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from http://southerncampaign.org/pen/va2.pdf
Pension application of George Hood [Va2]
Transcribed by Sam Fore
Philadelphia(?) April 23 1829 ~
His Excellency
William B. Giles
Governor of the State of Virginia
Your petitioner an old soldier of ’76 – is soliciting at your hand, at a late hour for the country land due him from the state of Virginia from ’76 to ’83 – I have the honor to have been born in the state of Virginia in the year 1761, in Charles City Coy between James & Chickahominy Rivers – My father’s name was Charles Hood – he died in the year ’67 – My mother’s Christian and maiden name in marriage was Mary Hood – which did not alter her name in marriage, she had two brothers viz – Giles & John
Hood – In October ’76 I inlisted in the Virginia line for three years – my bounty was thirty dollars Continental money and the promise of one hundred acres of land from the
state – We then marched to Williamsburg, where we rendezvoused to receive more men – being young, I was taught [as a] Musician – In November ’77 we marched for
Pennsylvania, where we joined Gen. Washington at Valley Forge; and then joined our respective regiments in the Virginia line – I was put in the second Virginia state [sic]Regiment under the command of Gen. Peter Mulhenburg, I there met my brother William who had inlisted in the first Virginia state regiment [sic] some months before
me – the winter following I first began to feel the hardships of life but indured it all for a good cause – In the spring ’78 we rec’d a great many reinforcements which gave us fresh vigor after our Winter’s suffering – In June Lord Howe evacuated Philadelphia – Gen. Washington divided his Army in two divisions – one commanded by Gen. Lee –
he was ordered to follow the British – he did so, and cros’d over the Delaware south of Philada – sometime previous to this I was able to bear Arms, and belonged to Gen. Washington’s division – We crossed the Delaware north of Philada at a place call’d Dunk’s Ferry – The plan of Gen. Washington was to get ahead of the British baggage;
previous to their arriving at New York – But to the General’s great surprise, Gen. Lee prov’d treacherous – he brot the British to action at Monmouth, New Jersey he scarcely commenced the action before he retreated – Gen. Washington hearing of this had to alter his design, and bring his men on to a forc’d march, and take possession of the ground that Gen. Lee had deserted, and commenced the action – it was on Sunday and a very hot day, the action was desperate and continued until dark; not knowing which
party would claim the victory we kept the ground till the next morning, with an expectation of renewing the action, but through the night Lord Howe had made his retreat, and left us to bury the dead – sometime after Gen. Muhlengburg took his station on the North River in the neighbourhood of West Point where we were order’d out on fatigue, under the command of Gen Putnam, to build the garrisons at West point – Gen. Wayne with his Infantry was incamp’d on the North River not far from Stony Point – In ’79 Gen. Wayne had it in contemplation to storm Stony Point – The 11th of July ’79 Gen. Wayne and Muhlenburgh have in sight off Stony Point – We exchanged a few long shot until evening and kept our position till dark, and then return’d back to our incampment – on the 12th July in the afternoon we formed the line in sight again, and exchanged a few more shot – after dark we return’d into our incampment again – on the 13th of do. We form’s the line in sight again and exchang’d a few long shot, and at dark we return’d to our incampment again – on the 14th Gen. Wayne was determin’d to make an attck. He wanted some more men to strengthen his Regiment which he soon obtain’d from the first and second Virginia State [sic] Regiment – Myself and Brother
were part of the number – at 12 o’Clock at night he made the attack and corried the garrison at the point of the Bayonet – at daylight the Prisoners were all paraded and
among them we found two American deserters: they were pick’d out, and Gen. Wayne soon made an example of them – We cut down the Flagstaff and erected a cross-piece for the Gallows, and hung them in sight of the British prisoners – then we all fell to work to destroy the garrison and bury the dead – The Prisoners were sent to Philada and the british wounded to New York and our wounded up to the North River to Fishkill barracks, where Gen. Scott Commander presided Myself amongst the number accompany’d the wounded – the Sergeant’s (sic) name
was Charles McKnight – he was the General’s Son-in-Law I was selected by one by him to assist the wounded – I there remaine’d for upwards of two months – Doct. McKnight
asked me if I would have nay objection to sit beside the Gen. in his Phatan, and drive him occasionally through the encampment, the Gen. being old and feeble – I consented
