Showing posts with label Garrison. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Garrison. Show all posts
MARCH GARRISON report
Ensign Boggs talks with one of the soldiers at the guard house.
Pvt. E. Ellis (J. Gamble)
Saturday I unlock'd the infirmary first thing in the morning. It was cold, so I robbed coals from the barracks to build a fire in the infirmary hearth. After the fire was lit, I put my apron on and swept the floor vigorously. As I worked, it began to rain, weather that would last through the majority of the day. Sometimes a soft mist, occasionally a driving sort of affair, it made for muddy conditions that kept the ground in front of the more heavily visited buildings soggy and difficult to enter.
A small group gather'd just outside the door of the infirmary there at the top of the hill, and seemed to be looking off into the distance and discussing something in an animated fashion, so I stepped out to have a look. Pvt. Kirby pointed out a rather good sized bald eagle perch'd in a nearby tree. I ran back and fetched my new looking glass to get a closer look. The new glass worked very well, I could see his head as he looked about, completely undisturbed by our presence.
The day for the men of Fort Loudoun was occupied by exercising the artillery pieces on the lower bastions, marching and musketry drills.
About mid day, Parson John and a group of six pupils arrived at the infirmary for a visit. I discussed surgery and medicine with them for a bit, when I noticed Maggie standing outside on the step, the rain from the rooftop dripping down upon her. I turned to the Parson, "Parson, Maggie may come in out of the rain if you wish... as long as she doesn't touch anything." says I.
"Maggie! Come in out of the rain!" cried he out the door.
The fort, alive with activity.
After opening for business.
Sgt. Nutcher came in and partook of the coffee, and paid me a high compliment. He told me that he thought my voice was fine and clear... in reference to my singing the night before. I think this high praise indeed, considering I believe the goode sergeant to have the finest voice of all the men station'd at Loudoun.
Later, as I dusted the bottles of medicinals upon the shelves, I discover'd one that was broken. Given the clean lines of the break, I would suspect that it burst after one of the hard freezes we have received this winter past.
On guard duty.
MARCH GARRISON
HIS WEEK'S end I report for duty at Fort Loudoun for the first time during this present year. It is my understanding from my recent correspondence from Ensign Boggs, that Dr. Anderson will be away on the King's business, and the health of the men will be my sole responsibility.One can only imagine the wretched state the poor infirmary will be in after being shut up for such a prolonged period. There shall be no end of sweeping and airing out of the place, not to mention dusting the great glass bottles that line every shelf. Such is the mate's lot I s'pose.
Having pockets to let, I have agreed to carry along a passenger when I travel, in an attempt to defer some of the expense of the trip. That passenger will be mr. E. Mason who lives to the West. He is an agreeable fellow whom I have met before, but have not seen in quite some time.
A CHRISTMAS FROLICK; part two
Wherein the Doctor, in his guise as Surgeon's Mate, travels to Fort Loudoun upon ye Tanassee River, delivers a mail packet, gives and receives Yule gifts, sees his first snow of the season, eats his first onion pie and is inadvertently married to two Cherokee sisters.
Snow had fallen in the night and covered everything in a thick blanket of white. It was still falling in heavy flakes when I stepped out of the barracks to have a look. Kirby and a few others stood outside under the eaves and watched the snow fall.
I swept the infirmary floors and neatened the beds a bit, but as there was little for me to do, I left the Doctor and his new Nurse and went down the the barracks again.
Maggie and some of the other women decorated the entire fort with fresh greens, which gave it a most festive and gay appearance.
I got into my cups at mid day. I made a meal of a large sweet potato with butter and brown sugar, and ate it right down, skin and all.
