chiefly in New Jersey and on Long Island. He remained thus engaged until near the termination of the war, discharging his duties with zeal and ability, gaining the respect and esteem of his comrades and retiring from the service with the character of a fearless soldier, a spotless patriot, and an upright, honest man.

At the termination of the war he opened a crockery store in Peck Slip, N. Y.; afterwards went to Charleston, S. C.; subsequently moved to Georgia, and then returned to New York. Here he became engaged for a while in the dry goods business as a member of the house of Leggett, Drake & Co., and then went into the blacksmith's business, under a contract with the Government of the United States. He subsequently moved to Illinois, where he remained for two or three years, returning to New York about the year 1822, after which time he did but little business.

Major Leggett was twice married: first to Rebecca, daughter of John Morgan, of Huntington, L. I. By her he had two children. She died at North Salem, in Westchester County, N. Y., on the twelfth day of June, 1780. His second wife was Catharine Wiley, of New Rochelle, who died in the city of New York on the twentyninth day of November, in the year 1839. By this lady he had nine children, among whom was William Leggett, also well known as an able writer and as the editor at one time of the "New York Evening Post," a paper which then held, and still retains, for editorial ability, the foremost rank among the press of our city.

In his personal appearance our author was about five feet eight inches in stature, and rather stout. His eyes were of a hazel color, and his hair originally dark. He had a fine, full, open countenance, kind and benevolent in expression. In his bearing, he was dignified but cordial, and his manners were affable and pleasing. In his religious belief he was a Presbyterian, and for the last few years of his life, a member of the Dutch Reformed Church. He was an original member of the New-York State Society of the Cincinnati, having been admitted at its organization, and in the year 1838 was elected its

Vice-President, which office he held at the time of his death. He died after a short illness, at the residence of his son Abraham A. Leggett, in the city of New York, on the sixteenth day of January, 1842, in the eighty-eighth year of his age. His remains, followed by a large concourse of sincere mourners, were conveyed to the Presbyterian burying-ground in Houston street, where they were interred with every mark of honor and respect.

At the request of his children, Major Leggett, in the latter part of his life, commenced writing out a narrative of his Revolutionary services. This however, he did not live to complete. The part which is extant, and which we here present to the reader, though faulty in orthography, the result of his defective education, is nevertheless worthy of preservation. As a narrative of a sufferer in the British prisons in our city, it is not only interesting but valuable, and it is equally so as the record of one who was not only a cotemporary, but a prominent actor in the memorable struggles of the "times that tried men's souls."

CHARLES J. BUSHNELL

NARRATIVE

WAS born Jan'y 3d, 1755. My father John, (1) the son of William joined a Company of Volenteers and march'd for Canaday in the year 1759-they Proceeded as far as Lake George and there he was Taken with the Fever and died within four days, in the year 1762-my mother left West Farms and moved to Newtown, Long Island, with four children-one sister older than myself and Two younger and a younger Brother. My Grand Father Capt. William Leggett had a desire to have me left with him. I at this Time was about Seven years of age-my Grand Father died in 1764 or 65-I then Remained with my uncle Abraham till I was fourteen years old. I was then put apprentice to Phenas Hunt, Blacksmith—there I had but a Poor opertunity to get the trade for I was put to the Farming more than Shop. I grew dissatisfide and aplyde to my Gardian my uncle A, that I had no Prospect for larning the trade being kept mostly on the farm. In July my Indenture was given up, after serving him three years for my vittels and a very scant supply of clothes: In August I came to New York and put myself apprentice to Sam'l Van Black, Black-smith-this was in the year 1772. I was then at the Jan" following eighteen, and agreed to stay with him four years, but in '75 the Troubles with England commenced, and nothing to be done, and I had an oppertunity to get in public service. I agreed to go on to Pokipsey and do work on the two frigates (2) that was to be built there by order of the Continal Congress then sitting in Philadelphia. On the first of Febru'ry 1776 several that was Engaged and walk'd to Pokipsey eighty-three miles-there I was Engadg'd Till the first July. I then with several others formed ourselves in a company under the command of Barnardus Swartout (3) all Vollenteers-the times began to appear very Interesting the British Fleet and large army was at Staten Island (4)—we march'd off in high spirits till we got to the Calder-barrack near the Croton River-there we staid but three days for derection— we then had news that English army was preparing to land on

Long Island (5)-that they easy effected under the protection of Shiping our army was at this Time on Brooklin Hights* fortifying as fast as they Could-the Enemy advanced upon Part of our army under the com'd of Lord Stirling (6) and General Sullivan (7) they faught on the Retreat to Flatbush Hills. (8) There the battle became Very Hot but the Enemy was too powerful-they extended there write wing so as to cut off the retreat of our detachment from the main army, which they succeeded in and they kill'd and captured many, amongst them was several officers and the Two Gen'ls-many was Drownded in the mill Pond. (9) This took place 28th August 1776 (10)-the next day the 29th, Capt. Swartout crossed with us to the Island and we was placed on the left from the Hill call'd Fort Greene (11) to Wallabout-the two armies close in view of each other. and for three Days the Rain fell in Torrents so that we could not Cook-then was the first Time I was Brought to eat Raw Pork-the last night we was on the Island myself and Several of Volunteers was put on advanced Centres* with speshel orders how to behave should we discover the Enemy advancing the night was Foggy & very dark. Some circumstance made all the Centres return on the lines but myself-my Remaining at my station was imputed to bravery. Early in the morning yet very dark we was Paraded under the Report *hat we was to attack the Enemy in their lines. We was Led around new not where till I Saw the old stone Church of Brooklin (12)en an officer riding by Says a groce mistake-we was orded to eneri about and reman the lines, wich we did a dangerous attempt— ae remaned till some Time after-we then formed the Rear was orderd forward, still expected to meet the Enemy till we ions at the Ferry and the army all cross'd (13). But the der the Command of Gen'l Mifflin (14)-we then was up the Street with waggons and Carts to Prevent the Rushing Down upon us at this time no boats-I sum the River flood tide But fortunately two

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