The gentlemen went out, and though the Hessian colonel spoke but little English, yet they found that upon being thus met in a peacable manner on behalf of the inhabitants, he was ready to promise them safety and security, to exchange any messages that might be proper with the gentlemen of the galleys. About 10 o'clock of this day, a party of about 60 men marched down the main street-as they passed along they told our doctor and some other persons in the town, that a large number of Hessians were advancing, and would be in the town in less than an hour. After various reports from one hour to another, of lighthorse approaching, the people in town had certain intelligence that a large body of Hessians were come to Bordentown, and we might expect to see them in a few hours. She refers to "our doctor Odell" who agrees to meet with the Hessian commander.ĭec. Next Margaret Morris describes the arrival of a Hessian contingent near the town. A number of galleys have been lying in the river, before the town, for two days past. My brother also left us, but returned in less than an hour, telling us, he could not go away just as the Hessians were entering the town-but no troops coming in, we urged him to leave us next morning which he concluded to do after preparing us to expect the Hessians in a few hours. A letter from my next neighbour's husband, at the camp, warned her to be gone in haste, and many persons coming into town to-day, brought intelligence that the British army were advancing towards us.ĭec. What do you think Margaret Morris meant by punishing the innocent with the guilty?ĭec.Can you tell at this point what Margaret Morris' view of the revolutionary war was? Which side did she favor?.While I cherished this hope, my tranquillity was restored, and I felt no sensations but of humble acquiescence to the Divine will-and was favoured to find my family in good health upon my arrival, and my dear companion not greatly discomposed, for which favour I desire to be truly thankful. All these things crowded into my mind at once, and I felt like one forsaken a flood of friendly tears came to my relief, and I felt a humble confidence that He who had been with me in six troubles, would not forsake me now. My little flock, too, without a father to direct them how to steer. the beloved companion of my widowed state-her husband at the distance of some hundred miles from her -I thought of my own lonely situation, no husband to cheer with the voice of love my sinking spirits. When I heard this, I felt myself quite sick I was ready to faint-I thought of my S. On my journey home, I was told the inhabitants of our little town were going in haste into the country, and that my nearest neighbors were already removed. When I heard the above report my heart almost died within me, and I cried, surely the Lord will not punish the innocent with the guilty, and I wished there might be found some interceding Lots and Abrahams amongst our people. S., at Haddonfield, I was preparing to return to my family, when a person from Philadelphia told me the people were there in great commotion,-that the English fleet was in the river, and hourly expected to sail up to the city,-that the inhabitants were removing into the country,-and that several persons of considerable repute had been discovered to have formed a design of setting fire to the city, and were summoned before the Congress and strictly enjoined to drop the horrid purpose. As you read the journal respond to the questions interspersed among the text excerpts.ĭec. The journal, excerpted here, details her fears, beliefs and concerns. The journal was kept for her sister who resided in Montgomery Square, Pa. Smith, Jr., the grandson of Margaret Morris, had a journal reprinted kept by his grandmother in the weeks prior to the Battle of Trenton. The continued contemporary interest in the cause and the commitment of the people of the Confederacy in the American Civil War stands out as a notable example. Little attention is paid to the case to be made for the defeated unless some committed supporters of the defeated group remains to keep their point of view alive. The treatments received by the vanquished in text accounts and other commemorations of the events are routinely ignored or minimized. It frequently seems that whenever great wars occur the story of that conflict is recorded for history mostly from the point of view of the victor. Private Journal of Margaret Morris-December 6-17, 1776
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