to do so, my three years service being up in October ’79 – I told the Doctor I should follow the Brigade and obtain my discharge, that I might go home – the Doct. Told me
to wait a few days he was going to Philada; and would bear my expenses – I waited a few days, and we came to Philada together, and the Dr took boarding with the widow Skinner in Lodge Alley where the Penna bank now stands – I there staid for two days, and Doct. McKnight paid my expenses – this ends my three years service – The next day I was walking in Philadelphia streets, without money and without friends – I happened to meet an officer belonging to Col Wm Washington’s Cavalry – As I came near him, I knew him, his name was David Bellew – I knew him at home before I went into the service – I immediately shook hands with him, and called him by name he look’d at me and laugh’d and said I had the advantage of him, and he did not recollect me – I told him my name was George Hood – he then recollected me, and said I had grown out of his knowledge – I told him my three years of service was up in Oct. ’79 2nd Virginia State [sic] Regt under comd of Gen Muhlenburg I had been left behind at Fishkill Barracks with the wounded that were sent there after the battle of Stony Point – The Brigade had march’d for the South – and that I have not an opportunity to obtain my discharge – I would have to follow the Brigade to obtain my discharge, and then go home – I asked him if he would would be kind enough to spare me a little change to defray my expenses home I would return it to the old folks on my erturn – he said, we soldiers have never much money – I have often to write home for money to bear my expenses – George you would need not to follow the Brigade for your discharge – I am recruiting for Col. William Washington’s Cavalry belonging to the Virginia line – the Regt is in South Carolina with Gen. Greene – if you choose to enter here we shall then start for Virgd w[h]ere I shall recruit more men – I then ask’d him then what was the bounty he told me seven hundred dollars Continental money & 100 Acres of Land from government & 200 Acres from the State to which we belong during the war – I inter’d,and was equipt, and started for Virgin Dec. ’79 We arriv’d at Kent Court House and comd recruiting – I got leave of absence for a few days to go home to see my parents I got a furlow for a few days to go home to see my Mother, and when I arrived there to my great surprise she was no more there was no one there but my brother james to draw my attention, and he was a farmer – so I return’d back to the Rendezvous, ni
about three or four weeks – We obtain’d thirty more recruits, got them equipt, and started to head quarters, Commanded by Gen. Green, at the high hills of Santee in Sou.Carolina, - We arrived there in the early part of ’80 and there I join’d our respective regiment Col. Wm Washington’s cavalry in the Virginia line – Gen. Morgan commanded our Infantry – It is needless for me to mention all the particulars [not to me, old soldier] but some of
the most interesting [illegible] – the first salute we rec’d after belonging to the Cavalry was a surprise at Monkscona Meeting house, within 25 miles of Charleston S.C. by Col.Tarleton of the British – the next salute we return’d the complient at the battle of the Cowpens – Where Col. Washington left his mark on Col. Tarleton’s hand – We had many skirmishes – one at Guilford Court house – Lenuws Ferry on Santee - In the year ’81 I went with james Simons Adjutant of Washington’s Cavalry into Charleston with a flag from Gen. Green to lord Rawdon – for him not to execute Col. Hainey but unfortunately the day previous to our arrival he was executed – we were detain’d that night, and rec’d orders next day from Lord Rawdon to return to Gen. Green’s head qrs.– shortly after that Gen. Green laid siege to an English garrison in Sou. Car. Call’d ninety six – to which he march’d for that purpose and there laid close siege with 9ur Batteries erected as near as could be – the English garrison was too strong to storm – Gen. green determin’d to undermine them by intrenchment, which we should have done had they not have rec’d a communication from Lord Rawdon not to render –
or they would soon be reinforced There was a fellow walking about the battery for some time in the habit of a ragged peasant – our people did not appear to notice him, when he was some distance from the battery, he ran as fast as he could for the English fort we firing after him – they threw open the gate to receive him – as he run in, Col. Cruger’s horse ran out of the fort and
