210 HISTORY OF 



exchanged, and received a permit ; and in company with 

 Colonel Atlee, who had been taken prisoner before, 

 came to Trenton, where they parted. Dieffenderffer, by 

 way of Valley Forge returned to Lancaster. He 

 remained a short time at home ; then in company with 

 Captain Wilbert, went to Valley Forge; here he 

 remained four weeks, sufficiently long to witness the 

 sufferings of the American army. 



On the 18th of June, 1778, General Howe evacuated 

 Philadelphia, and crossed over into New Jersey, whither 

 they were speedily followed by Washington ; pursuing the 

 enemy; and on the 28th of June, gained a signal 

 victory at Monmouth, over the British. Dieffenderffer 

 was in this engagement. This, says he, was one of the 

 hottest days that he ever experienced; several fell dead 

 from drinking cold water. From Monmouth, they 

 marched to the White Plains, a few miles to the north- 

 eastward of New York Island. Thence they went to 

 West Point, where Washington had his head quarters. — 

 Here Dieffenderffer having received a furlough, 

 returned to Lancaster, where he remamed till March, 

 1779, when he returned to the regiment at Easton. — 

 Under the command of General Sullivan, they marched 

 into the Wyoming country, and Gennesee Fiats ; thence 

 returned to Wyoming ; then the regiment, under the 

 direction of Major W^eldner, came on to Sunbury. — 

 Owing to sickness, Dieffenderffer, as ensign, resigned his 

 commission, and returned to Lancaster, in 1779. 



His eventful life, through habits of temperance and 

 moderation, has been lengthened four score and ten. — 

 Though sightless for some years, he enjoys at present 

 remarkable health ; and enjoys the company of a 

 Yinuous and intelligent offspring and relatives. Here 

 we Vv'ould add that his cousin, Jacob Dieffenderffer, 



