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 |  A sporadic account of my reaction to life. |
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Over the years I have sporadically attempted to keep a journal. Each attempt has failed miserably. I think they expired because I established rules that were too ridgid for them. So, this attempt will bring with it very few rules. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** There are many incredibly kind and thoughtful people in WDC. One of them is zwisis. Out of the blue she sent me this flower gift. It reminds me of the Bluebonnets of Texas. Thanks, Sarah. And, I must not forget the very talented katherine76 who created the flower...thank you. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Well, it appears that my blog is going to the dogs. It aslo seems as if folks have gotten me pegged as a dog lover....they're right. Our very own Anyea   has gifted me with this Valentine card. Now I ask you, "How sweet is that?" Thanks, Anyea  ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** I have been fortunate to encounter many generous and kind people during my tenure in WDC. Debi Wharton is one of them. She gifted me with the following sig. It shows how sensitive and caring she is. It also shows that she read some my entries. She'll never know how much I appreciate the gift and the attention to my blog. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** |
| It is somewhat satisfying for me to realize that my heritage extends back to the American Revolutionary War—that my people were kicking clods and throwing rocks at the Redcoats at that place and time. History seems a little more personal when you are tied to it by real events and real people. James Boutwell was one of the men who stepped forward and volunteered to serve in the Continental Army...and not for one month or three months, as so many did, but for the duration. He enlisted for three years. It was America's first three years of history. James served with the 1st Virginia Foot Regiment, which was formed on July 17, 1775 as a state militia. The unit later saw service in General George Washington’s Continental Army, participating in several engagements, including the Battle of Great Bridge, the New York Campaign, the Battle of Trenton, the Battle of Princeton, the Battle of Brandywine, the Battle of Germantown, the Battle of Monmouth, the Battle of Stony Point, and the Siege of Charleston where most of the Regiment was captured by the British on May 12, 1780. The regiment was disbanded on November 15, 1783. It's very interesting to me, that among James’ stations for service, as shown on his muster records, were West Point and Valley Forge, which are two of the great icons of our Revolutionary War. His service at West Point was historic in that it was the first time West Point had ever been commanded by American forces; and James was there. And, we all know the legends of George Washington and Valley Forge, where Washington was encamped as he desperately haggled with the Continental Congress to fund and support his army. It is documented that from 1,700 to 2,000 men died from disease at Valley Forge, most likely complicated by malnutrition. On one of the muster cards of James Boutwell it is noted that he was sick at Valley Forge. James’ last Individual muster record, which I have found, is for Feb 5, 1779 and he was at Camp Middlebrook. That's in New Jersey. Although this was George Washington's army, he was not in the field with James and his buddies at Middlebrook. No, Washington rented out the Wallace House in nearby Somerville for four months for $1,000 while his troops constructed crude huts for protection from the elements...so much for sleeping in the huts with the men. In any event, Camp Middlebrook closed in June of 1779; and Washington moved his army elsewhere. James traveled with him, at least for a few more months. It appears James entered service for the duration of the War because I found a couple of muster cards indicating he enlisted “for the War,” which usually means for the duration of the War. Additional muster records exist for the 1st Virginia Regiment in the form of the muster rolls for the company in which James served. The last one on record I found with James listed as a member of the company was for November 1779. Interestingly, this roll is accompanied by a summary page that gives the “Proof of Effectives” of the company. Interestingly, it relates the company was comprised of one captain, one lieutenant, one sergeant, two corporals, three drummers, and twenty privates. At the time eight individuals were absent, reducing the company effectiveness to a total of twenty soldiers—much less than what was present when originally formed. The attrition suffered in the war was certainly evident. It is significant to note that five-and-a-half months later the company was captured by the British in the Siege of Charleston. One wonders what thoughts were mulling through the mind of this young man. We have no further record of James. It is pure speculation on my part that James probably did not survive the War. In addition, he was likely not married. More likely, he was a young man of eighteen or nineteen years who simply had not had time to build a history that is recorded by documents. As a young man he was drawn to the noble idea of joining the army to serve with General Washington for a goal such as independence from King George. Remember, I’m speculating. Young men of all ages have entertained the idea of glory and honor won on the battlefield. I suspect James was no different. He delayed forming the social ties of marriage and family. Possibly entertaining a fantasy of returning as a hero and courting the ladies who were waiting for someone just like him. For the duration of the War he would not do much courting. There’s not much opportunity to meet and court when you are encamped with an army. It’s telling that there was no future claim from a soldier in advanced age, a wife, or dependents regarding a claim for Revolutionary Pension for his military service to his country; of course, there likely was never a family to do so. It is common to find aging Revolutionary soldiers making claims for pensions for service which is far less significant than that of James.’ It is almost inconceivable to believe that an aged James or his heirs would not do the same. Of course, had there been any heirs, a widow, or even an aged James they would certainly have done so. There are no clues as far as where he was born or raised before he joined Washington’s army. Usually, men joined the forces from within the region in which they lived. It is not typical for them to leave their home and travel a great distance to join the army. That is, I suppose, unless you wanted to join a particular army. It is pure speculation on my part, but I suspect James may very well have wanted to serve under George Washington; and, therefore traveled whatever distance was necessary to make that happen. Therefore, even if he served in the 1st Virginia Regiment, that fact alone does not mandate he was from Virginia. In my opinion from history of this family, likely choices for his origin would be North Carolina, South Carolina, or Georgia where other Boutwell families had settled. All my findings and conclusions regarding our Revolutionary War soldier, James Boutwell, can be reduced to these basic premises. I don’t know from where James originates. Nor do I know who the direct members of his family are. What I know for certain is he is an American hero of our country’s first generation. And, I know he is one of mine. He is a Revolutionary Soldier. He is a Boutwell. |
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