The following is excerpted from The Original Journal of General Solomon Lovell, Kept during the Penobscot Expedition, 1779: with a Sketch of His Life by Gilbert Nash. Together with the Proceedings of the Society for 1879-80. Published by the Weymouth Historical Society, 1881. Printed in Boston by Wright and Potter Printing Company.
Journal.
1779. July. Thursday, 15. - Set out from Boston at noon embarked on board the Warren in Nantasket Road bound on an Expedition against the Enemies of the States at Penobscot. fresh wind to the northward the Fleet not ready, the Commodore came on board in the afternoon.
Friday, 16. - Ready for sea but the wind at N. E very fresh, parted our Cable.
Saturday, 17. - Drizly weather fresh Breeze at N E
Sunday, 18. - Rainy forenoon. Pleasant afternoon. My family and self went to Weymouth spent a few hours at home.
Monday, 19. - Fair pleasant weather. Wind S. W. the whole Fleet got under way viz. Warren, Putnam, Vengeance, Monmouth, Sky Rocket, Hector, Hunter the Brigs Diligence, Hazard, Tyrannicide & ten Transports. the Tyrannicide order'd by the Commodore into Portsmouth wth the signals for the Hampden & orders for her to join the Fleet. this afternoon join'd by the Black Prince a Ship twenty Guns from Salem.
Tuesday, 20. - Last Night lay too off Portsmouth Moderate weather southerly wind. The Tyrannicide returns from Portsmouth, reports the Hampden sail'd from thence on Monday A.M. a strange sail to Leeward Hazard & Diligence chase, proves to be the Gen Glover of Marblehead mounting 14 Guns S. Hart Commander News. informed by his Prisoners that seven Thousand Troops had sail'd from England in three hundred Transports the 23d May.
Wednesday, 21. - Very thick Fogg this forenoon saw none of the Fleet till 11 o'clock clears away the Wind sprung up moderate at S.S. West. in the afternoon a pretty Breeze, a sail to windward Putnam, Hector & Hazard order'd to chase proves to be the Sky Rocket Capt Burke, we arrive at Townsend find the first division of Transports join'd by the Hampden from Portsmouth a Ship of 20 Guns, establish Head Quarrs at the house of the Rev'd Mr Murray a much Genteeler seat than was by most Persons expected to be found in this part of the Country. very agreably & sociably treated by the worthy Clergyman. examine the returns of the Troops find them fall short of their Quota (which is 1500 Men) above 500 Men. give out orders for the Troops to draw their Provision & Ammunition & other necessaries, and for them to be review'd tomorrow & notwithstanding the shortness of Men to be after review'd embarked immediately.
Thursday, 22. - A fine day the Wind fair but cannot take advantage of it not being ready, This day am visited by the principal Officers of the Army, write to Brigrs from whom the Forces where drawn complaining of the compliment of Men not being forwarded. in the Afternoon review the Troops two Regts embark the other not having supplied themselves are order'd to embark tomorrow by six oclock A.M. the Regiments are commanded by Colo McCobb, Colo Mitchell & a Detachment of one hundred & fifty Men by Major Littlefield.
This day the Fleet is join'd by the Charming Sally a fine Ship of 20 Guns & Brig Defence of 14 do Orders for all the field Officers to attend a Consultation this Evening and Desire the Commodore & his Captains to attend
Friday, 23d. - Mr Murray at my request has determined to proceed with us on the Expedition. I shou'd be wanting in Gratitude where I not to mention with peculiar pleasure the exceeding hospitality agreable & polite treatment with which we have been treated in the Worthy Gentlemans family. this morning had an interview with a chief of the Norrige Walk Tribe of Indians, to appearance he & his followers are friendly to our Cause & say they will not assist our Enemies, we supplied them with necessaries & bid them farewell. This morning we embark'd on board the Sloop Sally a Transport but the wind being unfavourable cannot put to sea. issue Orders for the regulation of the landing the Troops. The Troops & Fleet now completely ready to proceed.
