Part 1 (2/2)

Dr. Green remained with the troops which occupied Mount Independence until they left the position in December, when he returned to Albany, and there left the army and returned to Dover, New-Hamps.h.i.+re. All through the following summer, he was afflicted with fever and ague, but in October, 1777, accepted an appointment as surgeon of the continental s.h.i.+p-of-war Ranger, then fitting out in Portsmouth, N.H., under the command of Capt. John Paul Jones, and nearly ready for sea. They sailed, as his diary shows, on the 1st of November, 1777, for France.

The following letter, written to his friend Mr. Cooper, describes the pa.s.sage out.

_On Board the Ranger, Peanbeauf Road_, Dec. 4, 1777.

”SIR:

By a Gentleman who is writing I have an opportunity just to present my respects to yourself and lady, and to inform you of my safe arrival at Peanbeauf 27 miles below Nantz on the 2d of December current, after a pa.s.sage of 32 days. Our people all in good health and high spirits. We had as good weather as we could wish 'till within a week of our arrival. In the Bay of Biscay we had a very heavy Gale of Wind, but it continued but about 48 hours. Saw but one s.h.i.+p of war, and she was in the chops of the English Channel, with a Fleet under convoy. ---- ---- I have the happiness to inform you of the Capture of two Brigs, on the 25th and 27th of November, both from Malaga laden with wine and fruit, which on my own and friends account could wish with all my heart were in Portsmouth, New-Hamps.h.i.+re. They were ordered to some part of France, but have not yet heard of their arrival. There is nothing new here. The French say but little about a war, being very intent on getting money. Here are a number of vessels fitting out for America in the trading way. The news of Gen. Burgoine affair got here just before us, and before this time is in all parts of Europe.

I don't expect we shall go from this Place these six weeks, as there is a great deal wanting to be done to the s.h.i.+p before she will go to sea again. It seems probable to me that she will be ordered directly back to America, as soon as may be. In the meantime I am,

With the greatest sincerity & respect,

Your humble servant,

E. GREEN.

Please to present my best regards to Susy[1], & love to your little children, & salutations to all enquiring Friends.

Mr. Nathaniel Cooper, of Dover, New-Hamps.h.i.+re, New-England.

[1] This was Susannah Hayes, whom he subsequently married.

Dr. Green continued in the Ranger until her return to Portsmouth in October, 1778, when he left her, and returned to Dover.

When the Ranger was refitted in the following spring, under the command of his friend, Capt. T. Simpson, he rejoined her as surgeon, and sailed in her on a cruise in company with the Warren, 32 guns, Commodore J. B.

Hopkins, and Queen of France, 28, Capt. J. Olney; the latter a French s.h.i.+p, which had been purchased at Nantes for the American government.

While on this cruise, in March, they captured a privateer schooner of 14 guns, and on the 6th of April the schooner Hibernia, of 8 guns and 45 men, and the next morning, off Cape Henry, six more of a fleet of nine vessels, viz.: the s.h.i.+p Jason, Capt. Porterfield, 20 guns, 150 men; s.h.i.+p Maria, letter of marque, 16 guns, 80 men, cargo of flour, &c.; and brigs Prince Frederick, Patriot, Bachelors John, and schooner Chance, all laden with stores for the British army. Among the prisoners taken was a Colonel Campbell, and twenty-three army officers of lesser rank, on their way to join their regiments at the south.[2] All these vessels were brought into Portsmouth, N.H., three weeks after the squadron sailed from thence.

[2] Emmons's History U.S. Navy, 1776-1853.

On another cruise, the Ranger, still commanded by Simpson, in company with the Providence, 28, Commodore A. Whipple, and Queen of France, 28, Capt. J. P. Rathburn,[3] on the 17th of July, 1779, when on the Banks of Newfoundland, fell in with the Jamaica fleet, homeward bound, consisting of one hundred and fifty sail, convoyed by a s.h.i.+p-of-the-line, and several cruisers, and succeeded in capturing eleven large s.h.i.+ps, of seven to eight hundred tons, three of which were re-taken; but seven of them, whose cargoes were estimated to be worth $1,000,000, were brought safely into Boston. All Boston was alarmed at the sight of the little continental squadron and its prizes,--ten large s.h.i.+ps standing directly into the harbor,--believing them to be a British fleet. The buildings were covered with spectators. The cargoes, consisting of rum, sugar, logwood, pimento, &c, were delivered one half to the government and one half to the captors.[4]

[3] The Queen of France, Providence and Ranger, all three under the same commanders, were sunk at Charleston, S.C., May 12, 1780, by the British Squadron, after that city had surrendered to the forces under Sir Henry Clinton.

[4] The Rev. Dr. Lothrop's Centennial Sermon in Dover, N.H., June 28, 1846 (Appendix).

On his return from this successful cruise, Dr. Green resigned his position as surgeon of the Hanger in favor of Dr. Parker, of Exeter, and returned to Dover.

In 1780 he sailed on another cruise in the Alexander, Captain Mitch.e.l.l, 14 guns, but they accomplished nothing. In 1781, the vessel having been fitted up as a letter of marque, under Captain Simpson, he went in her to Fredericksburg, Virginia, and they took thence a load of tobacco to l'Orient in France. He returned in the Alexander to the United States in the autumn of that year, which concluded his revolutionary services.

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