Capt. Silas Burbank’s Co, Col. Brewer’s 12th MA Regiment, Dec. 15, 1777

The 12th Massachusetts Regiment was established on January 1, 1777. Many of the soldiers of the 18th Continental Regiment reenlisted into the 12th Massachusetts at the end of 1776. This roll of Capt. Silas Burbank’s Company, Col. Brewer’s 12 Massachusetts Regiment was taken on December 15, 1777. The roll covers the period from September to December of 1777. There are 65 Patriots listed in this roll. There are 32 Patriots on this roll that have pension records. This roll was taken as they were going into winter quarters at Valley Forge. There were 3 members of Burbank’s Co. that were killed between July and October: Corporal John Googins, Private Pelatiah Foss, and Private Abel Getchell. Let’s not forget them.

Corporal John Googins of Capt. Burbank’s Company was killed on July 7, 1777, during the Battle of Hubbardton.The 12th took part in the retreat from Fort Ticonderoga and Fort Independence on July 5, 1777. They were pursued by British General Fraser and German General Friedrich Adolf Riedesel. The 12th were part of the rear guard. They were attacked in the early morning of July 7, 1777. During this battle, there were 41–150 killed, 96–457 wounded and 230 captured soldiers were sent to Ticonderoga.

On October 5, 1777, Private Pelatiah Foss was reported dead. A search did not turn up the exact nature of his death. Did he die due to wounds at the Battle of Hubbardton, was he killed at the Battle of Hubbardton, was he captured by the British, or did he die while at Saratoga?

Private Abel Getchell was killed at the Second Battle of Saratoga. The 12th did not take part in the First Battle of Saratoga on September 19, 1777. However, during the Second Battle of Saratoga on October 7, 1777 the 12th took part in the attack on Breymann’s redoubt at Bemis Heights. Taking the redoubt exposed the British Camp which led to the surrender of the British. In Private Abel Getchell’s widow’s pension file, it is recorded that he was killed by grapeshot through the head as they were taking the redoubt.