This week in Revolutionary War history, let’s check up on what was going on 250 years ago in the Thirteen Colonies. Last week, Massachusetts and other New England militiamen are called to New York to aid in the city’s defense, as 10,000 Redcoats disembark on Staten Island. General George Washington is informed of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, as the document is printed in local newspapers and is read aloud to communities across the colonies as it slowly disseminates out of Philadelphia. The Revolutionary War formally became a war of independence from the Crown.
On the morning of July 12, 1776, Washington meets with his Council of War in his New York headquarters at the Richmond Hill Estate. Though the estate is gone today, it and its 26 acres of farmland sat in today’s Greenwich Village. At their meeting, Washington pushed for offensive action, with meeting notes saying, “The General proposed to the consideration of the board a plan of a descent upon Staten Island in different places so as to form a general attack upon the enemy’s quarters – and a question was made whether in our present situation such a measure was advisable.” In the next line: “Agreed Unanimously. That it was not.”
That afternoon, Admiral Molyneux Shuldham of the Royal Navy ordered two of his experienced captains, Captain Hyde Parker Jr. and Captain James Wallace, to make haste and push up the Hudson to Haverstraw Bay, roughly 35 miles north. At around 3:00 pm, two smaller warships, the HMS Pheonix, HMS Rose, and three smaller tenders raced up the river with the wind pushing behind from the south. Defensive batteries across the area rang out from forts on land and on Governors Island. Smoke filled the air as the ships’ broadsides fired back, though the ships didn’t slow.
Following the onslaught, three British crew members were injured, though multiple American defenders had been killed. The ships made it past Fort Washington and to Haverstraw Bay, highlighting major deficiencies in the city’s defenses.
On July 13, in his General Orders, Washington lambasts his men’s poor performance, saying, “The General was sorry to observe yesterday that many of the officers and a number of men instead of attending to their duty at the beat of the drum; continued along the banks of the north river, gazing at the ships; such unsoldierly conduct must grieve every good officer, and give the enemy a mean opinion of the army, as nothing shews the brave and good soldier more than in case of alarms, cooly and calmly repairing to his post, and there waiting his orders; whereas a weak curiosity at such a time makes a man look mean and contemptible.” Washington orders greater defensive measures to be taken.
That same day, Admiral Richard Howe writes to Washington looking to have a discussion, hoping the general will hold “consideration of the Kings benevolent intentions, may be the means of preventing the further Effusion of Blood, and become productive of Peace and lasting Union between Great Britain and America.” He states if he hears back positively, a frigate will pick up Washington and bring him to Howe. Both Richard and his brother, Commander William Howe, were granted the powers to make peace in the colonies. Washington would not write back until August 13, where he would make no mention of any meeting.
On July 16, Thomas Jefferson brings forward the Articles of Confederation for discussion and consideration on the floor of the Continental Congress. This document sought to unify the Thirteen Colonies into a single entity, albeit, highly decentralized. That same day, New York delegate John Alsop resigned in protest of the Declaration of Independence.
On July 17, the declaration begins to make its way through Massachusetts, with the document officially entering the records of Worcester and Boston.
On July 18, it is read aloud to thousands in Boston from the balcony of the Old State House. The crowd thunders with cheers and applause.
This Week in Revolutionary War History
By Sam Bishop