Autobiography of Samuel Miles describing his exploits in the French and Indian War (Seven Years' War) service in central and western Pennsylvania following Braddock's defeat, the American Revolution, particularly the chaos experienced by the American forces during the Battle of Long Island in 1776, and in Philadelphia politics during the last two decades of the eighteenth century.; 7 leaves and marbled covers. Incomplete. Printed (according to Appleton): American Historical Record; 1873.; American Philosophical Society
A first hand narrative of the early years of the American Revolution written by Thomas Sullivan, an Irish-born sergeant serving with the British 49th Regiment of Foot. In polished prose, Sullivan describes the events from his arrival in North America just prior to the Battle of Bunker Hill through his participation in the Long Island, Philadelphia, and New Jersey Campaigns. Among the engagements described are Bunker Hill, Long Island, White Plains, Brandywine, Germantown, and Red Bank, but he reports as well on events that he did not personally witness, drawing liberally upon published sources to fill out his narrative. Two pieces of correspondence detailing these "lifted" accounts are included at the end of the collection. Such events described include the battle of Lexington and Monmouth. Also included are various ledgers detailing the supply of food rations, weapon and ammunition as well as approximations of the deaths and casualties of British and American soldiers. The diary also has a section beginning on page 404 entitled "The Author makes his escape from the English, and Returns back to Philadelphia" wherein he discusses his various reasons for deserting the British army, and likewise documents the travels his wife and himself made to get to Philadelphia in June of 1788. "Seeing American under arms," he wrote, and seeing that the Americans "were striving to throw off the Yoke, under which my native country sunk for many years..." After traveling to White Plains to work as steward to Nathanael Greene, the "diary" ends abruptly with the entry for July 28, 1778.; American Philosophical Society