This week in Revolutionary War history, let’s check up on what was going on 250 years ago in and around the colonial Province of Massachusetts Bay. Last week, Washington and the Continental Army are struggling with enlistment and re-enlistment. The low morale, low supplies, and lack of confidence over wages are all brewing a potential disaster. Cambridge also received distressing news from Benedict Arnold’s column in Quebec, with the Colonel facing disastrously low supplies and desertion. At that same time further west, Major General Richard Montgomery had just captured Montreal, facing little resistance taking the city. Finally, the famous Knox Expedition began, with the “noble train of artillery” soon heading back to Washington.
On November 18, 1775, General George Washington’s General Orders for the day initially called for all “Horns of the Bullocks,” or steers, to be kept in order to be used as powder horns. Following this, Washington declares that he and the Massachusetts General Court have made the upcoming Thursday, December 23, a day of thanksgiving. He also hopes to earn the favor of God, saying “he would be pleased graciously to continue, to smile upon our endeavors, to restore peace, preserve our rights, and privileges, to the latest posterity; prosper the American arms, preserve and strengthen the harmony of the United Colonies, and avert the calamities of a civil war.”
A President George Washington would later sign the National Thanksgiving Proclamation which made Thursday, November 26, 1789, a day of public thanksgiving and also ensuring the last Thursday of November would continue to be celebrated as such.
On November 19, Washington responds to John Hancock and the Continental Congress’ plan to dispatch men to Nova Scotia to cut off British lines of communication and control. The general wards against such plans, asking “whether this is a time to weaken our lines.” He also mentions his spies have spotted more British battalions from Ireland arriving in Boston, further cautioning against sending some of his troops north. He speaks of Benedict Arnold’s hardships in Canada, saying more troops north would “find it impossible to supply.”
The next day, Washington hears from Colonel Arnold who informs the general of his successful crossing of the Saint Lawrence, nearing Montgomery and company in Montreal. Nearing Montreal, he informs Washington he asked the city for supplies and clothes. He says, “I have been obliged to send to Montreal for clothing for my people about 650 in the whole, who are almost naked & in want of every necessary.”
On November 21, the General Orders for the day detail three court martials: one for hoarding supplies and two for abandoning their posts. The General says they should “be punished with fifteen lashes each,” but is pleased at the military court’s ruling, saying “on account of the youth and ignorance of their duty; the court recommend the prisoners for mercy.” The prisoners are pardoned, but the general highlights the rarity of this instance, and as to not inspire others, says “such a crime will not meet with mercy in future.”
On November 22, Major General Philip Schuyler writes from Fort Ticonderoga, showing a common talking point is the troop movements in Quebec. He references Arnold’s journey north, saying “Whatever may be Colonel Arnold’s fate at Quebec, his merit is very great, in marching such a body of troops, thro’ a country scarcely trodden by human foot.” He is confident in the campaign to Washington, though writings back and forth between him and the other commanders show Quebec is a grueling mission. The temperatures are only dropping.
The following day, Washington’s General Orders further focus on winter preparations. As many men enlisted at the start of the year with a year-long contract, December 31 would mark their final day. He instructs his commanders to give re-enlisting men a two-month pay allowance. He also shifts some soldiers around, pulling recruiters who have thus far been ineffective and sending them back to general service.
This also happens to be the general-declared official day of thanksgiving. Considering this was taking place in 1775, it would be about 150 years following the original thanksgiving meal between the Plymouth Pilgrims and Wampanoag with Massasoit over a famous meal. Even in Washington’s time, this encounter would be a fabled and well-regarded founding story, at least by the colonists.
This Week in Revolutionary History
By Sam Bishop