(1) The effects of battles during the #RevolutionaryWar did not remain solely on #battlefields. As yesterday was the anniversary of #Princeton, let's take a quick look at how the fighting continued to impact #Britishsoldiers well after the fighting stopped. #Redcoats #18thCentury

(2) One of our main sources for the ways in which British soldiers experienced life after their service comes from various pension requests. William West was wounded at captured at Princeton. After the war, he settled in #NewBrunswick but continued to suffer from his wounds.

(3) The Petition of William West
Most Respectfully Sheweth

That he was a Serjeant in the Seventeenth Regiment of foot and served His Majesty in said Regiment seventeen years. That he came to Boston in 1775 and in 1777 was wounded in both of his legs and both Arms...

(4) one of which wounds is still open and likely to prove his death, was taken prisoner and remained in prison twelve months. In 1779 was again taken prisoner with the Regiment at Stony Point up the North River, was exchanged and went to Virginia and was again taken prisoner...

(5) with Lord Cornwallis at York Town. That he was discharged in 1783 and told that there would be a Board established in this Country so that he could draw his Pension without going home which was not the case. And having the misfortune to lose his house and by fire...

(6) his discharge and recommendation were burnt in it, and the Regiment having gone to the East Indies he had never received any assistance from Government.
That he is 86 years of age and is quite helpless. That he had been altogether supported with his wife...

(7) who is also 86 years of age and is entirely blind and deaf, by his daughter Mrs. Slorte for about seven years past.
He therefore begs that your Honourable House will take his case into your most faourable consideration and grant him some relief.

(8) And as in duty bound will ever pray
William West

(9) The other way we can look is through the original muster rolls of the regiment, now kept at @UkNatArchives, and various collections at @NAM_London. There we find more information on individuals affected by combat and sickness.

(10) Richard Atwood served as a #Drummer in McPherson's Company of the 17th. He was from Shipton Mallet in #Somerset. He was wounded in the shoulder at #Princeton. He did not fully recover from his injuries and was discharged in #NYC that July.

(11) Stephen Huskins came to the 17th from the 1st Regt (now @Royal_Scots) in 1776. He was killed in action on the 3rd of January, 1777. he was a weaver from #Scotland.

(12) William Linwood, a from #Malton, #Yorkshire was discharged the following summer due to insanity.

(13) Patrick McDonald was a 19-year-old Labourer from #Kilkenny, #Ireland. He lost his left leg and was discharged in February.

(14) Angus, John, and Malcolm McPherson, all from the #Scottish #Highlands were killed in action on January 3rd, 1777.

(15) Allen Stedman, a 19-year-old Labourer from #Edinburgh, had his right arm disabled.

(16) Serjeant David Wilson, a 29-year-old labourer from #Sheffield was shot in the heel and discharged.

(17) Thomas Butler of the #Grenadier Company was taken, prisoner. He escaped back to British lines in #NY with the help of local loyalists

(18) John Gale served as a Drummer in the Grenadiers. He was 35 and a laborer from #Wells, #Somerset, undergoing "hardships and fatigues during the whole of the late war in America is entirely worn out, and having been wounded at White Plains." Discharged in 1792. @1812andallthat

(19) 46-year-old filesmith John Gray served as Sjt Maj. He was captured at Princeton then was "sent to Winchester then to Lancaster; Worked for Americans in Philadelphia; 3 times wounded".

(Final) 435 soldiers were listed as serving with the 17th Regt at #Princeton. 17 were killed. 4 later died of their wounds, and 47 were captured. While a small fight by later standards, for each one of these #redcoats it had a massive impact. #History #BritishArmy #17thRegiment