Pleasants Murphy's "Journal and Day Book"; Wm. and Mary Qrtly, 2nd Series, Vol. 3, No. 4 Transcribed by Kathy Merrill for the USGenWeb Archives Special Collections Project ************************************************************************ 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.usgwarchives.net *********************************************************************** Pleasants Murphy's "Journal and Day Book" Pleasants Murhpy William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, 2nd Ser., Vol. 3, No. 4. (Oct., 1923), pp. 231-238. PLEASANTS MURPHY'S "JOURNAL AND DAY BOOK"(1). The writer of this journal, Pleasants Murphy, was born in Bedford County, Virginia, June 14, 1786, and spent the earlier part of his life in that locality. On December 1, 1818, he married Ann Robertson Shelton of Pittsylvania County, and some time thereafter they removed to Tazewell County, where they lived the remainder of their lives. Pleasants Murphy died in 1863; his wife two years earlier. For some years he pursued the teacher's calling, and many of the prominent men of Tazewell, Giles, Wythe, and Smythe counties ob- tained their earlier training from him. At one time he became engaged in a newspaper controversy with the noted W. G. Brownlow, during the period when the latter was editor of the Jonesboro Whig. Murphy was related to the Pleasants family, of whom John Pleasants (1769-1839), member of Congress, senator of the United States, and governor of Virginia, and his son, John H. Pleasants, founder and editor of the Richmond Constitutional Whig and Public Advertiser, were distinguished scions. Pleasants Murphy's journal, which extends from September 5, 1814, to April 23, 1815, covers little more than the period of his military service. It begins: "On September 5, 1814, I joined Captain Oteys troop at Liberty agreeable to orders and about 12 o'clock took up The Line of March for Richmond". The troop arrived at Richmond September 9 and remained encamped near the city for several weeks. September 30 Murphy broke his arm, and on October 9 he obtained a furlough and returned to his home. Taking his departure again November 26, he arrived in Richmond December 5. There he learned that his company had gone to Tappahannock, whither he at once pro- ______________________ (1) Contributed by Dr. Edmund C. Burnett, through the kindness of Dr. J. F. Jameson. Page 232. ceeded and found that the town had been captured and burnt by the enemy only a few days before. The company was marched back to Richmond, and on December 11 received orders to take up winter quarters in Williamsburg. An effort was now made to have the company dis- charged; a suit instituted in court for that purpose, in which William Wirt was attorney for the soldiers, resulted in a decision (December 15) that the executive had power to retain them for six months longer. Accordingly, on December 17, to troops took up their march for Williamsburg. [A transcript of the journal from Dec. 17 to Jan. 11 accompanies this note.] January 8 orders were received to proceed to Hampton. The march, begun January 9, brought them to York Town the first day and to their desitnation January 10. Their principal duty there was to keep a watch on enemy vessels and prevent them from landing. Under the date February 15 the journal contains this entry: "Just Before night the GLORIOUS NEWS of PEACE having been made between England and America arrived in hampton which excited the Liveliest Sensations in the Citizens and Soldiers. About Sundown our Troops marched with Rifles to the wharfe where we discharged Several Rounds of Cannon and Small Arms." On February 19 they "Bid a final adieu to old Hampton" and marched to Richmond, where they were mustered out, February 22. The entries of the next two months relate to the journey homeward, and to the writer's activities and associations after his return. The journal closes, April 23, 1815, with this sentence: "Thus endeth the First Volume of the Journal of my Time and transactions. "Pleasants Murphy." In addition to the journal proper there are, however, some ten pages occupied with an expense account covering Page 233. the same period. Whether there ever was a succeeding volume is not known. This small volume passed to the possession of Pleasants Murphy's daughter, Mrs. Letitia Murphy Hedrick, recently deceased, for many years resident in Bristol, Tennessee, and is now in possession of his granddaughter, Mrs. P. M. Cody of Bristol. Edmund C. Burnett. Saturday December 17, 1814. We paraded on the Capitol Square and Took up the Line of march Capt. Oteys and McMahons Company together - we traveled 13 to Camp Carter where Capt. McMahon Stopd. under an arrest from Maj Woodford To Receive his Trial. 2 Miles further we Stopd at Camp bottombridge where we tarried all Night in some forsaken huts - Clear and warm throughout the day but Clouded up at Night. Sunday December 18 - we Left our encampment before Sunrise and progressd. on through Remarkable Muddy roads 9 Miles we Stopd. and fed at Mr. G. S. Tavern. it now began to Rain moderately. 