For a bit of entertainment for those assembled in the barracks, Pvt. Kirby had me read for him his letters that I had brought along. He opened them carefully to preserve the wax seals as best he could, then passed them into my hands. They were as follows:
Dear Sir,
If it be quite convenient and agreeable to you, I'll beg the favour of you to lend me fifty pounds for the space of three months precisely; any security that you shall require and I can give, you may freely ask. A less time would not suit me; a longer, you may depend on it, I shall not desire. Your answer will oblige, Sir,
Your very humble servant,
B. Jonas
Sir,
There was a time when if any one should have told me that I would ever have written to you fuch a letter as I am now writing, I would as soon have believed that the earth would have burst asunder, or that I should see stars falling to the ground, or trees and mountains rising to the heavens. But there is nothing too strange to happen. One thing would have appeared yet more impossible than my writing it, which is, that you should have given me the cause to have written it, and yet that has happened.
The purpose of this is to tell you, Sir, that I shall never wait on you again. You will truly know what I make myself suffer when I impose this command upon my own heart; but I would not tell you of it, if it were not too much determined to me for have a possibility of changing my resolution.
It gives me some pleasure that you will feel no uneasiness for this, though I should also have been very averse some time ago even to have imagined that; but you know where to employ that attention of which I am not worthy the whole, and with a part I shall not be contented. I was a witness, Sir, yesterday of your behaviour to Miss Henley. I had often been told of this, but I have refused to listen to it. I supposed your heart no more capable of deceit than my own: but I cannot disbelieve what I have been told on such authority, when my own eyes confirm it. Sir, I take my leave of you, and beg you will forget there ever was fuch a woman as,
Your humble servant,
Francis Winifred
We all had a bit of fun at poor Kirby's expense over this, even Chief Little Carpenter and the Parson.
There were firings of the wall gun and the cannons. Ensign Boggs and a crew fired a cannon from one bastion, and Sgt. Nutcher and his crew fired from another. The report echoed all through the hills and down the valley.
Doctor Anderson dispenses his Stout whilst drummer Hamilton holds the lantern.
Several jiggers of rum, two mugs of Stout brewed by Doctor Anderson, wine from the fine ladies in Captain Demere's quarters, and then a good dark ale from Pvt. Newell left me feeling quite in the merry spirit of the season. I think it would be safe to say that I had tossed off my full bumper.
We sang songs in the barracks after dark for the publick that filed through, a good mixture of Christmas songs and the standard military fare we usually sing.
The crescendo of the evening's festivities came with the night firing of the cannons and wall gun from three of the four bastions followed shortly thereafter by the much anticipated 'pie supper'.
With the barracks full to nearly overflowing, we all gathered round the long tables full of every kind and creed of pie that one could imagine. Beef pies, egg pies with cheese, onion pies, fried apple pies, and all kinds of berry and fruit pie known to man. I was loan'd a tin plate by young Private Gamble, as my meager wooden bowl was hardly sufficient to he task of holding a multitude of pies. We all stood 'round and, once released, attacked the tables and their contents with great enthusiasm!
I filled my plate on the first pass with a cold beef pie, a hot egg pie with cheese, a blueberry pie that also contained spiced raisins, a shambling shepherd's pie and another pie I could not identify, but ate all the same.
When I got to the end of the table and my plate was full, I discovered the fried fruit pies wrapped in thin paper. I had no room for them on the large tin plate, so I took two and placed them carefully into my coat pockets!
I even partook on Mr. Ross' excellent onion pie! I have never before had anything of the sort, it was magnificent!
There was a rather large cluster of mistletoe hung in the barracks, and I made note that Eagle Woman and Corn Blossom, Cherokee sisters from the nearby village of Toskegee had decorated their hair with sprigs of the stuff. I took the opportunity to gives them kisses upon both their cheeks. Shortly thereafter, I was reliably informed that this now meant that they were my wives!
Eagle Woman and Cornblossom
Snow had fallen in the night and covered everything in a thick blanket of white. It was still falling in heavy flakes when I stepped out of the barracks to have a look. Kirby and a few others stood outside under the eaves and watched the snow fall.I swept the infirmary floors and neatened the beds a bit, but as there was little for me to do, I left the Doctor and his new Nurse and went down the the barracks again.
Maggie and some of the other women decorated the entire fort with fresh greens, which gave it a most festive and gay appearance.
