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EXTRACTS, FROM THE JOURNAL
OF THE REV. JOHN GRAHAM
CHAPLAIN OF THE FIRST
CONNECTICUT REGI
MENT, COLONEL
LYMAN.

HAVANA, EXPEDITION,
1762.

EXTRACTS
FROM THE JOURNAL OF
THE REVEREND JOHN GRAHAM.
Chaplain of the First Connecticut Regiment,
COLONEL LYMAN,

FROM SEPTEMBER 25TH TO
OCTOBER 19TH, 1762,

AT THE SIEGE OF HAVANA.

PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE FOURTH GENERAL COURT OF THE
SOCIETY OF COLONIAL WARS IN THE STATE OF NEW
YORK, OFFICE OF THE SOCIETY,
37 LIBERTY STREET.

NEW YORK
1896

Committee on Historical
Documents.

EDWARD F. DeLANCEY,
GOUVERNEUR M. SMITH, M.D.,
WILLIAM G. VER PLANCK,
ABRAHAM B. VALENTINE.
CHARLES ISHAM, Secretary.

{prefatory anb Biograpbical IRotes.
This Journal gives, with the fervid and
formal religious language of a Connecticut
Congregational clergyman of the last cen
tury, vivid statements of the sufferings of
the British army, regulars and provincials,
at the siege of Havana in 1762. It also
contains valuable statements of the numbers
of the British regiments, and the names of
the Provincial troops, and the names and
strength of the men-of-war engaged in the
reduction of that strong [Spanish city; facts
that are difficult to obtain, except in large
public libraries.
The Rev. John Graham, who was born in
Exeter, New Hampshire, in 1722, and who
graduated from Yale College in 1740, was
of the same name and profession as his
father. The elder Rev. John Graham, M.A.,,
received his degree from the University of
Glasgow. He emigrated to Boston in 1718,
and married,% first, Abigail, a daughter of
Dr. Chauncey. At the time of the birth of
John, junior, he was settled at Exeter, but
removed later to Stafford, Conn., and was
subsequently ordained minister over the
5

Church in Woodbury, Conn., where he re
mained forty-two years — until his death.
The son was, in 1746, minister of the
West Parish of Suffield, then in Massachu
setts, but since 1752 in Connecticut, and
practised medicine, as well as administering
the affairs of his congregation.
In 1 761 he accompanied the expedition
against Havana, in the capacity of chaplain
to the Provincial forces, under General
Phineas Lyman of Connecticut, an intimate
friend of the Graham family. The Connec
ticut Brigade of twenty-three hundred men
joined the Regular Troops and other Prov
incials at Staten Island, whence the expe
dition sailed on the 18th of November, 1761.
The combined forces, having captured Mar
tinique on February 14th, and Havana on
August 13th, 1762, succumbed to an epi
demic of fever, by far the deadliest foe they
had encountered. The Journal of Graham,
although fragmentary, gives a vivid picture
of the sufferings of these victors, and of
their anxiety to relinquish their conquest.
The author was not always careful to
write himself junior, hence there might be
difficulty in identifying him as the chaplain,
6

since his father had already served with
Lyman in the operations against Crown
Point. Allusions, however, in the Journal
to his children, Love and Narcissus, appear
to settle this question beyond a doubt. The
Rev. John Graham, Jr., like his father, was
twice married, the girl and boy he mentions
being children by his first wife, Mary
Sheldon. At the outbreak of the Revolution he
was an ardent Whig, and so continued to
the end. He died in 1796.
Notices of the Grahams may be found in
Spagues' "Annals of the Pulpit," and in
Dexter's " Yale Biographies " ; also in
Cothren's " History of Ancient Woodbury."
Many of the manuscripts and letters of
the family were in the possession of the late
John Lorrimer Graham, of Flushing, Long
Island. The Committee are indebted for this
Havana Journal to the courtesy of the Rev.
B. F. De Costa, D.D., of this city.
The progress of the expedition is followed
in the contemporary issues of Gaine's New
York Mercury.
New York, Dec. 16, 1895.

