DEAR AMERICA The Second Diary of bigail Jane Stewart Cannons at Dawn K G RISTIANA REGORY Cannons at Dawn is dedicated to my wonderful mother, Jeanne Kern Gregory, whose ancestors marched with General Washington and were from Kernstown, Virginia. Mom’s love for writing, reading, and research inspired me as a young child and inspires me still. Also, this is in loving memory of Ann Reit, my longtime editor— a formidable and often terrifying one — who guided me through The Winter of Red Snow. It was great fun brainstorming with her and we became dear friends. About writer’s block, she said, “Forget about it. Just tell the story!” I miss her deeply. Table of contents Cover Title Page Dedication Valley Forge, Pennsylvania 1779 January 2, 1779, Saturday morning Before bed Days later To continue … Walnut Street, Philadelphia Am not sure of the date Later January 12, 1779, Tuesday Evening, still Tuesday January 13, 1779, Wednesday Evening January 15, 1779, Friday, before bed After an argument with Mother January 17, 1779, Sunday January 23, 1779, Saturday Next evening January 25, 1779, Monday Monday after supper, looking at maps and an almanac Aboard the Little Liberty Somewhere along the Delaware Hiding Morning at the tavern After scrubbing the attic Following the Continental Army 1779 Mid-March 1779 Next day March 30, 1779, Tuesday Later, still Tuesday March 31, 1779, Wednesday Another day, after a visit to Headquarters April 5, 1779, Monday Two surprises June 3, 1779, Thursday June 5, 1779, Saturday June 7, 1779, Monday On our way to Stony Point Mid-June 1779 Another hot day June 16, 1779, Wednesday June 30, 1779, Wednesday A few days later: good news! Same week, more news July 4, 1779, Sunday July 17, 1779, Saturday Afternoon, still waiting for news July 18, 1779, Sunday A long afternoon July 20, 1779, Tuesday West Point, New York August 1, 1779, Sunday Afternoon Still Sunday — evening by the fire August 2, 1779, Monday August 3, 1779, Tuesday After visiting the oak tree August 4, 1779, Wednesday An idea August 5, 1779, Thursday September 17, 1779, Friday September 24, 1779, Friday By candle, in our tent September 27, 1779, Monday September 30, 1779, Thursday October 2, 1779, Saturday November 9, 1779, Tuesday A cold afternoon November 17, 1779, Wednesday End of November 1779 December 3, 1779, Friday Second week of December 1779 Mercury, 8 degrees December 13, 1779, Monday Christmas Eve, 1779, Friday Christmas Day, 1779, Saturday December 28, 1779, Tuesday January 3, 1780, Monday Later January 8, 1780, Saturday By Mrs. Ford’s grate Later, still January 8 January 9, 1780, Sunday January 10, 1780, Monday January 12, 1780, Wednesday January 18, 1780, Tuesday Evening, still Tuesday February 4, 1780, Friday February 14, 1780, Monday After supper, still Monday March 15, 1780, Wednesday April 17, 1780, Monday April 18, 1780, Tuesday April 26, 1780, Wednesday April 28, 1780, Friday Another day May 10, 1780, Wednesday May 19, 1780, Friday Next day May 1780 — not sure of the date June 5, 1780, Monday After a three-day march July 15, 1780, Saturday July 19, 1780, Wednesday July 31, 1780, Monday August 4, 1780, Friday August 13, 1780, Sunday September 22, 1780, Friday September 23, 1780, Saturday September 29, 1780, Friday September 30, 1780, Saturday Still Saturday — rainstorm Still Saturday—late afternoon Still Saturday—night October 1, 1780, Sunday —dawn Still Sunday — noon October 2, 1780, Monday October 6, 1780, Friday October 9, 1780, Monday December 25, 1780, Monday December 27, 1780, Wednesday December 28, 1780, Thursday Still Thursday, late at night New Year’s Eve, 1780 New Year’s Day 1781, Monday Near Middlebrook, New Jersey January 7, 1781, Sunday Later, still Sunday, January 7 Still Sunday, January 7 January 8, 1781, Monday Monday evening, after cleaning pots January 10, 1781, Wednesday January 29, 1781, Monday April 24, 1781, Tuesday Warmer days May 7, 1781, Monday A new family May 13, 1781, Sunday May 31, 1781, Thursday