I got into my cups at mid day. I made a meal of a large sweet potato with butter and brown sugar, and ate it right down, skin and all.
For a bit of entertainment for those assembled in the barracks, Pvt. Kirby had me read for him his letters that I had brought along. He opened them carefully to preserve the wax seals as best he could, then passed them into my hands. They were as follows:
Dear Sir,If it be quite convenient and agreeable to you, I'll beg the favour of you to lend me fifty pounds for the space of three months precisely; any security that you shall require and I can give, you may freely ask. A less time would not suit me; a longer, you may depend on it, I shall not desire. Your answer will oblige, Sir,
Your very humble servant,
B. Jonas
Sir,There was a time when if any one should have told me that I would ever have written to you fuch a letter as I am now writing, I would as soon have believed that the earth would have burst asunder, or that I should see stars falling to the ground, or trees and mountains rising to the heavens. But there is nothing too strange to happen. One thing would have appeared yet more impossible than my writing it, which is, that you should have given me the cause to have written it, and yet that has happened.
The purpose of this is to tell you, Sir, that I shall never wait on you again. You will truly know what I make myself suffer when I impose this command upon my own heart; but I would not tell you of it, if it were not too much determined to me for have a possibility of changing my resolution.
It gives me some pleasure that you will feel no uneasiness for this, though I should also have been very averse some time ago even to have imagined that; but you know where to employ that attention of which I am not worthy the whole, and with a part I shall not be contented. I was a witness, Sir, yesterday of your behaviour to Miss Henley. I had often been told of this, but I have refused to listen to it. I supposed your heart no more capable of deceit than my own: but I cannot disbelieve what I have been told on such authority, when my own eyes confirm it. Sir, I take my leave of you, and beg you will forget there ever was fuch a woman as,
Your humble servant,
Francis Winifred
We all had a bit of fun at poor Kirby's expense over this, even Chief Little Carpenter and the Parson.There were firings of the wall gun and the cannons. Ensign Boggs and a crew fired a cannon from one bastion, and Sgt. Nutcher and his crew fired from another. The report echoed all through the hills and down the valley.
Doctor Anderson dispenses his Stout whilst drummer Hamilton holds the lantern.Several jiggers of rum, two mugs of Stout brewed by Doctor Anderson, wine from the fine ladies in Captain Demere's quarters, and then a good dark ale from Pvt. Newell left me feeling quite in the merry spirit of the season. I think it would be safe to say that I had tossed off my full bumper.
We sang songs in the barracks after dark for the publick that filed through, a good mixture of Christmas songs and the standard military fare we usually sing.
The crescendo of the evening's festivities came with the night firing of the cannons and wall gun from three of the four bastions followed shortly thereafter by the much anticipated 'pie supper'.
With the barracks full to nearly overflowing, we all gathered round the long tables full of every kind and creed of pie that one could imagine. Beef pies, egg pies with cheese, onion pies, fried apple pies, and all kinds of berry and fruit pie known to man. I was loan'd a tin plate by young Private Gamble, as my meager wooden bowl was hardly sufficient to he task of holding a multitude of pies. We all stood 'round and, once released, attacked the tables and their contents with great enthusiasm!
I filled my plate on the first pass with a cold beef pie, a hot egg pie with cheese, a blueberry pie that also contained spiced raisins, a shambling shepherd's pie and another pie I could not identify, but ate all the same.
When I got to the end of the table and my plate was full, I discovered the fried fruit pies wrapped in thin paper. I had no room for them on the large tin plate, so I took two and placed them carefully into my coat pockets!
I even partook on Mr. Ross' excellent onion pie! I have never before had anything of the sort, it was magnificent!
There was a rather large cluster of mistletoe hung in the barracks, and I made note that Eagle Woman and Corn Blossom, Cherokee sisters from the nearby village of Toskegee had decorated their hair with sprigs of the stuff. I took the opportunity to gives them kisses upon both their cheeks. Shortly thereafter, I was reliably informed that this now meant that they were my wives!
