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27 chapters
PREFACE.
PREFACE.
In presenting the following pages to the reader, the publisher has no ambition to aspire to the character of an author, and what is perhaps more rare, he has no private interest to serve; he does not seek to gratify the fastidious part of the community, who would have more respect for the dress, or appearance, than for the subject matter. He is perfectly aware that the Journal is not without some imperfections; but it must be kept in mind that it was not written for the public, with an eye to pu
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SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.
SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.
It is perfectly natural to expect, in presenting any work to the public, and more especially of the nature of a journal, that the reader will desire to know something of the character of its author, in order to determine what degree of confidence the writer is entitled to,—whether the statements made are to be depended upon or not. In compliance with this reasonable demand, we will endeavor to impart such information as we possess, believing that it will be perfectly satisfactory. Charles Herber
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CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER I.
The Dolton sailed—Was taken—Breach of Honor—Treatment, &c.—Disagreeable Lodgings—Advantage of being small—A Report—English Women—Royal Salute—Removed—A Prize brought in—Daily Allowance on board His Majesty’s Ships—The Charming Sally—Orders. The brig Dolton sailed from Newburyport, November 15th, 1776, and from Portsmouth, on the 26th of the same month, and on the 24th of December following, about nine o’clock in the evening, we were taken by the Reasonable , man-of-war, of sixty-four gun
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CHAPTER II.
CHAPTER II.
Disease and Vermin—Reports—Pressed Men—Removal to the Tarbay—Cold Berth—Sickness prevails—General Lee—A Friend—An Act of Parliament—Removal for better—Better Quarters—Special Favors—Liberal Distribution—Great Contrast—A good Friend—Sickness increases. February 5. It is a pay-day for bounty, on board this ship, (the Bellisle,) which occasions a great market on board. 6. We begin to grow very sickly, and twenty or thirty of us are suffering with the itch, and we are all dreadfully infested with ve
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CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER III.
Death of E. Hunt—Gets the privilege to Work—Good Pay—Act of Parliament—Poetry—A Captain’s Compliments—Wish granted—A Report—Paper—A Prize—Prayers on board—A Privilege—Reckoning—Critical Situation—Small-Pox—Visitors—Report from America—Small-Pox prevails—Captain Rowe—Ship Nancy taken—Terrible Punishment—Carried to the Hospital—Treatment for Itch. February 23. Sunday. We have an opportunity for reading. 24. Mr. Holland, the master-at-arms of the ship, has been on shore; he informs us of the death
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CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER IV.
Royal Hospital Buildings—An Adventure—Taken down with Small-pox—Three Prisoners escape—Re-taken—Severe Sickness—Second Death—Joseph Hatch—Recovery—Kind attention of the Nurses—Samuel Shriggings, the third of the company, died—Attempt to escape. April 16. Within these hospital wards there are ten grand buildings , three stories high. Each building contains six wards, each ward can accommodate twenty-five patients—so that there is room for fifteen hundred patients, besides attendants. To-day our f
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CHAPTER V.
CHAPTER V.
Fourth Death—Captain Brown’s Escape—His Men sent to Prison—Discharge from the Hospital—Yellow Fever—Fifth Death—Cruelty to the Dead—Examination—Commitment to Prison—Prison Allowance—Hunger—Prison Employments—Charity Box—Hard Fare—Guard Alarmed—Friendly Visitors—A Mean Trick. May 20. There is a great frolic near by, called a bull-bating. We have a view of the people, but not of their sport. We hear that the prisons are ready for the reception of the rebel prisoners, as we are called, and I daily
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CHAPTER VI.
CHAPTER VI.
More Prisoners—A Present—Visit from American Gentlemen—Black-hole—Fleet of Transports for America—Prisoners escape—Death—Prospect of War with France—First breach in the Prison wall—Fox frigate taken by the Hancock—A Newspaper—Number of Prisoners—Escape of thirty-two Prisoners—Bounty—Punishment—Cruelty to the Old—Captain Lee taken in the Fancy—Hears from Home—Bad News—False Reports—Daniel Cottle died. June 23. To-day we divided the money which we had got in our charity-box, and it was only five f
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CHAPTER VII.
