The Revolutionary War Diary of Moses Sleeper

In the museum collection of the Longfellow House-Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site is a diary written by a soldier who participated in the early days of the American Revolution. No one knows how the diary got to the house, though it seems likely that a collector in the Longfellow family acquired it for its Revolutionary War connection in the early 20th century.

The book itself is small (5” by 8”), pocket size; its cover and the first and last three pages are missing. There is no indication of the identity of the writer of the diary; at first reading it seems to be anonymous. Using clues inside the diary – references to family members and locations of military service – the author has been established as Corporal Moses Sleeper of Newburyport, Massachusetts, who served for 19 months in Colonel Moses Little’s Regiment (later the 12th Continental Regiment).

In some passages the diary bears a striking resemblance to that of Sergeant Paul Lunt of Newburyport, who served in another company of Colonel Little’s Regiment. Lunt’s diary, spanning May to December 1775, was edited and published in 1872.

Sleeper’s diary often documents the monotonous daily life in camp: “Nothing Remarkable” is a common refrain. It also documents the Battle of Bunker Hill, the fortification efforts of the Continental troops around Boston, and the campaign to New York and Battle of Long Island with brief notes and an awareness of the historical significance of the unfolding events.

Notes on Transcription and Annotation

Sleeper’s original format is dense, making use of every part of his page. The text of the diary has been modified to show entries by the day and week, and line breaks have been added for each day’s entry. Spelling, punctuation, and capitalization have not been standardized – modern readers may notice in particular the absence of punctuation between sentences and various spellings of “entrenchments,” “sentries” or “sentinels,” and place names. The long “s” has been standardized as “s” in this transcription. Unclear words and guesses at words are indicated with [?].

Digital images of the full journal pages are available for browsing.

In this transcription, Moses Sleeper's words are presented in plain text. Headings for each month have been inserted for navigation. Modern explanations with context and additional information on Sleeper's entries, are inserted the text in annotation boxes.

Prologue

In April 1775 the British army marched to Concord to get the powder stored there. At Lexington and Concord, tense stand-offs between soldiers and militia became battles. Minutemen and militia fought the British army in Concord and all the way back to Boston, surrounding them there.

News of the first shots fired at Lexington spread across Massachusetts quickly; an express rider brought the news to Newburyport on the afternoon of April 19. 131 men marched from Newburyport under Captain Moses Nowell on April 19, including John Sleeper. Though they did not fight, they marched 75 miles and recorded service of four days.

The Massachusetts Committee of Safety sent a message to the towns of the province:

Cambridge April 28, 1775
Gentlemen: The barbarous murders committed on our innocent brethren on Wednesday the 19th instant have made it absolutely necessary that we immediately raise an army to defend our wives and children from the butchering hands of an inhuman soldiery, who, incensed at the obstacles they met with in their bloody progress, and enraged at being repulsed from the field of slaughter, will, without doubt, take the first opportunity in their power to ravage this devoted country with fire and sword.

In Newburyport, men raised a regiment and elected Moses Little as Colonel. On May 9, 22-year-old Moses Sleeper enlisted as a corporal in Captain Benjamin Perkins’s company, part of Little’s Regiment. His younger brother, John Sleeper, enlisted as a private in Captain Ezra Lunt’s company. In May, Perkins’s company consisted of 39 privates, four corporals, four sergeants, two lieutenants, two musicians, and their captain. Most were young - the average age was 22. All the men in the company came from Newburyport, and like the Sleepers, multiple members of families often enlisted together. Eight more private from Newburyport would join their ranks in early June.

A contemporary diarist in Little’s Regiment, Sergeant Paul Lunt, recorded that his company marched from Newburyport with sixty men on Wednesday, May 10, arriving at Cambridge on Friday, May 12. Sleeper’s company also marched the 40 miles from Newburyport to Cambridge in early May.

At that time Cambridge’s population was only 1,580 people; it overflowed with soldiers as thousands of recruits swarmed into the town. More than 20,000 militiamen from across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York joined the siege lines in the towns surrounding Boston. General Artemas Ward, the commander of the Massachusetts forces, established his residence and headquarters in Cambridge.

No entries for May survive in Sleeper’s diary, missing its cover and first three pages. Paul Lunt’s account fills in the first momentous occasion after their arrival, the Battle of Chelsea Creek:

Saturday, 27th.— A number of men (about six hundred) marched to Chelsea with two cannon, in order to burn some hay and drive off a number of cattle and sheep from Hog and Noddle’s Island. There came an armed schooner against them from Boston, and ran aground be- tween the islands and began a battle. Our men burnt the vessel with- out the loss of a man, and she kept a continual fire all the time till she was set on fire. She carried twelve cannon and four swivels.

After this came relative quiet, and Sleeper’s account begins.

---

June 1775: Battle of Bunker Hill

friday 9

Saturday 10 Nothing Remark

Sunday 11

Monday 12

Tuesday 13 Cap Abner Gref [Greenleaf] and Cpt. M Rogers Came to the Camps

Wedn 14 Some Ships & transports arived at Boston with 200 horse & 3000 troops

Thirsday 15 Mr. Huse Came to Cambridge

Friday 16 our Men went to Charlestown and Intrenched on a hill beyond Bunker hill they fired from the Ships and Copps hill all the time.

Late on June 16th, Colonel William Prescott led colonial soldiers to build an earthen redoubt on Breed’s Hill, a smaller hill adjacent to Bunker Hill and closer to the British forces. This proximity put the redoubt within range of the British guns on Copp’s Hill in Boston and on ships in the harbor.

Saturday 17 1775 the Regulars Came out upon the Back of Charlestown and Set fire to It & burnt It down & Came to our Entrenen[?] forced It with the Loss 896 of the Regulars and about 50 of ours The fire began at 3 o Clock and held till 6

This first major battle of the American Revolution, Moses Sleeper’s first experience of combat, later became known as the Battle of Bunker Hill. Accounts of the position of Little’s regiment are incomplete, but three companies, including Sleeper under Captain Perkins, probably marched to the redoubt on Breed’s Hill or the breastwork and rail fence flanking it. Perkins’s company lost at least two men: Samuel Nelson was killed in action, Jonathan Norton was taken prisoner and reportedly died of the wounds he received, and eight other men were annotated as wounded on a list of the company. Little’s regiment as a whole sustained total losses of seven killed and twenty-three wounded.

Sleeper’s account underestimates the casualties on both sides: the British Regulars lost 1,054 killed and wounded, about 40% of the attacking force, while the colonial losses totaled about 450. Considered a British victory, the battle left Charlestown destroyed, the British army decimated but in possession of the high ground of Bunker Hill, and the colonial forces regrouping and committed to fighting for their cause.

Sund 18 we Entrinched on prospect hill alarmed that the Regulars were advancing towards Our Entrencment but found It to be false Returned to Quarters

Having retreated from Bunker and Breed’s Hills in Charlestown, the colonial forces established breastworks on Prospect Hill, one of the closest hills to the British positions in Boston and Bunkers Hill. Sleeper would remain stationed at Prospect Hill, in growing fortifications, through the end of the Siege of Boston.

Mondy 19 Wee killed Some of there Guard

T 20 Went upon Picquet

W 21 past musters

Thirsday 22 Received our month pay

The regiment’s names and pay were recorded in the regimental orderly book by paymaster Colonel Asa Whitcomb. As a corporal, Moses Sleeper earned £2-4, a higher rate than the base £2.

F 23 Moved from Mrs Watsons house to Prospect hill

Saturday 24 Nothing Remarkable

Sund 25 heard the Rev Mr. Cleavern preach from Joshua 22 Ch 22 Verse

Reverend John Cleaveland, Separatist minister of the Second Parish Church in Ipswich, served at the chaplain of Colonel Little’s regiment.

Mond 26

T 27

Wednesday 28 fired the morning Gun at Day Light this day 5 of Coll Doolit Reg broke out with the Smallpoxe Near our tents at about Sun Set it begun to Rain after a very dry time W NE

Smallpox, a terrifying illness in peace time, threatened to kill and disable large numbers of the troops, living in close quarters with many soldiers not immune to the disease. Although they did not understand the transmission of the disease, doctors and government understood the role of quarantine in limiting its spread. The Massachusetts Provincial Congress established two quarantine hospitals for the army in June 1775. The five men of Colonel Ephraim Doolittle’s regiment would have been sent to the hospital at Fresh Pond, to stay under guard until the disease ran its course or they died.

Sleeper’s journal does not indicate whether he had already survived smallpox. His comment on the proximity of the outbreak suggests his understanding of the severity of the threat and possibly his fear for his own exposure.

Thirsday 29 Nothing Remark

friday 30 General Orders for none to leave the Camps

July 1775: Defining Freedom

Sat july 1 the Ship fired at Some of our people In a Swiming

Sunday 2 the Gageites fired upon our people At Roxbury and hove a number of Carcases [explosive shell] and bombs but did no damage Only burnt one house In the Afternoon Rain till Knight General Washington Came In to the Camps

General George Washington of Virginia had been appointed to be General and Commander in chief of the Army of the united Colonies by the Continental Congress on June 17. Washington and General Charles Lee left Philadelphia on June 23, traveling north through New Jersey and New York. Their travelling party reached Watertown, just west of Cambridge, on the morning of July 2, where the Provincial Congress formally welcomed them. They continued to the camp in Cambridge in the early afternoon. Many diarists, like Sleeper, commented on the daylong rain. Due to the weather and the observance of Sunday as a Sabbath, the generals’ arrival was a muted, serious occasion.

Monday July 3 turned out Early In the Morning Got in Rediness to Recieve the General New Orders Given out by General Washington

Sleeper and other soldiers on Prospect Hill recorded preparing to receive their new commander. Lieutenant John Hodgkins of Ipswich, an officer in another company of Little’s regiment, wrote his wife a more detailed account of the regiment’s preparation:

Geaneral Washington & Lees got into Cambridge yesterday and to Day they are to take a Vew of ye Armey, & that will be attended with a grate deal of grandor. There is at this time one & twenty Drummers, & as many feffers a Beting and Playing Round the Prayde.

Hodgkins’s estimate of forty-two musicians likely indicates the presence of two regiments turned out for review by Generals Washington and Lee near their camp on Prospect Hill. Washington’s first business on arriving in Cambridge was to transfer command and records from General Artemas Ward and to review the soldiers and fortifications of the siege lines around Boston to understand the military situation.

Although he did not record his impression of his new commander, Sleeper did note the issuance of Washington’s first General Orders on July 3. The contents of these General Orders were not particularly remarkable: Washington required an accounting of the available soldiers and ammunition from each regiment and discharged an individual soldier for having stolen horses in Connecticut. However, the receipt of these first General Orders, which Washington would issue almost daily through the rest of Sleeper’s service, solidified the new command structure of the new Continental Army.

Tuesday 4 Pleasent In the morning [word crossed out] In Afternoon heard that the Regulars ware Coming out at night Sent of a party to Entrench on Leachmores point Which they did and Returned Before morning

Wednesday July 5 Still all day Alarmed at night and Layd on our Arms all night

Th 6 all well

July 7 paraded Early in the morning heard prayers and false alarm at night

Satuday ju 8 alarmed Early in the morning by our peoples [word crossed out] Setting the Regular Guard house on fire burnt 3 and killed 4 Regulars

Sund 9 all Still attended public worship In the After noon a Soldier was whipd 20 Lashes for Striking his Officers he belongd to Coll Nixons Regmt

Monday Jul 10 burnt two or three houses at Roxbury that the Regulars keep for Guard houses Very hot all day and dry

Ju 11 pleasant See the fire at Roxbury this morning Very hot this forenoon afternoon a fine Shower very Sharp Lightning and a heavy thunder the Same day our people took from Long Island In boston Bay fifteen prisoners and one of them Primus hoyt Likewise 19 head of Cattle and 100 Sheep and killd a number of hogs With the Loss of only one man

Sleeper and his fellow Newburyport soldier-diarist both noted the capture of Primus Hoyt in the raid on Long Island. Lunt’s journal explains that Primus Hoyt was known to both because he had been enslaved in Newburyport. A newspaper advertisement confirms that Primus, about 52 years old, had run away from his enslaver on March 12, seeking his own liberty.

Hoyt was not the only Black man from Newburyport. In the ranks of Colonel Little’s regiment with Sleeper were Charles Jarvis, a private in Perkins’s company, Mark Anthony, a private in Captain Gerrish’s company, Joseph Demas, a private in Captain Barnard’s company, and Boston Osborn, a drummer in Captain Wade’s company. These four men enlisted in May and June 1775 and had participated in the Battle of Bunker Hill. Their individual motivation and understanding of liberty and freedom are not documented, but they chose to join the militia and later Continental Army – in some cases alongside their former enslavers – and to re-enlist in the cause of independence.

