This week in Revolutionary War history, let’s check up on what was going on 250 years ago in the early United States. Last week, the already-battered Americans faced off against the British at White Plains, where the Continental Army withdrew, continuing to pull back to favorable terrain; King George III addressed Parliament, and Benjamin Franklin set sail for France.
On November 1, 1776, Lieutenant Colonel Robert Hanson Harrison of Maryland, General George Washington’s military secretary, writes to President John Hancock with important updates, as the General is busy on the front lines.
He exclaims the importance of their situation and the need for any aid, noting word he’s received from the front lines and the British advance, saying, “This information has carried his excellency and aids out. The result of their movement I have not heard, but most likely they are pursuing their original design of getting by our flanks and seizing the heights above us.” In his P.S. message, he adds their faltering supplies: “His Excellency [Washington] is very apprehensive that the army will be greatly distressed for want of provision, particularly in the article of flour, owing to the water conveyance both in the north and east river being in the enemy’s possession.”
The British continue to push toward White Plains proper, where Washington’s headquarters still resides. Per Harrison’s received reports, their positions could easily be enveloped.
In distress, Harrison noted his use of the “Boston Express” for mailing. Using these postal carriages, mail could be sent between Boston and Philadelphia quickly, with the Continental Army making great use of America’s relatively robust postal system.
In his General Orders that day, Washington writes, “The moving state of the army will occasion some irregularity, but the General hopes that officers of all ranks, will exert themselves, to correct all abuses.” Throughout this time, the two armies continuously maneuvered to attempt to gain an upper hand, though heavy rain persisted throughout.
On November 4, New Hampshire delegate to the Continental Congress Matthew Thornton became the final man to sign the Declaration of Independence.
On November 5, General Howe directed a detachment of his men to close the encirclement still pinned on Manhattan at Fort Washington. Around 3,000 men of the Continental Army had been left behind by Washington to maintain defense of the northern tip of Manhattan.
That same day, John Hancock sent urgent orders granting Washington the authority to directly appoint certain officers in the General’s proximity who had either failed to attend or abandoned their posts. He writes, “As it is of the greatest consequence that the militia now in service should not leave the camp at this crisis, it is the desire of Congress that you will take such steps as you shall judge best for attaining this end.”
The next day, Washington convenes a Council of War in White Plains. Up for discussion, per the minutes of the meeting, were “the late movements of the enemy having made it necessary to consider what may be now proper for this army to do, the General proposed the following question: ‘Supposing the enemy now to be retreating towards New York will it not be proper to throw a body of troops into the Jerseys immediately.’” This was approved unanimously by the council. Howe was attempting various feint maneuvers to try and lure troops out of White Plains, though he had not fully committed to attacking New Jersey at this time.
On November 7, Nathanael Greene wrote to Washington, reporting the discovery that between 3,000 to 5,000 men were encamped around Dobbs Ferry near the river. He also notes the transports located at the site are “sufficient to transport 15,000 men.”
This Week in Revolutionary War History
By Sam Bishop