3ournaI of tbe IRev. 3obn (Brabam.
Saturday, Sept. 25, 1762. — A pleasant morning, nothing ex
traordinary happened the last Night — but Sable night in
gloomy Majesty sat upon the Camp, a Season, when
men used to labour and fatague in ye day retire from
Labour to recline their weary Limbs, and refresh them
selves with rest. . . . But in Camp how wide the differ
ence, the Season true, invites to Rest but alas the heavy
murmurs that humme among the Tents, and bursting
groans from throbing hearts Seized with panick, horror
and Surprise because febrile flame kindles upon their
vitals, or Tyrant pain, Tyger like preys upon their Bones
or as a harpy Devours their entrails, forbids repose — nor
Sooner did I deposite my weary Limbs in Bed and em
brace the delectable pillow, but groan echoes to groan,
and Sigh rises upon Sigh not unlike the waves and
billows of a Raging Sea. . . . Thus with our Melan-
cholly Camp a fatal desease enters tent after Tent, and
with irresistable force strikes hands with soldier after
Soldier, and with hostile violence Seizes the brave, the
bold, the hearty and the Strong, no force of arms, no
Strength of Limbs, no Solemn vows, no piteous moans,
no heartrending Groans, no vertue in means, no Skill of
Physicians can free from the Tyrant hand, but death
cruel death that stands Just behind, draws the Curtain,
Shews himself to the unhappy prisoner, and with peirc-
ing Sound Cried thou art, and at once throws his fatal
dart, andjast binds them in Iron Chains— or Some dis
ease in a Milder way Salutes them, and more gently
treats them, but by Sure and certain Steps flatters them
along by Slow degrees till they are introduced into the
hands of unrelenting death. . . . Others roll from
Side to Side, and turn into every posture to find ease
from pain that wrack their Tortured limbs — others that
are yet untouch'd with diseases Called from their rest

to help the distressed; hearken and likly you'l hear
them as they pass along, return oaths for groans and
Curses for Sighs horrible to hear! Thus death in
Camp reigns and has Tryumphed over Scores already,
and diseases has hundreds fast bound as prisoners — and
how few alas how few are prisoners of Hope.
But are Soldiers the only persons attacked or exposed ?
Verilly no, where are the Capts. the Lt. and Ensign
that lately appeared and adorned our Camp, now Suc-
cepded by others in the Same Command ; are they not
becom victims to Death, and Now held prisoners in the
Grave on this Barbarous land, their deposited with
many of their bold Soldiers till ^the last trumpit shall
wake the Sleeping dead. . . . But heark mithink I hear
a different voice, uttering heavy Groans where is it ?
Surely its in the next Tent, O the officers of the field,
Certainly no defference paid to Rank — The 2d in Com
mand in the Regiment is Seized with Cold Chills that
pass through every part, throws all nature into violent
agitation and Shakes the whole frame ; a febrile flame
Succeeds, this alternate, till his vigorous and active
limbs becomes feeble, and his ruddy Countenance, put
on a pale and Languide hue — yet he lives. . . . Thus
night after night are we accosted with the cries and
Groan of the Sick and dying.
Lamentations, Mourning and Woe in all most every
Tent ; and what hearts so hard ? Who so past all Sen
sation, thats invested with any Degree of humanity, as
not to feel a Sympathetic Smart. . . .
Sabbath Day, Sept. 26, 1762. — This the day by divine
appointment Sanctified and set apart to divine Use and
Service ; that we in the Dicalogue are Commanded to
Remember and keep holy. . . .
No occurances uncommon in Camp this Day — no
publick Services.
Monday, Sept. 27, 1762. — The affairs in Camp are as usual
— a Rumour prevails, that the Troops are to Embark in
a few days.

An account of the Troops that Served in the Siege of
the Havanah: 4. Independt Companies.

Regular Troops.

