Sally Wister's Journal: A True Narrative: Being a Quaker Maiden's Account of Her Experiences with Officers of the Continental Army, 1777-1778 Book

This is a slight little memoir by someone who saw no battles, but it is worth reading nonetheless. Sally Wister was a 16-year-old Quaker girl at the time of the Battle of Brandywine in the American Revolution. Her family had residences both in and near Philadelphia, and when the British occupied the city the Wisters moved away, and sent the children even further. Sally stayed in a farmhouse next to a major highway, not far from Wissahickon Creek, which was being used as a potential defensive line by the Americans. This meant that troops were constantly passing nearby, or camping in the pasture; and officers were regularly billeted in the farmhouse.

The text records her and her friends' flirtations with the officers (some of whom became important politicians after the War), and their worries about a British attack. It gives a sketchy, but realistic impression of what life just behind the lines was like, from the view of a non-combatant.

Two brief details:

A description of visiting a vacated army camp. "This morn my charming friend and self ascended the barren hills of Whitemarsh, from the tops of which we had an extensive prospect of the country round. The traces of the Army which encamp'd on these hills are very visible,---ragged huts, imitations of chimneys, and many other ruinous objects, which plainly show'd they had been there."

The unit stationed at the house begins packing up unexpectedly:
"Yes, madam. Are you Mr. Wister's wife?"
"No, his daughter."
"Is your papa at home?"
"No," I reply'd, but invited him in to see mama.
He agreed; dismounted, as did many other officers; but he alone came into our parlour. Watts follow'd, to bid us adieu. They sat a few minutes; told us that two of their men had deserted, and when that was the case, they generally mov'd their quarters. Watts told him how I was frightened. He said I paid but a poor compliment to their cavalry. I only smil'd....