July. Saturday, 24th. - This morning a fair Breeze & Day set sail from Townsend towards Penobscot. the wind soon dies away to a Calm, till 12 oclock when a fair wind sprung up from S.S. West. we observed several smokes which we are informed is unusual at this Time of the Year. & by their continuing the smoke as we advanc'd along the coast we suppose them to proceed from Traitors hir'd by the Enemy to give them intelligence of our approach. This Evening we are at Anchor Under the Fox Islands nine miles from the Enemy at Magabagaduce, We are visited by some Penobscot Indians who are determined to proceed with us. they have been tamp'd with by Gen McLane but they wou'd not join him.
Sunday, 25. - Come to sail from Fox Island and reach Magabagaduce with a fair light Breeze about 12 oclock when the wind blew pretty hard. the Transports came to anchor under Bragaduce cover'd by the Ship Sally Brigs Hazard & Active, about seven oclock We attempted a Landing against a very high head of land cover'd thick with Brush & Trees. the wind blew so high We found if the first division landed they wou'd be in danger before the boats cou'd return and disembark the second, therefore the Gen sent conter Orders just as they receiv'd them they receiv'd the fire from the Enemy on Shore, who cou'd not be seen on acct of the thickness of the Brush. they returned with the loss of one Indian kill'd
Monday, 26. - The men are of the first division order'd into their boats to make a feint of landing on the Bluff head of Major bragaduce while the marines were to land on an Island in the harbour which commands the Shipping & one of their Batteries. the marines made good their landing drove the Enemy off the Island and took four pieces of Artillery & some ammunition, without the loss of a Man. Gen Wadsworth with the first division left their feint & supported the marines but unfortunately lost the worthy Major Littlefield & two men by a chane shot from the Enemy's Shipping which sunk their Boat and were drownded. the Gen order'd forward the entrenching tools & one 12 pounder & one Brass howit in addition to one Field Piece, likewise two 18 pounders which will make their Battery rather warm by tommow P.M. N B the marines brought a British flag (which they the British Left on the Island) to the General as a Trophy of warr. their retreat was so precipitate that they left their Tents standing, the Ships cannonaded the Enemy & Batteries this afternoon very severely.
Tuesday, 27th. - This day is spent in fortifying the Island & preparing for to attack the Enemy in the afternoon we had a Council on board the Warren when we came to a fixt determination to Land on the Peninsula in possession of the Enemy. this peninsula is formed by the River Penobscot & the River Magabigwaduce from whence it takes its name, that part that joins Penobscot river is an exceeding high Bluff head cover'd thick with Trees & Brush under this head our Transports took their station & the Men of War off the Harbour.
Wednesday, 28th. - This morning before Light all the Troops were order'd into their Boats and a little before Sunrise they formed, & gave three Cheers & pushed on for the Shore, (viz the high land mention'd yesterday,), they soon landed under Cover of a severe Cannonade from our Shipping and were opposed by about three hundred of the Enemy hid behind trees & Bush, and as soon as the Boats struck the Enemy gave them their fire, but they push'd on with bravery & soon drove them from their strong possesion, we then took post in the Woods upon a Piece of Ground as high as their main fort and before Night gave them some shot from a field Piece. When I returned to the Shore it struck me with admiration to see what a Precipice we had ascended, not being able to take so scrutinous a view of it in time of Battle, it is a least where we landed three hundred feet high, and almost perpendicular & the men were obliged to pull themselves up by the twigs & trees. I dont think such a landing has been made since Wolfe. as soon as we made good our landing I sent for the entrenching Tools and we soon had a tolerable covering thrown up we open our Battery from the Island which occasion'd their evacuating a Battery of 3 Guns 6 pounders leaving them behind with some Ammunition in our possesion. We lost this day 14 kill'd & 20 wound'd, the Enemy 15 kill'd 8 Prisoners
Thursday, 29. - We continue fortifying lay out a Battery about 1/4 of a mile from the Enemy's Grand Fort nothing remarkable happen'd to day
Friday, 30. - This afternoon we open our Battery of two eighteen pounders & one twelve do. & one Howitz and play upon their Grand Fort.
The Lincoln Galley arrived express from Boston.
