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Sergeant Lamb’s Record of Life and the Camp
Sergeant Roger Lamb, an educated Irishman, who was captured with Burgoyne at Saratoga, later
wrote a work entitled Journal of the American War, which was published in Dublin in 1809.
He served in a regiment of Welsh Fusileers and after his capture accompanied the British
prisoners to Boston and Virginia. He escaped, and joined the troops of Major Andre. In
October 1781 he was captured, with the British troops at Yorktown, but he escaped and fled
to Frederick, Maryland.
Unfortunately for him, Sergeant Lamb was again captured at Frederick and placed in the
prison barracks there for two weeks, before being sent to Winchester, Virginia. “Part
of the British troops remained in Winchester until January 1782,” wrote Lamb:
…When Congress ordered us to be marched to York, in Pennsylvania. I received information
that as soon as I fell into ranks to march off, I should be taken and confined in the
Winchester jail, as the Americans were apprehensive that when I got near to York I should
again attempt my escape. I was advised by my officers to conceal myself until the troops
had marched. I took the hint and hid myself in the hospital among the sick, where I remained
until the American guards had been two days on their march with the British prisoners. I then
prepared to follow them, but at a safe distance.
The troops arrived at York and were confined in a prison similar to the one at Rutland,
Massachusetts, here Burgoyne’s prisoners were held in 1778. A great number of trees
were ordered to be cut down in the woods; these were sharpened at each end and driven firmly
into the earth very close together, enclosing a space of about two to three acres. American
sentinels were planted on the outside of the fence, at convenient distances, in order to prevent
our getting out. At one angle, a gate was erected and on the outside thereof, stood a guard house,
two sentinels were posted at this gate, and no one could get out unless he had a pass from the
officers of the guard; but that was a privilege in which very few were indulged.
About two hundred yards from this pen, a small village had been built by prisoners of General
Burgoyne’s army, who were allowed very great privileges with respect to liberty in the
country. When some of my former comrades of the Ninth Regiment were informed that I was a
prisoner with Lord Cornwallis’ army, and that I was shortly expected at York, they
immediately applied to the commanding officer of the Americans for a pass in my name, claiming
me as one of their regiment. This was immediately granted, and some off them kindly and
attentively placed themselves on the watch for my arrival, lest I should be confined with the
rest of Cornwallis’ army. When I reached York I was most agreeably surprised at meeting
my former companions; and more so when a pass was put in my hands, giving me the privilege of
then miles of the country road while I behaved well and orderly.
I was then conducted to a hut, which my poor loving companions had built for me in their village
before my arrival. Here I remained some time, visiting my former companions from hut to hut; but
I was astonished at the spirit of industry, which prevailed among them. Men, women and children
were employed making lace, buckles, spoons, and exercising other mechanical trades, which they had
learned during their captivity. They had a very great liberty from the Americans and were
allowed to go round the country and sell their goods, while the soldiers of Cornwallis’
army were closely confined.
I perceived that they had lost the animation, which ought to possess the breast of the soldier.
I strove by every argument to rouse them to their lethargy. I offered to head any number of them,
and make a noble effort to escape into New York and join our comrades in arms; but all my efforts
proved ineffectual. As for my part, I was determined to make an attempt. I well knew from
experience, that a few companions would be highly necessary. Accordingly I sent word of my
intention to seven men of the Twenty-third regiment who were confined in the pen. That I was
willing to take them with me. I believe in all the British army that these men, three sergeants
and four privates, could not have excelled for courage and intrepidity. They rejoined the idea;
and by the aid of some of Burgoyne’s army, they were enabled under cover of a dark night,
to scale their fence and assemble in my hut. I sent word of my intention to my commanding officer,
Captain Saumarez, of the Twenty-Third, and likewise the names of the men who I purposed to take
with me. As my money was almost expended, I begged of him to advance me as much as convenient.
He immediately sent me a supply. It was the first of March 1782 that I set off with my party.
After Sergeant Lamb escaped with his seven companions, he went to New York City, and joined
the troops commanded by Sir Guy Charlton. Lamb was able to return to Dublin, where he became a
teacher and an author, and died in 1830.
The account of Sergeant Lamb is valuable in describing the conditions of the camp. He relates
that a second stockade was built around the camp – apparently the one built for the Burgoyne troops
had fallen into disuse. It is unclear whether the second stockade was built on the same perimeter
as the first. Lamb is also valuable in describing the mental state of the Burgoyne prisoners.
By then, after years of confinement and having seen many of their own die during the forced
marches, Burgoyne’s troops had given up any desire to escape. They were being well treated
in America, and were able to raise a family in Camp Indulgence.
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