The Tale of Widow Nichols

My name is Luisa Nichols.

I was born on September 26, 1758.

I came to the Connecticut Colony in 1771 at the age of 13 from Hahn, Germany, where my grandfather ran a tavern as his father had done before him.

Both my parents died on the voyage and in order to work off my passage the ship's captain bonded me out as an indentured servant to Ebenezer Parmelee of Guilford, Conn. Master Parmelee was a fine clockmaker, metal smith and was in fact the first man to erect a clock in a church steeple in all of New England so I am told. I was treated well by both Master Parmelee and Mistress Anna Parmelee. They have a fine house just off the Guilford green. It stands two stories in the front with fine leaded windows. While serving out my 5 years of indenture I worked as a laundress, house servant and looked after their their only daughter Anna. It was during this time, when I was about 17 years of age that I met Bethel Nichols also of Guilford. After my servitude was expired we wed on October 10, 1776. Three months later, in December, a soldier came to the green to encourage young men to join the army to fight for our independence from British tyranny. Bethel enlisted under Humphrey's Company into the 6th Connecticut Regiment.. Two weeks after enlistment we heard of the terrific victory General Washington had a Trenton, New Jersey. Bethel and I were convinced that soon the war would be over and we could return to Guilford to begin our housekeeping. In the meantime, having no family in the colonies, nor a way to support myself I was faced with the choice of servitude once again or following the army and my new husband. I chose to follow my husband and work as a laundress for the army.

That first summer with the army my Bethel was of best use to the regiment for being from Guilford. When an attack was planned on Sag Harbor NY- to reclaim it from British occupation, my Bethel knew of the lay of Sachem's Head Harbor in Guilford and could assist greatly with the launching of the whale boats and procurement of needed additional supplies from the locals. As they left Guilford on the afternoon of May 23, if I recall correctly, my heart stood still as I watched my dear one leave from shore-fearing I may never lay eyes on him again. Several other camp followers attached to the regiment remained aside me on shore---this trip being none for women to be close at hand.

To our surprise and utter joy, we received word that the return trip of our fine lads and their commanders was accomplished in less than a turn of the moon.

They had taken Sag Harbor with no lives lost on our side and were returned to New Haven with over 96 prisoners including a captain, 3 sergeants, and two commissaries.. Through the kindness of one of the local merchants which was familiar to both Bethel and I during our time in Guilford we ladies made our way back to New Haven by way of the Post Road. I am sad to say that we have since received report that only a month after the raid the British retaliated by sailing to Connecticut and landing 150 redcoats at Sachem's Head and nearby Leete's Island. Here the report goes on to say the British regulars burned a house and fought with American Militiamen. There were casualties on both sides. ⁽ⁱ⁾

From New Haven, the regiment was given orders to proceed to Peekskill, NY to join the other line regiment. We wintered at West Point. What I recall from this winter is that the men were busied with much building of fortifications and a redoubt they dubbed "Meig's Redoubt" in honor of their Colonel who had just received the Sword of Honor for the Sag Harbor Raid by our Commander in Chief General Washington. The Hudson River shore provided little respite from the cold winter winds and not having much cover what I recall is being near frozen most of the time spent there. While we did have the benefit of being in quarters rather than our normal tents I found little money for laundry as was too cold to work and I had insufficient room for which to hang enough to dry around the barrack. Soap had become scarce and the local women seemed to not be of want to sell or barter. I had not had a provision of soap supplied by the quartermaster or commissary and had not the time to make any since our frequent moves since Sag Harbor. I busied my self with mending and other small tasks to make myself useful as to continue to draw rations.

I have received a kind letter from Mistress Parmelee that her dear husband left this world on September 27, 1777

My silver chatelaine was a gift from Anna Parmelee for my wedding to Master Nichols. Master Parmelee had made the small pocket watch that I wear. It is one of my most treasured possessions and I only wear it on special occassions.

I lament that I can not comfort Mistress Parmalee. She and hers were good to me. It is my hope that we someday can return to Guilford to see her and Bethel's family there.