Eagle Woman and CornblossomAfter my fill of pie and merriment, a group of us played One and Thirty in the guard house.
I went to bed about 9:30 while others were still up. I threw my blankets over my face and blocked out the world. The last thing I recall before sleep was Ensign Boggs. "Mr. Roberts have you retired?" says he.
"Yes sir I have." says I from under the blanket.
I went to bed about 9:30 while others were still up. I threw my blankets over my face and blocked out the world. The last thing I recall before sleep was Ensign Boggs. "Mr. Roberts have you retired?" says he.
"Yes sir I have." says I from under the blanket.
A CHRISTMAS FROLICK, in images
Friday night in the barracks.
Everyone gathers 'round for the gift exchange.
Ensign Boggs gives Sweet grief about his unsightly facial growth.
The Doctor shows off part of the gift giv'n to him by Boggs!A fine pouch in which to keep his coin.
I read my poem whilst Pvt. Hamilton holds the smudgepot.
Make note of the mail packet there on the table before me.
Kirby admires 'Naughty Molly'.
Ode to a Tricorn Box
Written on December 3, for the Loudoun Christmas Garrison
by Sgt. Nutcher for his gift to Ensign Boggs.
To be sung to the tune of "O' Tannenbaum"
Oh, Tricorn Box, Oh Tricorn Box
How lovely is thy leather.
Oh Tricorn Box, Oh Tricorn Box
It’s waxed against the weather.
The stitches are so neat and tight,
The lining is so green and bright.
Oh Tricorn Box, My Tricorn Box
You give me joy and pleasure.
Oh Tricorn Box, Oh Tricorn Box
Much Pleasure thou can’st give me.
Oh Tricorn Box, My Tricorn Box
Much Pleasure thou can’st give me.
How often has my poor chapeau
Been bashed and mashed and lumped like dough.
But now within your leathern glow
My tricorn I can safely stow.
Oh Tricorn Box, Oh Tricorn Box
Thy buckles shine so brightly.
Oh Tricorn Box, Oh Tricorn Box
Thy buckles shine so brightly.
I stitched this box with loving care
I knew my hat would rest in there.
Oh Tricorn Box, Oh Tricorn Box
You are a gift just for me.
Oh Tricorn Box, Oh Tricorn Box
My joy has turned to sorrow.
Oh Tricorn Box, Oh Tricorn Box
My joy has turned to sorrow.
I found the note naming my giftee.
Alas, ‘twas not a gift for me.
Now, sad, heartbroken, in a fog,
Rot it all, it goes to Boggs.
A CHRISTMAS FROLICK
Wherein the Doctor, in his guise as Surgeon's Mate, travels to Fort Loudoun upon ye Tanassee River, delivers a mail packet, gives and receives Yule gifts, sees his first snow of the season, eats his first onion pie and is inadvertently married to two Cherokee sisters.
FESTIVE SPIRIT filled the air as I arrived at Fort Loudoun on Friday afternoon for the annual Christmastide celebration. I arrived bearing gifts, one was the gift that I had put together for Private Kirby, the other, slightly less expected was that of a mail packet for the men! Mail and news from loved ones is always a welcome gift to the men in the King's military, especially whilst station'd so far from home. And I do believe that none could be farther from their homes than the fine men a Fort Loudoun.
I settled back into the barracks just as though I had never been gone, laid out my two wool blankets on the bunk next to the fireplace. I laid them in the manner that was taught me long ago, to keep out the cold air, very similar to a cocoon.
Discover'd that some of the natives from Toskegee had been invited to stay in the fort for the festivities. Little Carpenter had also been invited to stay, but he refused, saying that his winter house would suffice.
The afternoon was spent in visiting with friends, whilst waiting for the last few men to arrive so the gift giving could begin. William Jack was the last to arrive, and as we had all tossed off a full bumper while waiting, a great huzzah went up as he came through the door of the barracks. T'was round nine o'clock when Ensign Boggs, in quite a jolly old mood, stood in the middle of the long, candle lit room, and took a few moments to introduce every man, woman and child in turn with compliments to each.