CHAPTER VII.
Attempt to Escape discovered—Awful description of Suffering—Dreadful Starvation—Gloomy Prospects—Death of Gideon Warren—Detection—Close Examination—Commissioner—A Newspaper—Relief Prohibited—Attempt to Escape—Oath of Secrecy—Another attempt to Escape—Captain Johnston and the Lexington—Sea Fight—The Press continued—Love of Liberty—Meeting after long absence—A Privilege granted—Agent in a good humor—A Purchase—More Prisoners—Running the Gauntlet. August 27. Last night, as our people who are on hal
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CHAPTER VIII.
CHAPTER VIII.
More Prisoners—Hears from Home—Suspicion—A hot Press—1500 Seamen wanted—News from America—Disagreeable Company—Destitution of the Prisoners—Digging, and Detection—A Pious Wish—Twenty years of age—Mournful Reflection—Letter from Bilboa—Bad Bread—Unpleasant Reflections—King’s Speech—Bold Project—Failure—Reports—Strictness of the Guard—Suspicion—Privation from the Gospel—Prisoners Threatened—Voluntary Sacrifice—Good News reported—Detail of General Burgoyne’s Defeat—Washington and Howe. October 20.
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CHAPTER IX.
CHAPTER IX.
Christmas Pudding—Christmas Presents—Clothes served—Happy New Year—Friends appear—Presents—Friends increase—Large Donations reported—Donation from British Recruiting Parties—Private Donations—Exhortations to a civil, sober life—Large distribution of Clothing—Royal Salute—Regular Allowance from Donation Fund—Increasing Privilege. December 23. To-day we have new printed orders put up in prison, which are from the commissioners, to be strictly observed by us. 24. It is twelve months since I was tak
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CHAPTER X.
CHAPTER X.
Price of Tobacco—Cleanliness—Not to be discouraged—Blankets—Distribution—Letter from America—Officers Escape—Arrival of a Fleet—Paper—Dr. Franklin to the Council—State of Troops—Deserters Taken—Visit from the Governor and Lady—Removal of Officers—General wish for Peace—A Newspaper—Commissioners—Public Fast—Allowance withdrawn—Liberality—Petition Refused—A Newspaper—Reward of Bravery—Lights continued. January 27. We are informed by the man who contracts for our tobacco, that it is very scarce, an
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CHAPTER XI.
CHAPTER XI.
Awful Penalty for Desertion—Public Indignation—Remarkable Health of the Prisoners—Recruiting Party in Cornwall—Howe in trouble—Two Fathers—Scarcity of Provisions in the West Indies—Black-hole—American Privateer—Hot Press—Detection—French Brig run down—Prisoners sell their clothes to gamble—"Preceptor"—Extreme Punishment—Sports—Examination—Use of Poverty—English Ambassador returns from France—Captain Boardman—Titcomb—Hope of Return—Commissioners to America—Newspapers. March 7. We are told that th
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CHAPTER XII.
CHAPTER XII.
Letter from Portsmouth—Debate in Parliament—Cost of the War—Petition for a Trial—Traitors Detected—Traitors Punished—Attempt to Escape—Sickness in Prison—Paul Jones at Whitehaven—Letter from Portsmouth—Death of John Foster—Prison Wrangle—Commissioners Sailed—Another Hole—It Founders—Joseph Kensington Died—Sick Prisoners Neglected. April 17. To-day one of the prisoners received a letter from Captain Harris, of Portsmouth. He writes that we may rely upon it, that he had it from good authority, tha
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CHAPTER XIII.
CHAPTER XIII.