Time continues and was uneventful until the summer of 1778. It was then that our regiment was encamped at White Plains, NY near the battlefield where many had fought two years earlier. Here the large field held high on an eastern slope overlooked a valley full of small streams which we found good for days of washing. I was fulled up with laundry from soldiers and officers whose shirts and breeches had not seen the brush of soap nor clean water in near four months. In the clean air and summer sun I freshened wool regimental uniform coats by sprinkling them with vodka I had carried in a small bottle, held over from our brief stay in New Haven. Along with a good stiff brush the coats took on a new look and were evaded of any lingering bugs and dander from the barrack life at West Point. I spirited away any extra coins that I earned in anticipation that another winter would surely turn again to a shortage of work.

This was to be at Redding Connecticut, where we established winter quarters during the winter of 1779. General Israel Putnam took charge of all the regiments that winter at Redding. It was a difficult time. The land was rough, very thick and many in camp had recalled their plight at Valley Forge a year earlier and dared not to repeat that cruelty of nature and its bleakness. Clothing and supplies were not abundant even to begin with. However, the soldiers found amusement with simple card games and sports. Crude huts were built to house the light infantry and cavalry while other units were reliant on their tents for what cover they could provide. The camp was busy with parades, reviews, outpost duty. One was kept amused in many ways.

There is one account of a resident of the vicinity, whom had a contract to supply rum to the soldiers. He was well patronized, and as the liquor diminished in quantity, he supplied the deficiency by addition of water. Finally, the much-diluted beverage froze, and the cheat was discovered. The enraged soldiers seized the offender, bound him securely astride a field piece, and then-fired the field piece. It is safe to assume that no further adulteration of the spirits was attempted that winter. (ii)

It is painful for me to recount the day that I and several of the other followers attached to the regiment had fear of a mutiny.

On December 30 It seems that several of the soldiers from the Second Brigade defying the authority of their officers, left their quarters and paraded under the command of company sargeants, and avowed their intention of marching to Hartford (50 miles away) where the legislature was then in session, there to demand redress of grievances at the point of bayonnet, if need be. When this news was hurriedly conveyed to headquarters, there were hasty mounting of steeds, and Putnam and his staff flew down into the valley and over the rugged hills to the encampment. At the encampment Putnam learned that no orders to march had been given. As the General rode along the line he was received with the honors due his rank: drums ruffled, at the sharp word of command every musket was brought to present then as "Order-firelocks!" was heard, the butts of muskets dropped to the earth, and the soldiers listen with attention and respect to the voice of their commander. Demanding to know by whose orders the troops were paraded, he was informed that the soldiers, suffering from the inclemency of the season deficient in clothing and blankets, paid in a worthless currency or scarcely paid at all, and exasparated by the non-fulfillment of promises made to them, were about to seek our redress at the hands of the state authorities. Putnam, facing the line, thus earnestly addressed them:

"My brave lads, whither are you going? Do you intend to desert your officers, and invite the enemy to follow you in the country? Whose cause have you been fighting and suffering so long-is it not your own? Have you no property, no parents, wives or children? You have behaved like men so far-all the world is full of your praises---and prosperity will stand astonished at your deeds: but not if you spoil all at last. Don't you consider how much this country is distressed by this war, and that your officers have not been any better paid than yourselves? But we all expect better times, and that the country will do us ample justice. Let us stand by one another, then, and fight it out like brave soldiers. Think of what a shame it would be for Connecticut men to run away from their officers." (iii)

The mutiny was repressed but the closeness of the winter, the lack of supplies and the continued pressure from Tory spies plagued the camp. Several soldiers were caught and executed for deserting or turning to the enemy and becoming a spy. For I and Bethel the winter was long. I was thankful that I had saved some small monies from the busy laundering during fair weather. I was able to make a fair purchase of a warm pair of socks for Bethel and a wool scarf for which to tie over my broad brimmed felt hat. This provided me additional cover from the biting wind and freezing snow that blew it seemed near for five weeks without respect for our needs and wants of more blankets and warm clothing. I was thankful that we were availed to have the huts for shelter.

Spring came at last. During the winter the British had been compelled to evacuate Philadelphia, the nation's capital.

Sir Henry Clinton, the British Commander-in-Chief was ordered to "bring Mr. Washington to a general and decisive action". (iv)

The British had captured the peninsula of Stony Point, NY in May 1779 and began to fortify it by cutting down trees, and by erecting an earthen fort and several other barriers. Clinton called his new fort "little Gibraltar" because he felt sure his forces were secure. He had two British ships for extra protection as well as the newly-captured fort at Verplanck's Point across the river-which could be signaled with rockets to send reinforcements if needed.