Saturday, 31. - Continue our Cannonade, which is returned with some vigour from their Fort. One shot from them wounded two Men, & some others did execution
Sunday, Augst 1. - This morning by two oclock I detach'd about 300 Men including Sailors & Marines under the command of Br. Gen Wadsworth to take a Battery in possesion of the Enemy which commands their Harbour, & protects their shiping, they march'd with order till they receiv'd the fire of the Enemy when they broke, but notwithstanding this some brave fellows push'd into the Battery took 18 prisoners & kill'd 5 of the Enemy destroyed some stores and came off with the loss of 4 Men missing & twelve wound'd among the latter Major Sawyer a brave and worthy good officer supposed mortally We Cou'd not keep possession as their main fort commanded it. about sunrise it began to rain & rain'd almost the whole Day very severely. as the Men are without Tents is it very distressing but they bear it with fortitude becoming Americans.
Monday, Augt 2. - Nothing remarkable happen'd to Day in the Seige way sent Mr Murray in the Lincoln on express to Boston to inform the Councill of our situation.
Tuesday, Augt 3. - This afternoon came to a resolution to erect a Battery on a point of land on the main, opposite the Enemy's Men of War (as the Commodore does not think it expedient to go in with His Ships) to endeavor to drive them out to him, Send a detachment under Brigr Wadsworth with one 18 pounder one 9 (?) & field piece they land in Swets Cove, march 1 1/4 mile to place intended, the Seamen from the Hazard & Tyrannicide give every assistance requir'd in getting a Shore the Artillery from the Transports Sent a flag to the Enemy by Capt Thomas & Secy Marston to inquire whether Mr. Dennis an amiable young Gentn was prisoner or kill'd learnt he died yesterday of a mortal wound rec'd Sunday morng
Wednesday, Augt 4. - Open our Battery against their ships of War but to little effect it being too great a distance to be sure of our mark however its all that the Army can do & they have tried their best to destroy them. This Afternoon (& for several Days past) we have had Alarms, the enemy made a show of attacking our Battery on the Main, the Gen immediately order'd 100 Men to reinforce Gen Wadsworth & 50 to be in readiness, & the whole Army under Arms, the Men are much fatigu'd being continually on some service or other, either Picket or throwing up works, and are begining to sickly.
Thursday, Augt 5. - This Afternoon a party of the Enemy sally'd out on our right but upon receiving a fire from our out Picket they retir'd in confusion to their fort Capt Newcomb with his rangers had a skirmish with a small Party of the Enemy kill'd 4 we lost one Indian
Friday, Augt 6. - I wrote a Letter to Commodore desiring an answer whether he wou'd or whether he wou'd not go in with his Ships & destroy the Shiping of the Enemy which consist only of three Sloops of war, when he returned for answer if I wou'd storm the fort he wou'd go in with his Ships upon which I called a Council the result of which was that in our present situation it was impracticable, with any prospect of Success sent Major Braddish who happen'd to be in Camp with the Express to Boston with the proceedings of both Councils, Land & Sea. Still continue to carry on the Seige with as much Vigour as the small army under my Command will admit, they Enemy sally out in parties which allways occasions an alarm in order to be ready to receive them in case they shou'd approach too near our Camp. Our out works are within musquet Shot of their main fort & the whole Army lay in the Woods within point blank shot.
Saturday, Augt 7. - A Grand Council of War, on board the Hazard of Land & Sea Officers in the afternoon I detach'd small parties out on our right in order to draw them out & had 100 Men lay conceal'd in the Woods in case they came out to fall upon them & endeavor to take a party of them the bait took, they soon sallied with about 80 Men & rush'd down to cut off our parties, I immediately order'd out the 100 Men, which brought on a Skirmish we had one Man Wounded, & kill'd some of the Enemy
at the same time a Boat from the Hazard with Comr Saltonstall Capts Waters, Williams, Salter, Holmes & Burke were a reconnoitering up a Cove nigh the Enemy's Ships, on their discovering them they immediately sent 8 Boats armed to hem them in, they so far succeeded that they made a prize of the Boat, but the Gentlemen took to the Bush and escaped being made prisoners
Augt 8. - Wet rainy weather very unlucky for the Troops so much of it, as they have very little cover which is very detrimental to their Arms & destroys many Cartriges.
