Jul. 1776 Exec. Jour. See 76/9/17-CCV=Militia at Quantico
MONDAY JULY 1 1776
Journals of Congress
Resolved, That an order for 6,000 dollars be drawn on the
treasurers, in
favour of Mr. Richard Graham, of Virginia, in full of a draught
in his favour
of the 20th of June, by Brigadier General Lewis; and that the
same be
charged to the account of the [Benjamin Harrison,] deputy pay
master
general for the southern department.
To be purchased on Potowmack river, for the Schooner Speedwell
and
Stored
at Alexandria, 60 hhds Tobacco supposed at £10 each ..£600---
300 Barrels of Flour at 30/ .................£ 4500..
And that the Agent on Potowmack River be instructed to purchase
60 hhds
of Tobacco and 300 Barrels of Flour, to be stored at Alexandria
All which Commodities will be paid for by Warrants on the
Treasurer
within three Months from this day.Ñ
And the several Agents aforesaid are to be instructed to procure
the
respective Commodities aforesaid so as to be ready at the Places
where
they are directed to be stored, by the 10th day of next month at
latest.Ñ
1. Executive Cornmunications, July 5,1776-June 1,1778, VSL.
JOURNAL OF THE VIRGINIA Council of Safety Sept. 13, 1776 for 15
Oct.
1776
COLONEL RlCHARD BARNES TO THE MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY
Gentn
St Inigoes. l3th Ju1y 1776
I recd information on Friday the 12th July that there was a
considerable
number of Ships and Small Vessells between Smiths Point & Point
Lookout, on which I ordered five Companys of Militia to repare
there as
fast as possible, and immediately set out to the Point mysell in
order to
git further information, on my arrival there I found about forty
Sail of
vessells, they were then about twenty five miles off the Point in
the Bay,
where they continued till in the Night, in the morning about
fifty eight
Sail were discovered opposite Smiths Creek in Potomack, & eight
in the
Bay, on which I gave orders to call the Companys of my Battalion
imediately to march to Potomack in order to prevent their landing
.................
Richd' Barnes
1. Red Book, X, Md. Arch.
2. Col Barnes commanded the Lower Batt. of St. Mary's County
militia.
JEREMIAH JORDAN F0 THE MARYLAND COUNClL OF SAFETY 1
St Marys County, St Georges River, July 17th 1776
Gentlemen/
I arrived down here on the 15th Instant with about One hundred of
the
Militia, where i found Capt Beall with part of his Company and
one
Company of Colo. Barnes's Battalion - about day Break yesterday
we were
visited by a Row Galley or Row Gondola Carrying 5 Swivels on each
Side
and a Six pounder in her head and another in her Stern, they
Rowed Close
along side our Centinels and not a man to be seen & instantly
began a very
heavy fireing which lasted about One hour but without doing any
execution,
although their shot raked the ground on every part where the Men
were
stationed- ..................
1. Red Book, XV, Md. Arch.
Virginia Navy Board to Archibald Cary
Sir Williamsburg 19th July 1776
The Board of Commissioners desire you will as soon as possible
send to
James Town the Articles herealter mentioned as one of the Gallies
is now
waiting for them and can't proceed until She gets them
1 Eight Inch Cable 75 Fathom
do. 61/2 inch 80 Fathlom
2 Coil of 2 l/2 Inch Rope
3 Coil of 2 Inch Rope
Coil of 11/2 Inch Rope
6 Ib Marlin
6 Ib Housin
1. Navy Board Letter Book, VSL.
JOSEPH CLAY to THOMAS YOUNG 1
Sir Savannah the 19th July 1776
I understand you have by you or can procure a Quantity of Sail
Duck and as
the Public have determined on Building Six Row Galleys each of
which are
to Carry two large lateen sails which will require a very
considerable
Quantity of Canvas to Answer that purpose. I would therefore be
glad if
you could furnish or procure us the Quantity necessary for I
suppose each
Boat will want between 3 & 400 yards. I should he glad of a line
from you
in answer to this ancl am Sir [&c.]
Joseph Clay
1. Lloyd W. Smith Collection, MNHP.
22 Jul. 1776 Exec. Jour.
Ordered, that a warrant issue to Ensign James Davis of the 3d Va
regmt
for four pounds ten shillings for a tent: and for four pounds ten
shillings
for the use of Lt. Thomas Drake of the same Regmt. for a tent
Ordered, that a warrant issue to Ensign John Tyler for four
pounds ten
shillings for a tent & eighteen shillings and nine pense for
rations and
forage.
