The Cogswells in America - citizen hylbom blog

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the LiEUi. Samuel Cugsweli. who appears with Cul. Thomas Ccigsweli
1 152 ; and Major Amus Cogswell [156] on the banks of the Hudson when
the officer? of the American Revolution organized, in 1783, "The Society
I IF Cincinnati." After the close of the war he engaged in the mercantile
business. Mr. Cogswell was a person of fine abilities and of refined and
.attractive manners. He seemed to have a career of eminence before him,
when his life was suddenly terminated, Aug. 29, 1790. He was on a gunning
excursion with a college classmate and friend, Mr. Dickinson, wlien, by some
accident, his friend's gun was une.xpectedly discharged, and Mr. Cogswell
killed almost instantly. He was but thirty-si.v years of age.
1.1,1 ll.K.^ UF LIKIT. .sAMLKl. CoGSWKI.I.
" P.^L'TVXET, yTH .March, 1779.
" J'i-.ii „ii,i /J.'ii'ii Sir.— It i.- a long lime siiici; I have h.id tlii. ].|easiire lu he.ii I'mni llic
family by letter. I am ignorant of the rea>on. I sumelimes think it owing tu the niiscavvi.igc
of letters, miA sometime.- to the exiiectation of soon seeing me at home, Init never can impute
it to want of parental love.
"By my former letters you doubtless know the reason of my being so long absent from
home. The same reasons, \\/.., the scarcity of ( iflicers to do Camp Duty, still keeps mc here.
Ofticers who deserved Turloughs sooner than me and who left Camp in the Winter have not
yet returned. They are daily expected, and as soon as they come I have the promise of a
I'urlongh, My duty through the Winter has been rather severe, but I have always been able to
jH-rform it. Not a single tour have 1 mi-sed since I have been a soldier. Thus by my steadi-
ness and attention t.. niy duty I cann..t think it will savour of o.-tentaiinn f, sly that I have
gained the esteem of my Superior- and ac(|uir(-d the character of a good Dfticcr: but I >a\
" The vices of Camji are innumer.ibic, and perhaps the mnnbcr is as large in thi- I U t.u I1
ment as in any upon the Continent. Many of the Officers are men of very loo.sc ]>rinci|.lc>
either as to moral or religions dnlies. 'i"hey have bravery and public Virtue, but tlu\ .in
both founded upon wrong sentiments. There are a select few in this Detachment « li'> .ui
worthy to be beloved and admired. To goodness and politcnes.- they join a desire m |ilr,iing
by an amiable and unblemished conduct. I know my Father would choose to h;ivc me
neglect the company of the former whilst I make the latter my companions. I do, and with
a great degree of ]ileasure can say that hitherto I have shunned tho.se vices, of which the liv-
\np. in general is guilty ; but I must confess that the frecpiency of them makes them appear
le-s enormous to me n.iw than when I first commenced a Soldier's life. Cool reflection showthem
to me in the same colours as ever, but at first sight they have not the same impression
uprm me as they once had. Heaven, I hope, will give me power always to avoid them.
" No news in this f^)uarter. The enemy at New I'ort are very still. I think they arc fools
if they lay .still long, for our shores are thinly manned. It is my opinion that lour thousand
of them might get to Providence with a great deal of ease; but they would be obliged to go
ha\t but short allowance.
" -My (Quarters are much expr>-cil, I li\e wiiii a rich old Fanner, who-c ( ixeii, t nw.-. anil
Sheep would afford them a grand re))a>i. Should tlu\ be tcm]ned to make him .1 vi>ii -.•iiu-
dark night, it is ten to one but I shall be obliged to run ..If with but half a Shin m nn luck,
"1 expect to be at home in three weeks. Mv lie-i lUnv i.. nn .Manim.i ami CMin|)linicms
to .Mr. and Mr-, Devoti.m.
"I am. Sir, voui dmilul and allectionati S.,n,