ran into our encampment among the horses – he was a famous horse, and Col.Washington made him a present to Gen. Green – Col. W. got orders to go and meet the British and check them on their march for ninety six – we did so, and caused them to halt and form a line, expecting our attack but finding the advance coming nearer we had to send an express to Gen. Green – that they would reach ninety six in such a time – the English commander was Col. Stewart – Gen. Green made an attack, he carried two of the enemies redoubts, but was repulsed with the loss of men at the main Battery – and was forc’d to retreat, and a narrow escape to get his head quarters at the high hills
of Santee – Col. Stewart followed them as far as the Santee river; sometime after our Cavalry and Infantry lay north of Eutaw River, and a party of the refugees and English on the south side. Stewart the British commander marched towards Charleston and pitched his camp at the Eutaw Springs – Gen. Green then in high spirits determined to follow him and give him battle – he crossed to where Col. Washington and Morgan infantry were encamp’d, and crossed over the Eutaw at Friday’s ferry, and we took up
our line of march for the Eutaw Springs – the night previous to the battle we encamp’d within five miles of the enemy the next morning before daylight, we took up the line of March – Major Henry Lee and Infantry were in front – fell in with a number of English filling their knapsacks with sweet potatoes – the Infantry fir’d on them and kill’d several – as they run the Cavalry cut them down – this was the first alarm in the British
camp Washington and Infantry brought up the rear – the line was formed – Lee and Infantry on the right. Washington and Infantry on the left – the action commenced in advancing with long shot until we got to Musket distance, and then made a stand – The right wing of the enemy was the English Buffs, which fronted our left wing of militia – the fire was heavy, which caused our left wing to retreat – Morgan’s Infantry with trail’d army too their place, and commenc’d a heavy fire, and drove them back into line – By Col. Washington’s orders we rallied the militia and brought them back into line –
Col. Washington order’d them to keep their places; in a few minutes they would see him in front, among the Buffs, and then to cease firing – Washington & Infantry went
round and got in their rear – Washington and Cavalry assisted by Wade Hampton & a company of mounted volunteers – also Geo. Griscom a Virginian with a cpmapny of mounted volunteers, an old ^ a particular acquaintance of mine, was along side, when Washington’s horse was shot from under him – We then charg’d the Buffs in the rear in
solid column 12 deep – the slaughter was great on our side; but we cut through their line and wheel’d for the second charge – We see our Col. Defending himself among the
Buffs, with sword in hand, but we had but we had few men left and could not get to his assistance – Major Henry Lee came down from the tight to our relief, but the balls flew
so rapidly and our men fell so fast, that he wheeled off, and did not come among us, in consequence our Col. Was taken prisoner, and sent to Charleston, S.C. We had upwards
of 100 strong belonging to the cavalry – after the action we had not 40 men capable of duty – not one taken prisoner but Col. Washington This was one of the last hard fought
battles that gain’d our Independence – this was in Sept. ’81 – In October Lord Cornwallis surrendered to Gen. Washington in Yorktown Virginia – from this time
there was no hard fighting [-] skirmishes & foraging parties excepted – We were not disbanded until the evacuation of Charleston by Lord Rawdon in Dec ’82 – I rec’d my discharge with promise of balance of pay and bounty lands from the United States, and Virginia – I then went home to Charles City Co. – every thing appeared gloomy – I was resolved to see more of the world – I then started to Petersburg, got on board a sloop
loaded with horses, bound to Cape Franceway in the West Indies, this was in the year ’84 – by permission of the Captain I left the vessel and shiped on board an English Brig called the Admiral Hughes, bound to new York – from Cape Franceway she touched at Jamacia, at a place call’d Montiga bay – she there clear’d out, and sail’d for New York – In the month of September ’84. we were upset in the Gulph stream about 8 or 9 leagues from Cape Antonia, the west ^end^ of Cuba – With difficulty we got to our boat – the Brigs Cargo was sugar, one of the hatches being off, she fill’d, and as going down – Our company were 10 in number – nothing sav’d but what was on our backs – I lost my all – chest, clothes, discharge and all my papers – all night in an open boat – blowing heavy – next morning pick’d up by a Spanish guard coaster ; having our gun and forty men we were fifteen days on board of her, we then arrived in the Havanna – from thence went on board a ship bound to new York, where I arriv’d safe, and then went to Milford,Connecticut – I sail’d from thence, three years and upwards, with a Captain Joseph Whiting – Our present Commodore Hull was a young sailor lad on board at the time I then sail’d
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