Duncan Robertson, 71st Regiment of Foot, Wanders Off
byThree pounds was a lot money for a working man in Scotland in the mid-1770s. More than two months’ pay for a laborer, it…
deserters
2
A Reprieve for John Sutherland, a Poor Silly Creature
byJohn Sutherland had intended only to visit his brother, and now he sat in confinement, awaiting a death sentence. It was not a likely…
Augustine Barrett, Escaped British Prisoner of War, Pleads his Case
by“About five weeks after he made his escape from Prospect hill,” Augustine Barrett told the board of inquiry, “he was confined in the Prison…
Guilty of Desertion? James White, 7th (Royal Fusiliers) Regiment
byIn today’s trial, see if you agree with the court’s verdict and sentence. In determining guilt, the court considered several factors: was the man…
1
Guilty of Desertion? Daniel Holliwell, 33rd Regiment of Foot
byDesertion was a capital crime, but it was up to a general court martial, a board of thirteen officers, to determine the defendant’s guilt…
4
Guilty of Desertion? Hubert Römer, 22nd Regiment of Foot
byIf a British soldier was absent without leave, he might be charged with desertion; if caught, he could be tried by a general court…
Guilty of Desertion? John Sullivan, 5th Regiment of Foot
byIn this second trial, see if you agree with the court’s verdict and sentence. In determining guilt, the officers of the general court martial…
1
Guilty of Desertion? Charles Hanley, 4th (King’s Own) Regiment
byThis week JAR Editor Don N. Hagist presents the testimony from five British desertion trials held during the American Revolution. For each trial, see…
2
Fiddlers Who Deserted
byDrums, fifes, and bands provided martial music ranging from battlefield signals to ceremonious pomp. The drummers, fifers, and musicians might also provide casual entertainment…
1
Musicians Who Deserted
byThere were drummers, there were fifers, and then there were men who had general musical talent, capable of playing several instruments. Many British, American…
5
Fifers Who Deserted
byFifes provided a melodic complement to the drums that provided cadence and conveyed signals to armies in the American Revolution. Like drummers, fifers were…
Drummers Who Deserted
byPrimary sources are essential for the best historical scholarship and writing. This week we will be examining advertisements for deserters who played instruments in…
Deserter a Day 5 (of 5)
byDeserter advertisements and runaway notices, fascinating though they are, provide only single elements of what were certainly more complex stories. In rare cases, further…
4
Deserter a Day 3 (of 5)
byDesertion was as much a problem for the British army as it was for the American. Once the war began, however, British officers seldom…
10
Deserter a Day 1 (of 5)
byNewspapers are among our favorite things at Journal of the American Revolution, providing endless information and insight about America’s Revolutionary era. In addition to…
1
Would they change their names?
byRead the newspapers published during the American Revolution, and you’ll find descriptions of deserters. It doesn’t matter which newspaper, or whether it was published…