18308 Joplin St NW, Elk River, MN 55330/ 763-633-2500

www.trackofthewolf.com

18^th century supplies

 

Smiling Fox Forge, LLC

Email: smilingfox@smilingfoxforge.com

www.smilingfoxforge.com

3500 County Road 234, Fremont, OH 43420        ph.410-334-8180