Mercy Leroux

Or, the diary of a very sardonic soldier whom we featured in We Are Not Strangers because his writing was remarkably entertaining.

When his diary was first published (after his death), it was actually without Barker’s name, because the author was smart enough not to want his frank words traced back to him. However, an editor was able to narrow down the possibilities from the clues provided and eventually arrive at a name.

His diary opens with a very telling entry:

At length is concluded the Glorious Campaign- of Boston Common why cou’d I be so stupid as not to keep a Journal of those five months, which will in future fill so respectable a place in the Annals of Britain; and wou’d have furnish’d so noble a field for Satire.

Here Barker refers to the fact that the troops had no barracks to stay in and thus were forced to camp on the Boston Common for five months (including into the Boston winter, which is to this day decidedly not a fate I would wish on my worst enemy) as a “Glorious Campaign.” You can feel the sarcasm dripping.

Yesterday in compliance with the request of the Select Men, Genl. Gage order’d that no Soldier in future shou’d appear in the Streets with his side Arms. Query, Is this not encouraging the Inhabitants in their licentious and riotous disposition?

Not an unfair question, Lt. Barker. Though weapons would probably inflame the situation, the lack thereof certainly would render one vulnerable.

Quere – Why is not the 100 days Batt and Forage Money, which has been long due the Troops, paid them? Because Tommy feels no affection for his Army, and is more attach’d to a paltry Oeconomy, both in Publick and Private.

The underline is in the original text, by the way. Tommy is, of course, General Gage, whom Barker feels has no interest in his troops’ wellbeing. To be completely fair, camping on the Boston Common for five months while winter looms would not exactly endear Tommy to anyone.

It was imagined that there wou’d have been a riot, which if there had wou’d in all probability have proved fatal to Hancock, Adams, Warren, and the rest of those Villains, as they were all up in the Pulpit together, and the meeting was crowded with Officers and Seamen in such a manner that they cou’d not have escaped; however it luckily did not turn out so, it wou’d indeed have been a pity for them to have made their exit in that way, as I hope we shall have the pleasure before long of seeing them do it by the hands of the Hangman.

Okay Barker, Adams’ cousin was the main reason eight of your countrymen weren’t unjustly hanged. Curiously, though, this was before the actual war broke out (indeed it’s in reference to Dr. Warren’s speech commemorating the 5th anniversary of the Boston Massacre), and he does not go on to mention Warren’s death at Bunker Hill, whether to gloat or otherwise.

On to Concord, where Barker was stationed at the bridge where it all began:

Captn. Lawrie who commanded these three Companies sent to Coll. Smith begging he would send more Troops to his Assistance and informing him of his situation; the Coll. order’d 2 or 3 Compys. but put himself at their head by which means stopt ’em from being time enough, for being a very fat heavy Man he wou’d not have reached the Bridge in half an hour tho ‘ it was not half a mile to it.

Seems a little unfair, just maybe, to Colonel Francis Smith, but that’s just me. That being said, since Barker was at the bridge, he directly experienced the impact of what must have felt like an eternal delay.

Thus ended this Expedition, which from beginning to end was as ill plan’d and ill executed as it was possible to be; had we not idled away three hours on Cambridge Marsh waiting for pro-visions that were not wanted…

Not an unfair assessment of Lexington and Concord, honestly. What is interesting is that Barker notes that several of the British did lose control of themselves and started plundering and lashing out at people, which disturbed him.

The Rebels have erected the Standard at Cambridge; they call themselves the King’s Troops and us the Parliaments. Pretty Burlesque! We are anxiously wishing for the arrival of the Genl. Officers and Troops that are expected; we want to get out of this coop’d up situation. We cou’d now do that I suppose but the G- does not seem to want it; there’s no guessing what he is at.

Again the disdain for Tommy, the G-. I also like the phrase “pretty burlesque!” and think we should bring it back.

When this Vessell came away the Town was in the utmost confusion, every Body arming in defence of their liberty, as they call it, which is the liberty of smuggling and breaking the Laws as they please .

I would disagree with this assessment, Barker, but I also find the satire amusing.

Next week, we’ll stay anchored in Boston and discuss Dr. Joseph Warren and the sad case of Sally Edwards.