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The British and Provincial Conquest of Cuba: Harbour

Long looked for, long expected, much desired to know the fixed time. MONDAY, Oct. 11, 1762-This morning 3 Ships of the Line fell down out of the Harbor, under the Command of Commodore Kipple, who saluted Admiral Pocock with 17 Cannon, the admiral return'd 15-one of the 3, a 70 Gun Ship, unhappily went foul of one of ye Sunk Ships in the mouth of the Harbour, and Stuck fast till 3 o'Clock P.M. when She cleared the Ship-Tis said that the Ships are design for Jamacai.

A.M., Visited all the sick officers in the Regiment that are in Camp, then visited Gen'l. Lyman. P.M. visited a considerable part of the hospital Tents-at my return found Col. Putnam and Lt. Parks returned from the Country, Lt. Parks Sick-at Evening had the Joyfull news of the prosperous Season in New England and the Smiles of divine providence upon the labours of the field: that they have plentifull Crops, the News bro't in by a vessel last from New London-that arrived this afternoon in the harbour.

Tuesday, Oct. 12, 1762.-A heavy rain towards morning-a pleasant morning and fine air.

A.M. visited officers in Camp. Sick-all seem to be upon the recruit. This morning 3 ships of the line more fell down out of the Harbour, to Join Commodore Kepple, who are to Cruize along to the Northward if possible to come across a French fleet that is reported to be out--and then go to Jamaica. Two frigates Joind them that lay at the mouth of the Harbour. Towards night, the heavens were cover'd with blackness, and a heavy rain came on, Severe lighting and heavy Thunder, held till 8 o'Clock the heavyest rain we have ever known upon the Land.

Wednesday, Oct. 13, 1762.-This Morning another Ship of the line went out to Join the above mentioned Ships upon their cruize-a little before 4 o'Clock P.M. the rain came on again-continued till late in the Night. Thursday, Oct. 14, 1762.-About 2 o'Clock this morning Ephraim Parks, one of our Family, died, a rainy night this morning fair and pleasant-in the afternoon very strong wind-at night heavy rain.

FRIDAY, Oct. 15,1762.-A very heavy Rain all the latter part of the night and in the morning, little after sun rise Clear'd of-a pleasant fore noon-this day my youngst Son Narcissus is a year old. A.M. visited the sick officers in Camp. P.M. Orders from head quarters. 6 Transports appointed for the Connecticutt Troops to Carry them to N. York, who are order'd to imbark Next Tuesday-good news to the Troops.

SATURDAY, Oct. 16, 1762.-A pleasant and comfortable Morning for this Country that has proved so fatal to so many of our Troops. Visited the offices sick in Camp-this day a distrabution of the troops among the transports and, am order'd aboard the Royal Duke, a large Transport Ship of about 500 tuns. SABBATH DAY, Oct 17,1762.-All in a hurry making preparations for the Embercation and laying Stores for the Voige to New York-tho' the day is the Lord's by a special appropriation, yet nothing of religious service observed, or anything besides the present important affair of providing each one for himself without an relation to another, and as tho' there was no being to be dependant upon but each upon himself.

Visited the sick officers in Camp-by Yesterday return, died the last Week 19 Deed before 207 ----- In Gen'l Regd. Total 226 MONDAY, Oct. 18, 1762.-The Camp all in a Tumult, in a hurry embarking the Sick and laying stores for voyage one running one way another hastning another in a hurry doing but little-about 4 o'Clock P.M. embarked on board the Royal Duke, a fine large ship and noble Convenience for Officers and Soldiers-the main body of the Connecticutt Troops embarque'd this Day on board the transports appointed for them.

TUESDAY, Oct. 19.-This day Gen'l. Lyman Recd of the Pay Master Gen'l. the prize money for Connecticutt Troops-and pay'd to the several Capts. of our Regm't a propotion for themselves and Soldiers. Still lye in harbour. WEDNESDAY, Oct. 20, 1762-Weigh'd anchor and fell down to the mouth of the harbour. A.M. went on board the Resolution and Rec'd the Adjutant. 100 Dollars and 150 in Bitts.

THURSDAY, Oct. 21, 1762.--Just at night going out of the harbour narrowly escaped running on the Rocks--the Ship struck once, but a wind sprung up and carried us Clear-stood of to sea all night.

FRYDAY, Oct. 22, 1762.-Return'd Back to find the fleet. Join'd the fleet toward night, when the Capts. of Transports Rec'd there orders from the Commadore. Was very ill all day.

SATURDAY, Oct. 23, 1762.-More comfortable this Morning, continued on Course towards the metazes.

SABBATH DAY, Oct. 24.-Had a very ill day unable to move, thick broke out all over-a pleasant day.

MONDAY, Oct. 25, 1762.-the last night towards the latter part strong gust of wind-Continued all day-more comfortable to day but not able to sett up much. Taken out of the money Recd of Dollars 3. Bitts 5.

JOHN GRAHAM 10 March, 1763 The leader of the provincial troops in the Havana expedition was General Phineas Lyman, of whom we have this brief and mournful account in Appleton's Encyclopaedia:

LYMAN, PHINEAS, soldier, born in Durham, Conn., in 1716; died near Natchez, Miss., 10 Sept., 1774. He was bred to the trade of a weaver, but subsequently prepared for college, and was graduated from Yale in 1738. . . . . In 1761 he was ordered to Canada, and in 1762 he was sent with 2,300 men to assist in the capture of Havana, and subsequently placed in command of the entire provincial force during that unlucky expedition. At its close he was deputed by the surviving officers and soldiers to proceed to England and receive the part of the prize money that remained due. A company of "Military Adventurers" had also been formed by his exertions, chiefly composed of those who had served in the late wars, whose object it was to obtain from the British government a tract of land on the Mississippi and Yazoo rivers. Soon after his arrival in England, in 1763, a change of ministry took place, and so many obstacles appeared in the way of accomplishing his design that he remained abroad until 1772, unwilling to return home and admit failure. He was at last taken back by his son, the wreck of his former self, but not until he had obtained permission from the crown to settle on a tract of land twenty miles square, east of the Mississippi and south of the Yazoo. The "Military Adventurers" having been reorganized, Gen. Lyman began in December, 1773, with a few companions, to make a preliminary survey. The party settled near Natches, but Lyman soon died.

As two of the British lords divided more than a million dollars, it was not unnatural on the part of the provincial officers to think there was something coming to them; but the wild land in the Yazoo country was in those times a sorry substitute for the Spanish silver and gold that was carried to England.