French Privateer—French Fleet—Patience scarce—Escape—One missing—Man with Red Hair—Blockade—Ball Play—Severity of the Guard—Admiral Biron’s Fleet—Effects of Drink—A Widow—A Surprise—Press of Fishermen—Another Detection—Voluntary Suffering—Captain Pulford—Attempt to Escape—Taken—Cruel Treatment—Just Retaliation—King’s Birthday—Contribution for the Sick—Twelve months in Prison—Reflections. May 16. We are informed that a French privateer was taken by a Guernsey privateer, a few days ago, and brough
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CHAPTER XIV.
CHAPTER XIV.
Death of the Doctor—Men in the Drain—Sailing of Admiral Biron’s Fleet—Discouragements—Prison in an Uproar—Punishment—Revenge—Men in Irons—Rev. Mr. Heath—Cold reception of Proposition of Peace in America—Number of Prisoners—Rigor of Prison Discipline abated—A Letter from the Committee of Appropriation—Gratitude for Friends—Effort to Escape—Scheme continued—Discovered—Black-hole—Gen. Burgoyne’s Compliment to American Troops—Unsuccessful attempt to Escape—French Frigate taken—Bad Meat refused—Unsuc
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CHAPTER XV.
CHAPTER XV.
Bad Conduct in Prison—Its Consequences—Rules—Prison Quiet—Digging Out—Four Escape—General alarm—Fire, and Officers Escape—Discovery—Prison in an Uproar—Its Cause and Cure—Sad news from Portsmouth—Pay-day—Drink—Trouble—Invitation to go over the Wall—Admiral Keppel returns—England’s pride humbled—False Reports—Studies Navigation—A good turn—A curious plan for Escape—Detection—Battle Report—Wounded in the Hospital—Effort to Escape by Swimming—Disturbance in Prison—Prisoners Return—Difficulty of Esc
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CHAPTER XVI.
CHAPTER XVI.
French Prisoners—Admiral Keppel sails—Another attempt to Escape—Americans brought back—Another Hole—Admiral Biron’s Fleet—A Gale—Number of French Prisoners—General Clinton’s retreat from Philadelphia—Elias Hart died—Fever and Ague prevails—A Discharge—Captain Burnel and Wife—Escape from Portsmouth—French Privateer—Letter from Portsmouth—Distribution of Clothing—Hot Press—Letter to Captain Lee—French Prisoners increase—Thomas Pillar—Fever and Ague prevails—A Vote for Money—Poor Beer—Drunkenness a
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CHAPTER XVII.
CHAPTER XVII.
Rols’ Escape—Very Sickly—Another Escape—Unfaithful Doctor—Frenchmen Escape and Return—Captain Ravel’s Escape—Mr. Kirk’s Escape—A Pardon—Thirty-two released, to go on board Men-of-war—Fourteen more petition for the same—An Indian Pow-wow—Cartel—Letters from Portsmouth—Beer Troubles—The Man that was punished unjustly rescued—Cartel encouragement—Captain Lee’s Escape—Commemoration—New Arrangement—Spotted Fever among the French—Second Draft for the Ships—The Albion taken by the French—Twenty-two mon
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CHAPTER XVIII.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Oil of tar for Prison—Frenchmen break out—One Shot—Reduction of Donation—Two Americans in Irons—Various opinions about the Cartel—Several Holes in hand—Fearful Apprehensions—Dominica taken by the French and Americans—King’s Troops on Martha’s Vineyard—Drunken Prisoners delivered up—Forbearance of the Guard—Fire in the Black-hole—Four American Boys—Dolton as Fortune Privateer—Base Treachery—Plans Discovered—Mitchell the Villain—Letter of Thanks—Two Years from Home—Unsuccessful Attempts. October 2
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CHAPTER XIX.
CHAPTER XIX.
