1776: "Dare To Attack Regular Troops In The Open Country"

In July 1777, a transcription from a Hessian soldier's diary was printed in a Philadelphia newspaper. It details the days leading up to Christmas in 1776 and the Battle of Trenton. Unfortunately, the soldier's identity is not known and it is not known if he survived the Battle of Trenton. 

Spelling and grammar is original; a few clarifications added in [brackets].

Mr. Towne, Enclosed you have a transcription of part of a Hessian journal found at Trenton, in December last; you may depend upon its being genuine, and may insert it in your Event Post, if you think proper.

December 13, 1776.

We marched to Trenton and join our two regiments of Rall and Kaiphausen, in order to take up a sort of winter quarters here, which are wretched enough. This town consists of about one hundred houses, of which many are mean and little, and it is easy to conceive how ill it must accommodate three regiments. The inhabitants, like those at Princeton, are almost all fled, so that we occupy bare walls. The Delaware [River], which is here extremely rapid, and in general about two ells deep, separates us and the rebels. We are obliged to be constantly on our guard, and do very severe duty, though our people begin to grow ragged and our baggage is left in New York. Notwithstanding we have marched across this extremely fine province of New Jersey, which may justly be called the garden of America, yet it is by no means freed from the enemy, and we are insecure both in flank and rear. This brigade has incontestably suffered the most of any, and we now lie at the advanced point, that as soon as the Delaware freezes we may march over and attack Philadelphia, which is about thirty miles distant. My friend Sheffer and myself lodge in a fine house belonging to a merchant, and we have empty rooms enough. Some of the servants of the inhabitants remain here; last evening I gave one a box [hit] on the ear for his sausiness [sauciness]; I d bid him bring me a candle, and he replied, if I wanted candles, I should have brought them with me. I was furnished with a candle, but nothing else. Here is no wine, except Madeira at three shillings and sixpence a bottle. On the third instant Captain Weitershauses, of the grenadiers, was shot at Brunswick bridge by a rebel, who had concealed himself under the bridge. The Capt. had wrote by the last packet to his wife, desiring him to follow him to America. On the 13th General Lee, with two other officers, were taken prisoners by the English lighthorse, to the great damage of the rebels.

The 16th the rebels came over the river in boats, but effected nothing.

The 18th seventy rebels came over the water, and we were obliged to turn out. But they only carried off a family who went willingly, with three cows and some furniture.

The 19th one of the English lighthorse was twice badly wounded by a troop of rebels near Maidenhead.

The 21st a horseman was shot dead.

The 23d Count Donop wrote us from Bordentown, desiring us to be on our guard, for that he was certain of being attacked.

The 24th the enemy actually attacked our grenadiers last night, but without success, two Highlanders and a grenadier were wounded. We have not slept one night in peace since we came to this place. The troops have lain on their arms every night, but they can endure it no longer. We give ourselves more trouble and uneasiness than is necessary. That men who will not fight without some defence before them, who have neither coat, shoe nor stocking, nor scare any thing else to cover their bodies, and who for a long time past have not received one farthing of pay, should dare to attack regular troops in the open country, which they could not withstand when they were posted amongst rocks and in the strongest intrenchments, is not to be supposed.

[Newspaper editorial note] It is much to be lamented that this elegant Journalist was disturbed in his literary labours, by men who count not fight without some defence before them, who had neither coat, shoe nor stocking, nor scarce any thing else to cover their bodies, and who for a long time had not receive one farthing of pay, and yet had the insolence not only to attack these boasted regular troops, but to kill some, take others, and drive the rest away; and, what is still worse, deprive the world of the remainder of this entertaining journal. 

Source:

"December 13, 1776" The Pennsylvania Evening Post, July 26, 1777, Page 2. Accessed through Newspapers.com