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Rare original diary kept by an unknown junior officer during the midst of the American Revolution, recording events in daily fashion. The diary was undoubtedly kept contemporaneously to the events, judging by the different pens and inks used, and at times unevenness of the writing, although it is likely that at times several days' experiences were written at one time, as breaks in the action allowed. What is given is a vivid, if at times sparse account of action and events during 1777, with a few days in early 1778, and a recap of the end of 1776, from the officer’s enlistment until his departure from Valley Forge in January of 1778. His service began in New York, under Benedict Arnold’s command, and ends as Washington’s army was at winter quarters northwest of Philadelphia. The main diary takes up over half of the booklet, with the remainder used for accounting from 1776 to 1778, and also some later entries from 1826 and 1827, as the unused portions were pressed into service once again. Though the officer keeping the diary is not recorded, the later entries are signed by one Caleb Smith. A few excerpts, beginning with a recapitulation of events from his enlistment in 1776 until the middle of Augusts 1777: “November 21 1776 took my Commission and lay at Fishkill Barracks until the 20th of March 1777, then march to Peach Hill (?) Barracks and lay in them until the 28th of April then incamped by Cortlandt’s _____ lay there until 30th of May the Regt. then marched to White Plains & there lay until the 3rd of August then returnd to Peach Hill (?) & encamped on Gallowes Hill & there lay until Thursday the 14th of August…” * “Thursday, the 14th of August. Orders came for us to march to Fort Stanwicks [i.e. Stanwix] it rained hard all the knight. Friday the 15 at Revelee Beating we struck our tents wet as they were & marched as far as Fishkill Lodge in barracks that knight. Saturday the16. Drew provisions & marched to Fishkills Landing lodged our men in Barn that knight. Sunday 17th Imbarked with our small army on bord & set sail about 10 o’clock the wind being in our favour got as far as ____ and anchored at knight…” * "Wednesday the 20th landed our men at 4 in the afternoon & marched – I then got lodgings at Dernichs Schylers and lay sick there until Sunday the 7th of September nothing material happened at that time…” * “A general order came out for all officers & soldiers to repair to their Regt. Immediately I set out of Albany Sunday the 7th Sept & arrived at Loudens Ferry that knight orders came out to march next morning at Revelee Beating. Monday the 8 Day. According to orders we struck our tents but for want of waggons we were detained until 10 o’clock forded the river & marched 8 miles & incamped. Tuesday the 9th march to Still Water pitched our tents as 12 o’clock lay in camp all that day with Genl. Gates divisions…” * “Wednesday the 10 Day lay in camp sent out a fatigue party of 500 men to make a ____ Battery the same day began to make a Bridge across the river against whear we lay. Thursday the 11 Day lay in camp sent out a fatigue party & finished the fort also the Bridge. Friday the 12th. Struck our tents & marched with the whole army which consisted of about Seven Thousand 500 men marched about 3 milles encamped at 11 o’clock under command of Gen. Gates we belonged to Gen. Poors Brigade Maj. Gen. Arnolds Division…” * “Thursday 18 Turned out & struck our tents & loaded them at four o’clock am marched up toward the Enemy about three mills distance had a scrimmage with a small party of them took 2 prisoners & killed two then returned to camp pitched tents. Friday 19 …Struck our tents with the rest of the Army Major Genl. Arnolds Division attacked the whole of the enemy the fire lasted about 5 hours steady & very warm we lost of Livingston’s Regt. 3 killed & 9 wounded & 1 officer. Our whole wounded killed & missing about 200 almost. Sum of the deserters cam in next morning says their loss was… near 1000 men…” * “Tuesday 23 the Indians brought in 7 Tories, 1 artillery prisoner & 2 horses the prisoner had letters to the Commd. at Ticonderoga from Genl. Borgine who we suppose were not knowing of our being in possession of the French line. Genl. Strahan came in 4 deserters cam at knight said that the enemy was to force our lines tomorrow morning at 10 o’clock Genl. Lincoln came in with 1700 men left with Cole Brown Eighteen hundred men at Ticonderoga…” * “Saturday 7th we engaged them took 8 piece cannon 4 amenition wagens… one Maj. Williams of artelery 250 prisoners the killed 200 with a great deal of Plunder from their camp. Our loss of ___ killed & missing and 50 wounded. Also. Genl. Arnold wound through the leg & his horse killed under him. We killed Gen. Fratier of the Enemy…” * “Tuesday 14 a cessation of arms an answer to which Gen. Burgaine offered to make his whole army prisoner if he could have the liberty to march to sum place with his arms & then goe to England & lay still during this contest until they won… Gen. Gates did not agree to it them about 11 o’clock at night the Indians and Tories left Borgaine Capt. Sacket joined the Regt…” IN DECEMBER THE ARMY HEADED SOUTH TOWARDS PHILADELPHIA: * “Friday, [Dec.] 19, Moved from Mount Doead(?) to Valee Fordge & encamped…” * “Tuesday, 23 was under arms but did not march. Lt. Morton joined us & then was sent out about 1300 men to attack the enemy whear ever they found them we took several light horse. Wednesday, 24th Lord Starling Division marched out to cover the other men that were out. This day began to build our Hutts…” On December 28th the diarist sets out north, and records his progress to New York State, traveling 164 miles by January 3rd, at which point the diary ends.