Without further ado, the gift exchange began with the children giving their gifts to one another. Some of
The exchange of gift between adults began with Ensign Boggs who had drawn MY name! First, he read his presentation poem, it may be a blessing that I do not recall much of the Ensign's poem... but the gift he got for me came enclosed in a haversack. Within, there was to be found a fine leather wallet, "for your bills", said he. And next to it at the bottom of the haversack was a large pouch filled with gold coins! The goode Ensign said it would so a ways toward fulfilling my goals for the coming year.
I was the second in attendance to have to stand and give my gift. I fetched the small box from my bunk and took the Ensign's place at the center of the room. Pvt. Hamilton stood just behind me with the smudge pot over my shoulder for additional reading light. You may find my poem below:
A CHRISTMAS FROLICK;
in FIVE parts
Wherein the story is told of young Private Kirby,
and we discover that the Doctor can not write poetry.
I.
It would seem that Kirby's poor Mother,
had a problem quite like many other,
had his neck by the nape,
so he planned his escape,
the poor lad, how she did tend to smother.
II.
So our Kirby took up the King's Shilling,
bought what the recruiter was billing,
he cared not what it paid,
figured he'd have it made,
to flee home he was Eager and Willing.
III.
Crossed the ocean and got to the port,
his heart sunk when he stepped in the fort,
upon searching his bag,
he cursed the old hag,
he found his necessities short.
IV.
Nothing with which to blacken his lungs,
nothing in which to partake in his rums,
no way in which to pickle his liver,
the thought made poor Kirby shiver,
For his things he’d ask these here bums.
V.
So the Doctor took up his request,
and told Private Kirby to rest,
fretting's bad for his health,
he reached up on his shelf,
and gave unto him this ‘ere chest.
My gift to Pvt. Kirby was a small wooden box wrapped with a red ribbon that contained:
The poems and gifts continued, with even some of the natives getting in on the gift giving.
Pvt. Kirby gave to young miss Newell a beautiful red cloak that she wore for the remainder of the week's end to fend off the cold.
Doctor Anderson was giv'n a beautiful new fleam made for him by the blacksmith. It came in a magnificent wooden case with its own handmade fleam bat.
Atta Kula Kulla gave the Blacksmith a possum fur pouch that contained (I believe) a fancy pipe and some fine indian tobacco.
But my favorite by far came from Sgt. Nutcher, who was the final one of the lot to present. He held in his arms a fine leather tricorn hat box that he had made, and sang a song of his own creation entitled "O' Tricorn Box", which he sang to the tune of "O' Tannenbaum". All in attendance agreed that it was most humorous.
After the gift exchange, there was drinking and merry-making. One private was so in his cups that I had to escort him to his bunk, lest he fall down and do himself injury.
The visiting and discussion carried on well past the midnight hour.
In the night, while the soldiers slept, it snowed! The heavy clouds hung low in the hills and along the water.
FESTIVE SPIRIT filled the air as I arrived at Fort Loudoun on Friday afternoon for the annual Christmastide celebration. I arrived bearing gifts, one was the gift that I had put together for Private Kirby, the other, slightly less expected was that of a mail packet for the men! Mail and news from loved ones is always a welcome gift to the men in the King's military, especially whilst station'd so far from home. And I do believe that none could be farther from their homes than the fine men a Fort Loudoun.I settled back into the barracks just as though I had never been gone, laid out my two wool blankets on the bunk next to the fireplace. I laid them in the manner that was taught me long ago, to keep out the cold air, very similar to a cocoon.
Discover'd that some of the natives from Toskegee had been invited to stay in the fort for the festivities. Little Carpenter had also been invited to stay, but he refused, saying that his winter house would suffice.