Wednesday July 12 very warm all Day all is Well

the Same T 13

Friday July 14 Neworders one man killd at Roxbury with a Cannon ball

The General Orders issued by Washington on July 14, 1775, addressed the health and cleanliness of the army and proper observation of distinctions of rank. Washington, not satisfied with his reception and recognition among his new troops, specified the forms of salutes for the Commander in Chief, Majors General, and Brigadiers General. To aid in recognizing these officers, he specified colors of a “Ribband, ore across his breast, between his Coat and Waistcoat” – light blue for the Commander in Chief, pink for the Majors and Brigadiers General, and green for Aids-de-Camp. These orders would be refined on July 23 and 24, changing the Majors General ribband to purple and adding distinguishing badges for the lower-ranking officers. As a corporal, Moses Sleeper would be required to furnish himself with an Epaulette, or stripe of green cloth, sewn on his right shoulder.

Saturday 15 New orders Read to the Company

Washington continued to issue General Orders daily, communicating with his soldiers and establishing his priorities and discipline as the new Commander in Chief. His General Orders of July 15 touched on the recruitment of men skilled with whale boats, requiring reports through the chain of command, management of cattle and sheep, forbidding conversation with the “Officers and Sentrys of the enemy,” and requesting examination of artillery placement and preparation of fortifications. It is not clear which element of the orders Sleeper found remarkable.

Sunday 16 July turnd out at Gun fire in the morning Mr. C. Prachd from Judges 5 C 23 Verse

Monday 17 a Small Shower of Rain fore noon Afternoon a heavy Shower of Rain and heavy thunder and Lightning

Tuesday July th 18 1775 this morning a manefisto from the Grand Continental Congress was Read by the Revd Mr. Leonard Chaplain to the Conneticut forces Upon Prospect hill In Charlestown Our Standard was presented in the midst of 10 thousand troops with In Scription upon it Apeal to heaven After which mr. Leonard made a Short prayer and then were Dismisd by the discharge of a Cannon and 3 Chears and a Cahoop by the Indians Capt Der[by?] Arived with our packet from Engl[and] and went to the Congress

Shortly after voting to appoint George Washington commander in June, the Continental Congress had appointed a committee to write a declaration to be published upon his arrival outside Boston. After multiple drafts and debate, Congress had approved a Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms on July 6, 1776. A precursor to the Declaration of Independence, this “manifesto” listed the grievances of the colonies against the King, Parliament, and General Gage’s army, although it retained the hope of reconciliation with England. The declaration concluded:

In our own native land, in defence of the freedom that is our birth-right, and which we ever enjoyed till the late violation of it-for the protection of our property, acquired solely by the honest industry of our fore-fathers and ourselves, against violence actually offered, we have taken up arms. We shall lay them down when hostilities shall cease on the part of the aggressors, and all danger of their being renewed shall be removed, and not before.

Sleeper’s journal describes the delivery of the declaration to his portion of the Continental Army, an event orchestrated and ordered by Major General Israel Putnam. Rev. Abiel Leonard, chaplain for General Putnam’s Connecticut regiment read the declaration to the assembled forces at Prospect Hill. Although organized by and centered around Connecticut forces, the event reflected the emerging continental nature of the army: Colonel Little’s Massachusetts regiment required “general & punctual” attendance, and Sleeper’s reference to “a Cahoop by the Indians” alludes to the presence of Stockbridge Indians in the Massachusetts troops.

A newspaper account described the flag, ordered raised by Major-General Putnam, bearing the mottos “AN APPEAL TO HEAVEN” and “QUI TRANSTULIT SUSTENIT,” suggesting that the standard showed the Connecticut coat of arms for the Connecticut forces. The phrase “an appeal to heaven” was taken from John Locke’s Second Treatise on Civil Government, and would continue to be used by revolutionaries throughout the war.

Wednesday July 19, 1775 Nothing New

Thirsday 20 fast day Pleasant Weather our people Burnt Boston Lighthouse Early this Morning heard the Rd. Mr Cleavers Preach from Psalm 50 15 Verse Afternoon Ecclesiastes 7 C 8 V Wee heard that our people killd six Regulars at Roxbury with a Cannon Ball but found It to be false took five Presioners at the Light house

The fast day was recommended for all colonists by the Continental Congress, “to avert the Desolation and Calamities of an unnatural war.” General Washington ordered that the Continental Army forces under his command observe the fast day. A fast day was a religious occasion, marked by fasting and prayer services, like the two sermons Sleeper recorded hearing by Rev. John Cleaveland of Ipswich, chaplain of Col. Moses Little's regiment. Cleaveland’s chosen texts emphasized reliance on God for salvation in days of adversity and trouble. The fast day did not, however, halt all military operations, as Sleeper also notes the destruction of Boston Light on Little Brewster Island by a small colonial force in whaleboats.

friday july 21 1775 all Is well

Saturday 22 Nothing new

Though Sleeper reported nothing new, July 22 marked an important moment in the formation of the Continental Army as a national force. Washington’s general orders announced the reorganization of the army into six brigades, grouped in turn into three Grand Divisions. Colonel Moses Little’s Massachusetts men joined six other regiments in a brigade posted on Prospect Hill, commanded by Brigadier General Nathanael Greene of Rhode Island. Greene’s brigade, with that of Brigadier General John Sullivan on Winter Hill, formed the left or north wing of the siege lines, under the command of Major General Charles Lee of Virginia.

Sunday 23 july Went upon Guard

Monday july 24 Pleasant weather Nothing Remarkable

Tuesday 25 one of th Regular Grenadiers Deserted and Came to our Centuries [sentries] two Regiments Came here from Roxbury belonging to Rhodeisland

Wednesday 26 New Orders that no Man fire a Gun two Regulars Deserted and Came to our Centuries

The tone of Washington’s General Orders indicates his frustration with the necessity of repeating this order: “Notwithstanding the strict and repeated Orders that have been given against firing small arms, it is hourly practised, All Officers commanding Guards, posts and detachments, to be alert in apprehending all future Transgressors.”

Washington’s General Orders of the following day also addressed his frustration with the lack of discipline in the treatment of the two deserters noted by Sleeper. Deserters from the British army who came to the guards or sentries were to be taken immediately to the Major General commanding that division, not “being made drunk... before they reached Head Quarters” by the offer of rum, as occurred on the 26th.

Thirsday 27 Nothing New

fryday 28 An Accident hapned a Gun went of and wounded two of the Rhode Island Troops

Saturd July 29 the most of our Regt went on Guard

Sunday Jul 30 Last night at 12 O Clock a party of Riflemen went and took the Regulars Centuries kild 7 & took 2 they took but one of ours betwixd 12 & 1 Our Camps were Alarmed and paraded up In our Lines & wated for orders to go & Stop the Regulars from Intrenching but the General thought not fit to Go

Monday July 31 1775 Last night at two O Clock we ware alarmd & Ordered Imediately to marh up to our Lines but Soon ordered Back turned In at one O Clock another alarm by the Cry of turn out for God Sake turn out we paraded again and Mand our Lines and then Remaind Untill Sun Rise a Continual fire all the time we killd a number of them at the Same time they were engaged at Roxbury with Small arms the Regulars Set fire to a house and Barn In Roxbury and hove two bum Shells the Same night our people Set fire to the new Light house about 8 hundred of our people went and took and killd all upon the Island killd 15 took 25 [marines?] & 7 tories this Day two of our men were killed by a Cannon Ball from Bunkers hill they kept a Continual fire all Day from the hill and floating Batteries at about 4 O Clock they Sent out a flagg of truce Desiring a Sessation of Arms for three Days but It was not Granted betwen Sun Set and dark our people killd 14 of the Regulars which Came out In Search of Their Dead

Sleeper describes not only skirmishes and shelling along his position on the north wing of the siege line, but also action on the southern wing and a second raid on Boston Light in Boston Harbor. British Marines, who had begun rebuilding the lighthouse destroyed weeks before, were targeted in this attack. Washington praised the number of prisoners taken at Boston Light, predicting that the Continental Army “will be as famous for their mercy as for their valour.” Sleeper’s account of the denied cease-fire and firing on recovery parties challenges the general’s prediction.

August 1775: Maintaining Social Networks

As daily life settled into more routine camp life and boredom, Sleeper’ journal records social visits, maintaining social connections not only within his unit but also with people from home. Sleeper mostly records visiting with officers, and particularly notes the visits of their wives to the camp from Newburyport.

Catharine (Harris) Montgomery, the new wife of Lieutenant Nathaniel Montgomery of Captain Ezra Lunt’s company arrived in camp on August 4. The couple had been married on July 31, 1775 in South Hampton, New Hampshire, just north of home. Sleeper’s mention of “Sister Cate” appears to be the same woman, suggesting close ties, although a family link has not been established.

Mary (Pike) Lunt, the wife of Montgomery’s superior officer Captain Ezra Lunt of Newburyport, was in camp by August 6. The two couples accompanied each other on the journey to Cambridge, and the two women left together on August 9.

Rachel (Waters) Whittemore, wife of First Lieutenant Joseph Whittemore of Perkins’s company arrived in camp on August 22.

Tuesday Augus 1 1775 Orders Given to fire any time this Day Raised the mast that Came out of the Schooner that was burnt at Chelsa for to hoist our flagg upon In the fort upon prospect hill In Charlestown 76 feet high

The mast came from the British schooner HMS Diana (1775), captured in the Battle of Chelsea Creek in May 1775. The soldiers likely raised a version of a British flag featuring a Union jack on a solid red or blue field.

Wednesday August the 2 this day dind with Brother John It being his Birth Day and 21 years old

The record of brother John Sleeper’s birthday provided a key piece of evidence in identifying Moses Sleeper as the author of this journal. Moses’s younger brother, the second child of Henry and Sarah Sleeper, was baptized in Newburyport in August 1754.

thirsday Aug 3 Some firing upon both Sides with Small arms

friday August the 4 Miss montgonery Came Into the Camps the Regulars hald up another Ship Back of Boston Common

Satur 5 No Remarks this Day

Sunday A 6 In the Afternoon the Regulars Went from Bunkers hill In a Barge and set fire to a house at peny ferry

Our people were alarmd by the Beat of the Drums Broth Wyatt & I was a Going to See Montg and Sister Cate but turnd Back again till the and Stayd While the firing was over & then went up to whetherbys & Drank Coffee with Capt Lunt & Wife Lt Montgoney & Wife & then went to our Camps

Sleeper’s entry mixes descriptions of military rank and active fighting with a social gathering of friends from home. Sleeper’s company included several men named Wyatt from Newburyport; it is most likely that “Broth Wyatt” refers to Corporal Samuel Wyatt. Once “the firing was over,” the two noncommissioned officers traveled to Menotomy (now Arlington) to drink coffee at the Black Horse Tavern run by Ethan Wetherby. The names Sleeper chose to write include casual names, familial terms, and the military ranks of his superior officers, indicating both the connections to home and the complexity of their relationships during war.

August 7 a Court martial upon P Tracy found Guilty his punishment Was to ride a wooden horse 20 Mint

Colonel Little convened a regimental court martial on August 7 to try all those who had been confined for infractions. The court martial found Patrick Tracy, a private in the same regiment as Sleeper, guilty of disobedience of orders.

Tuesday A 8 300 hundred Rifle Men Come Into the Camps killd a number of Regulars firing upon both Sides

Wednesday 9 Sister Cate Left the Camps

Yestard a Vesel from the W India Came into Cape ann beset by a Cutter and Barges from The Lively Man of war but by the help of God and the Dexterity of the people beat them of the Schooner & took 25 presioners with the Master & 7 of our men

The words and phrasing of Sleeper’s report of this event from close to home are remarkably similar to the corresponding entry by Paul Lunt:

Yesterday a vessel from the West Indies came into Cape Ann. She was beset by a cutter and barges from the Lively man-of-war that lay there, but, by the help of God and the dexterity of the people, beat them off the schooner, and took twenty-five prisoners with the master, and seven of our people which they had pressed on board the ship; likewise took another vessel from them that they had of ours, with the loss of two men: they shot at the town, and did considerable of damage.

HMS Lively had arrived in Marblehead in May 1774 with the fleet sent to close Boston’s port. Stationed outside of Marblehead Harbor on Cape Ann, HMS Lively searched incoming vessels, impressed local men into the British Navy, and threatened commercial and fishing vessels. In the spring of 1775, the sloop of war HMS Merlin replaced HMS Lively in blockading Marblehead Harbor, joined by HMS Falcon in August; it is possible the story that reached Sleeper and Lunt confused the names of the British ships.

The New-England Chronicle: or, the Essex Gazette, printed out of an office in Harvard College, ran an account of this incident in its August 10, 1775, number, indicating that Lunt and Sleeper received their earlier news from home from another source. The Essex Gazette report identified the British ship as HMS Falcon, commanded by Captain John Linzee. The newspaper’s account largely agreed with the retaking of the unnamed incoming ship, capture of 24 prisoners, and released of impressed sailors. However, the newspaper report concludes that the HMS Falcon’s retaliatory firing on Gloucester “did little Damage.”