Twenty-one—A Sorrowful Freedom—Fort on Drake’s Island—A Report—A Request granted—London Evening Post—Breach in Black-hole—Disagreeable Confinement—William Moody—Evening Post—John Howe—Escape prevented—King’s Speech—Anthony Shomaker’s Escape—Thoughts about the Cartel—Roll of Prisoners called by the Board—English Prisoners at Brest—Bad Money—Sorrowful Day—Donation Money closes—Hyfield’s Escape—Unsuccessful Attempt—Exposure of the Sick—John Lott died—Public Prayer—Insolent Captain rebuked—Letter of
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CHAPTER XX.
CHAPTER XX.
Cruel purposes of the Ministry—Petition for Pardon—Mr. Salter’s Escape—Cruel Act renewed—Last of the Donation—Solemn Covenant—Sorrowful Christmas—Court Martial—Another Hole—Great plan for a general Elopement—Arrangement of Escape—Plan put in execution—Wandering in the Fields—Lost—Limb out of joint—Surprise—Carried to Plymouth—Number escaped, 109—How discovered—Punishment—A sorrowful New Year—Extreme Suffering—Good Friends—New Year’s Gift—Not discouraged digging—Large Fleets—Captain Boardman esca
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CHAPTER XXI.
CHAPTER XXI.
A Hurricane—Great Distress—Kills a Dog—Dog divided—Cooked and eat—Rats eat in Prison—Voluntary Surrender—Good News—Cartel arrived—Pardon—Great Joy—A small Donation—Spanish Fleet—Another Pardon—A Wonder—Number of Prisoners left—Wait impatiently—Another Hole in hand—Eleven Frenchmen escape—Good News from Bilboa—Happy Event—Twenty-six months a Prisoner—Incendiary—Penitent sick Prisoners—King’s Pardon. January 8. It is two years, to-day, since we arrived in this Sound. One of those that were brought
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CHAPTER XXII.
CHAPTER XXII.
John Foster, Elias Vickey, and Asa Witham died—Mr. Deal’s Escape—Effect of long Imprisonment—New Subscription—Milford Transport—Joyful News—Hole Discovered—Keppel Acquitted—Bonfires—Escape—No Coals in Plymouth—Excitement about the Dog—Love to Friends—James Valentine died—Bills of Exchange from Bilboa—Cartel Arrives—Lieutenant Knox Arrives—Leaves the Prison—Kind Usage on Cartel—Bonner Darling died. February 1. This morning about three o’clock, Mr. John Foster died in the prison hospital, of a ner
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CHAPTER XXIII.
CHAPTER XXIII.
Journal Lost—Thirty enter with Jones—Joins the Alliance—Arrive at L’Orient with Prize—Second Cruise—Journal Lost—Extracts from Paul Jones’ Life—At Dr. Franklin’s House—Joins again the Alliance—Sails Home. [The journal of their passage to France is lost. The next record that is preserved, presents Mr. Herbert to us at Nantes, situated on the river Loire, in the south-western part of France.] April 12. We lay here under pay, from the 5th of this month; have our board paid, and have nothing to do b
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LIST OF PRISONERS TAKEN IN THE BRIGANTINE DOLTON, AND COMMITTED TO MILL PRISON, PLYMOUTH, ENGLAND,JUNE, 1777.
LIST OF PRISONERS TAKEN IN THE BRIGANTINE DOLTON, AND COMMITTED TO MILL PRISON, PLYMOUTH, ENGLAND,JUNE, 1777.
The following marks denote [A] dead—[B] escaped—[C] joined English men-of-war—[D] died or escaped before any were committed to prison—(P. J.) means with Paul Jones—(A.) in the Alliance....
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STATISTICS.
STATISTICS.
Footnotes: 1 . The Alliance is said by Commodore Jones to have been so called, for the following reasons: “When the treaty of alliance with France arrived in America, Congress, feeling the most lively sentiments of gratitude towards France, thought how they might manifest the satisfaction of the Country by some public act. The finest frigate in the service was on the stocks, ready to be launched, and it was resolved to call her the Alliance.” 2 . Extract from correspondence of Dr. Franklin,
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