Ordered, that a warrant issue to Capt John Ashby of the 3d Va
Regmt. for
seventy-nine pounds twelve shillings for sundry necessaries
furnished for
his company, & for tents for himself, Lt. Keith, and Ensign
Ashby.
Ordered, that a warrant issue to Capt. William Washington of the
3d Va
Regmt for eleven shillings & nine pence for necessaries furnished
the
Hospital at Dumfries.
Ordered, that a warrant issue to Capt John Ashby of the 3d Va
Regmt. for
one-hundred & thirty three pounds six shillings & five pence for
pay of his
company from the first to the 28th of February & for forage and
for
rations for the same.
Ordered, that a warrant issue to Capt John Thornton of the 3d Va
Regmt.
for sixty one pounds seven shillings & six pence for hunting
shirts &
leggins furnished his company & four pounds ten shillings for a
tent. Also
for the use of Lieut. Robert Powell of the same Regmt, four
pounds ten
shillings for a tent
Ordered, that a warrant issue to
Ordered, that a warrant issue to Ensign Allen Waller of the 3d Va
Regmt.
forfor four pounds ten shillings for a tent:
Ordered, that a warrant issue to Lieutenant Whiting of the 3d Va
Regmt.
forfor four pounds ten shillings for a tent:
Ordered, that a warrant issue to Mr John Hungerford for three
pounds, for
his pay as a Cadett in the 3d Regmt from the 7th June to this
day.
Ordered, that a warrant issue to Capt John Ashby for the use of
John Rust
junr for three pounds seven shillings & six pense for express
hire: and for
the use of Henry Vowells five pounds for a rifle furnished
Captain Wallace
of the 3d Regiment.
EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM VIRGINIA, DATED JULY 22, 1776
On sunday last I was informed that Lord Dunmore was landing his
troops
on Thacker Washington's plantation, a little below Hoo's ferry.
About
twelve o'clock the same night, the Major of the county came
express, to
let me know that the fleet wes then at Marlborough, a few miles
from
Boyd's Hole. The alarm soon spread, and in a very little time the
shores
were covered with men. I went over early yesterday, and
discovered four
ships and three tenders. They appeared as near as I can guess, to
be
somewhere about Dumfries. The remainder we suppose to be below,
either
coming up, or attempting to land. Some few of us then pushed down
the
river, but found the militia dispersing just before we got to
Boyd's Hole.
They had received information that the balance of the fleet was
at anchor
near the mouth of the river. This morning early we returned to
Patowmack
river, and saw only three ships and two tenders, and hear very
distinctly,
at the same time, a heavy cannonade at or near Alexandria, we
concluded
the other ship and tender had made the town a visit, where they
will
certainly meet with a warm reception. As yet we have no account.
I shall
proceed to morrow morning up the river Patowmack, and continue
there
till the fleet goes down.
1. Penn. Gazette, 31 July, 1776
HMS Roebuck July 23d July 1776
We have been employed in fitting up one of the Flats, which we
found
there, to carry a Cannon, and to Row with 14 Oars I put a Six
pounder into
it, and kept it constantly employed in the little creeks & Bays
about
George's Id by being in a great measure covered over, the People
were
quite sheltered, could go close to the shore with safety, and by
that means
did great mischief among the Enemy.
On our Expedition up the River we kept the shores on both
sides in
continllal alarms, but we saw no considerable body of the Enemys
Troops
untill we arrived into Fresh water, when a large Number assembled
at the
House of a Mr Brent on the Virginia side, and seemed to bid us
defiance;
However we landed about 100 Men at Noon day, under cover of a
Tender &
the Row Galley, beat the Enemy off (which were double that
Number, and
very advantageously posted) and set fire to the House and all the
buildings
when we returned to our Ships without the loss of a single Man
and only
one officer & 5 Men wounded
EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM DUMFRIES, IN VIRGINIA [JULY 24]
On Monday, 22 July, the Roebuck, Mercury, Otter, and an armed
ship, came
up to Potomack, and anchored two miles below Dumfries, where the
water
is fresh. Next day at 12 o'clock, they sent off two tenders, a
gondola
covered, and eight large boats full of men, of the 14th Regmt,
marines, &c.
They landed at William Brent's Esq; where about sixty of the
Stafford
militia were posted without any cover; the gondola drawing about
sixteen
inches of water, ran in close to shore, and with a nine pounder
and grape
shot, obliged the militia to retreat, when about 150 men landed,
and burnt
the out-houses &c. of Mr Brent, and intended to have burnt his
fine mill
and other houses; but Roebuck observing the Prince William
militia on
their march, hoisted a white flag, and their men immediately
retreated,
without doing any further damage. The fleet having taken in fresh
water,
fell down the river the next day. Three white men and four
negroes were
found dead on shore; two of the whites were sewed up in hammocks,
and
shot through the breast; they had fine holland shirts on, and are
supposed
to have been officers. A gold laced hat was found with a bullit
hole
through both sides of the crown. As the riflemen had some fair
shot at
them, it is not doubeted that several were killed.