Thirsday Aug 10 In the morn Cloudy In the Afternoon a Great plenty of Rain

Friday August 11 All peace and Quetness

Saturday Aug 12 fine pleasant weather at night a fine Shower

Sunday August 13 two Regulars Deserted from Bunker hill a Crost mistick River

Monday Aug 14 1775 No Remarks to Day

Tuesday Aug 15 Some firing upon both Sides one Man wounded by a Bum one of our own people killd by our own Centuries

Wednesday Aug 16

Thirsday Aug 17 1775 fine weather

Friday aug 18 a heavy Shower in the Afternoon

Saturday August 19 All is well

Sunday Augu 20 the whole Brigade mustered and mand the Lines

The manning of the lines was ordered by Brigadier General Greene, in part to be reviewed by the commander of the division, Major General Lee.

Monday aug 21 Pleasant for the Season

Tuesday Augst 22 Verry hot weather all still Lunt Wattimore And Wife Came into the Camps to Day

Wednesd Augut 23 Verry warm weather

Thirsday August 24 very hot No Remark to day

Friday 25 In the Afternoon thrie men Come from the floating Battery at Bunkers hill

Saturday august 26 Cloudy In the morning at night 2500 hundred men went down to Charlestown upon plowd hill and hove up an Entrenchment

Anticipating a British advance out of Charlestown, where they held Bunker Hill, the Continental army moved to occupy and fortify Plowed Hill, a rise just past the Charlestown neck. This extended the Continental fortifications from the existing camps on Winter Hill to the northwest and Prospect Hill to the southwest. Troops under General Sullivan took the hill on the night of August 26 and held it despite British a cannonade on August 27.

Sunday August 27 1775 as Soon as the Enemy saw our Brestworks they playd upon our people with their Cannon from Bunkers hill & the floating Batteries killd 2 of our men one adjutant man found belonging to ColI Varnhans Regt And wounded one Rifle man so that he was oblige’d to have his Leg Cut of a number of the Regulars was killd by our Lower Centuries

Monday Augut 28 Last night we had a verry Smart Shower of Rain Attended with Uncommon hard thunder and Sharp Lightning It began between 11 & 12 o Clock & Lasted about 3 1/2 hours this morning pleasant but some Clouds after the Rain Some Cannon fired at Bunkers hill killd one of the Rhode Island men with a Cannon Shot and Wounded Bob Martial one of Capt Lunts men at night hove 3 bumb Shells but did no Damage

Tuesday 29 went up our Alarm post at Break of Day Returned at Sunrise Cloudy this Morning at 7 O Clock Come on Stormy Wind a N E Raind very hard at night the Regulars hove Eight bumb Shells but did no Damage

Wednesday august 30 Stormy all day wind at NE Some Cannon fired from bunkers hill at night had 4 bumb Shells hove to plowd hill

September 1775: John Joins Quebec Expedition

Friday Sept 1 Last night a number of Cannon was fired at Roxbury and Small Arms Stormy all Day wind at NE a Great number of Small arms fired at the Lower Centuries upon both Sides one man wounded at plowd hill and two killd at Roxbury with a Cannon ball two Regulars Deserted from boston

Saturday Sept 2 1775 Cloudy this morning then pleasant & very warm after a tedious Storm Cloudy Afternoon Lieut Brown & I went a Guning this afternoon killd one pigeon after that went to mistick and drank a pint of wine & as we was a Coming to our Camps now Saw two bumb Shells that brook In the Air they hove Several but did no Damage

Sunday Sept 3 1775 Stormy all day Wind at NE one Carcass and a Shell hove to Day

Monday Sep 4 Cloudy dull weather this morning Some Cannon and Small arms fired from the Gageites and Some Bums hovd

Tuesday Sep 5 Pleasant weather after a Long Storm at night went upon Guard Very Cool night all Still took 3 horses from the Regulars in Charleston Common

Wednesday Sept 6 Come of Guard from plowd hill at night all Still

Thirsday Sept 7 1775 pleasant weather for the Season all Still

Friday Sept 8 1 775 Fair weather all Still

Saturday Sep 9 1775 Paraded In order to pas muster but did not for the Muster Rols ware Not finished the Regt was Dismisd And about 150 Got back of the Camp and voted that they would Not do no duty till they had thir Wages at Night a party was drawn to go upon Guard & they Refused to go but with Great persuasion they Went

Although the Massachusetts troops had become part of the Continental Army in June, the responsibility for their pay had remained with their provincial government. However, the soldiers complained that they had not received their promised pay; Sleeper himself had not recorded receiving wages since his first month’s pay on June 22. Washington’s correspondence with the Massachusetts government and his general orders from mid-August through September reveal the difficulty and frustration in settling these accounts and ongoing delays.

On July 30 and August 1, Congress had appointed James Warren as Paymaster General for the Continental Army and resolved to send funds to be disbursed to the troops. Washington’s general orders for September 5 restated directions for the Massachusetts regiments to submit their pay abstracts for the month of August, underscoring the order, “As great Complaints have heretofore been made, by the men in regard to their pay; The General expects the utmost exactness, and dispatch be made in this payment.” Sleeper’s statement that the muster rolls for his regiment were not finished suggests that his regiment had not yet complied with this order and so had not been paid for August.

The funds sent by Congress could not meet the demand of payroll; by late September, Washington reported to Congress, “The Paymaster has not a single Dollar in Hand.” Moses Sleeper finally recorded receiving one month’s pay, probably in paper Continental dollars, on October 12, 1775.

Sunday Sept 10 1775 Pleasant weather Some Cannon fired from Roxbury this morning Brother John Listed for Cannady And 20 more of Capt Lunts Compan Under the Comand of Coll Green In Capt wards Company

On September 5th, Washington’s general orders had requested a detachment of 786 volunteers, “active woodsmen, and well acquainted with batteaus” to join an expedition under Colonel Benedict Arnold, along with three companies of Pennsylvania and Virginia Riflemen. Twenty privates from Captain Ezra Lunt’s company, including John Sleeper, responded to the call, joining “Captain Samuel Ward’s Company in Col. Christopher Greens Regiment for the Canada expedition under Col. Benedict Arnold by consent of said Capt Ezra Lunt.”

Monday Sept 11 1775 Cool this morning wind at NE blowd hard Past muster in the Afternoon Six Reguars and a Serjent ware taken at Dochester

Tuesday Sept 12 1775 Pleasant weather for the Season No remarks to Day

Wednesday Sep 13 1775 ColI Green Regt Marchd form Cambrige to Newbury Port to Embark for Canady Arnold Lieut CollI Major Biggelow Capt ward Comd the Company that the Newbury men In listed In

Thursday Sept 14 the whole Brigade paraded & mand the Lines then Returned to our Quarters one Rifle man Accidently killd by a Guns going of

Friday Sept 15 1775 Fair weather this morning wind Blowd very hard at SW a Man was Shot through the body at plowd hill by a Guns Discha Accidenttally

Saturday Sept 16 1775 Cloudy this morning a Regular Deserted and Came to the white house Guard he stood along some of his with another of his Comrades and askd him to let him See his Gun which he did After that [?] After he had turnd out the primer and Spit in the pan of his own he took the other and Ran as fast as his Legs would Carry him his partner Snapt several times at him

This is the most detailed and dramatic account of a desertion in Sleeper’s diary. Sleeper had been noting the desertions of soldiers from the British Regulars since July. Throughout the Siege of Boston he noted the arrival of 17 Regular deserters, spread mostly evenly over the months of the siege. These deserters, encountered by Continental sentries, were brought to headquarters under guard and questioned, sometimes providing useful intelligence on the British fortifications.

Sunday Sep 17 1775 Rain Last night Cloudy this Morning heard the Revd Mr. Cleavnen [Cleaveland] preach from Acts 3 Chapp 19 Verse Some Cannon fired from Roxbury both Sides all Still at Bunkers hill

Monday Sept 18 1775 Cloudy this Morning and very Foggy pleasant In the Afternoon A Continual firing with Canno At Roxbury all Day and one Cannon Discharged at prospect hill to a Ship in Charlestown River Went upon Guard at plowd hill

Tuesday Sept 19 Verry Pleasat wether firing at Roxbury this morning one bum Shell hove to plowd hill this forenoon In the Afternoon about 4 o Clock they hove another Shell Mr. Weskom & I was about a Rood from where It fell but It did no Damage come of Guard from plowd hill

This rather casual mention of British artillery fire downplays the close call of Sleeper and Sergeant Thomas Wescomb. The shell, which “did no Damage” and apparently did not explode, fell about a rod – only 16.5 feet or about 5 meters – from the two men from Perkins’s company, on guard duty at Plowed Hill.

Wednesday Sept 20 1775 Stormy Laght night a Regulars Stormy Wind at North Laght night a Regular Deserted to our Guard

Pleasant this Afternoon firing from Bunkers hill to plowd hill & hove 3 shells but did no Damage our people Give them one Shot to Bunkers hill from prospect one of Coll Brewrs Men Sat In the pillery for taking a false oath

Thirsday Sept 21 1775 Very Cool Last night & This morning to Day our people entrenchd betwixd prospect hill & plowd hill up to Cambridge all Day the fired Cannon all the after noon from bunkers hill wounded two of ColI Dolittle men brook one of the mens thigh and took the Calf of the others Leg of our people Deshargd to pieces of Cannon at Bunkers hill

Friday Sept 22 1775 pleasant this morning about 1 O Clock the W at NE & very Stormy this Afternoon a Continual firing from all the Ships for about half an hour It being Crownation Day Some firing from bunkers hill to our people but did no Damage up to Cambrige all Day but my foot at night very Bad

Sleeper attributed the cannon fire from the British ships to a celebration of the anniversary of King George II’s coronation on September 22, 1761.

Saturday Sept 23 1775 Wind at NW Verry Cooll this morning twenty four marblehead men whipt & Drum’d out of Cambridge for Dissobedience of Orders Some firing from bunkers hill with Cannon hove 3 bum Shells but did no damage Up to Cambridge all Day

Sunday September 24 1775 Verry Cool this morning Still all this forenoon In the Afternoon a false alarm up to miss Daviss all Day drank Some Tory the first that I have drank this 5 months

This is the first of three references to Sleeper’s visits to a tavern or other establishment run by Mrs. Davis. Here, Sleeper “drank Some Tory,” a slang reference to the politically charged act of drinking tea. His timeframe of five months aligns with his departure from Newburyport, suggesting that at home he had either had access to smuggled or stored tea or that he had not complied with nonimportation agreements protesting taxes and control imposed by Parliament.

Monday Sept. 25 1775 In the forenoon went to the Camps & Stayd till night then went to Mrs. Davisis Some Shells hove to plowd hill but did no damage

Tuesday Sept 26 1775 Pleasant Weather all Still this forenoon up to Cambridge all Day Some firing In the Afternoon

Wednesday Sept th 27 1775 Nothing Remarkable Up to Cambrige all Day

Thirsday Sept th 28 1775 Set out for Newbury Port Stopt at Capt Simmons all Night then In the morning at 10 O Clock Set out for Newbury Port

On September 25, General Lee found it necessary to define a protocol and delegate authority for approving requests for furloughs, “As frequent application to the Major General for furlow have become Very Troublesome and taketh up much of his time.” This order was complete reversal from his general order of September 19, demanding that he personally approve all furloughs requested.

In the new order, Lee empowered the colonel of each regiment – “when they find it really requisite, and not Else,” to approve short furloughs for the soldiers and non-commissioned officers, like Sleeper, in his regiment. The colonel was supposed to ensure coverage by not approving leave for more than two privates and one officer at a time. Though the regiment’s orderly book logged leave for two privates from Sleeper’s company, Stephen Wyatt and Moses Newman, to go home on September 2, possibly to recuperate from illness, there is a gap in the record of furloughs that covers the date Sleeper departed.

There are no diary entries from September 29 to October 8; Sleeper did not record his activities during his travel and visit at Newburyport for ten days.

October 1775: The Carpenters’ Gang

October th 10 Wednesday

Tuesday October th 9 Set out for Cambridge Got to Simonds’s to day

Wednesday Octo 10 Set out from Symonds & Got to the Camps about Sun Set this Evening a very heavy Rain & hale attended with very heavy thunder & Sharp Lightni It held about 2 hours

Thirsday October 12 a fine Cooll air this morning W at NW Nothing Remarkable Recievd one months pay

Friday Octo 13 Very Cooll this Day Enter Into the Carpenters Gang

Although a group of carpenters had been established months earlier to begin construction of shelters, the coming of a New England winter made their labor essential. General Nathanael Greene’s orders of October 14 underscored the need: “all that are Carpenters In ye. Several Regts yt have not Joined The Carpenters Party, to Join to morrow Morning The Colonels of ye Several Regts are Requested to see yt this order is strictly complyed with.” Moses Sleeper’s civilian occupation as a cabinetmaker both qualified and required him to join the Carpenters Gang.