The afternoon was spent in visiting with friends, whilst waiting for the last few men to arrive so the gift giving could begin. William Jack was the last to arrive, and as we had all tossed off a full bumper while waiting, a great huzzah went up as he came through the door of the barracks. T'was round nine o'clock when Ensign Boggs, in quite a jolly old mood, stood in the middle of the long, candle lit room, and took a few moments to introduce every man, woman and child in turn with compliments to each.
Without further ado, the gift exchange began with the children giving their gifts to one another. Some of
The exchange of gift between adults began with Ensign Boggs who had drawn MY name! First, he read his presentation poem, it may be a blessing that I do not recall much of the Ensign's poem... but the gift he got for me came enclosed in a haversack. Within, there was to be found a fine leather wallet, "for your bills", said he. And next to it at the bottom of the haversack was a large pouch filled with gold coins! The goode Ensign said it would so a ways toward fulfilling my goals for the coming year.I was the second in attendance to have to stand and give my gift. I fetched the small box from my bunk and took the Ensign's place at the center of the room. Pvt. Hamilton stood just behind me with the smudge pot over my shoulder for additional reading light. You may find my poem below:
A CHRISTMAS FROLICK;in FIVE parts
Wherein the story is told of young Private Kirby,
and we discover that the Doctor can not write poetry.
I.
It would seem that Kirby's poor Mother,
had a problem quite like many other,
had his neck by the nape,
so he planned his escape,
the poor lad, how she did tend to smother.
II.
So our Kirby took up the King's Shilling,
bought what the recruiter was billing,
he cared not what it paid,
figured he'd have it made,
to flee home he was Eager and Willing.
III.
Crossed the ocean and got to the port,
his heart sunk when he stepped in the fort,
upon searching his bag,
he cursed the old hag,
he found his necessities short.
IV.
Nothing with which to blacken his lungs,
nothing in which to partake in his rums,
no way in which to pickle his liver,
the thought made poor Kirby shiver,
For his things he’d ask these here bums.
V.
So the Doctor took up his request,
and told Private Kirby to rest,
fretting's bad for his health,
he reached up on his shelf,
and gave unto him this ‘ere chest.
My gift to Pvt. Kirby was a small wooden box wrapped with a red ribbon that contained:
- A brass rum jigger
- a rather naughty pipe tamp by the name of "Naughty Molly"
- a pair of dice for gambling
- A copy of the September 1759 London Gazette
- A small wooden plate
- two printed sermons
- A small, leather wrapped edition of the Proverbs of Solomon
- two hand written letters from home; One from a fellow by the name of Jonas from London who wrote to request money, and one from a rather upset sounding young woman asking Kirby to never call upon her again. I know this of course because Kirby opened the letters and had me read them to him.
The poems and gifts continued, with even some of the natives getting in on the gift giving.
Pvt. Kirby gave to young miss Newell a beautiful red cloak that she wore for the remainder of the week's end to fend off the cold.
Doctor Anderson was giv'n a beautiful new fleam made for him by the blacksmith. It came in a magnificent wooden case with its own handmade fleam bat.
Atta Kula Kulla gave the Blacksmith a possum fur pouch that contained (I believe) a fancy pipe and some fine indian tobacco.But my favorite by far came from Sgt. Nutcher, who was the final one of the lot to present. He held in his arms a fine leather tricorn hat box that he had made, and sang a song of his own creation entitled "O' Tricorn Box", which he sang to the tune of "O' Tannenbaum". All in attendance agreed that it was most humorous.
After the gift exchange, there was drinking and merry-making. One private was so in his cups that I had to escort him to his bunk, lest he fall down and do himself injury.
The visiting and discussion carried on well past the midnight hour.
In the night, while the soldiers slept, it snowed! The heavy clouds hung low in the hills and along the water.to be continued...
