This week in Revolutionary War History, let’s discuss what was going on 250 years ago in and around the colonial Province of Massachusetts Bay. Last week, Washington concluded his spout with General Thomas Gage, gunpowder was successfully stolen from Bermuda, and Washington appointed Thomas Mifflin to Quartermaster General in continuing attempts to curb the Continental Army’s supply crisis.
On August 20, 1775, Washington writes to General Philip Schuyler at Fort Ticonderoga apologizing for supply delays. He says he has met with members of the Continental Congress from Philadelphia, who assured Washington powder will be forwarded north. He also instructs Schuyler to “seek a strict neutrality of the Indian Nations,” or don’t engage in battle with local tribes as to not push them into allying with the British. He also says, if possible, broker offensive alliances. Washington then outlines the most important message of the letter, “The design of this express is to communicate to you a plan of an expedition, which has engrossed my thoughts for several days: It is to penetrate into Canada.”
While we now benefit from hindsight, the Continental plan was to march north from Ticonderoga, go around Montreal, traverse along the Saint Lawrence River and assault Quebec City. Quebec had, by far, the most population of any Canadian city. Capturing it would secure the loyalist colony and disallow the British from supplying in the region. That’s the thought, at least. There was also the prevailing sentiment that the French Quebecois, having been conquered by the British about 15 years earlier, would ally with the 13 Colonies. Washington promises to send Schuyler an additional 1,000 to 1,200 and envisions Colonel Benedict Arnold leading the incursion.
A couple days later in keeping with the theme of supply shortages, Jonathan Trumbull of Connecticut writes to Washington saying, “We are greatly exhausted” and states no powder has arrived following his request. He states he and the state General Assembly have encouraged the people of the state to collect saltpeter and sulfur, issuing bounties for both materials essential in powder creation.
On August 22, Washington’s General Orders stray away from supplies and instead focus on something else. “The General does not mean to discourage the practice of bathing, whilst the weather is warm enough to continue it; but he expressly forbids, any persons doing it, at or near the Bridge in Cambridge, where it has been observed and complained of, that many men, lost to all sense of decency and common modesty, are running about naked upon the bridge, whilst passengers, and even ladies of the first fashion in the neighborhood, are passing over it, as if they meant to glory in their shame: The guards and [s]entries at the Bridge, are to put a stop to this practice for the future.” Incredible. Again, the ragtag group of farmers seriously lacks discipline.
We move across the pond to London, August 23, 1775. King George III issues and signs a proclamation at Saint James Palace. It is titled, “A Proclamation, by The King, for Suppressing Rebellion and Sedition,” more generally known as the Proclamation of Rebellion. The King states the colonies, “misled by dangerous and ill designing men,” are hostile in their obstruction of commerce and law. Britain now officially sees itself in a full state of war, with the King telling subjects “to use their utmost endeavors to withstand and suppress such rebellion.” There is also a hunt for traitors and conspirators. The Olive Branch Petition, sent to London by the Continental Congress on July 5, was therefore rejected and ignored by King George III.
In further escalations, on August 25, General Richard Montgomery leads 1,500 men out of Fort Ticonderoga, officially beginning the Quebec Campaign. Benedict Arnold will depart Massachusetts in a few weeks to link up with the general, in an effort to flank Quebec City.
This Week in Revolutionary History…
By Sam Bishop