determined to open another Battery against the Enemy's Ships & order the fatigue Men accordingly
Aug 9, 10. - These days the Journal was on board the Transport but nothing remarkable happen'd except firing from our Batteries, & frequent Skirmishing as usual
Augt 11. - The Time advances fast that something must be done important, as a Reinforcement if superior to our Fleet, wou'd decide the matter in favour of the Enemy which is said is strongly suspected will arrive very soon We have lately had many Councils of war some for the Ships going in, others for evacuating the present post, But I cou'd not consistant with my Duty to my Country give my Vote for leaving so important a station as I now possess as it is the only Ground on the peninsula which is of equal height with their fort. & as I have received no positive information of any Fleet of the Enemy being destined for this place I have always done everything in my Power for continuing the Seige for if our present Ground is left it will cost many Lives to regain it.
I think the Enemy does not know my force, if they did there's a probability that they wou'd attack me I in order to try my own men after so much Skirmishing how they wou'd act in a Body, after drawing them our on the Plain ground out of sight of their fort, & maneuvering them I detach'd about 200 Men under the Command of Major Brown, Major Boonville, & Major Larabee to march under a Bank, to a Battery they lately evacuated, some distance upon our right & upon a Line with their Main fort (which is now the only post they hold) they tarried sometime in the Battery sent out small parties in order to decoy the Enemy out of their work, they the Enemy sent about 100 Men on the back of the peninsula out of sight of our Posts & soon after they had come nigh the Battery were our Men where stationed, they hid themselves in a field of Corn, till the signal was given by me for a Retreat finding it grew dark & it wou'd too much fatigue the Men to tarry all Night, as soon as the Major Part had moved off the Enemy sallied from their concealment & gave them a fire, wch put them in such confusion that notwithstanding the superior behavior of the three Commanders it was impossible to form them but retreated in the greatest hurry.
Augst 12, 1779. - Another Council of War. The Captains of some of the private Ships of War are very uneasy & with pain I must add the Commodore so very desirous of leaving a Post of so much Consequence to the States but in particular to this State that I am in pain from the Consequences, if I shou'd give my Consent to leaving so important a piece of Ground as I now hold, only a report of some Ships sailing Eastward from N. York & they shou'd not arrive I cou'd never forgive the Injury I did my Country, if a superior Fleet does arrive I can but retreat to some convenient place up the River tho at the same time I wish it in my power to act more offensively than I do, But I have only 900 & some odd and the Enemy seven hundred Land & three hundred Seamen & marines who act occasionally pro Mare et Terram but they fear to attack me, & I soon expect reinforcements from Colo Allan & Foster, & I hope in some time from the Government, which will enable me to pursue the Seige with more vigour.
The Enemy are erecting a work in the rear of their fort.
This Evening the Cannon are removed out of our Batteries on board the Transports.
Augst 13. - This afternoon I take the command of 400 Men from the Army & march about in the rear of the Enemy's fort & finding it (tho a great risk) probable to take their work in the rear of their Fort, I sent word to the Commodore to come in with his Ships, which was what he required before he attempted to attack the Enemy's Ships, they weigh'd anchor & no sooner under Sail than they discover'd a fleet bound in to Penobscot River, he sent me word, & I return'd from my new taken ground in good order without being attacked by the Enemy, at twelve oclock in the night he wrote me word that they were Ships of force on which I immediately order'd a retreat.
Aug 14. - This morning I compleated my retreat from Magabigwaduce without the loss of a Man and brougt of all the Stores of the Army unmolested by the Enemy. the Transports got under way to pass up the River but it being calm they soon dropt anchor till 12 oclock the wind sprung up at the Southward and blew a tolerable breeze, the Transports then again weigh'd Anchor, and to our Great Mortification were soon follow'd by our fleet of Men of War pursued by only four of the Enemy's Ships, the Ships of War passed the Transports many of which got a-Ground, & the British Ships coming up the Soldiers were obliged to give a description of this terrible Day is out of my Power it would be a fit Subject for some masterly hand to describe it in its true colours, to see four Ships pursuing seventeen Sail of Armed Vessells nine of which we stout Ships, Transports on fire, Men of War blowing up, Provision of all kinds, & every kind of Stores on Shore (at least in small Quantities) throwing about, and as much confusion as can possibly be conceived.