1775: Nathan Hale's November Diary Entries

In November 1775, Lieutenant Nathan Hale kept a diary, detailing his duties, rumor, skirmishes and news during the Siege of Boston. Earlier in the autumn, he had joined Colonel Charles Webb's 7th Connecticut Regiment. 

Spelling and grammar is original. Words or phrases in (parentheses) are originally noted this way in the diary. Words or phrases in [brackets] are clarifications of spelling or abbrevitions. 

Tuesday [November] 7th. Left Piquet 10 o'cl. [o'clock] Infmd [Informed] Major Brooks applied for this Regt [Regiment] — new establishment — wh [which] occasd [occasioned] much uneasiness among the Cpts [Captains]. Rain pretty hard most of the day. Spent most of it in the Majr [Major], my own and other tents in conversation — some chequers — Studied...best method of forming a Regt [Regiment] for review, of arraying ye Companies, also of marching round ye reviewing Officer. A man ought never to lose a moments time. If he put off a thing from one minute to the next, his reluctance is but increased.

Wednesday, [November] 8th. Cleaned my gun — pld [played] some football, and some chequers. Some people came out of Boston via Roxby [Roxbury]. Rec'd [received] N. [news?] of Cpt [Captain] Coit's taking two prizes, with Cattle, poultry, hay, rum, wine, &c., &c., — also verbal accounts of the taking of St. Johns.

Thursday, [November] 9th. 1 o'cl. [clock] P.M. an alarm. The enemy landed at Lechmere's Point to take off cattle. Our works were immediately all mann'd [manned], and a detachment sent to receive them, who were obliged, it being high water, to wade through water nearly waist high. While the enemy were landing, we gave them a constant Cannonade from Prospect Hill. Our party having got on to the point, marched in two columns, one on each side of the Hill with a view to surround ye enemy, but upon the first appearance of them they made to their boats as fast as possible. While our men were marching on ye point, they were exposed to a hot fire from the ship in the bay, and a floating Battery — also after they had passed the hill. A few shot[s] were fired from Bunker's Hill. The damage on our side is the loss of one Rifleman taken and 3 men wounded, one badly, and it is thought 10 or more cattle carried off. The Rifleman taken was drunk in a tent in which he and the one who received the worst wound were placed to take care of the Cattle, Horses, &c., and give notice in case the enemy should make an attempt upon them. The tent they went in was taken. What the loss was on the side of the enemy we cannot yet determine. At night met with the Captas of ye new establishemnt at Genl [General] Sullivan's to nominate Subalterns. Lieut. [Lieutenant] Burbank of Col [Colonel] Doolittle's Regt [regiment] made my 1st L [lieutenant] Sergt [sergeant] Chapman 2nd & Sergt [sergeant] Hurlburt Ensn. [ensign].

Friday, [November] 10th. Went upon the hill to see my new Lieutenant Burbank and found him no great things. On my return found that my Bro. [brother] & Joseph Strong had been here and enquired for me. Immediately after dinner went to Cambr. [Cambridge] to see them, but was too late. Went to headquarters — saw Genl Sullivan and gave him a description of my new Lt. [lieutenant]. He said that he would make enquiry concerning him. On my return fo. [found?] the abo. [above?] Lt. [lieutenant] at my tent, agrble [agreeable] to my invitation. After much roundabout talk persuaded him to go with me to the Genl [General] to desire to be excused from the service. The Genl [General] not being at home, deferr'd [deferred] it till another time.

Saturday, [November] 11th. Some dispute about the arrangement of Subs [subalterns]—but not peacefully settled.

Sunday, [November] 12th. This morning early a meeting of Capts. [captains] upon the above matter and not ended till noon. No [church] meeting A.M.  P.M. Mr. Bird pr. [preached]

Monday, [November] 13th. Our people began to dig turf under Cobble Hill. Inlistments [enlistments] delivered out. At night a man of our Regt [regiment] attempted to desert to the Regrs [Britisth Regulars], but was taken. 

Tuesday, [November] 14th. Some uneasiness about Subs. [subalterns] P.M. went to Cambr. [Cambridge] ... Genl [General] orders of today contained an account of the reduction of St. Johns. Digg sods under Cobble Hill continued....

