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, supply issues still plagued the Continental Army with no real end in sight, all while an offensive campaign north into Quebec began and King George III signed the “Proclamation of Rebellion,” officially signaling the British Empire is in an active state of war.
On August 27, 1775, Major General Philip Schuyler writes to Washington from Albany, New York, different from his usual post at Fort Ticonderoga. Schuyler states he was in the area and had an impromptu meeting with the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy, or the Haudenosaunee. At one point, this confederacy of different tribes encompassed a colossal landmass, from what would become Montreal, down the Saint Lawrence to Ohio and south to areas of Kentucky and Virginia. At the time of the meeting, they are further being driven into present day Upstate New York. The general tells Washington that the committee he met with was open and accepting to their neutrality in the conflict but had no interest in their own involvement on the American side. Schuyler writes, “they explicitly declared that as it was a family quarrel, they would not interfere, but remain [neutral] and hoped we would not desire more of them.”
Unfortunately, this agreement was not to last. With hindsight, we know the confederation would suffer its first major splinter with some tribes supporting the British, and others the Americans. This would primarily be due to a lack of trade and immense pressure from both sides. The conflict would spell the doom of the Haudenosaunee, a peaceful network and confederation of tribes and peoples that had lasted roughly half a millennium.
For now, the tribes are neutral. On August 29 in his General Orders, Washington reminds his men to adhere to his previously implemented food (bread) standards, as “complaints are continually making of the badness of the bread.” The same day, he writes to the Massachusetts Council, primarily working out of Cambridge, Concord, or Watertown due to Boston’s continued occupation, pushing for price controls on exorbitant fees for firewood, oats, and hay. He feels he is being extorted due to the army’s need. He writes, “I have great Reason to believe that this is an artificial scarcity partly created by some persons who are monopolizing those articles in order to advance the price.” Should prices not come down, Washington warns “the great Law of Self Preservation must authorize us to compel them.” Basically, coercion or forced acquisition.
The following day, Washington’s General Orders are to mobilize about 600 men from two different brigades and march to the recently recaptured “Plough’d Hill” just outside Boston, present day Mount Benedict in Somerville. Surgeons and medics, he mentions, must also follow suit. Action is predicted as the army holding the hill is underequipped and being assaulted from the British.
On August 31, Washington addresses confusion over pay, and a lack of pay, in his General Orders. Some regiments pay by lunar month and others by calendar month. Washington commands all regiments of Massachusetts Forces to pay their men immediately, at the same time, by calendar month. The same day, Washington is made aware that Messr Clarke & Nightingale of Providence have imported a substantial quantity of gunpowder, lead, and arms. He dispatches his Aide-de-Camp, Captain George Baylor, to strike a deal and acquire this material. He tells them to send the material and the bill, and whatever is asked will be “honored on the shortest notice.”
On September 1, Philip Schuyler is joining up with General Montgomery in Quebec at Isle-au-noix. He is under the belief that both natives and Canadians will be friendly with the Continental Army, eventually helping them in driving out British forces. The same day, Washington hears from Lieutenant Colonel Loammi Baldwin in Chelsea that the Select Men (the Tri-Town still carrying on a long history of local governance) of the town have stated their worry and opposition to the 80-or-so men stationed in the town. He states the town is “vastly destressed and impoverished by repeated difficulties” and barracks should be built with great haste.
Finally on September 2, Washington lays the groundwork for the Continental Navy, assigning Nicholson Broughton as Captain of recently acquired 4-gun schooner Hannah, eventually to have the name USS Hannah awarded after its service.
This Week in Revolutionary History…
By Sam Bishop