1. Almon .ed., Rememberancer, III, 334. The letter is undated.
The day after
the British went down the river is the likely date.
2. Probably the Fowley; not the Mercury which was not in this
area at the
time.
JOURNAL. OF HMS Fowley, Capt George Montagu
At single Anchor in Potomack River middle of St
July 1776
Thursday 25 GeorgeÕs lsland wsw off Shore 1/2 a mile
Light Airs Inclinable to Calms
at 7 AM Discovered some Rebels on the Island fired
four
9 pounders at them on which they retreated to the
Main
25th
The water being filled, and the wind coming favorable we moved
the Ships
a few leagues down the River, with an intention of landing in
the Morning
at day break at a Mr Mercer's House on the Virginia shore, which
is a guard
House for the Rebels, but as it came to blow hard, and the wind
down the
River we rather chose to pursue our way to the Fleet After that
time the
Ships got so often a ground that the People were too much
fatigued to
attemp any opperation[sl on shore, and we joind the Fleet at St
George's
Island on the 29th July
1. PRO, Admiralty 51/375.
JOURNAL OF THE VIRGINIA NAVY BOARD
[Williamsburg] Thursday the 25th day of July 1776 -
Resolved that the following places be appointed as Magazines or
Repositorys for the reception of provisions and Naval Stores for
the use of
the Navy in the Several Rivers, to wit, for York River Fraziers
upon
Mattapony, for James River Lowpoint, upon Chepokes Creek for
Rappahanock River - Bathursts Landing upon Piscataway Creek, and
for
Potowmack River Potowmack Creek in Stafford County.-
1. Navy Board Journal VSL 19, 20-22
James hunter upon Potomac River, entitled to a commission of 2.5%
on all
sums dispursed on authorized purchases.
26 July 1776,
MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO MARYLAND DELEGATES IN THE
CONTINENTAL CONGRESS
[extract]
No.78
Dunsmore's fleet has separated; the Fowley and the Otter with a
number of
vessles having Tory families on board remain in the mouth of St,
Marys
River; the Roebuck and six or seven other vessells have moved up
the river
Potowmack, as high as QUANTICO in Virginia, where they stopt to
take in
water.- there are some flying reports of their having landed at
Mr. William
Brent's and burnt his houses, which are confirmed this day by
Charles
Lansdale- he said tis feared they are landing on Collo. [William]
Smallwood's estate- that the last he heard of them was yesterday
and the
report was they were landing on the Maryland side near Collo.
Smallwood's
Council of Safety Letter Book, No.1, Md. Arch. Annapolis
Samuel Purviance jr to Joseph Hewes
[Extract]
Baltimore 27th July 1776
I have learned yesterday that the Council have ordered Capt
Nicholson to
proceed with the Defence to Potomack in expectation of being able
to
make a hawl amogst Ld Dulllllore's FIeet which is supposed to
have no
other Escort at present but the Fowley a very heavey sailer
weakly mannd:
The rest of the vessels of Force vizt the Roebuck & Tenders being
gone up
Potomack with design (as its conjectured) to destroy Alexandria,
or the
gondolas building there.-
Hayes Manuscripts, NCDAH
29th July
The Defence a Rebel Privatier of 20 Guns belonging to Maryland
hearing of
the Fleet's being left at George's Island under the Protection of
the Fowley
only, came with 2 Tenders up the River to attack them, and a
Battery from
St Mary's was to be opend as soon as she appeared in Sight. The
Roebuck's
return frustrated their schemes, and the Rebel Vessels returned
to their
rendezvous at Baltimore. In about three days the Fleet had taken
onboard
their water from the Transports, when after destroying about --
Sail of
Vessels that could not be navigated we got under way, proceeded
down the
Chesepeake Bay, and arrived at the Capes the.... 4th Augst The
next day the
Otter sailed and convoyed about 50 Sail of Vessels --- St
Augustine &
Bermudas
MAJOR THOMAS PRICE TO THE MARYLAND COUNClL OF SAFETY 1
[Extract] Upper Camp St. Georges July 29th 1776
Gentlemen- The day before Yesterday in the Evening the Roebuck
and other
Ships Returned down the River and came too about 5 Miles from
this Place
at two o'Clock Yesterday Morning I Recd a line from Captn
Nicholson
Acquainting me that he intended to Attack the fleet at Day break
1. Red Book, XV, Md. Arch.
30 Aug. 1776 Exec. Jour.
......five pounds fourteen shillings, and six pence for silk
furnished for
colors & making also for a drum and making a fife........