In orders issued in August, Greene had exempted those working as carpenters from turning out at Alarm Post in the morning and instructed them “to do no duty but [that] of ye. Carpent. Business, Unless there is an Alarm,” and setting their working hours as 7am to noon and 2pm to 7pm. Following his entry into the Carpenters Gang, Sleeper records many days devoted to working on building barracks, likely his sole duty for 10 hours a day.

Saturday October th 14 Pleasant Weather

Sunday Octobe th 15 to work all Day upon Barracks

Monday Octo 16 Nothing Remarkable this morning In the Aftenn Mark Tuesday October 17 Noyer Departed this Life Belonging to our Regt.

Sleeper found the death of a soldier in the regiment from illness notable, but mis-recorded the man’s name. Mark Anthony, a private in Captain Gerrish’s company, died of “putrid fever,” or typhus. In other records, Anthony was reported as a servant; it is possible that the different surname Sleeper used indicated the family who had enslaved Anthony in Newburyport.

Tuesday Octo 17 Pleasant Weather to work on Barracks In the Afternoon two of the Soldiers Whipt for Denying Duty & one Deserted Into the Regulars

Wednesday Octo th 18 Pleasant Weather Las night our people went down Cambridge River with two floating Batteries to alarm the Enemy & one of the pieces Split & killd two & wounded Several more this morning Goodwin of Capt Lunts Company took 5 Stripes for mutiny & Getting drunk two of our people Deserted

Although Sleeper regularly noted the desertion of Regular soldiers, these two entries mark a cluster of desertions from the Continental Army. Of the four Continental desertions Sleeper noted during the Siege of Boston, three occurred on these two days in October.

Thirsday Octo 19 dirty Weather Nothing New

Friday Octo 20 Stormy W at S East to work on Barracks all Still

Saturday 21 Very Stormy & plenty of Rain Wind at S East at home In our tents all day

Sunday Octo th 22 Blustering Weather W at SE one Ship & two transport Came In to Boston three of our Soldiers whipt & one drumd out of Cambridge to work upon Barracks

John Adams received 30 lashes for robbery and assault and William Young received 15 lashes for stealing a blanket. “For abusive language and Profane Swearing” and threatening an officer, James Allen received 39 lashes and was drummed out of the army, deemed “unworthy to serve in ye Continental Army.”

Although General Washington’s secretary Stephen Moylan expressed in a letter his exasperation with the carpenters’ objection to working on the Sabbath, Sleeper’s diary indicates that he did work on Sunday, with no apparent hesitance. Sleeper’s journal overall shows less specific record of attendance at regular worship services than his peer Paul Lunt, perhaps indicating that he was less devout.

Monday Octo 23 Very fogy this morning mov’d Into our new Barracks up In the fort on Prospect hill to Day Listing Orders Came out for another Year

The soldiers who joined the New England forces in the spring of 1775 enlisted for a term of months, through December. By October, General Washington, delegates from the Continental Congress, and the leaders of New England colonies expected the war to continue into 1776 and began planning for the reorganization and continuation of the Continental Army.

Washington’s General Orders of October 22 began a push for reenlistment of the current army, exhorting, “Those brave Men, and true Patriots, who are resolved to continue to serve and defend their Brethren, Priviliges and Property, are to consider themselves engaged to the last day of December 1776 unless sooner discharged by the Hon: the Continental Congress.”

Tuesday Octo 24 1775 Pleasant Weather Nothing Remarkable to work on Barracks

Wednesday Octob. th 25 fine pleasant Weather Some Movements to day our people Give the Emy one Short but the did not Answer us Verry Cold this Evening a Good pardner would not be amiss

Thirsday O. 26 Pleasant this morning to work upon Barracks In the Afternoon went to Cambridge & then Wyat & I went to Menotomy & drank Coffy to Whurbye

Moses Sleeper, likely with his fellow Corporal Samuel Wyatt, once again traveled to around the Continental Army’s lines and out to Ethan Wetherby’s Patriot tavern in Menotomy (now Arlington) to socialize over coffee.

Friday Octo 27 Nothing New this morning pleasant Weather In the Afternoon Some Rain

Saturday October th 28 foul Weather this morning W at N East Wrote a Letd

Sunday Octo th 29 Pleasant Weather this Morning a Regular Serjent Deserted this to work on Barrack In the forenoon In the Afternoon up to mother Davises

Monday Octob 30 1775 Nothing Remarkable to work on Barracks

Tuesday Octo th 31st this morning Shadriach Ireland took 5 Lashes for Disobedience of Orders he Belong’d to Capt Bernad In Coll Littles Regt to work on Barracks

Though by September Shadrack Ireland of Newburyport was in Captain Bernard’s company, he had spent some of his service in Captain Perkins’s company with Sleeper. This punishment noted by Sleeper was not his first infraction; on September 8, Ireland had been convicted of “disobedience of orders and Inviolent language” by a court martial and sentenced to double guard duty.

November 1775: To Work on Barracks

As the weather became colder, the need for structures to house the tens of thousands of Continental Army soldiers became more pressing. Sleeper recorded working on building barracks for 23 out of 30 days in November. Although Sleeper’s journal entries do not elaborate further on what barracks he built, based on his geographic references, he most likely contributed to building the 35 barracks in the Prospect Hill fortification, where he had moved into a completed structure on October 23. Most of these buildings were 100 feet long, 16 feet wide, and 7 feet tall; three were substantially smaller at 40 by 16 feet. In total, from August 1775 to April 1776, carpenters built 159 barracks structures for the use of the Continental Army along the fortification lines in Cambridge, Brookline, Roxbury, and Dorchester.

Although the barracks provided a more durable shelter for troops than their tents, not all enlisted men saw them as favorable. Daniel Granger complained about moving from his “Den” of a tent into barracks at Winter Hill in December, because they "were not so warm & comfortable: the Barraks were hastily built only boarded & battened & without Windows excepting a square opening with a sliding shutter."

Wednesday Novem.b th 1st Pleasant Weather to work on Barracks Recd one months pay for Brother John & one months pay for Bapson

Moses Sleeper appears to have arranged to collect pay on behalf of his brother John and likely Private Nathaniel Babson of Newburyport, who had also joined the Canada expedition from Lunt’s company in September.

Thirsday November th 2 Pleasant Weather to work on Barracks

Friday Novemb th 3 Stormy Wind at N East No work to Day

Saturday November th 4 Clear Weather this morning Some firing Yestarday from a Ship that ariv’d from London Writing all Day

Sunday Novem th 5 fair Weather this morning to work on Barracks In the forenoon In the Afternoon Rain firing from all the Ships & Castle being powder plot Day

Sleeper notes the observation of “powder plot Day,” or Guy Fawkes Day, by the British soldiers stationed in the harbor and at Castle William. In his General Orders the next day, Washington objected to the Continental solders’ observation of Guy Fawkes Day, which in New England was celebrated synonymously as “Pope’s Night”:

As the Commander in Chief has been apprized of a design form'd for the observance of that ridiculous and childish custom of burning the Effigy of the pope—He cannot help expressing his surprise that there should be Officers and Soldiers in this army so void of common sense, as not to see the impropriety of such a step at this Juncture; at a Time when we are solliciting, and have really obtain'd, the friendship and alliance of the people of Canada, whom we ought to consider as Brethren embarked in the same Cause. The defence of the general Liberty of America: At such a juncture, and in such Circumstances, to be insulting their Religion, is so monstrous, as not to be suffered or excused; indeed instead of offering the most remote insult, it is our duty to address public thanks to these our Brethren, as to them we are so much indebted for every late happy Success over the common Enemy in Canada

Monday November the 6 Cloudy all Day to work on Barracks a Ship arrivd at Boston

Tuesday Nov th 7 Stormy all day No work to Day but washing & Mending

Wednesday Nov th 8 1775 Pleasant Weather to work on Barracks to Day Nathan Martin was Whipt for Stealing Stone Buttons & Drumd out of the Regt

Thirsday Nov th 9 Foul Weather to work on Barracks In the forenoon Dind about half After 12 o Clock Just as we had done eating there was an alarm by Reason of about one thousand of Regulars landing upon Leach Moors point they Came from Bunkers hill & went over Boston Side Back of a Ship that Lie In Range of our fort there was about 2 hundred Stood by the [?]arey While the Others drove about 12 Cattle to the water Side & put them In their Boats our people fired from Prospect hill & Sent of a party over the Bridge but the tide Being very high they made of to their Boats Whith the Loss of Some of their Men & two of ours Wounded & one taken presioner Verry Much Rain this Evening

As Sleeper described, the Continental Army drove off the small British raid on Lechmere’s Point, used for grazing cattle. Over the following months, a battery was planned and constructed to secure Lechmere’s Point as a position for American artillery.

Friday Nove th 10 Rainy this morning W at NE Last night twenty Sal of transports & Ships of war were Comming in Boston Bay this morning A Regular Deserted

Saturday Novemb th 11 Pleasant weather to work on Barracks

Sunday November th 2 1775 Very Cold but Pleasant W at N West to work on Barraks

Monday Novemb th 13 1775 Pleasant Wind at N West to work on Barraks Receivd one months pay

Tuesday Novr th 14 Last night Exspectd an alarm Laid on our Arms writing In the forenoon to work on Barracks

Wednesday Novr th 15 Verry Stormy Wind at N East two Regulars Deserted & Came to our Camps today an Express Came to Cambrige that one Regt of Regulars were Cast away betwixt Philidelppa & Newyork Writing all Day

Thirsday Novr th16 Fair Weather one Regular Deserted Last night Yestarday Mr Pidgin was taken upon Suspiceon & Confind to Quarters Guard

Friday Novr th17 Pleasant Weather for the Season to work on Barracks

Saturday Novr th18 fair weather to work on Barracks

Sunday Novr the 19 fine weather Nothing Remarkable to work on Barracks

Monday Novr 20 Pleasant Weather to work on the Barracks all day at night about ten o Clock wee ware alarm’d by the Lower Centuries firing at a boat Coming by Leachmores point

Tuesday Novr th 21 Cloudy all day Snow air to work on Barracks

Wednesday Novr th 22 pleasant Weather to work on Barracks

As the Carpenter’s Gang continued to build barracks, Washington’s General Orders for November 22 addressed the move in: “As fast as the Men move into Barracks, the Colonels are to take especial care that the Tents be immediately delivered into the hands of the Qr Mr General, who after the present hurry of business is a little over, is to have them washd, repaired and laid by. It is expected that the Colonels will frequently visit their Mens Barracks, and see that they are kept clean and decent…”

Thirsday Novr 23 Pleasant Weather to work In the forenoon Dind upon turkey to day It being thanksgiving last night had a verry Grand Supper upon turkeys & geese

On November 4, the Massachusetts General Court had issued a proclamation designating November 23 a day of public thanksgiving. Like the fast day in July, this was intended to be a religious observance, “to offer up our praises, and prayers, to Almighty God, the Source and Benevolent Bestower of all good; That he would be pleased graciously to continue, to smile upon our Endeavours, to restore peace, preserve our Rights, and Privileges, to the latest posterity; prosper the American Arms, preserve and strengthen the Harmony of the United Colonies, and avert the Calamities of a civil war.” In his November 18 General Orders, Washington commanded his soldiers to observe the day “with all the Solemnity directed by the Legislative Proclamation.” Sleeper’s entry placed more emphasis on the grand supper than religious solemnity.

Friday Novr th 24 Pleasant Weather to work on Barracks Laght Night A part of General putman Brigade Intrenchd upon Cobbs hill all Still

Saturday Novr th 25 Fine weather for Buisness this morning About 8 O Clock wee ware Alarmed by the Lower Centinels firing upon the Enemy the whole Brigade Mand the Lines for about half an hour & then Repaird to our Quarters being Dismissd by the General

Sunday Novr th 26 Stormy all day Wind at N West to work on Barracks

Monday Novr th 27 pleasant weather to work on Barracks

Tuesday Novr. the 28 [?] Weather to work on Barracks

Wednesday Novr 29 Clear weather But Cold to work on Barracks two Regulars Deserted & Come to our Centinels

Thirsday Novr th 30 Pleasant weather to work on Barracks

December 1775: Furlough

Friday Decemr th 1 Cloudy all day to work on Barracks

Saturday Decemr 2 Good weather to work on Barracks In the forenoon In the afternoon went to Cambridge & took a view of the war Stores that was taken by a privatear out of Capeann

Sunday Decemr th 3 to work on Barracks

Monday Dec 4 Listed Set out for home

Moses Sleeper and 11 other men from his company signed their names on this page, enlisting in the Continental Army for the year of 1776.

Massachusetts State Archives collection, colonial and post colonial period 1626-1806. Vol. 327 - Private collections donated to the State Archives, 1728-1806, page 24.

