Tallmadge, Samuel; Barr, John; Lauber, Almon W. [editor]. Orderly Books of The Fourth New York Regiment, 1778-1780; The Second New York Regiment, 1780-1783, by Samuel Tallmadge and Others: with Diaries of Samuel Tallmadge, 1780-1782 and John Barr, 1779-1782; Prepared for Publication by Almon W. Lauber, Ph.D. of The Division of Archives and History. Albany: The University of the State of New York, 1932. First Edition. [11206]
Blue cloth in fine clean condition, bright gilt spine titles, 10 1/4 x 7 1/2 inches, sans dust jacket. 933 clean pp., index, b/w illustrations, tight. Very good. Hardcover.
Fascinating primary accounts of the Sullivan and Clinton Expedition through New York and northern Pennsylvania in 1779, with John Barr being stationed at Fort Sullivan at Tioga Point (now Athens), Pennsylvania. Tallmadge's Orderly Books relate details of the Fourth New York Regiment during the Expedition against the Indians, as well as their exploits at Morristown, Peekskill, Fort Schuyler, Fort Herkimer, in Williamsburg, and elsewhere. Orders, incidents, movements, tactics, discipline of soldiers - all is recorded in great detail. Also, the diary of Tallmage with his personal observations.
"Here is found a version of the Sullivan-Clinton Campaign in 1779, the activities of 1780, the surrender of Cornwallis in 1781, the treason of Arnold, camp life along the Hudson in 1782, the Treaty of Peace in 1783. The hardships and privations in the patriot army, which resulted at times in a serious breach of discipline and even mutiny, are portrayed. The fun, amusements, petty thievery from irritated farmers and housewives, and the stealing of articles of clothing, cooking utensils and food by the soldiers from each other are set forth often in comical language. One living in our day is astonished at the large quantities of rum consumed by troops and officers. The shortage of provisions, clothing, shoes, blankets, tents, ammunition and other necessities is realized. After reading these Orderly Books one comes to admire the soldiers for their long marches, for their cheerfulness after sleeping on beds of straw, for their bravery before the enemy, for their obedience to their officers, and for their loyalty to the American cause under congressional inactivity and compensation in worthless paper money. Here was the republic in the making." - p. 22-23.