Ordered, that a warrant issue to Francis Peyton Paymaster to the
Prince
William Minute Battalion for ninety eight pounds eleven shillings
and ten
pence for ballance of account this day settled with the Board,
also
thirteen shillings and nine pence for express hire, and expenses
in
purchasing provisions by order of the Committee of safety. Also
for the
use of Capt. Simon Triplett for one hundred and fifteen pounds
three
shillings and four pence for Waggonage and sundry necessaries
furnished
his Minute Company. Also for the use of Oliver Taylor and others
for
thirteen pounds twelve shillings and six pence for arms and
waggon hire
to the Culpepper minute Battalion. Also for the use of James
Combs for
twenty pounds one shilling to be paid to twenty four soldiers who
found
their hunting shirts and leggins. Also for the use of Ferdinando
Oneal for
eighteen shillings and nine pence for expenses in pursuing
deserters from
Capt. Triplett's Company.
Also for the use of Robert Power twenty three shillings and nine
pence for
the same services. And for the use of Aeon Moore five pounds
three
shillings and one h'penny for pay rations and forage in Battalion
duty in
Dumfries, and for rum furnished men recruited for the Prince
William
Battalion.
Ordered that a warrant issue to Major Levin Powell for
Eighty-eight
pounds seven shillings and six pence to be paid to sundry persons
for
thirty guns furnished the Prince William Minute Battalion. Also
thirty nine
pounds one shilling & four pence, one-half the balance of his
account for
six other guns and sundry neecssaries furnished the said
Battalion.
.....five pounds for wood......coffee and sundries.....cooking
ten days......
JOURNAL OF THE VIRGINlA NAVY BOARD 1
[Williamsburg] Tuesday the 30th day of July 1776. -
Ordered that Application be made to Colo Isaac Lane desiring him
to
procure for this Board as soon as possible the following
Articles, Vizt,
two
hundred and fifty, twenty four Pound Ball. Fifty double headed
twenty four
pound Ball, Four thousand Eighteen pound Ball, four hundred
double
headed eighteen pound Ball, One hundred chain eighteen pound
Ball,
three thousand twelve pound Ball, three hundred double headed
twelve
pound Ball, One hundred chain twelve pound Ball, One thousand
nine
pound Ball, One hundred double headed nine pound Ball, Six
thousand six
pound Ball, one thousand double headed six pound Ball, Six
thousand four
pound Ball, One thousand double headed four pound Ball, One
thousand
three pound Ball, One hundred double headed three pound Ball, One
thousand
two pound Ball and eight thousand Ball from six to sixteen Ounces
Weight _ 2
Ordered that Mr James Hunter receive into his care whatever
Quantity of
Cannon Ball may be sent him from Time to Time by Isaac Lane Esqr
and
forward the same in equal Proportions to the several Districts of
Potowmack Rappahanock York and James River as soon as possible -
Ordered that the keeper of the public Store deliver unto to [sic]
Capt
Edward Travis five hundred twenty penny Nails for the use of the
Manley
Gallie -
EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM VIRGINIA, DATED July, 22, 1776
(p.1183-4)
On Sunday last I was informed that Lord Dunmore was Ianding his
troops
on Thacker Washington's plantation a Iittle below Hoo's About
twelve
o'clock the same night, the Major of the county came express, to
let me
know that the fleet was then at Marlborough, a few miles above
Boyd's-
hole. The alarm was soon spread, and in a very little time the
shores were
covered with men I went over early yesterday, and discovered four
ships
and three tenders They appeared, as near as I can guess, to be
somewhere
about Dumfries. The remainder, we supposed to be below either
coming up,
or attempting to land. Some few of us then pushed down the river,
but
found the militia dispersing just before we got to Boyd's-Hole.
They had
received information that the balance of the fleet was at anchor
near the
mouth of the river. This morning early we returned to Patowmack
river,
and saw only three ships and two tenders, and hearing very
distinctly, at
the same time, a heavy cannonade at or near Alexandria, we
concluded the
other ship and tender had made the town a visit where they will
certainly
meet with a warm reception. As yet we have no account. I shall
proceed to
morrow morning up the river Patowmack, and continue there till
the fleet
goes down.
1. Pennsylvania Gazette, July 31, 1776.