2. Companies G or ham
Rangers.
ist Connecticutt Regment.
6. Companies New York.
2. Do. New Jersey.
3. Do. Rho Island.

ist, 4th, 8th, 9th, 15th, 17,
22,27,28,34,35,40. 5th, 42.
2d , 42, 43, 46, 48, 49, 56,
58, 60, 65, 72, 73, 77, 90,
95- 5300 Negroes from Jamaica, Barbados and the Wind
ward Islands.
Navy — 17 Ships of the Line, 23 Frigates.
Tuesday, Sept. 28, 1762.— The last night as well as
the preceding day, Sultry Hott, had but little rest— my
Ears constantly acosted with the groans and outcrys of
the Sick and distressed: that the Camp is no other than
a constant Scene of Woe, and misery opened, where the
actors are a Collect Society of the most unhappy and
unfortunate, forlornly wreched — Cast upon some Bar
barous Land, among a Savage kind that know no pity,
but there tender Mercies are Cruelty — where they are
Smitten by the Sun by day, and the Sickly moon by
night that in ye day the drought consume them, and
Hurtfull damps by night — nor releafe can be aforded,
there pitying friends that stand around with pained
hearts, can only tell them necessary Comforts and means
are not to be had — what a word is this to be Sounded
in Ears of those ready to die.
But turn my thots, and who are these — behold a
Number, Straggling along the road — awfull, how they
look ? what appearance do they make ? not unlike walk
ing ghost, Just come from the Shades — but viewing
more narrowly find them to be men. Crawled out of
their Tent, wasted with Sickness: their flesh all con
sumed, there bones looking thro the Skin, a Mangie and
pale Countenance, Eyes almost Sunk into there heads,
with a dead and downcast look— hands weak, knees
feeble, Joints Trembling — leaning upon Staves like men
bowed and over loaded with old age, and as they Slowly
10

move along Stagger and Reel, like drunken men — pity-
full objects. Passing by these, there lyes one fallen
down thro weakness by the wayside, there another, and
another, yea Sundry more, in the Same Condition, unable
to help themselves — there two or three fainted away —
others crawling, according to their strength, not unlike
the Snail in motion, with a little water to reveive them,
as the best Cordial that can be produced. There sets a
Number that walked a few rods and there strength is
exhausted and are seated on the ground to recruit, that
they may return to there Tents. Younder goes four of
the stouter Sort lugging their Capt. that stept a little
from his tent, fainted away, Back to his Tent again.
There goes one, Supported by one under each Arm —
goes did I say? rather he is in this manner Carried, for
scare has he power to Set one foot before the other, nor
can his feeble trembling knees one half support his
frame, tho but a Shadow. There another and another
in like manner convey along from one tent to another.
Just behind is brot along another in his Blanket strung
upon two poles — Carried by four. Just by, Six Soldiers
take up there Captain upon their Shoulders as he lies
pale and helpless in his bed, his bedstead serves as a
Byer, and his Curtains waving in the wind, as a pawl,
in this manner conveyed from his Tent in Camp to a
Neighbouring Room, if possible to prevent the extinc
tion of the remaining Sparks of Life. There is one,
two, three Graves open'd, here they come with as many
Corps, there blankets both there winding sheet and
Coffins; scarce have they finished the interment of these,
but a messenger comes in hast to tell them they must
open a grave or two more, for Such a one is dead, and
another is dying.
Some there rage and fury seems to be turn'd against
God himself — and will gnaw their tongues for Anguish
and pain, and blaspheme the God of heaven, because of
their pain and distress, and repent not of their deeds —
yea Curse their King and God, looking upward — at a
little distance another lies, not a murmur heard from
his Mouth, but seems to be thankfull for everything he
Receives, and thinks every favor to be more than he