Clearly the British could not be allowed to remain unopposed at Stony Point, and by early July, Washington observed the enemy works himself from a nearby mountain. He devised a plan with General Anthony Wayne who would lead a surprise midnight assault against Stony Point. Wayne commanded the Corps of Light Infantry to which my brave Bethel was enlisted. Bethel was proud to be chosen for this duty. General Wayne had seen that "his best soldiers" were detached for this special assault.

I shall never forget bidding him off as we, the camp followers, a pair of sutlers and three teamsters with wagons for gear stayed camped at Fort Montgomery. I shall never forget the day, July 15, 1779. There was a sense of foreboding pride to which I straightened his neck stock and placed a kiss upon his sundrenched face. We knew not what the details of the duty were but in only that it required swiftness and skill of soldiering.

For eight hours the soldiers struggled over narrow mountain trails,, arresting civilians then encountered along the route to avoid detection. When the soldiers were arrived at Sprintsteel's farm, two miles from Stony Point, they were told for the first time about their mission. Three columns would for the Continental Force. One column of 300 men would wade through the marsh of the Hudson River from the north. A second column, led by Wayne, would wade through the waters of Haverstraw Bay and approach from the south. Each of these two columns would consist of three part: twenty men called the "forlorn hope" who would enter the enemy lines first, over come sentries and cut through the abatis; an advance party which would enter the fort, seize its works, --and the main body, which would continue around the unfinished back of the fort and approach it by the river.

Soldiers in these two attacking columns wore pieces of white paper in their hats to avoid confusion in the darkness, and were armed with unloaded muskets with fixed bayonets, so that an accidental shot would not reveal their presence and reduce the element of surprise. When they entered the enemy fort they would shout the watchword "the Fort's our own" to signal their comrades-in-arms. Finally, twenty-four artillery men would accompany the Light Infantry, so that captured enemy cannon could be turned against the British ships and their other fort at Verplanck's Point.

To create a diversion, a third column of two companies of Light Infantry would be positioned near the center of Stony Point peninsula and in front of the fort's defenses, where they would divert the enemies attention by firing musket volleys. It was my hope that this was where my Bethel would be stationed, seemingly out of most danger-but I knew not for sure. On a dark and windy midnight, the northern and southern attacking column forded the marshes separating Stony Point from the mainland. The two columns swept up the treeless slopes, arriving in the fort within minutes of each other.

The heaviest fighting, I am told, lasted only a half an hour. By 1 a.m. the garrison had surrendered. Fifteen Americans had been killed. Twenty British had also died, and the remainder were taken prisoner. "Our officers and men behaved like men who are determined to be free," reported General Wayne, who received a slight head wound. My Bethel would not be so fortunate. I carry the white slip of paper that another soldier told me Bethel had in his hat that night as a reminder of my dear love, who fought so bravely and was determined to be free".

Three days later, General Washington abandoned Stony Point because he knew it could not be defended against the combined might of the British army and navy.

Although they returned to Stony Point and rebuilt the fort, British troops were withdrawn in October because of insufficient reinforcements, and never again threatened the Hudson River Highlands. The victory at Stony Point was the last major battle in the north, and boosted the American morale. Clinton's plan to defeat the Continentals and end the war had failed . (v)

I petitioned Colonel Meigs that having no family for which to return to and now no husband to care for my needs-- that I would request to be continued to be attached to the regiment as their laundress. After several weeks wait, he sent Corporal Bachelor to advise me that my request had been granted in so long as I can provide able service to the unit. I am to receive a full ration but must provide for my own soap and buy what else my needs present through the wages received through doing laundry and mending. I must continue to abide by the same rules as those enlisted else be subjected to being drummed out of the camp. Never shall I wash clothes upstream for fear of dirtying the waters to which we all must drink. I must be prepared to carry on my back what I own and walk with the supply wagons. My large kettle that is required of me to do laundry during the winter when the streams are frozen is the one item that I have been granted permission to hoist onto a wagon to be carried by them. For as long as I am able, this has become my family and all I have known for over three years. Some day I hope to return to Guilford and walk along the common, but for now I choose to serve the soldiers of the 6th Connecticut Regiment of Light Infantry and am determined to be free.