6 miles further passd. Newkent C.H., an insignificant place. went on 14 Miles further and encampt at Warroneye church an old brick building lying in Ruins, where there was an encampment of soldiers last fall. Continued to Rain throughout the evening. Monday Decr. 19th - cloudy in the morning. we started Early. 8 Miles we stopd. at Mrs. Allens and waited for our wagons to come up when we fed and breakfasted. Broke a way about 10. 14 Miles further we arrived at old Wmsburg a little before night. we got houses for to Lodge in and Tied our horses in a Lot. we guarded one of our men all night that the Maj. put under Guard this Evening. 4 or 5 of us went To the Eagle Tavern and got supper. Clear and Cold. Page 234. Tues Decr. 20 - Fair and cool. we all Remained at our barracks. Most of us hired Stables To put our horses in. 8 or 10 of us went To the Lunatic hospital where there is between 20 and 30 poor unhappy Creatures Confined with madness. I walkd. over the greater part of the City which in its Greatest Length is nearly a mile. Several good houses, but generally the place has an antient appearance. Wednesday Decr. 21 - the weather continues fair. we paraded to have our Arms inspected which is all the duty we do To day. no guard has been put out Since we came To this place. Captain McMahons Troop Left here about 10 for Hampton. we then laid off ourselvs in messes and distributed the Rooms in our house among the Company. divided our Camp equipage etc. about 240 Militia from Camp Carter under Maj. Scott arrived in Town this Evening and took up their abode. Thursday Decr. 22, 1814 - I walked about town most of the day merely for amusement. went into all the Stores which I find To be badly Supply'd with good but what few they do contain Very high priced. Major Woodford Left here, for Hampton. Major Scott takes the Command of us. in the evening we paraded at the beat of the Drum Join'd Colonel Scoots [sic] detachment and were drilld Some time by the adjutant. Friday Decr. 23 - Verry fair and moderately warm. We paraded at 9 Marched wheeled Marked time etc. for near 2 hours then dismiss'd and paraded again at 3 with the Battallion, and exercised till Night. I went with 3 or 4 more down to the Oyster Landing and got a few Oysters. We drew Some sheaf oats the 2nd time that we have got any Rough food Since we come here. the nights now are Remarkable fine the moon nearly full, wich gives us an opportunity of much amusement in the night. Saturday, December 24, 1814 - Remarkable fine weather. P.M. We Loll'd about till evening then paraded and Page 235. Marched up to the palace. joind the battallion for to hear the General Order. we went through the 6 divisions of Sword Exercise in presence of all of the officers. Returnd in Stile to our barracks. James (James Murphy?) McGeorge and I Saddled our horses and Rode 6 miles down the Road To Mrs. Hansfords where we spent the Night in drinking Eggnog feasting playing cards etc. and Returned by day break to Camp just before the Rool was calld. Sunday Decr. 25 - being Christmas the world Resounded with the noise of guns. we made Several Eggnogs in our barracks and Drank much Liquor. Sword master Campbell and Cornet Otey came to camp Last night from on Furlough. we Spent the day in Reveling and Drinking. in the evening our Mess held a Superb Supper at Mr. Thomas where our Rations are cooked. cloudy all day thickened up towards Night Like for Sno. I went in the evening with the waggon for a Load of wood. Monday, Decr. 26 - it snow'd Last night 2 or 3 inches deep with cold wind from North. Cleared away this morning Remarkable cold hard wind from North. we were confied To our Barrack Except what went with the waggon after wood and oats. I Spent most of the day with our Land Lord Mr. Thomas. The Streets Crowded with negroes this even who were en- joying holliday in drinking. Tuesday, Decr. 27 - Remarkable cold To day high wind from North. did not venture out on parade. Done nothing more than fetch Some wood and forage. Wednesday, Decr. 28 - More moderate than Some days past. we paraded on our horses about 12 and exercised on the Court house Green for Some time. Most of the Snow melted off. Thursday Decr. 29 - we paraded at 9 with our Rifles marched up to the palace Green and Manoeuvred for 2 hours in presence of Major Scott. at 3 we paraded on horse back and Exercised for mor [sic] than 2 hours on Page 236. the Court house Green. then Joind the Battallion and heard the orders read. fair and cool. Friday Decr. 30 - uncommonly warm. I went with the waggon about 3 miles after wood which freed me from the taks of Parading. at Night James, McGeorge and the two Mr. Ruckers and my Self went down To Mrs. Hansfords To a ball where we Spent the Night in Company with a Number of Ladies and Gentlemen. Returned