Christmas at FORT LOUDOUN
AM nearly prepared to make for old Fort Loudoun for the final time this year. I will be eating, drinking and making merry for the Christmastide with my old mates there. I have prepared the gift for the fellow whose name I was giv'n, and am quite pleased with the outcome of it on the whole. I shall keep his name a secret until after the festivities, should he read it in my journal here.Part of the gift-giving tradition is to pen a ribald poem to accompany the gift. I have written a good deal of the thing, which I have entitled:
"A CHRISTMAS FROLICK;
Wherein the story is told of young _____________,
and we discover that the Doctor can not write poetry."
Much to my dismay, I have been nary able to find a word that rhymes suitably with 'Loudoun'.
The weather has been beastly cold at night, and I am much afeard that I will freeze to death in the barracks unless they have taken some measures since my last visit. Otherwise, my two heavy woolen blankets, one red, one smoke gray, may not be equal to the task. I shall take my heavy gray woolen overshirt and black cloak just in case.
I am looking very much forward to seeing the boys at Loudoun again.
Yesterday, I used the experimental batch of ink that I brewed at Fort Boonesborough at the beginning of this present month. I used a concoction of walnuts and fine Kentuckee Tobacco. In the writing, it makes the most lovely yellow-brown, and the smell is most pleasing as well. My last batch of ink, made solely from walnuts, always had a smell that brought to mind damp earth.
I used the ink to pen the old alchemical symbols and their meanings as well as monies and what things are worth.
The weather has been beastly cold at night, and I am much afeard that I will freeze to death in the barracks unless they have taken some measures since my last visit. Otherwise, my two heavy woolen blankets, one red, one smoke gray, may not be equal to the task. I shall take my heavy gray woolen overshirt and black cloak just in case.
I am looking very much forward to seeing the boys at Loudoun again.
Toskegee, the nearby indian village, in the winter.
Yesterday, I used the experimental batch of ink that I brewed at Fort Boonesborough at the beginning of this present month. I used a concoction of walnuts and fine Kentuckee Tobacco. In the writing, it makes the most lovely yellow-brown, and the smell is most pleasing as well. My last batch of ink, made solely from walnuts, always had a smell that brought to mind damp earth.
I used the ink to pen the old alchemical symbols and their meanings as well as monies and what things are worth.
Loudoun October Garrison part 2
Saturday October 10th- Morning came, as it is so oft wont to do, and I arose and dressed in my red woolen uniform.
A steady stream of publick came and went, asking their questions.
Two chickens escaped their pen at the top of the hill by the Commander's house and there was quite a lively bit of entertainment in watching as their keepers attempted to catch them.
I arranged Lt. Anderson's desk and chairs in the infirmary so as to be able to entertain, and shortly thereafter arrived Corporal Hill and Private Newell to play cards with the deck so graciously given to me by Pvt. Kirby. We played One & Thirty, and my luck was rather poor. At one point I grew so disgusted that I tossed the cards down on the table and one fell between the gap in the floorboards to be lost forever beneath the Infirmary.
For a bit of entertainment, I danced the "ensign" while mr. Hawkins played his pipe.
Evening brought the Cherokee peace chief "Little Carpenter" into the barracks for a visit. He sat by the fire and told stories of his people late into the night.
A steady stream of publick came and went, asking their questions.
Two chickens escaped their pen at the top of the hill by the Commander's house and there was quite a lively bit of entertainment in watching as their keepers attempted to catch them.
Hill and Newell
I arranged Lt. Anderson's desk and chairs in the infirmary so as to be able to entertain, and shortly thereafter arrived Corporal Hill and Private Newell to play cards with the deck so graciously given to me by Pvt. Kirby. We played One & Thirty, and my luck was rather poor. At one point I grew so disgusted that I tossed the cards down on the table and one fell between the gap in the floorboards to be lost forever beneath the Infirmary.
For a bit of entertainment, I danced the "ensign" while mr. Hawkins played his pipe.
Evening brought the Cherokee peace chief "Little Carpenter" into the barracks for a visit. He sat by the fire and told stories of his people late into the night.
Little Carpenter
Loudoun October Garrison
Friday October 9th- Cooler temperatures and rain pursued me along my path Eastward and through the mountains. I was surprised to discover that the trees higher up were already ablaze as I made my way toward the fort there along the Tennase River. Scarlet, orange and amber intermixed with brilliant shades of green lined my path and it was as though I was seeing colors for the first time in a long while.
