The 1777 March of the Saratoga Convention Army

There is no question that the British element of the Convention Army stopped in Northampton, Massachusetts, in October of 1777.  Lieutenant Israel Bartlett , one of their assigned guards from the Massachusetts Militia, recorded in his diary: "[October] 27 Monday.  We marched to Northampton today, 18 miles, through the rain & mud, very fatiguing.  Arrived at 2 O'Clock..." [1]  Militia Private David How noted the same: "This Day Its ben Very wet and rainy And we march'd to North Hampton And Staid at Night thare."  [2]   The column rested a day in Northampton before crossing the Connecticut River.  Bartlett and How writing respectively:  "[October] 28 Tuesday.  We rested at Hampton [Northampton] all day on account of a very severe storm of rain and snow." and "[October] 28 This Day It has Ben Very Stormy both Hail & Snow and we Staid Hear all Day and Night." [3] British prisoners noted likewise.  Lieutenant (Lord) Francis Nap...