Wednesday, [November] 15th. Mounted Main Guard. Heard read the articles of surrender of St. Johns. Likewise an account of the repulse of our piratical enemies at Hampton in Virginia, with the loss of a number of men (in a handbill). Three deserters made their escape from Boston to Roxbury last night. Two prisoners were taken this afternoon in the orchard below Plough'd Hill, who, with some others were getting apples. They bring accounts that it was reported in Boston that our army at St. Johns was entirely cut off. That last week when they attempted to take our cattle at Sewel's point they killed 50 or 60 of our men, wounded as many more and had not a man either killed or wounded — whereas in truth we had only one that was much wounded, and he is in a way to recover. Rec'd [received] a letter from J. Hallam.

Thursday, [November 16th. Reliev'd from Piquet, 8 1/2 o'cl. [o'clock]. Confined James Brown of Cpt. [Captain] Hubbels company for leaving the guar which he did yesterday toward night, and did not return until 4 o'cl. [o'clock] this morning, when he was taken up by the centinel [sentinel] at the door of Temple's House. As it appeared he was somewhat disguised with liquor, I ordered him confined and reported.... Wrote two letters — 1 to J. Hallam and 1 to G. Salt. It being Thanksgiving in Connecticut, the Capts [captains] and officers in nomination for the new army had an entertainment at T's house provided by Capt. Whitney's Sutler. They were somewhat merry and inlisted [enlisted] some soldiers. I was not present. About 10 or 11 o'cl. [o'clock] at night Orders came for reinforcing the Piquet with 10 men from a Comy. [company]

Friday, [November] 17th. Rec'd [received] an order from Colonel Hall for taking up at the Continental store 4 pr. [pairs] Breeches, 6 Do [dozen] Stockgs [stockings], 5 1/2 yds [yards] of Coats, 5 Do [dozen] Shoes, 1 shirt, 1 buff jerk [jerkin], 1 pr. [pair] Indian Stockgs [stockings], all which I got but the Shirt, Indian Stockgs, 1 1/2 yd. Coatng [coating], and shoes which are to come to-morrow morning. Cpt [Captain] Hull wth [with] some of his soldiers went wth [with] me to Cambge [Cambridge]. Return'd after dark. Stop'd at Genl [General] Lee's to see about Furls [fuloughs] for men enlisted, who ordered the general orders of the day to be read by which Furloughs are to be given by Colls [colonels?] only and not more than 50 at a time must have them out of a Regt. [regiment] Genl [General] orders further contained that the Congress had seen fit to raise the pay of the officers from what they were — and that a Cpt. upon the new establishment is to receive 26 2/3 Dollars per month — a 1st and 2nd Lieut. [lieutenant] 18 Dollars and Ensn [ensign] 13 1/2 Dollars.

Saturday, [November] 18th. Obtained an order from Colo. [Colonel] Webb upon the Q.M.G. [quartermaster general] for things for the soldiers. Went for them afterward — returned a little after Sunset.

Sabbath Day, [November] 19th. Mr. Bird pr. [preached] — one service only, beginning after 12 o'cl. [o'clock] Text Esther 8th, 6: "For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people, or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?" The discourse was very good, the same as preached to Genl [General] Wooster, his officers and Soldiers, at Newhaven, and which was again preached at Cambridge at Sabbath or two ago. Now preached as a farewell discourse. Robert Latimer, the Majr's [major's] son, went to Roxbury today, on his way home. The Majr [major] who went there today and Lieut [Lieutenant] Hurlburt, and Robert Latimer F. who went yesterday, returned this eveng [evening] and bt [?] accts [accounts] that the Asia Man of War, stationed at New York, was taken by a Schooner armed with Spears, &c., which at first appeared to be going out of the Harbour and was brot [brought] to by ye Asia and instead of coming under her stern, just as she come up shot along side. The men who were before conceal'd immediately sprang up with their lances, &c., and went at it with such vigour that they soon made themselves masters of the ship. The kill'd and wounded are not known. This account not credited. Sergeant Prentis thought to be dying about 12 Meridian [noon] — some better if any alteratn [alteration] this evening.

Monday, [November] 20th. Obtain'd furloughs for five men... Isaac Hammon, Jabez Minard, Christopher Beebe, John Holmes, and William Hatch, each for 20 Days. Mounted mn [main?] Guard—4 prisoners...until 10 o'cl. [o'clock], when an alarm from Cambr. [Cambridge] and Prospect Hill occasioned our turning out. Slept little or none.