I arrived around mid day to discover that I was one of the first to arrive. I took my place in the Infirmary and began to go about the tasks that would occupy any surgeon's mate whilst the Doctor was away. I straightened and dusted the bottles on the shelves, I took the ticks and pillows off the sickbeds to be aired outside, and I swept the floors... vigorously.
Something fantastic occurred, I was given a key! The key to the Infirmary, for my own personal use. I kept it tucked away safely in my waistcoat pocket and took great pride in using it to lock and unlock the door to the Infirmary as I came and went.
I also made an alarming discovery. I was informed by Private Steel, that the skull that resides in the Infirmary, was stolen last month! My first thought was for my Lucy, who had grown quite attached to the old skull during our trip to Fort Niagara this summer. I knew she would be heartbroken. What sort of monstrous, grave-robbing fiend would steal a skull used to educate the publick in the ways of physick and surgery? I was utterly disgusted about it for the remainder of the day every time it was brought to mind.
I made my bed down the hill in the barracks reserved for the bachelor soldiers, it would be my first time to stay in those quarters. I fluffed the tick and laid out my wool blankets to make my bed. The bachelor's quarters is a long building at the bottom of the hill, two fireplaces and made to sleep about 30 men.
As more of the men arrived, so too did the dark storm clouds.
Heavy rains began to fall as we took refuge in the barracks. At nine of the clock, I laid on my bunk while the others made merry of one sort or another, drinking, smoking their pipes, telling bawdy stories and the like. They would occasionally see fit to inform me that if I were to fall asleep so early that they would be at their liberty to set my blankets ablaze. I would raise my head up from my slumber briefly to assure all present that I was, in fact, awake.
Around midnight, the weather had cleared somewhat and the moon shone bright on the parade grounds. I got out of bed and found a group of men standing in front of the barracks talking. I stood with them for a while and admired the stars before we all parted and took to our beds.
I arrived around mid day to discover that I was one of the first to arrive. I took my place in the Infirmary and began to go about the tasks that would occupy any surgeon's mate whilst the Doctor was away. I straightened and dusted the bottles on the shelves, I took the ticks and pillows off the sickbeds to be aired outside, and I swept the floors... vigorously.
Something fantastic occurred, I was given a key! The key to the Infirmary, for my own personal use. I kept it tucked away safely in my waistcoat pocket and took great pride in using it to lock and unlock the door to the Infirmary as I came and went.
Private Steel
I also made an alarming discovery. I was informed by Private Steel, that the skull that resides in the Infirmary, was stolen last month! My first thought was for my Lucy, who had grown quite attached to the old skull during our trip to Fort Niagara this summer. I knew she would be heartbroken. What sort of monstrous, grave-robbing fiend would steal a skull used to educate the publick in the ways of physick and surgery? I was utterly disgusted about it for the remainder of the day every time it was brought to mind.
I made my bed down the hill in the barracks reserved for the bachelor soldiers, it would be my first time to stay in those quarters. I fluffed the tick and laid out my wool blankets to make my bed. The bachelor's quarters is a long building at the bottom of the hill, two fireplaces and made to sleep about 30 men.
The interior of the barracks
As more of the men arrived, so too did the dark storm clouds.
Heavy rains began to fall as we took refuge in the barracks. At nine of the clock, I laid on my bunk while the others made merry of one sort or another, drinking, smoking their pipes, telling bawdy stories and the like. They would occasionally see fit to inform me that if I were to fall asleep so early that they would be at their liberty to set my blankets ablaze. I would raise my head up from my slumber briefly to assure all present that I was, in fact, awake.
Around midnight, the weather had cleared somewhat and the moon shone bright on the parade grounds. I got out of bed and found a group of men standing in front of the barracks talking. I stood with them for a while and admired the stars before we all parted and took to our beds.
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