Special Collections: Letter from the Draper Manuscripts; John B. Finley, July 1862 Submitted for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Carmen Finley ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb *********************************************************************** Finley, John B. letter, July 5, 1862, Lewis County, Kentucky to Lyman Draper. Draper Manuscripts [Calendars and documentary series] (Samford, N.C.: NYT Microfilming Corp. of America, 1981; 5E20. Lewis County Kentucky July 5, 1862 Dear Sir. I received your letter under date of June 14 on the 3rd of this instant which I hasten to answer to give you some information of my father's life. He was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in the year 1748, and graduated at Princeton College New Jersey & studied Divinity for the ministry of the Presbyterian Church. The war commenced and he entered the army as a first lieutenant then made Captain, then Adjutant. At the close of the war he was Breveted Major. He was at the Battle of Trenton, Yorktown, Stoney Poynet, Paoli. General Wayne requested General Washington to give him six hundred men to storm Stoney Point of his own choosing my father was one of them; he made them take the flints out of their guns for fear to make alarm. They made scaling ladders and mounted the walls, Wayne was the first man up - his watch word was my boys, "Remember the Paoli." My father was about five feet 8 inches in height, square built, black hair & black eyes. He moved from Lancaster to Westmoreland County in the year '90 - was appointed state surveyor, moved to Ohio in the year 1800, moved to Kentucky in 1808, and was President of a College 4 years, then moved back to Ohio near West Union where he lived until his death - his age was ninety one, he died in May, 'thirty nine. The John Finley you speak of was a relation to my father; its thought he was kild at the Battle of the Lower Blulicks by the Indians. As to Captain Brady I have often heard my father speak of him, he was at the Paoli. My father & mother had twelve children they are all dead but myself. I was born in Westmoreland County Pennsylvania in the year '91. I served in all the Creek War with old Hickory, was wounded in Battle at the Horseshoes, served 19 months in the Florida War, and yet by the mercys of God my life is spared though I been in 16 hot battles wounded twice. If I can be of any service to you please inform me. Yours Respectfully J. B. Finley My address is Majr J.B. Finley Post Office Mount Carmel, Flemming County N.B. I have heard my grand Father say at the Battle of Trenton he saw my fathe ride between the two lines of the enemy.