Lincoln, Benjamin (1733-1810) to James Bowdoin
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03427 Author/Creator: Lincoln, Benjamin (1733-1810) Place Written: Springfield, Massachusetts Type: Manuscript letter Date: 28 January 1787 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 30.9 x 19.7 cm. Order a Copy
Marked "copy." Written from "Head Quarters Springfield." Reports on Shay and his supporters' situation. Relates that he and a number of other regiments arrived in Springfield the day before. Writes, "On my arrival I found, that Shays had taken post at a little village, six miles north of this, with the whole force under his [inserted: immediate] command, and that Day had taken post at West Springfield, & that he had fixed a guard at the ferry-house on the west side of the river. By this disposition, all communication, with the north & west in the usual paths were cut off." For a variety of reasons, they decided to take up arms against the insurgents. They arrived and intended to encircle and frighten the insurgents; the insurgents made a small show of force but scattered into the woods in "utmost confusion & disorder." Has received news of the locations of some of the insurgents. Explains what he and the other Generals plan to do next.
[draft]
Head Quarters Springfield Jan'y 28th, 1787
(Copy)
Dear Sir,
We arrived here yesterday about noon with one Regiment from Suffolk, one from Essex, one from Middlesex, one from Worcester, three Companies of Artillery, a Corps of Horse, & a volunteer Corps under the command of Col. Baldwin; the other Company of Artillery, with another Regiment from Middlesex, & another from Worcester which were as a cover to our stores, arrived about eight oClock in the evening.-
On my arrival I found, that Shays had taken post at a little village, six miles north of this, with the whole force under his [inserted: immediate] command, and that Day had taken post at West Springfield, & that he had fixed a guard at the ferry-house on the west side of the river. By this disposition, all communication, with the north & west in the usual paths were cut off.-
From a consideration of this insult on government that by an early move, we should instantly convince the Insurgents of its ability & determination speedily to disperse them; that we wanted the houses occupied by these men; to cover our own troops; that General Patterson was on his march to join us, which to obstruct was an object with them; that a successful movement would give spirits to the troops; that it would be so was reduced to as great a certainty, as can be had, in operations of this kind;- from these considerations, Sir, with many others, I was induced to order the troops under arms at 3 oClock, altho' most of them had been so from one oClock in the morning.-
We moved about half after 3, & crossed the river upon the ice, with the 4 Regiments & 4 pieces of Artillery; the light-horse, & the troops of this Division under General Sheppard, moved up the river on the ice, with an intention to fall in between Shays, who was on the east side of the river, & Day on the West, & to prevent a junction, as well as to cut off Day's retreat. We supposed that we should hereby so encircle him, [struck: that] with a force so superior that he would not dare to fire upon us, [2] which would effectually prevent bloodshed, as our troops were enjoined in the most positive manner, not to fire without orders.- The moment we showed ourselves upon the river the guard at the ferry-house turned out, & left the pass open to us. They made a little show of force for a minute or two near the meeting-house, & then retired in the utmost confusion & disorder. Our horse met them at the west end of the village, but the Insurgents found means by crossing the fields, & taking to the woods to escape them; some were taken who were aggravatedly guilty but not the most so.-
The next news we had of them was by an express from Mr. Strong of Northampton, that part of them arrived in that town about Eleven oClock.- Shays, also, in a very precipitate manner, left his post at Chickabee & some time in the night passed thro' South Hadly on his way to Amherst.-
As soon as our men are refreshed this morning, we shall move Northward, having General Sheppard as a cover to the Magazines perhaps we may overtake [struck: Sheppard] Shays & his party, we shall do it unless they disperse. If they disperse I shall cover the troops in some convenient place & carry on our operations, in a very different way.-
Since the state of our finances should be kept in view, and every unnecessary expense avoided, I have written to General Brooks that he need not proceed;- And to Genl Warner that he need not call more men into the field. If the men under Shays should disperse, no men raised in this Division will be retained in the field, having a guard to the magazine at the place.-
[Docket]
Springfield Jany 28th 1787
Copy of a letter from
General Lincoln to his
Excellency Gov. Bowdoin
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