On December 4, 1775, Moses Sleeper signed his name to an enlistment agreement, engaging to serve in the Continental Army for the term of 1 year from December 31, 1775, unless sooner discharged. In planning for reenlistment, Washington suggested to Congress that returning soldiers receive “the Indulgence of a Furlough to visit their Friends.” Moses Sleeper’s name appears in the regimental orderly book with many peers, receiving approval for 8 days’ furlough on December 4. There are no entries from December 5 to December 17; Sleeper did not record his activities during his travel and visit at Newburyport for seventeen days.

Monday Decemr 18 Set out for Cambridge after twelve days Absence

Tuesday Decemr 19 traviling Upon the Road Lodgd at Malden

Wednesday Decemr th 20 Got In to the Camps Very Cold to day 3 bumbs hove from bunkers hill

Thirsday Decemr th 21 to work on barrack

Friday Decemr th 22 to work on Barracks verry Cold

Saturday Decemr 23 free from Duty to day had our Arms priz’d Verry Blustering Weather

Sunday Decemr 24 to work on Barrack a very Severe Snow Storm today

Monday Decem 25 Christmas Verry dull Christmas nothing to Eat nor drink to work on Barrk

Tuesday Decr 26 to work on Barraks

Wednesday Decr 27 to work

Thirsday Decr 28 Verry Cold to work on Barra Last night no Sleep by Reason of our people making An attempt to go on Bunkr hill about four thousand went down In order to attack the enemy upon all Quarters but were obligd to Return back the Ice not bearing

A journal entry by Lieutenant Samuel Shaw describes the same unsuccessful attack by soldiers from Cobble and Winter Hills under General Sullivan:

An attempt was made... for the purpose of destroying the remaining houses at Charlestown, which they occupied for barracks. They went off in high spirits, and got within two musket-shots of the enemy, who took no alarm, when they were obliged to return, by reason of the channel over which they were to pass not being sufficiently frozen to bear them.

Friday Decr th 29 Recivd one months pay to work on Barracks

Saturday Dec th 30 Up to Cambridge Rain In the Afternoon firing at boston

Sunday Dec 31 the Last day of our old Inlistment

A panoramic sketch from Bunker Hill by British Lieutenant Archibald Robertson illustrates his view of the Continental fortifications on January 4, 1776, including the fort upon Prospect Hill, with its large flag, where Moses Sleeper's regiment was moving into barracks.

Spencer Collection, The New York Public Library.

January 1776: New Year, New Enlistment

With the new year, Moses Sleeper entered into his new term of enlistment in the Continental Army. In the new enlistment he returned to his company, now reorganized under the 12th Continental Regiment, rather than working in the “Carpenters Gang” – and moved out of his barrack on Prospect Hill and back into tents for a week.

George Washington’s General Orders for January 1 emphasized the significance of the new term, the national character of the army, and the commitment to a shared cause:

This day giving commencement to the new army, which, in every point of View is entirely Continental, The General flatters himself, that a laudable Spirit of emulation, will now take place, and pervade the whole of it... His Excellency hopes that the Importance of the great Cause we are engaged in, will be deeply impressed upon every Man's mind…

Monday Entered Into the new Estate Went Into our Company

Tuesday Nothing New

Wednesday January th 3 took twenty 5 Shilling for the Coat Pleasant weather 3 of our Company put under Guard. Went to the Generals & plead th[?] their df

On December 27, 1775, Moses Sleeper’s name appears among signatures to an order for a bounty coat, or its equivalent in money, due for the eight months service in 1775, in camp with Benjamin Perkins’s Co., Colonel Little’s Regiment. 37 members of the company had requested their coats from the “Committee of Cloathing” in November. Sleeper and 18 others, including all four sergeants and two of the four corporals, requested the monetary equivalent.

Neither Sleeper’s entry nor the regimental orderly book identify the names or infractions of the three men of his company put under guard, or the reasoning Sleeper and other officers used to plead their defense.

Thirsday Janr th 4 Rating Orders In the forenoon In the Afternoon the Brigade Mand the Line dirty under foot

Friday Janury 5 1776 Nothing Remarkable

Saturday Jan th 6 Last night John Holladay Departed this Life Nothing New to day

Private John Holladay of Newburyport, in Captain Parker’s company of Colonel Little’s regiment, died in camp. Though Sleeper did not record the cause of Holladay’s death, it was likely due to an infectious disease, which threatened soldiers in camp outside Boston more than the British guns. Both smallpox and dysentery were reported in the American lines, with illness regularly incapacitating more than 12% of the Continental soldiers. Lieutenant Joseph Hodgkins of Ipswich, in another company of Colonel Little’s regiment, reported John Holladay’s death in a letter home, elaborating “that it is a good deal sickly among us” and that five men had been buried the day Holladay died.

Sunday Jan 7 Moovd from our tents Into the Barracks

Sleeper at last moved into the barracks he had helped construct along with the men of his company. General Greene’s orders of January 1, 1776, instructed the regiments to redistribute their occupancy of the barracks as the carpenters and masons returned to the ranks. Twenty men occupied each barracks room, and each room was allotted a half a cord of wood per week for fuel.

Monday Jan 8 Nothing New upto Camb In the Afternoon at Night Capt Lunt Set out for Philidelphia with a Company of an 100 Men together with General Lee & Life Guard

Tuesday Jan 9 Nothing Last night a party of about 500 Men went down to Charlestown neck & Set a bout 12 houses a fire & brought of 3 presioners & killd one not one of ours hurt to day writing In Barracks

This raid targeted the few houses remaining after the burning of Charlestown in June, which the British soldiers were using for shelter or dismantling to use for fuel. According to Washington, the raiding party under Major Thomas Knolton burned eight out of 14 houses standing and took six prisoners. In addition to removing the British soldiers’ use of the dwellings as resources, the timing of this raid also disrupted the performance of a theatrical farce mocking the Continental Army in Faneuil Hall, the home of Boston’s town meeting.

Wednesday Jan 10 Pleasant weather Nothing Remark

Thirsday Janr 11 Pleasant Weather all well

friday Janr th 12 Misty Weather

Saturday Jan 13 Nothing Remarkable

Sunday Janr 14 Pleasant weather Nothing New

Monday Janry 15 fine Weather for Season

Tuesday Jan 16 Nothing Remarkable Cloudy Weather Wind at N. East this Afternoon Some movements Discovd by our General Parded & had our arms viewd & orders to Lay with our Cloathes on Exspecting to be alarmd before Morning this afternoon Richard Goodwin of Capt Lunts Company took fifteen Lashes for Stealing

Wednesday January th 17 1776 Nothing Remarkable to day

Thirsday Jan 18 Pleasant weather In The Afternoon had the news of General Montgomerys Defeat at Canady with the Loss of him & aide Camps & a number of Men

On December 31, 1775, the Continental forces under General Richard Montgomery, including Moses Sleeper’s brother John under Benedict Arnold, unsuccessfully attacked the British forces under siege at Quebec, Canada. Montgomery was killed in the assault. John Sleeper “was there taken prison with most of Col. Arnolds party in storming the lower town, and kept in a British prison in said Quebec until the latter part of the summer 1776.” Though Moses Sleeper’s entry did not remark on his brother’s involvement, his unknown fate must have been at the forefront of his mind on hearing the news of the defeat.

Friday Jan 19 Last night an Regular Century Deserted & Came to Guard

Saturday Jan 20 Nothing Remarkable to day

Sunday Janu th 21 A Writing General Orders In the forenoon In the afternoon Mr. Marsh & Mr. Mullikin & I went down to Cobell hill took a veiw of the works

Monday Januar th 22 Pleasant Weather

Tuesday Januar th 23 Nothing New begun to man the Lines

Wednesday Jan 24 Pleasant Weather for the season

Washington’s General Orders for January 24 continued the reorganization of the Continental Army, grouping regiments into brigades, with Colonel Moses Little’s regiment in General Nathanael Greene’s brigade.

Thirsday Janu th 25 Pleasant Weather W at the S East [?]

Friday Jan 26 Some Rain Cleard of In the afternoon

Saturday Janua th 27 Nothing Remarkable

Sunday January th 28 Very Cold Exersiseing In the Afternoon

Monday Pleasant Weather

Tuesday Janu th 30 Some Snow

Wednesday January th 31 Clear & Pleasant

February 1776: Very Cold

Thirs. February th 1 1776 Some Snow very Cold

Friday Febru 2 nothing Remarkable

Saturday February 3 Pleasant Weather Wind at N West Samll Wyatt And I went acrost mistick River to Chelsa upon Nodles Island had a fair view of Boston

Moses Sleeper and Samuel Wyatt had both enlisted as corporals in Captain Perkins’s company of Colonel Little’s regiment on the same day as in May. Their route across the Mystic River and through Chelsea to Noddle’s Island east of Boston took them past the north side of the Continental fortifications and around the British presence in Charlestown.

British Lieutenant Richard Williams painted the opposite view – from Beacon Hill toward Noddle’s Island – as part of a series from inside the besieged city in 1775.  Sleeper and Wyatt’s route took them beyond the Charlestown peninsula seen at the left and to Noddle’s Island in the center background.

Richard H. Brown Revolutionary War Map Collection at Mount Vernon

Sunday February t 4 pleasant but Cold at Barracks all day

Monday Februar th 5 Pleasant Weather In the Afternoon about 100 Regulars from Bunkers hill took 3 heifers from Charlestown Common

Tuesday Februy th 6 Nothing New

Wednesday Febru th 7 Very Cold W at N West Nothing New

Thirsday February th 8 last night a party Sett the mill a fire In Charlestown

Friday February th 9 Verry Foggy Wind at N East

Saturday Febru th 10 to day Benjm George was Whipt ten Lashes for Deserting Verry Foggy to

Benjamin Greene had deserted from camp for 19 days and had to be sought out to return to his regiment. His original sentence by the garrison court-martial for deserting the camp for 19 days had been more severe: 30 lashes on his naked back and fines of over £2 – more than a month’s pay. General Greene reduced the beating to “only ten” lashes.

Sunday February th 11 Clear weathe very Cold W at N West

Monday Febr th 12 fair weather but Cold

Tuesday Februar th 13 pleasant Nothing Remarkable

Wednesday February th 14 Last This morning Betwixt 4 & 6 O Clock a party of the Enemy Came out uppon Dorchester point and Sett 3 houses a fire & took 3 men belonging to Dochester Some Snow to Day

Thirsday February th 15 Nothing Remarkable fair Weather

Friday February th 16 Nothing New Pleasant weather

Saturday Febr 1 7 Verry Cold Wind at N West

Sunday F 18 Nothing Remarkable

Monday Feb. th 19 Pleasant Weather Nothing New

Tuesday Feb 20 Moderate Weather W at S West

Wednesday Feb 21 Cloudy Wind at S East Verry Bad

Thirsday Feb th 22 verry Cold

Friday Feby th 23 Nothing Remarkable

Saturday Febry th 24 Went to Wartertown with Mr Foster

Sunday Feb 25 Pleasant Weather

Monday Febry the 26 Pleasant Weather this day Recev’d 4 Months pay for the Last Campain

Tuesday Feby th 27 dirty Weather Wind at NE Last night the Enemy puld Down the Steeple of a meeting house In New boston

The steeple of the West Church, or Boston’s Ninth Church, located near the Mill Pond on the west site of Boston’s peninsula, would have been clearly visible to Continental forces on Prospect Hill across the back of the bay. It was destroyed to prevent its potential use to signal from inside the besieged city.

Wednesday Feby th 28 Rainy Weather all the Women Orderd out of Camps

Thirsday Feby 29 Cleard of Cold W. at N West

This 1775 view of Dorchester Neck as seen from Boston shows at the center the two hills of Dorchester Heights which would be fortified in March 1776.  British Lieutenant Richard Williams painted this as part of a series of panoramas from inside the besieged city.

Richard H. Brown Revolutionary War Map Collection at Mount Vernon

March 1776: The Siege of Boston Ends

Friday March th 1st 1776 Nothing New Pleasant weather

Saturday March th 2 all Still Pleasant weather Last Night the Cannonading began at 11 O Clock and heald without Sessation till 8 O Clock in the Morning split two morters one 13 Inch and one 10 Inch

The Continental artillery barrage began late on the evening of Saturday, March 2, from batteries on Cobble Hill, Lechmere’s Point, and Lamb’s Dam in Roxbury. The firing continued for three nights, serving to draw the attention of the British and cover the noise of the Continental fortifications on Dorchester Heights.

Sunday March th 3 this Morning the Enemy hove a shell Into the Citadel went through the platform where there was a 24 pounder

Monday March the 4 Last night the Cannonding began about 9 O Clock & & held till 7 o Clock this Morning The Congress Split at the Chamber Good Encouragment to split 3 Mortars In two Nights Cannonading

The large brass mortar called the “Congress” burst on the second shot fired, killing a number of the men firing. The failure of the three burst mortars can be attributed to the age of the cannon, inexperience of the artillery regiment, and the frozen ground.

