The largest portion of the manuscript consists of the diary that Thomas Foster kept from May 1782 through April of 1783, with individual entries dated Feb. 15 1782, and end of July 1781. The daily entries describe the weather, camp life, Foster?s duties and discuss war news and rumors, especially anxious expectations of peace. Embedded in the diary are copies of the "Resolve of Congress Regarding Cloathing" (November 1779), two general orders about "honorary badges of distinction" (1782 August 11 and 17), two general orders regarding the proclamation of peace (1783, April 18 and 19), and a ditty entitled "Emperor of Rome Gaius Caligula" "transcribed May 10th 1782 at New Winsor (sic)." Also included are pay rolls for the "Extra Pay of the Armours" of the 3rd and 5th Massachusets Brigades for the period from 1779 till December 1782 (the accounts were made 2for the time I was at work with Mr. Gray stores for ye 3rd Brig.3 and when 2Mr. William Cook was my Conductor"); miscellaneous personal accounts; an "Extract from the London Magazine February 1778" with a calculation of the total losses of the British Army; "Computation of the Dayly Expenses of the Massachusetts Lines at Eleven pence per Ration for Man a Day," and accounts of various household expenses (1785). Thomas Foster of Middleborough, Mass. belonged to the 14th Massachusetts Regiment, 3rd Massachusetts Brigade. In January 1781, when the regiment was disbanded, Foster was transferred to the 7th Massachusetts regiment commanded by John Brooks. The regiment was part of the 1st Massachusetts Brigade and was assigned to Highland Department that covered the area along the Hudson River, including West Point. Foster was employed at the brigade stores, evidently as a blacksmith. According to the note in the diary, he was transferred on July 13 1783 "from Mr. William Cooks stores imploy into ye Brig. Armory under the Inspection of Capt. Tuckerman and began ye woks in the Traveling Forge Belonging to the first Mass. Brigade."
Extent
63 leaves, 14 x 21 cm. oblong quarto, bound volume.
United States. Continental Army. Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, 14th (1777-1781) United States. Continental Army. Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, 7th (1781-1783) Massachusetts--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Regimental histories--Sources New York (State)--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Sources United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Personal narratives United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Peace Diaries United States Revolution, 1775-1783. (aat) Military records United States Revolution, 1775-1783. (aat)
Source
Orderly Books of the American Revolution. Manuscripts, Huntington Digital Library
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