deserves ; another a little revived feels Some appitite or
food, and he complains he shall be Starved to death —
another without Compliment lays hold of anything that
comes in his way, and with his Teeth soon puts a period
to life, another groans under a Load of Sickness, and
is ready to Curse the day that he engaged in the Service ,
Calling himself fool, madman and worse than dis
tracted, for coming to this place ; but still rang along
the Tents, here a Number recruited Somewhat — and
there Cry is home, home, when shall we go aboard ;
when shall we go home : O if I was once at home I
should Soon be well : O Crys one we haven't received
our price money : no Says, another and never shall ;
another makes answere that he dont care nothing about
the price money if I cou'd but once get away from this
Cursed place for we shall all die if we don't go Soon —
and if I cou'd but once get from henc they shall never
catch me here again : But whats here ? its one of the
Tenders drunk, anoy'n Swearing at him — thus in differ
ent posture under different Circumstances and of differ
ent temper and disposition they are — and what a Mal-
ancholly, Gloomy and afflictive Scene is this? How
horrible to behold ? — but retire my thots, and give o'er
thy Rove.
About 5 o'clock waited on Gen'l Lyman at his Room
in the Sheperd Battery with Capt. Enos inform'd that a
Subaltern's part of the price money now to be divided,
was ^126 Sterling. A pleasant moon Shine Evening,
about 12 at night a Smart Shower of rain.
Wednesday, Sept. 29, 1762.— Had but little rest, Sleep
seem'd entirely to depart from my Eyes, and Slumber
from my Eye Leds. Filt not so Current as usual when
I arose — afterwards more Comfortable, but felt the want
of rest.

Thursday, Sept. 30, 1762.— The Commanding officers of
every Core, dined with his Lordship, who informed that
we should Sail in a few days and also that in one
Spanish Ship Sunk in the harbour, had in her 260,000

dollors— nothing but the distresses of Sick and dying to
be heard in Camp. This Evening about 10 o'clock Dr.
Hubbard died.
The Learned Phiscian, endowed with Skill armed
with medicine, came to be an Instrument to rescue
others from the Jaws of death— but baffled in his Skill,
himself attackt. falls a prey to voratious death Nor
means, nor Skill, nor Recipies nor forms Could the fine
Surgeon Save — but yields to death, and's hide within the
grave.
Friday, Oct. i, 1762. — This day my daughter Love is nine
years of age — times still gloomy and melancholly in
Camp dying 7, 8 and 9 in the Compass of 24 hours Lord
let not thine anger consume us.
SATURDAY, Oct. 2, 1762. — All the forepart of the day, very
hott, and Sultry about 3 o'Clock P.M., the hea ens Cov
ered with Blackness, indicated heavy Thunder and rain,
the Clouds seem'd to break and scatter and but a
Sprinkle of rain — then Collected again, and by some
distant heavy Thunder were broken and scattered again —
again Collected, and a Soaking heavy rain enSued. last
till about Sundown, when it ceased raining, but the
Clouds not cleared of about $ before 7 o'Clock the rain
came on again — a heavy rain till past Eight when it
cleared of, and the Queen of Night in Silver brightness
Shone : the heavens calm, and Air Serene and Clear.
two heavy Showers in the night — 4 Vessels arrived in
the harbour from the american Coasts.
The whole Number died out Gen'l. Lymans Regi
ment Since we Left New York, which then Cosisted of
914— to this day, is 184.
Viz — 2 Captains.
1 Lieutenant.
1 Ensign.
1 Surgeon's Mate.
5 Sergeants.
1 Drummer.
173 Privates.