Tuesday March th 5 last night about 8 O Clock the Canonading began & heald till Sunrise our people Intrenc’d upon Dorchester hills Last night one man killd with a Shell & two Wounded, belonging to a Party Comd by Leut burbank On Leach mores point this morning Our Regt. Was drawd out to go Into Boston Marchd with all Our Accutrements at 8 O Clock to the Grand Parade from thence was to embark In to the Boats Waited 4 hours for the motion of the Enemy & finding they were not Comeing out we Were Dismisd about 4 OClock

The Continental Army’s plan placed 1,200 entrenched soldiers and fresh relief troops on Dorchester Heights, with the rest of the army on alert for a counterattack. Sleeper’s regiment, in Greene’s brigade, waited near “Fort No. 2” in Cambridge, poised to attack on the west of Boston by boat. The British response did not come during the day, waiting to move until nightfall.

Wednesday March th 6 Last nigh a verry heavy Gale of Wind the wind at So West Cleard of this Morning

With high winds that drove British transport boats on shore and made it impossible to land safely, this fortuitous severe storm aborted the planned British assault.

Thirsday March the 7 Rainy weather very high wind Last night

Thirsday Friday March th 8 Verry Wet & Rainy Some Movement In Boston as though They meand a Going Of

The Continental soldiers observed the preparations of the British army to leave Boston from across the water. The British returned their troop boats from the Castle, loaded transport ships with bedding, and staged their heavy cannon and equipment at the wharves.

Saturday March th 9 Pleasant weather this morning Nothing New

Sunday Mar th 10 Last night a Continual fire Was kep up at Dochester the Enemy killd 4 of our men With firing 980 Cannon shot

On March 9, Washington had ordered additional fortifications on Nook’s Hill, a rise on the Dorchester peninsula nearest to Boston. The British artillery response was immense: while Sleeper estimated 980 cannon shots fired, a sergeant stationed at Dorchester Heights, “Supposed they Fired 1000 Shott as it Lasted the whole Night.” The Continental Army in Dorchester sustained four casualties: surgeon Dr. Enoch Dole and three soldiers.

Monday Mar th 11 Some firing Last night but did No Damage the Regulars are upon a Moveing Order

Tuesday March th 12 all Peaceable a Continual Lightning In the West

March the 13 Nothing New

March th 14 Pleasant Weather

Friday March th 15 Some Rain

Saturday March th 16 1776 Some firing from Roxbury

Sunday March th 17 Last night our people Intrenchd upon Dchester point also one of Colo Pattersons Barracks Bir[?]host Last night this morning our Brigade was all under Arms the Signal was hoisted at Roxbury & at 9 O Clock Colo Mifflin Sent two men on Bunke hill & found that the Enemy had Left It at 10 OClock the Shipping Movd Down against the Castle Immedeately our Troops took possession of Bunker hill & Boston 9 months to a day Since It was taken from us

The retreat and evacuation of the British army and loyalists from Boston and Charlestown had taken place within sight of the Continental Army. Over the previous days, over 1,000 royal officials and loyalist civilians had boarded transport ships from Boston. Soldiers from Charlestown withdrew by ferry to Boston, leaving their fortifications on Bunker’s Hill guarded by dummies. Quartermaster Thomas Mifflin led the small party that confirmed the British had left the hill.

As a veteran of the Battle of Bunker Hill, the recapture of the hill held enormous significance to Sleeper, as seen in his marking of the time elapsed since the battle and his visit to view the works there the following day.

Monday March th 18 Went down to Charlestown & Veiwd the Works on Bunkers hill

Tuesday March th 19 Strict Orders that no man Shall go in to Boston Without a Pass from the General

Washington established control over entry to the city, ordering, “All Officers, Soldiers and others, are positively forbid going into the Town of Boston without a pass, or being sent expressly upon duty.” This order came in part out of concerns of the possibility of smallpox infection; the order provided for cleansing from infection and the orderly return of the residents who had been separated from their homes for the duration of the siege.

British Lieutenant Archibald Robertson's "Sketch of the burning & destroying of Castle William in Boston Harbour" captures the billowing smoke, the evacuating British troops, and their waiting ships.

Spencer Collection, The New York Public Library.

Wednesday March th 20 Last night upon Fatige all night the enemy Burnt th Block house upon th Castle

The British forces evacuating Boston destroyed their fortifications and structures at Castle William as a parting act, unwilling to turn the fort over to the Continental Army when they withdrew. British Lieutenant Archibald Robertson wrote, “Accordingly at 8 o'clock 6 Companies Embark’d and the Boats lay off untill the mines were fired, which was done 1/2 an hour Afterwards and they had a very good Effect. The Barracks and other houses were then set on fire and at 9 ... we got all safe on board the Transports.”

Thursday March the 21 Verry Cold Some Snow

Friday March th 22 Pleasant Weather In th this forenoon Parson Noble Gives us a Sermon from 1 Johns th 24-34 Verses

Saturday March th 23 Verry Stormy Wind at N East

Sunday March th 24 Very Cold Wind at N West

Monday March th 25 Nothing New Pleasant Weather

Tuesday March th 26 All Still Pleasant Weather

Wednesday March th 27 Verry Cold To day General Howes fleet Saild from Boston Bay upwards of 100 Sails

Though the British military and loyalist civilians had evacuated the town on March 17, their fleet of over one hundred armed ships stayed anchored in the outer harbor while engineers worked to destroy Castle William. The bulk of the fleet finally sailed out of sight – and firing range – toward Halifax, Nova Scotia on March 27.

Saturday March th

Thirsday March th 28 Pleasant weather but Verry Cold our Regt went uppon Fatigue at Charlesto Point

Friday March th 29 Pleasant weather Wind at North West to Day had a Ramble all over Boston with Mr. Pilsbury Orders out for to March Monday morning Next

Washington issued orders for a brigade of five regiments, including Colonel Little’s, “to march on Monday Morning at Sun-rise” under the command of Brigadier General Greene. Washington’s observations and intelligence reports indicated that the departed British troops would next occupy New York City, which would allow them to control navigation on the Hudson River and divide the northern and southern sections of the colonies. He had dispatched the first brigade of Continental troops on March 18; with the British troops and transports now removed from Boston, he prepared to have the rest of the army follow.

Saturday March th 30

Sunday March 31 1776 Some Snow W at S East

April 1776: March to New York

Monday April th 1 this forenoon preparing for a March Got ready & paraded about 12 O Clock this Day March to Dedham 8 Miles from Boston Lodgd at a private house well Entertaind

Tuesday Aprirll th 2 Set out from Dedham at Sun Rise March through Walpole to Rentham about 7 oClocke Well Entertaind with a Supper of Choclate & a Straw Bed at Mr. Halls

Wednesday April th 3 Set out from Mr. Halls at Sun Rise Marcd to Attlebourough Before Brekfast 5 Mile Set out Upon a March & Dind apposite patucket falls at Mr Somes house March from there about 3 oClock Got Into Providence at 5 oClock & the joind our Brigade With Genl Sullivans Very Bad marching & Very Rainy Wind at N East Lodgd our Arms at Mr [ ] & Cookd 2 Days provisions

Thirsday Aprill th 4 Waited in Providence to Day Verry Windy to Day General Sulliva Brigade Marchd from Providence our Regt Paraded Lodgd at Mr. Onys house

Friday th 5 General Green’s brigade Paraded to Receive his Excellency General Washington also the Cadet Company with the Light Infantry & Grenadiers Escorted him through th town

Saturday this Day Marchd from Providence between 10 & 11 O Clocke March’d to Situate

Sunday April th 7 Marchd from Situate to plainfield very Stormy all Day & Bad Marching through the Woods

Monday Aprill th 8 Marchd from plainfied 4 Miles before Brekfast Got Into Norwich at 5 oClock

Tuesday Aprill th 9 Marchd from Norwich at 12 oClocke Made a Stop at Mohagen 7 Miles Got Into New London at 5 o Clocke

Wednesday Aprill th 10 Made up our Regt In new London Colo Reads & Colo: Bayleys Embarkd for New York Colo Wicks & Colo Vernums Regt Came Into this town

Thirsday Aprill thll Verry Windy kep at Mrs. Harris House In New London

Friday Aprill th 12 Some Rain Last night

Saturday Aprill th 13 Some Rain to Day Last night Laid on Board the Brigg this morning Pleasant Weather Breakfast at Mrs. Harris’s

Following the march from Boston to New London, Connecticut, Sleeper’s regiment boarded a brig in a small fleet of transports to complete their trip to New York City by sail.

Sunday Aprill th 14 this Morning Set Saill for New York Wind at N East Capt. Warner Comnany & Capt Dodges & Capt Perkins on Board the Brigg Polly Capt Dodge Master from New London Pleasant Morning all In Good Spirits with 15 other Transports keep in Company With them till about 11 O Clock the Wind Shiffted & headed Us we beat till 8 oClock at Night & then Come to an Anchor of Long Island

Monday April th 15 Pleasant Weather Wind at S West Weaghtd Anchor About 6 oClock & beat till 10 got 3 Mile a head & then Down Anchor at 11 OClock had a pleasant Gale at W by South Weighd our Anchor & made Milford harboar

Tuesday Aprill th 16 Some Rain Last night This Morning Weighd our Anchor Stormy weather had a fair Wind at NE about 10 o Clock Some of our fleet Come up with us Come through hell Gate at 1 O Clock Got Into the harbour of New York at 2 OClock Landed & Went Into Barrack Near the Golden horse

Wednesday Aprill th 17 Pleasant Weather Dind at our Barracks

Thirsday Aprill 18 Nothing Remarkable this Afternoon an Express Came from Canady

Friday Aprill th 19 to Day four Regts Embarkd for Albany to go to Quebeck

Satuday April 20 pleasant Weather Nothing New

Sunday Aprill 21 Brigadier Genell Thompsin with Bonds Greotons Poors & Pattersons Regt Embarkd for Quebeck

Washington had ordered recently-promoted Brigadier General William Thompson to command a brigade of four regiments – Poor’s, Patterson’s, Greaton’s, and Bonds – to reinforce the Continental Army’s force in Quebec. Sleeper’s series of entries about the invasion of Canada do not include any insights about his reason for noting this. He may have noted this for its strategic significance, the disruption at camp, or for the more personal motivation of concern for his brother John and other friends, reported captured at Quebec.

Monday Aprill th 22 Some Rain Last night Cleard of this morning pleasant

Tuesday Aprill 23 Pleasant Weather

Wednesday Aprill th 24 Nothing Remarkable

Thirsday Aprill th 25 Verry Warm No Remarks to Day

Friday Aprill th 26 pleasant Weather

Saturday Aprill 27 The Regt turnd out for Execise

Sunday Aprill th 28 Attended Publick Worship heard th Revd Doctor Rogers preach from th 2 of Timothy 2d Ch 3d Verse

Monday Aprill th 29 No Remarks to Day

Tuesday Aprill th 30 Pleasant Weather

May 1776: Nothing New

Wednesday May th 1st No Remarks to Day

Thirsday May 2d Embarkd On Board th Sloop Lively for Long Island Landed about 10 O Clock picthd our Tents On a plain bewixd two Rivers

Friday May th 3d a party of four hundred Men for fatigue Cald for Out of our Brigade

Saturday May th 4 No Remarks to Day

Sunday May th 5 attended Publick Worship In th Afternoon At the Ducth Church In Long Island

Monday May th 6 Lieut Ward Got In to th Camps Brought the News of Sister Sarahs Death

The news from home of the death of eighteen-year-old Sarah Sleeper in April 1776 broke the apparent monotony of Moses Sleeper’s life in camp.

Tuesday May 7th Rainy Weather W at N East Uncomforttable Lodging in Tents

Wednesday May 8th Rainy Weather W at NE

Thirsday May th 9 1776 Cleard of Pleasant verry warm

Friday May th 10 Verry Warm Nothing New

Saturday May th 11 Pleasant Weather over to New York In the Afternoon Show

Sunday May th 12 Pleasant weather attended Publik worship heard th Rev. Mr. Davids preach from Joshua th 1st Chap & 3 Vers In the Afternoon our Chaplain from th 54 Psalm & 1st Verse

Monday May th 13 1776 Pleasant Weather

Tuesday May th 14 Nothing Remarkable th Regt Musterd took two month Pay

Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters NHS Museum Collection

Wednesday May th 15 1776 Pleasant Weather No Remarks to Day Last Night had a Six Dollar Bill taken out of my Pocket

This scratched-out entry stands out in an otherwise unremarkable week. On Tuesday, the regiment received their two months’ pay in paper Continental currency, authorized by the Continental Congress. As a Corporal, Sleeper earned seven dollars and one-third per month. This amount was intended to be paid out monthly, though the disruption of the campaign and the paymaster’s funds meant the soldiers were paid irregularly, as noted in Sleeper’s journal by receiving several months’ accrued pay at a time. The theft of a six-dollar bill – on the night he was paid – amounted to almost a month’s pay. Does the stricken text indicate that the bill was found or returned?

