General Henry Dearborn
As in any war, discomfort, suffering, anguish, excitement, punishment, and victory exist. During the American Revolutionary War, prisoners suffered atrocities in the belly of British ships, yet some escaped. The cruelties of the British were often the revenge in the hands of its officers, such as "Bloody" Bill Cunningham and Colonel Banastre Tarleton, who gave no Quarter.
What did it mean to give no Quarter? During their surrender, Tarleton used the sword to cut down the Army of Colonel Buford at the Battle of Waxhaws in South Carolina.
While the British hung specific American soldiers, others were released and sent home after promising not to re-enlist in the war.
General Henry Dearborn was an American military officer and politician. He was born on February 23, 1751, in North Hampton, New Hampshire, and died on June 6, 1829.
During the Revolutionary War, he served under the infamous Benedict Arnold in his expedition to Quebec, of which his journal provides a vital record. After being captured and exchanged, he served in George Washington's Continental Army.
General Henry Dearborn wrote his memoirs, providing an exciting account of his experiences during the Revolutionary War. His day-to-day service performance relates to his service under General George Washington and includes the Quebec Campaign of General Benedict Arnold.
Here are some clips:
The Battle of Saratoga. September 19, 1777.
"The Enemy brought almost their whole force against us, together with eight artillery pieces. But we, who had something more at stake than fighting for six Pence per day, kept our ground til night, closed the scene, and then both parties retired. One of the greatest battles ever fought in America is fought today. I trust we have convinced the British butchers that the cowardly Yankees can and will fight when there is a call for it."February 22, 1779. "We had an elegant ball at which were many wonderful ladies."
April 14, 1779. "Arrived at Peeks Kill, found our brigade quartered in huts, hedgehogs, and rattlesnakes, and them in plenty."
May 7, 1779. "I eat part of a fried rattlesnake today, which would have tasted very well had it not been snake!"
Sources:
Revolutionary War journals of Henry Dearborn, 1775-1783. His diaries were first published in 1939 by the Caxton Club of Chicago and were edited from the original manuscripts by historians Lloyd A. Brown and Howard Henry Peckham and include a biographical essay of Dearborn by Hermon D. Smith. The six journals are enumerated as follows:Journal I. The Quebec Expedition
Journal II. The Burgoyne Campaign
Journal III. Operations in the Middle Colonies
Journal IV. Sullivans Indian Expedition
Journal V. The Yorktown Campaign
Journal VI. Peace Negotiations
General Henry Dearborn by Jeannette Holland Austin published on Medium.com