Total, 184 13

Sabbath Day, Oct. 3, 1762. — Tho this day is by divine
appointment is Set apart as holy, and consecrated to
holy uses yet in Camp, among the Troops, is set aside as
common, and not so much as the least visible Shew or
appearance of anything yet is religious carried on ; but
God and religion Christ and Salvation are disregarded'
contemn'd and dispiced, and we live as tho there was
no God, no future Judgement, but as if we had given and
preserved, life to ourselves, and consequently were never
to be accountable to any others how we lived, or Spent
our days.
I asked Col. Putnam in ye Morning what there was to
hinder publick Service — he answered, he knew nothing in
the world to hinder it — I askt him if it was not duty if
there was nothing to hinder — Yes, answered he, by all
means, and I wonder in my Soul why we dont have
Service ; and add'd we could have prayers night and
morning Just as well as not— but then says he, there'l
be but few to attend, theres so many Sick, and so many
to attend the sick that there cou'd be a Great many, I
replied — we had this to encourage us, where two or
three are met together in my Name, Says God, there am
I in the midst of them to bless them ; so that it was not
numbers that entitled to the blessing — thats true Says
he, I will go down to the General and Speak to him
about it, bides good by — have heard no more of it Sinse.
Spent the day in retirement, affairs in Camp as usual.
Monday, Oct. 4, 1762. — A pleasant morning— a pleasant
Breeze all the forepart of the Day — went down to the
waterside to See Mr. Bancroft, but he was gone, and re
turned fatagued— in the afterpart of the day visited part
of the hospital Tents.
Tuesday, Oct. 5, 1762.— Had comfortable rest last night,
and much refreshed this morning— Some unpleasant
Salutations— visited the officers Sick in Camp, and the
Soldiers in Some part of the Hospital Tents ; and what
sad Specticles are they, many of them ; a Bony Frame
covered with a little Skin, meer skellitans.
14

Wednesday, Oct. 6, 1762.— Nothing more than Common
Unless, that the men dont fall Sick anything so fast—
nor do the Sick die so fast — and more comfortable pros
pect of the Recovery of many that have been brought
low— visited Gen'l. Lyman, and all the officers sick in
Camp — the rest of the day Spent in reading.
Thursday, Oct. 7, 1762.— This Morning Col. Putnam and
Lt. Park went of into ye Country to buy fresh provisions.
Such as poultry, etc. — in the afterpart of ye day visited
part of the hospital Tents.
Friday, Oct. 8, 1762.— A pleasant Morning— the day thro
a Comfortable Breeze — the fore part of the day visited all
the officers sick in Camp two Ships of war came into
the Harbour and one Cat Ship.
Nothing extraordinary in Camp happened this day.
Saturday, Oct. 9, 1762.— Much labour of mind to waste
away the time with most, impatient for the arrival of
that day and hour when they shall embark for Home,
and Crossing the foaming Seas, shall reach their native
Shores, and with wraptured hearts, o'er come with Joy,
Salute, embrace, and fall into the Arms, of their long
wished for, wishing, lovely, loving friends.
The No. of dead out of Gen'l. Lymans Regment,
207. Nothing Remarkable in Camp.
Sabbath Day, Oct. 10, 1762. — This Day has been observed
as Usual in Camp a total neglect of all religious Ser
vices, as to any visible appearances in General.
Orders from Head Quarters. That the provincials
hold themselves in readiness to embark about the 20th
of this Instant.
Long looked for, long expected, much desired to know
the fixed time.
Monday, Oct. 11, 1762. — This morning 3 Ships of the Line
fell down out of the Harbour, under the Command of
IS

Commodore Kipple, who Saluted Admiral Pocock with
17 Cannon, the Admiral return'd 15 — one of the 3, a 70
Gun Ship, unhappily went foul of one of ye Sunk Ships
in the mouth of the Harbour, and Stuck fast till 3 o'Clock
P.M. when She cleared the Ship— Tis said that the
Ships are design for Jamacai.
A.M., Visited all the sick officers in the Regiment that
are in Camp, then visited Gen'l. Lyman, p.m. visited
a considerable part of the hospital Tents — at my return
found Col. Putnam and Lt. Parks returned from the
Country, Lt. Parks Sick — at Evening had the Joyfull
news of the prosperous Season in New England and the
Smiles of divine providence upon the labours of the field :
that they have plentifull Crops, the News bro't in by a
vessel last from New London — that arrived this afternoon
in the harbour.
Tuesday, Oct. 12, 1762. — A heavy rain towards morning —
a pleasant morning and fine Air.
a.m. visited officers in Camp. Sick — all seem to be
upon the recruit. This morning 3 Ships of the Line
more fell down out of the Harbour, to Join Commodore
Kepple, who are to Cruize along to the Northward if
possible to come across a french fleet that is reported to
be out — and then go to Jamaica. Two frigates Joind
them that lay at the mouth of the Harbour. Towards
night, the heavens were cover'd with blackness, and a
heavy rain came on, Severe lightning and heavy Thun
der, held till 8 o'Clock the heavyest rain we have ever
known upon the Land.
Wednesday, Oct. 13, 1762.— This Morning another Ship
of the line went out to Join the above mentioned Ships
upon their Cruize— a little before 4 o'Clock p.m. the rain
came on again— continued till late in the Night.
Thursday, Oct. 14, 1762.— About 2 o'Clock this morning
Ephraim Parks, one of our Family died, a rainy night
this morning fair and pleasant — in the afternoon very
strong wind — at night heavy rain.
16