Thirsday May th 16 Verry Warm Nothing Remarkable

Friday May th 17 1776 Verry Pleasant this morning to a fast appointed by th Continental Congress

As he had in July 1775, General Washington commanded the Continental Army forces under his command to religiously observe the fast day. The Continental Congress’s order used religious language to designate May 17 as a day of “fasting, humiliation and prayer, humbly to supplicate the mercy of Almighty God, that it would please him to pardon all our manifold sins and transgressions, and to prosper the Arms of the United Colonies, and finally, establish the peace and freedom of America, upon a solid and lasting foundation.”

Saturday May th 18 Verry Stormy all Day Wind at N East

Sunday May th 19 Pleasant Weather after Rain Recievd a Letter from home

Monday May th 20 Cooll Weather for the Season

Tuesday May th 21 Nothing Remarkable

Wednesday May th 22 Verry ColI for th Season

Thirsday May th 23 Pleasant Weather

Friday May th 24 No Remarks to Day

Saturday May th 25 Pleasant Weather Nothing new

Sunday May th 26 Attended publick Worship all Day at night verry Showery attended with thunder & Lightning Lodgd at Mrs. Cavanders

Monday May th 27 1776 Pleasant after Plenty of Rain

Tuesday May th 28 Very Cooll weather No Remark

Wednesday May th 29 Pleasant Weather Mr. Little & Capt Kent Came from home to New York

Thirsday May th 30 No Remarks to Day

Friday May th 31 1776 Nothing New

June 1776: Tories, Treachery, & Transports

Saturday June th 1st Last nigt two Ships of the Line Came to anchor of against Sandy hook

Sunday June th 2 Verry Cooll Some Rain Last night

Monday June 3 Rainy Weather Wind at NE

Tuesday June th 4 Last Night a party of Men 150 Commd by Lieut Colo: Cund March’d down the Island In order to Discover the Torys It being King George’s Birth Day

Wednesday June th 5 Pleasant Weather

Thirsday June th 6 Rain Last night Verry Cooll

Friday June th 7 No Remarks to Day

Saturday June th 8 To Day Genl Washington Arriv’d from Philadelphia to New York

Sunday June th 9 Verry Warm Weather Attended Publick Worship

Monday June th 10 Verry warm this forenoon about 2 oClock a heavy Thunder Shower Attended with Sharp Lightning

Tuesday June 11 Mr. Little Left the Camps pleasant after Rain

Wednesday June th 12 Nothing New Pleasant Weather

Thirsday June th 13 Verry Hot & Sultry

Friday June 14 No Remarks to Day

Saturday june th 15 Pleasant Weather Nothing New

Sunday June th 16 A fine Shower of Rain Last night this morning 32 Men of th 12 Regt Join’d the Regt. of artillery at New York

Monday June th 17 1776 this Day 12 Months Since bunker hill fight Major Shurburn Got In to New york from Canada

The Battle of Bunker Hill had been Sleeper’s first, and so far only, experience of battle. He marked the one-year anniversary as a significant touchpoint.

Tuesday June th 18 1776 Recievd our Wages for the month of Aprill No Remarks today

Wednesday June th 19 fine Weather pleasant Showers The people begin to Cut their Grass

Thirsday June th 20 nothing New Pleasant weather

Friday June th 21 Verry warm A Detachment Marchd from our brigade to Guard a numb of Prisoners taken from a Transport by th York Privater 20 Officers 40 Highlanders

Saturday June th 22 A Detachment of 30 Privates & a Subaltirn Orderd to march 6 Mile Down the Island after the Lord Mayor of the City of New York they Returd about 3 oClock th nex morning with the Prisoner

Sunday June th 23 Last Night the Discovery of the Plot Laid to Destroy the Maginzines & Genl Washington Was Made by Several persons belonging to th Life Guard

News and rumors of a plot among New York civilian loyalists, including the mayor of New York, and several members of Washington’s personal Life Guard circulated wildly. The army, inside New York in close quarters with loyalists, feared espionage and sabotage. One surgeon in the Continental Army’s account of the “most infernal plot” included killing Generals Washington and Putnam, lighting fires in the city, disabling cannon, and blowing up a powder magazine. Sleeper’s record is consistent with others, although Washington’s report to John Hancock claimed the conspirators had “no regular plan,” but intended to aid British troops “upon their arrival.”

Monday June th 24 Pleasant Weather Went to new york

Tuesday June th 25 Last night a Detachment of 300 Men Conssisting of a Liut Colo & Mjor C Capt 18 Liut March’d from the parade Down the Island In order to Desperse the Torys Who had formd them selves In Defence of th Kings Troops 30 Mile up th Island

Wednesday June th 26 1776 Pleasant Weath - - Nothing new

Thirsday June th 27 1776 Verry hot Weather & Dry

Friday June th 28 this Day Thomas Hickey Was Excuted for Tretchery at new York In the midst of 1000 Troops this Day Arivd at the Hook 20 Sail of Transports

The execution of Thomas Hickey, the only accused conspirator of the Life Guard to face capital punishment, served as an example of the consequences of treason. General Orders recorded both the sentence by the court martial and Washington’s approval. Washington furthermore required the attendance of the army at the public execution:

After Orders. Thomas Hickey belonging to the Generals Guard having been convicted by a General Court Martial whereof Col. Parsons was President of the crimes of “Sedition and mutiny, and also of holding a treach’rous correspondence with the enemy, for the most horrid and detestable purposes,” is sentenced to suffer death. The General approves the sentence, and orders that he be hanged to morrow at Eleven oClock.

All the officers and men off duty, belonging to Genl Heath’s, Spencer’s, Lord Stirling’s and Genl Scott’s Brigades, to be under arms, on their respective parades, at Ten o’Clock to morrow morning, to march from thence to the Ground, between Genl Spencer’s and Lord Stirling’s encampments, to attend the execution of the above sentence.

Though the order did not specifically require the attendance of Greene's Brigade, encompassing Little’s regiment, it is possible that Sleeper joined the crowd, estimated at twenty thousand spectators. Whether he witnessed the hanging or not, Sleeper certainly heard the warning against “Tretchery.”

Sleeper’s closing mention of the arrival of 20 transport ships at Sandy Hook is the first indication of the arrival of the Royal Navy in New York. Having evacuated Boston and sailed to Nova Scotia, the fleet of 110 warships and transports now brought the British to Long Island and Staten Island.

Saturday June 29 Last night a fatigue party Consisting of 200 Privates As Voluntiers went Intrenching

Sunday June th 30 1776 Verry Warm to Day th whole Brigade turn’d out uppon Fatigue 100 Sail of Ships & Transports arrivd at Sandy hook with Genl How from halifax

Watching the bay fill with sails, one Continental private poetically wrote, “I declare that I thought all London was afloat.” The British forces, under Major General William Howe, had arrived.

July 1776: Independence Declared

Monday July th 1 Yestarday Genl How Sent a flagg of Truce & Demanded th City of new York

Tuesday July th 2 1776 Verry hot Muggy weath In th Afternoon a Light Shower of Rain W at West

Wednesday July 3 1776 Verry warm this Morning an alarm from new york Ocasiond by the fleets coming Up through the narrows about 150 Sail anchor’d under Statons Island the whole of our Brigade turn’d out reddy to Receve them & Sent of a Regmt of 200 hundred men to Red Hook

Thirsday july 4 1776 Last night Capt Frothingham With a Compy of trains & two 9 poundrrs were sent to the Narrows to Cannonade Several Ships that Lie their to get In a Battallion of Militia from New jersey

Friday July th 5 Several more Transports joind the fleet at Statons Island Capt Frothingham Drove of the ships & took 4 Prision

Saturday July th 6 Nothing new

Sunday July the 7 In Camps all Day No Remarks to Day

Monday Jul th 8 to Day 300 of the New jersey Levies joind th brigade

Tuesday July th 9 No remarks to Day Some Rain In th affternoon

Wednesday July th 10 Pleasat Weather bu Verry warm In th afternoon th brigade turn’d out with their arms In order to have the Declaration of the Continentall Congress Declaring americ an Independent State Colo: Hitchcock Read it to th Whole & then were Dismissd by three Chears

George Washington had received a broadside of the Declaration of Independence on July 8. This document from the Continental Congress made explicit and official that the army fought in support of independence and the establishment of a new country. Washington’s general orders of July 9 elaborated, and required that the Declaration be read that evening:

The Hon. The Continental Congress, impelled by the dictates of duty, policy and necessity, having been pleased to dissolve the Connection which subsisted between this Country, and Great Britain, and to declare the United Colonies of North America, free and independent States : The several brigades are to be drawn up this evening on their respective Parades, at Six OClock, when the declaration of Congress, shewing the grounds and reasons of this measure, is to be read with an audible voice.

The General hopes this important Event will serve as a fresh incentive to every officer, and soldier, to act with Fidelity and Courage, as knowing that now the peace and safety of his Country depends (under God) solely on the success of our arms: And that he is now in the service of a State, possessed of sufficient power to reward his merit, and advance him to the highest Honors of a free Country.

Sleeper’s entries report rain on the afternoon of July 9 and place his brigade’s reading of the Declaration on July 10, conflicting with other sources. Perhaps Moses Sleeper confused the date headings on his entries, or perhaps his brigade did delay for rain. Sleeper also omitted any mention of the destruction of the equestrian statue of George III by soldiers on July 9, or of Washington’s rebuke for this behavior on the following day.

Despite this vague record, it is clear that the reading of the Declaration was noteworthy to Sleeper, described in an entry of several lines. Greene’s Brigade, over 2,000 soldiers, turned out with their arms to hear the reading by Colonel Daniel Hitchcock of the 11th Continental Regiment.

Thirsday July th 11 Cloudy this morning Some firing from Red Hook at boats Sounding below Gover Island

British Lieutenant Archibald Robertson, arrived with the British fleet, sketched the arrival of the HMS Phoenix and HMS Rose.  Smoke rising from the far shore across the horizon marks the fire Continental’s cannon batteries.  At least seven ships are anchored by the shore in the foreground.

Spencer Collection, The New York Public Library.

Friday July th 12th Pleasant Weathe Wind at S West 2 Ships of War th Asia & Phenix Weig’d Anchor & Came by the City of New York & Came to Anchor In th Bay 30 Mile up the North River the Cannonade begun about 4 oClock & Continued till they got by all th Forts 5 of Our Artillery Men were killd by our own Cannon

Sleeper apparently misrecorded the names of the British frigates. Rather than the 64-gun HMS Asia, the 40-gun HMS Phoenix was accompanied by the 20-gun HMS Rose and three smaller support ships. Although Sleeper records a cannonade from the forts, the American defenses failed. The warships passed undamaged, returned fire on the American artillery, sailed up the Hudson River, and bombarded the city. As Sleeper noted, the American casualties resulted from the explosion of a cannon due to their poor training or mishandling.

Saturday July th 13 1776 All Still Last Evening Vice Admiral How ariv’d at Staton Island Sunday

Admiral Richard Howe arrived on the HMS Eagle, sent from England both to lead the massive Royal Navy reinforcements and instructions to negotiate as a peace commissioner. With his arrival, the Howe brothers began implementing their strategy, combining an overwhelming demonstration of military and naval power with offers of pardons and diplomacy.

Sunday July th 14 Rainy Weather this forenoon Came A flagg of Truce from Adml How but was not Excepted

Monday July 15 1776 Recev’d our Wages for the Mo^t of May a flagg. Sent to Genl Washington & Demanded th City of New York

Tuesday July 16 Verry Pleasant for th Season 1 Dolar added to my Wages

Wednesday July th 17 1776 No Remarks to Day Pleasant weather

Thirsday July th 18 Cloudy Verry windy

Friday July th 19 Some Rain Last night attended with very Sharp Lightning

Saturday July th 20 To Day Genl How & Genl Washington had a Conference at the City of New York

Washington received Lieutenant Colonel James Paterson, the adjutant general of General William Howe, rather than the commander himself. Paterson brought a letter and prepared message from Howe with overtures of peace and reconciliation. Washington, like Congress, was committed to the cause of independence and convinced of the army’s defense of “indisputable rights.” He refused to engage in negotiations.

Sunday July th 21 Clody Some Showers of Rain

Monday July the 22 No Remarks to Day

Tuesday July th 23 Verry Warm Nothing Remarkable

Wednesday July th 24 1776

Thirsday July th 25 Moody Montgomery Came into Camps

The arrival of Lieutenant Moody Montgomery, enlisted in a Massachusetts militia regiment from Essex, likely meant news from home.

