Jackson, Hall, 1739-1797 to John Langdon
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06523 Author/Creator: Jackson, Hall, 1739-1797 Place Written: Camp on Butt's Hill, Rhode Island Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 29 August 1778 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; 24.3 x 18.3 cm. Order a Copy
Written by Hall, an army physician to Colonel Langdon as a commander of militia. Says day before yesterday the British fleet arrived with reinforcements for Newport. A retreat was ordered to their first encampment at midnight last night and was carried out in good order. Reports on a general action outside Newport after the retreat. Says "Our Army fought like Trojans! ... tomorrow morning will give the bloody dogs their Quietus." Claims American losses were less than 100 killed and 200 wounded. Mentions that his brother Woodbury Langdon survived unscathed. Says his friend Samuel Sherburne took a cannon shot to the leg, necessitating an amputation below the knee. Says he wants to give a fuller account "but indeed am so fatigued with operating[,] dressing, and so sleepy that I fear you'll not be able to read what I have already wrote." Postscript says a deserter was captured, tried, and shot. Provides a partial list of officers killed and wounded.
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