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Title

Journal of the operations of the American War

Identifier(s)

apsrevcity:15245

Description

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

Subject

Political Philosophy; Waging the War; United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783; United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Personal narratives; United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--American forces; United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Campaigns; United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--British forces; United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Participation, German; United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Artillery operations; United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Equipment and supplies; United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Cavalry operations; United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Naval operations, British; United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Women; United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Public opinion; Military deserters--United States--History--18th century; United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Desertions; United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Social aspects; United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Economic conditions; Finance, Personal--United States; Brandywine, Battle of, Pa., 1777; Bunker Hill, Battle of, Boston, Mass., 1775; Germantown, Battle of, Philadelphia, Pa., 1777; Long Island, Battle of, New York, N.Y., 1776; Monmouth, Battle of, Freehold, N.J., 1778; Philadelphia Campaign, 1777-1778; Red Bank, Battle of, N.J., 1777; White Plains, Battle of, White Plains, N.Y., 1776; Military history; War and families; Quartermasters; Food supply; Operational rations (Military supplies); Military camps; Soldiers--Billeting; Siege warfare; War casualties; Dragoons; Hessians; Logistics; Taxation; Sullivan, Thomas, 1755-; Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786; Washington, George, 1732-1799; United States. Army. Quartermaster's Department

Date

1778-1779; 2022