Tuesday, [November] 21st. Reliev'd by Cpt. [Captain] Hoyle. Sergt. [Sergeant] Prentis very low. Colo [Colonel]and some Cpts. [captains] went to Cambr. [Cambridge] to a Court M. [Martial] to Cpt. [Captain] Hubbel's Trial, adjourn'd from yesterday today. Evening spent in conversation. 

Wednesday, [November] 22nd. Sergt. [Sergeant] Prentis died about 12 o'cl. [o'clock] last night. Tried to obtain furlough to go to Cape Ann and keep Thanksgiving but could not succeed. Being at Genl [General] Sullivans, hear Genl [General] Green read a letter from a member of the Congress expressing wonder at the Backwardness of the Offrs [officers] and Soldiers to tarry the winter, likewise informing that the men inlisted [enlisted] fast in Pennsylvania and ye Jersies for 30s. per month. Some hint dropt [dropped] as if there were to a change of the' [theses?]

[no entries for November 23 or 24]

Saturday, [November] 25th. Last night 2 sheep kill'd beloning to the Enmy [Enemy]. This morning considerable firing between the Centries [sentries]. A Rifleman got a Dog from the [British] regulars. Col. [Colonel] Varnum offer'd a Guinea for him the (same) that Genl [General] Lee had offer'd. 10 o'cl. [o'clock] A.M. went to Cobble Hill to view. Another brought to the Ferry way — two there now. P.M. Went to Cam [Cambridge] — Ret'd [returned] Sunset — Heard further that 200 or 300 poor people had been set on shore last night by the Regulars, the place not known, but sd [said] to be not more than 6 or 8 miles from hence. Cannon were heard this forenoon, seeming to be off in the bay, and at some distance. Observed in coming from Cambr. [Cambridge], a number of Gabines at Genl Lee's, said to be for the purpose of fortifying upon Lechmere Point.

26th [November], Sunday. William Hatch of Major Latimer's Co. died last night, having been confin'd about one week — He has the whole time been in — and great part of it out of his Senses. His distemper was not really known. He was buried this afternoon — few people attended his funeral. Reported that the people were set ashore at Chelsea, and bringing accts [accounts] that the troops in Boston had orders to make an attack on Plough'd Hill, when we first began our works there, but the Officers, a number of them, went to Gen Howe and off'd to give up their commissions, absolutely refusing to come out and be butcher'd by the Americans. Mounted main Guard this morning. Snowy. Lt. Chapman rec'd [received] Recruiting orders, and set out home, proposing to go as far as Roxby [Roxbury?] today.

27th [November], Monday... Evening went to Gen. [General] Lee's whom I found very much cast down at the discouraging prospects of supplying the army with troops.

28th [November], Tuesday. Promised the men if they would tarry another month they should have my wages for that time. Gen. [General] Sullivan returned. sent order to Fraser, Q.M. [quartermaster], to send us some wood. Went to Camb. [Cambridge] — could not be served at the store. Return'd — observed a greater number of Gabines at Genl [General] Lee's. Infml at Cambr. [Cambridge] yt Genl [General] Putnam's Regt. [Regiment], mostly concluded to tarry another month. (This is a lie.)

29th [November], Wednesday. The Regt. [Regiment] drawn up before Genl. [General] Sullivan's. After he had made them a most excellent speech, desired them to signify thier minds whether they would tarry till the 1st  of Janury [January]. Very few fell out, butsome gave in their names afterwards. Read News of the taking of a vessel loaded with ordinance and stores.

30th [November], Thursday. Obtain'd a furlough for Ensn [Ensign] Hurlburt for 20 Days. Sent no letters to-day on account of the hurry of business.

(December) 1st, Friday. Wt [went] to Cambridge. A number men about 20 in the whole, confined for attempting to go home. Our Regt [Regiment] this morning by means of Genl [General] Lee unversally [universally] consented to tarry until the Militia came in, and by far the greater part agreed to stay until the first of Jan. [January]....

Source:

Nathan Hale, Diary, transcribed and printed in Nathan Hale: The Martyr-hero of the Revolution; with a Hale Genealogy and Hale's Diary by Charlotte Molyneux Holloway (1899), pages 219-234.