Friday, Oct. 15, 1762.— A very heavy Rain all the latter
part of the night and in the morning, little after sun rise
Clear'd of — a pleasant fore noon — this day my youngst
Son Narcissus is a year old. a.m. visited the sick offi
cers in Camp. p.m. Orders from head quarters. 6
Transports appointed for the Connecticutt Troops to
Carry them to N York, who are order'd to imbark Next
Tuesday — good news to the Troops.
Saturday, Oct. 16, 1762. — A pleasant and comfortable
Morning, for this Country that has proved so fatal to so
many of our Troops. Visited the officers sick in Camp —
this day a distrabution of the troops among the trans
ports, and am order'd aboard the Royal Duke, a large
Transport Ship of about 500 tuns.
Sabbath Day, Oct. 17, 1762. — All in a hurry making prep
arations for the Embercation and laying Stores for the
Voige to New York — tho' the day is the Lord's, by a
special appropriation —yet nothing of religious service ob
served, or anything besides the present important affair
of providing each one for himself without an relation to
another, and as tho' there was no being to be depen
dant upon but each upon himself.
Visited the sick officers in Camp — by Yesterday re
turn — died the last Week  19
Dead before  207
In Gen'l. Lyman Regd. Total  226
Monday, Oct. 18, 1762. — The Camp all in a Tumult, in
a hurry embarking the Sick and laying stores for voyage
one running one way another hastning another in a
hurry doing but little — about 4 o'Clock p.m. embarked
on board the Royal Duke, a fine large ship and noble
Conveniences for Officers and Soldiers — the main body
of the Connecticutt Troops embarque'd this Day on
board the transports appointed for them.
Tuesday, Oct. 19, 1762.— This day Gen'l. Lyman Reed
of the Pay Master Gen'l. the prize money for Connecti-
17

cutt Troops — and pay'd to the several Capts. of our
Regm't a propotion for themselves and Soldiers. Still
lye in harbour.
Wednesday, Oct. 20, 1762. — Weigh'd anchor and fell
down to the mouth of the harbour. A.M. went on board
the Resolution and Rec'd the adjutant. 100 Dollars and
1 50 in Bitts.
Thursday, Oct. 21, 1762. — Just at night going out of
the harbour narrowly escaped running on the Rocks —
the Ship struck once, but a wind Sprung up, and carried
us Clear — stood of to Sea all night.
Friday, Oct. 22, 1762.— Return'd Back to find the fleet.
Join'd the fleet toward night, when the Capts. of Trans
ports Rec'd there orders from the Commadore. Was
very ill all day.
Saturday, Oct. 23, 1762. — More comfortable this Morn
ing, continued on Course towards the metazes.
Sabbath Day, Oct. 24, 1 762.— Had a very ill day unable
to move, thick broke out all over — a pleasant day.
Monday, Oct. 25, 1762.— the last night towards the latter
part strong gust of wind— Continued all day — more
comfortable to day but not able to sett up much.
Taken out of the money Reed of Dollars 3, Bitts 5.

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