| Description | Correspondence of Lord Fife:
Estate: William Reid
Family: William Duff, John Baird (off New York), Alexander Duff, J. Fife (mother), Lachlan Duff - death of Duff of Drummuir, M. Udny Duff
Furnishings: William Cadell and Co.
Local: John Gordon - Church at Auchendoir
Military news: William Duff [brother] (New York, Staten Island)
Politics: Lord Barrington
Personal: H[ ] Morris, M. Trembley (French), Patrick Lawson
Place: M. Scot, W. [Salter], Alexander Innes, Keith Urquhart, George Innes.
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Correspondence from William Duff, officer in British Army, to his brother Lord Fife:
New York, 13 April 1777:
He has been granted permission by General Howe to purchase a Company, the 26th Regiment, from Captain De la Place for £1800; great preparations are being made for the opening of the campaign (p. 6): 'Great numbers of the persecuted friends to Government, and reformed Rebels are daily coming in'; mentions 'Congressional tyranny' and notes that the 'persecution, superstition and bigotry of former ages seems to be revived in this unhappy country'.
Staten Island, 20 April 1777:
Discusses purchase of company (26th Regiment) and his military career; the troops (about 1500 men) have for two days been expecting an attack from the 'rebels' following intelligence received by General Howe; great preparations are being made for the renewal of hostilities against 'the ungrateful people of this Country'; denounces Congressional leaders and their methods of deluding the people; mentions Lee and the Commissioners; 'Had it not been for the unfortunate surprise of the Hessians early in the winter on the bo[a]rders of the river Delaware, this war would have been at an end; and the members of the rascally Congress suffering the torments they are now inflicting upon the loyal and virtuous'.
New York, 17 May 1777:
Offers reasons for purchasing a promotion; notes that there is no prospect of a quick conclusion to the war and denigrates opposition for their opinions and violent conduct; they are anxiously expecting Sir Guy Carlton's army from Canada; last expedition to New England saw destruction of their [Congressional Army] magazine; notes good conduct of Sir William Erskine; he dines with General Howe tomorrow before returning to the Regiment still on Staten Island 'but in daily expectations of moving'; attaches account of lady punished for allegedly concealing a 'friend to Government' and of her father, imprisoned since the beginning of the disturbances.
Staten Island, 9 June 1777:
Refers to purchase of company; the army is now on the move and General Howe is expected to take New York today (p.3); his Regiment is expected to leave the island in a day or two to join the main army in the Jerseys; remarks that the world will be expecting the campaign to bring an end to this 'unhappy and unnatural' war but believes only a general action will result in such an outcome, something the 'Rebels' will try to avoid; Washington has taken possession of very strong grounds near the village of Bandbrooke, ten miles from Brunswick, where the main body of the army, under Lord Cornwallis, is stationed; it is rumoured that an attempt will be made to adjoin them in battle; they are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the army from Canada; the Rebel army are collecting 'small quarters' in the Jerseys and the neighbouring province to oppose General Howe and in New England and the province of New York to oppose the Canadian army; they had collected a valuable magazine of stores and provisions in the town of Danburg in New England before two thousand men were despatched by General Howe to destroy it; foreign reinforcements and new recruits have mostly arrived which will help to recompense for the affair of the Hessians at Trenton last winter; notes that the 'fanatical discontented spirit' Lee is on board a Man of War; he [Duff] is in command of two companies and has received orders to rejoin the Regiment as they are to march to join the army in the Jerseys tomorrow (p.9). |