A Return of Cloathing, Provisions and Stores Taken in the Towns of York & Gloucester, the 19th Day of October, 1781
Several of these words may seem misspelled. I copied them that way from the primary source in which I found the list: Salem Gazette, Thursday, Nov. 29, 1781.
The first line in the article states: "The following Returns should have been added to those inserted in our last week’s paper." The previous week's paper read:
Extract of a letter from York-Town, October 19.
“Return of the British army at York and Gloucester:—2 regiments artillery, 2 of guards, 2 of light-infantry, 7 of foot, viz. 17th, 23d, 33d, 45th, 71st, 76th, and 80th; 2 regiments Anspachers, Hereditary Prince’s regiment of horse, Simcoe’s and Tarleton’s legions ditto, and 1800 Negroes; in all about 7900, exclusive of 1000 seamen, a British regiment number unknown, and 9 companies of Yagers (Jaegers were German-speaking riflemen): 60 pieces brass cannon, 150 iron ditto (meaning "the same"); 900 barrels beef and pork, 300 ditto flour, 150 firkins butter, 70 barrels powder, 80 ships, large and small.---Remainder not come to hand.”
This list was the stuff that came to hand, in addition to the above.
This list was published in many newspapers in the United States shortly after the American victory at Yorktown. The Revolutionary War--and the fighting--continued for another two years, but without any more large, pitched battles.
ships
has been listed 4 times with 1 comment
powder
has been listed 11 times with 21 comments
cannon
has been listed 8 times with 3 comments
jaegers
has been listed 1 time with 5 comments
seamen
has been listed 1 time with 11 comments
cavalry
has been listed 10 times with 11 comments
infantry
has been listed 5 times with 1 comment
guards
has been listed 2 times with 1 comment
artillery
has been listed 6 times with 1 comment
raisins
has been listed 3 times with 1 comment
rice
has been listed 18 times with 13 comments
oil
has been listed 20 times with 4 comments
vinegar
has been listed 14 times with 6 comments
sugar
has been listed 41 times with 2 comments
salt
has been listed 21 times with 2 comments
cocoa
has been listed 18 times with 3 comments
coffee
has been listed 61 times with 4 comments
liquors
has been listed 1 time with 1 comment
peas
has been listed 5 times with 1 comment
oatmeal
has been listed 13 times with 1 comment
butter
has been listed 18 times with 3 comments
pork
has been listed 10 times with 35 comments
beef
has been listed 12 times with 1 comment
bread
has been listed 21 times with 1 comment
flour
has been listed 12 times with 1 comment
medicines
has been listed 2 times with 1 comment
bales
has been listed 1 time with 1 comment
chests
has been listed 1 time with 1 comment
thread
has been listed 14 times with 1 comment
buttons
has been listed 4 times with 2 comments
gloves
has been listed 4 times with 1 comment
stocks
has been listed 3 times with 1 comment
shirts
has been listed 2 times with 1 comment
hose
has been listed 6 times with 1 comment
ribbon
has been listed 20 times with 1 comment
linen
has been listed 25 times with 1 comment
uniforms
has been listed 2 times with 1 comment
oznabrig
has been listed 1 time with 5 comments
red cloth
has been listed 1 time with 1 comment
caps
has been listed 3 times with 1 comment
jackets
has been listed 1 time with 1 comment
sheets
has been listed 4 times with 1 comment
bed-cases
has been listed 1 time with 1 comment
mills
has been listed 1 time with 1 comment
overalls
has been listed 2 times with 1 comment
blankets
has been listed 2 times with 1 comment
hats
has been listed 1 time with 1 comment
shoes
has been listed 9 times with 2 comments
breeches
has been listed 10 times with 1 comment
coats
has been listed 1 time with 1 comment
Oh, I think they got some cash, yes. Note it says "a return of clothing, provisions, and stores." Nothing else is meant to be included on the list. :)
I have to say that they were awfully prudent in their "taking." No silver or gold? No cash?
Exactly one cask of raisins. One!
I wonder if they had them for use with the oatmeal. That's what I would've done.
Yeah, this list is todally awesome!
I love this stuff! Amazing that we still know exactly how many casks of raisins were taken 226 years later. :-)
And I firmly believe we should reintroduce the spelling "cloathing." It just looks better.