THE SERVICES OF LIETJT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 497 
pointed. We did not want their words to verify this, ocular demon¬ 
stration is stronger, a more convincing proof. Heads, legs, and arms 
knocked off, and bodies torn to pieces are not the effect of musketry 
balls fired at the distance of 300 yards ! I have my reasons for 
saying the army are very sparing of their encomiums on the artillery. 
Many times officers have been heard to say on the march, “ go on, go 
on, never wait for the artillery,” but I always observed when these 
unsoldierlike words were pronounced, the enemy were at a consider¬ 
able distance, and no sooner does the popping begin in front than the 
tone is altered, “ Where are the guns, where are the artillery ?; halt in 
front and clear the road for guns ! ! ” is then the cry. I have often 
remarked that the army in general look with an envious jealous eye 
on the artillery, from what cause I know not unless from an idea they 
entertain of our having more advantages and conveniences than them¬ 
selves. We go through the same fatigues, often times abundantly 
more, we are exposed to the same dangers, sometimes greater, by their 
running away and leaving us to shift for ourselves, when half our men 
and horses are killed and wounded.* 
When artillery are engaged and their fire effectual nothing is too 
good for them, politeness and attention is carried to 45 degrees, and 
praises and plaudits ring on every side of us, but, alas the day ! when 
the General's letter to the Minister appears in publick, no more men¬ 
tion is made of the Artillery than if there were no such people in 
being. J These are mortifying truths, particularly to a corps which 
upon every occasion when employed have behaved as well, if not better 
in general than any corps in the King's service. 
I shall now proceed with my journal, but first must mention a few 
matters I think not unworthy of notice, matters which make one 
wonder we are not prisoners in Martinique instead of being at liberty 
in St. Lucia. One would think in running them all up that we are 
the favourites of the Supreme Being, or that a few good ones are 
amongst us for whom the whole are preserved, or that God is highly 
displeased with our enemies, for that he has been our guardian, our 
protector, ever since we left New York there remaineth not the small¬ 
est doubt. To make you understand this preamble I must acquaint 
* With General Burgoyne. 
J General Clinton’s letter of Freehold in the Jerseys. * 
[The above notes are Downman’s. The first refers to the action fought near Saratoga on Octo¬ 
ber 7th, 1777. Lieutenant-General Burgoyne in his despatch from Albany, October 20th, after de¬ 
tailing his operations subsequent to crossing the Hudson River on September 14th, and in camp 
near Saratoga, the enemy being in the neighbourhood at Stillwater, describes that portion of the 
fight on the 7th in which the guns were lost, in the following terms :— 
“ The danger to which the lines were exposed becoming at this moment of the most serious 
nature, orders were given to Majors-General Philips and Reidesel to cover the retreat, while such 
troops as were not ready for the purpose, returned for the defence of them. The troops retreated 
hard pressed, but in good order. They were obliged to leave six pieces of cannon, all the horses 
having been killed, and most of the artillerymen, who had behaved as usual, with the utmost 
bravery, under the command of Major [Griffith] Williams, being either killed or wounded.” 
The second note refers to General Clinton’s despatch dated New York, July 7th, 1778. In 
this he reports his sharp action with General Washington on June 28th, at Freehold Court 
House. No mention is made of the Artillery, though we know the brigades of Captains William¬ 
son and Standish were among the troops chiefly engaged and which suffered heavy losses. 
Lieutenant Vaughan was killed.] 