Friday July th 26 Las night a verry heavy thunder Shower attend with Sharp Lightning

Saturday July th 27

Sunday July the 28 Last night a Continuel firing of Small arms for half an hour Occasiond by a number of Boats passing by Governers Island

Two Continental regiments occupied Governers Island, located in the harbor between lower Manhattan and Long Island, where Sleeper’s brigade camped. Under the colonial government, the island had been set aside for “the benefit and accommodation of his Majestie’s Governors.” After the Revolution, the island became a key part of the fortified defenses of New York Harbor.

Monday July th 29 No Remarks to Day

Tuesday July th 30 Last night a verry Severe thunder Storm attended with Sharp Lightning. It begun at 9 oClock & Continued till 12 OClock

Wednesday July th 31 A Party of twenty men was Detach’d from Colo Littles Regt. to go on board th Row Gallies at new yorke

August 1776: The Battle of Long Island

Thirsday August th 1st 1776 Some Ships & Transports arivd here

British transport ships continued to arrive off New York. By mid-August, the British troop strength was estimated at 32,000, significantly outnumbering the American forces with under 20,000 soldiers fit for duty and about half of those militia supplementing the Continental Army.

Friday August th 2 1 776 Pleasant Weather W a SW In th Afternoon 6 Row Gallies Went up the north River to Attack the Ships th kept up a Continual fire for an hour & a half & then Retreated with the Loss of 2 or 3 Men two of our Regt. Wounded one mortally

Saturday Aust th 3 Nothing Remarkable

Sunday August th 4 Attend bublick Worship all Day

Monday August th 5 Colo: Grays Regt joind our Brigade N

Tuesday August th 6 Nothing Remarkable

Wednesday August 7 1776 Yestarday arived At Statons Island Clinton With his Troops & Sir Peter Parkers fleet

Thirsday August th 8 Cloudy this morning to day the whole brigade musterd & Marc’hd Down the Island

Friday August th 9th Nothing Remarkable

Saturday August th 10 Pleasant Weather Nothing New

Sunday August th 11 Verry warm Weather Noth Remarkable

Monday Augt 12 this morning about 60 Transports & Ships arrived at Statons Island

Washington’s orders for the following day reflected the expectation that these 60 ships would be the final British Navy arrivals: “The Enemy's whole reinforcement is now arrived, so that an Attack must, and will soon be made.” Washington went on with bravado, assuring his soldiers of their strategic and moral advantages:

The enemy will endeavour to intimidate by shew and appearance, but remember how they have been repulsed, on various occasions, by a few brave Americans; Their Cause is bad; their men are conscious of it, and if opposed with firmness, and coolness, at their first onsett, with our advantage of Works, and Knowledge of the Ground; Victory is most assuredly ours.

Tuesday August th 13 all Still

Wednesday August th 14 1776 Genl Heards Brigade joind Genl Greens Now Genl Nixsons Genl. Green appointed Maj Genl

On Washington’s recommendation, the Continental Congress had promoted William Heath, Joseph Spencer, John Sullivan, and Nathanael Greene to Major General. Because of these promotions, Washington ordered changes to the arrangement of the army, affecting Sleeper’s chain of command. Little’s Regiment was now grouped with four others into a brigade commanded by Brigadier General John Nixon, just promoted from Colonel. General Nathaniel Heard’s brigade, consisting of New Jersey state troops and militia, moved over to reinforce Nixon’s brigade on Long Island. General Greene assumed command of the Long Island division, although he was soon sidelined by illness and replaced on the field by General Sullivan.

Thirsday th 15 Exspected the Enemy to make an attack orderd to turn out Early & tarry till 3 oClock but being a Verry Rainy night Lye very Quiet

Friday August th 16 Pleasant after Rain

British artists vividly rendered the attack on the HMS Phoenix and HMS Rose.  The engraving depicts the burning fireship grappled to the Phoenix before the ship’s escape.

Yale University Art Gallery

Saturday August th 17 Last Night two fire Ships went up th Noth River In order to Burn two Ships of War they burnt one of the Tenders & Grapled the Ships but they Cut the Rigging so that the fire Raft fell astern

A fire ship or fire raft was an expendable craft, intended to be packed with flammable material, grappled, or tied to, a target ship, and set alight and abandoned. The attacking forces managed to burn one of the smaller vessels and target the 40-gun warship HMS Phoenix. Luck and maneuvers by the Phoenix’s crew prevented the ship’s destruction, resulting in only minor injury to the British fleet.

Sunday Augt 18 Some Rain Last night W a NW th two Shipps Came down the North River a Verry heavy Cannonade was kept Up till they past all th Forts

Monday August 19 Cloudy weather & Verry much Rain

Tuesday August th 20 Cloudy & Cooll Weather

Wednesday Augt 21 1776 Rainy Wether & Verry Sharp Lightning & heay thunder Last night

This British map is annotated with the movements of ships and armies from August 22 to September 15.  The map depicts the landing of the British Army, marked in red, on the Long Island shore and their advance towards the Americans, marked in blue, on the woody heights overlooking Flatbush.

Norman B. Leventhal Map & Education Center

Thirsday August th 22 Much Rain Attended with heay thunder & Lightning a Capt & Lt & Serg’t killd with Lightning this morning an Alarm’d that the Enemy were landing about 12000 of them Landed at the narrows on Long Island and Marchd Up as far as flatt Bush 2 Mile & a half from the Lines A Detachment was Sent of Immediately Which Put a Stop to their Marching Farther

Sleeper’s report of the British movement matches Washington’s faulty intelligence on their strength. Rather than landing 12,000 men, the British had committed 22,000 soldiers on Long Island.

Friday August th 23 Pleasant Weather a Reenforement of 2 Brigades Came from York firing all Day our Riffle men killd a Hessian officer & a Strip’d him at 6 oClock our Regt. March’d for flatt Bush

Saturday Augu th 24 Cloudy all night Lye In the Woods In the morning Saw their Encampment kept up a heay fire all Day with Musketry on both Sides Drove In their Centires one of Colo Hitchcocks Sejents wounded In the thigh at night Colo Martin of the Jersy Forces was Wounded In th Brest at 6 oClock In the Evening was Relieved by another Party

Sunday August th 25 Much Rain Last night all still this Morning

Monday Augst Pleasant Weath Went on Guard at flatt Bush

Tuesday August th 27 Last night a Continual fire all night the Regulars advanced uppon our Lines kill a number & took 600 of our people prisonr

In the Battle of Long Island, the British infantry marched around the Continental Army’s lines and attacked from behind their left flank. The entire line, including Sleeper’s regiment’s position in the center at Flatbush, collapsed, retreating to Brooklyn Heights. American losses were significantly higher than Sleeper’s estimate, with 300 killed, an unknown number wounded, and 1,097 captured, including Major General John Sullivan.

Wednesday Augst. 28 Lay upon our Arms all night firing uppon both Sides

Thirsday August 29 Much Rain th Enemy hove up a Breast worke Within Gun Shot of our Lines

Friday August 30 Last night Evacuated Long Island with verry Much Fatigue Got over to York at 1 oClock at night

General Washington, after consulting with his council of war, had ordered the evacuation of the army from Brooklyn Heights. Two regiments of Sleeper’s neighbors from the north shore – John Glover’s 14th Massachusetts of Marblehead and John Hutchinson’s 27th Massachusetts from Salem and Lynn – manned the boats to ferry the soldiers across the East River. Beginning late at night on August 29, the march and evacuation took all night, with Sleeper noting his landing on Manhattan at 1:00 am.

Saturday August 31 Several Ships Came up oposite Govenors Island

September 1776: In Retreat

Sunday Sept th 1st No Remarks to Day

Monday Sept. 2d Last night Orders Came for our Brigade to March to Harlem 8 Miles from th City of New Yorke Arivd at 11 oClock Lodge In a Barn

Tuesday Sept th 3 th Phenix Frigate Came up th East River

Wednesday Sept th 4 Encampt at Bloomingdale Cannonading heavy at Fort hel Gate

Thirsday Sept 5 No Remarks to Day

Friday Sept th 6 Pleasant Weather No Remarks to Day

Saturday Sept 7 Verry Rainy Some firing

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Epilogue

The diary ends abruptly in September 1776, and the last three pages of the volume are missing. Either Sleeper did not record his experiences at the Battle of Harlem Heights and the subsequent campaigns in New York and New Jersey or the pages with his record were lost.

Sleeper’s regiment, still led by Colonel Moses Little, participated in the Battle of Harlem Heights in mid-September 1776 and the Battle of White Plains in late October.

Brother John, who had been taken prisoner at Quebec on December 31, 1775, was part of a group of prisoners released on parole in late summer 1776. A British ship transported them to New York City, and they marched from New York to New Jersey following the Continental Army. In September or October 1776 – just after the end of Moses Sleeper’s journal – John Sleeper was discharged in New Jersey and returned home to Newburyport.

Moses Sleeper’s one-year enlistment expired at the end of December 1776. In the final months of his enlistment, his regiment was organized with other New England Continentals under Colonel Daniel Hitchcock. Washington sent this brigade to make a diversionary crossing of the Delaware River at Burlington, New Jersey on December 25, 1776, distracting the British army from the Continental Army’s successful crossing of the river farther north and supporting the American victory at the Battle of Trenton. On January 2, 1777, although their enlistments had technically expired, the men of Little’s Regiment, in Hitchcock’s Brigade, fought in the Second Battle of Trenton, marched from Trenton to Princeton, and fought in the American victory at Princeton on January 3, 1777.

On January 3 to 6, 1777, the Continental Army marched to Morristown, New Jersey, where the 12th Continental Regiment disbanded. Moses Sleeper appears to have returned home to Newburyport by May 1777, where he married Hannah Newman.

Though Moses Sleeper’s part in the war ended with his enlistment, his brother John found a new role, enlisting from Boston on the frigate Boston as a carpenter about December 31, 1776. John served for about a year on Boston, a 24-gun frigate built in his hometown of Newburyport, on a cruise in the North Atlantic in company with the 44-gun United States Frigate Hancock, during which they captured the 28-gun HMS Fox.

Outside of this diary of his Revolutionary War service, little personal information survives about Moses Sleeper’s life. Moses and Hannah Sleeper had five children, but otherwise largely disappear from the vital records by 1792. The few surviving molding planes made by Moses Sleeper, marked M. SLEEPER, suggest he made these before he joined the army and may not have returned to his career as a cabinetmaker and planemaker.

This manuscript journal of 110 pages, missing its covers and a few pages, somehow survived and made its way into the collection of the Longfellow family. The preservation of the manuscript, and its transcription and digitization, allow modern readers to hear his own words and perspective as an eyewitness to the opening of the American Revolutionary War.

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Sources

The initial transcription of the diary and identification of its author were done through the dedicated volunteer work of Frances Dickinson Ackerly, a member of the Friends of the Longfellow House, about 1997.

Bell, J.L. “George Washington’s Headquarters and Home, Cambridge, Massachusetts.” National Park Service, 2012. (PDF of Historic Resource Study)

Chernow, Ron. Washington: A Life. New York: The Penguin Press, 2010.

Elliot, Thomas. “John & Moses Sleeper – Patriots & Planemakers.” The Chronicle of the Early American Industries Association. 78-84. June 2021.

Hackett Fischer, David. Washington’s Crossing. New York: Oxford University Press, 2004.

Haskell, Caleb, Lothrop Withington, ed. Caleb Haskell's diary. May 5, 1775-May 30, 1776. A revolutionary soldier's record before Boston and with Arnold's Quebec expedition. Newburyport: William H. Huse & Company, 1881.

Lunt, Paul, Samuel Green, ed. Paul Lunt's diary : May-December, 1775. Boston: For Private Distribution, 1872.

Massachusetts Historical Society, “The Annotated Newspapers of Harbottle Dorr, Jr.” https://www.masshist.org/dorr/

"Massachusetts, Revolutionary War, Index Cards to Muster Rolls, 1775-1783," database with images, FamilySearch.

Massachusetts, Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War. A Compilation From the Archives, Prepared and Published by the Secretary of the Commonwealth In Accordance with Chapter 100, Resolves of 1891. 14 vol. Boston: Wright & Potter Printing Co., 1896.

Muster/payrolls, and various papers (1763-1808) of the Revolutionary War [Massachusetts and Rhode Island]. Volumes 56, 57.

Revolutionary War Muster Rolls, Vol. 71, page 9. “A List of Company Soldiers Under the Command of Capt Benj. Perkins for the Year 1775.”

Revolutionary War Orderly Books at the Massachusetts Historical Society. Moses Little’s Regiment, Continental Army. Microfilmed. P-394 Reel II.2-3.

Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18,207, for John Sleeper, Massachusetts.

Sleeper, Moses. Manuscript journal, 10 June 1775 - 7 September 1776. Longfellow House-Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site (LONG 36353). Digital facsimile on the Internet Archive at https://archive.org/details/mosessleeperdiar00mose/mode/2up

Vital records of Newburyport, Massachusetts, to the end of the year 1849. Vol. I-II. Salem: The Essex Institute, 1911.