a Little before day. Saturday December 31, 1814 - the weather continues Verry warm and fair. we paraded as Usual today, once at 9 in the morning with Rifles and at 3 P.M. on horseback with Swords. we Charged Several times on the footmen which appeared To be Very entertaining To the Citizens. a little before sundown Joind the Battallion, heard the orders Read and dismiss'd. Sunday January 1, 1815 - 11 O'clock A.M. I am now in a back Room in our Barracks which is an old brick building situate on the south side of the main street of the City of Williamsburg which is an old town of no considerable Size Situated in County about 5 miles from York River in a Low, Level, unhealthy place. the Battn. paraded at 12 to hear the Articles of war Read, which is the only parade to day. 6 of us Rode 4 Miles down to the Oyster Landing. Catchd and eat a fw oysters and Returnd by night. Monday Januar 2, 1815 - Verry wam and a Little smoky wind S. Hundreds of People Collected at the Raleigh at a negro hanging. we paraded to day at 3 and 9. a Cloud Blew over hastily and Raind a Small Shower. then fair. At Night we Borrowed a fiddle and had a dance in Our Barracks. To night is the warmest we have had for Some Months. Tuesday Janry 3. Began raining Last night and Continued today till past 12 when the wind which had been S.W. Shifted to North and Blew Violently accompanyd Page 237. with hard Snow which Continued falling till after night when it Cleared away. the Snow nearly all melted as it fell. We were Confined all Day To our Barracks Scarcely Ventering out To Feed our horses. Wednesday Jany. 4 - fiar and Middling warm. After our Evening parade 4 or 5 of us fixed ourselves and Rode down to Ben Hansfords about 7 Miles to a ball. here we were politely Entertaind till about 3 O'clock when we Returned through Bitter Cold weather To Camp. One of our horses got Loose Just as we Started which occasioned us Considerable Trouble. Thursday Janry. 5. Cold in the Evening, it clouded up and Raind a Little after Night but finally cleared up verry cold. paraded twice today. Friday Janry. 6 - windy, fair and Verry Cold. We fetched Some fodder and Cut and haled 1 or 2 Loads of wood. Saturday Janry. 7. more moderate than Some days past. John Preston James and myself got a furlough for a day and at night went 5 or 6 Miles To a wedding. frolicked till 10 and Returnd to Camp almost frozen. 5 or 6 of our men who had been home on furlough Returned to day and brought an abundance of Letters for the troopers and some Clothes. Sunday Jany. 8. warm and agreeable. 3 of us went down to Mrs. Hansfords and stayed till 9 o'clock at night. about the time we arrived at camp our officers Receivd orders To march tomorrow to Hampton. this was the warmest night we have had for Some months. the Last of our [men] on furlough Returnd this Evening. Monday Janr. 9th. we made arrangements in the morning for marching agreeable to our orders Received Last night. paraded once or twice and were inspected by the Major. About one O'clock having Settled our business we bid Adieu to old Williamsburg and marched for Hampton. Arrived at York Town a Little before night 12 Miles from Page 238. Wmsburg and put up in different apartmetns. this is the warmest day I have felt Since fall. Tuesday, Janry. 10. I spent Some time in Viewing the Curiositys in and about york. Amongst the greatest of Curiositys I saw was Lord Cornwallis Cave a Square Room dug out of the bluff facing the River where he Concealed himself from his Enemys during the Siege of York. the River here is between 2 and 3 Miles wide. the town Contains not more than 40 dwellings at present which mostly have an antient appearance. Not Less than 50 or 60 naked chimnies are to be Seen Standing the houses of which has been Consumed by fire. about 10 oclock we Started for hampton 24 miles from york. the whole Count[r]y along here has a dreary barren appearance mostly Marshy untilable. about 3 we arrived at Hampton which presented to us the most unfavourable prospect of any place we have Seen. the town is situated near the mouth of James River on an inlet called hampton creek which makes into Hampton road. the Situation is Low unhealthy, the town old irregular and the people inhospitable. we got Verry good Barrack in a brick building to the north of the town and procured Some Stables for our horses. Verry warm, a Little cloudy. Wednesday Jan. 11. Began Raining about 4 in the morning with high wind from S.E. Con- tinued till near night and Ceasd, wind shifted to N.W. I spent most of the day in gazeing about Town. most of our troop got stables, some old Smok houses kitchens shops etc etc. we got plenty pork, flour, Corn, Sheaf oats, etc. in the evening 5 of our men were detailed to Ride the Beach to night. Report says the enemy are in great numbers in hampton Roads. the few Militia that are here (consisting of 40 or 50 footmen and Capt. McMahons Troop) have had an alram Every 2 or 3 nights.