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 was busy: Washington attempted to maintain his land claims to nearly 20,000 acres in what would become Ohio; Washington works with Nicholas Cooke to permit merchants in Providence to buy arms and powder in the Caribbean; a mutiny aboard the American schooner the Hannah occurred, leading to the flogging of 13 and fines for another 21 sailors; and finally, the Continental Congress began to amass resources to get the army through the encroaching winter.
On September 24, 1775, Washington’s General Orders, following the court martial of Major Scarborough Gridley for “being deficient in his duty upon the 17th June last, the day of the Action upon Bunkers-hill,” declare the desire to name and index all soldiers in the army, per request from the Massachusetts House of Representatives. The main information needed by the governing body is troop count in order to ascertain supply needs for the winter. They need to know who is stationed around Boston, who is heading north to Quebec, and who is dead.
Of the voyage to Quebec, Colonel Benedict Arnold writes to Washington on September 25, telling the general of their arrival to Fort Weston, District of Maine (near Augusta). This same day further north, Ethan Allen, hero of Fort Ticonderoga and a leader of the Green Mountain Boys, is captured following his defeat at the Battle of Longue Pointe just outside Montreal. Allen would remain a prisoner aboard British ships until a prisoner exchange nearly three years later in 1778.
The next day, Nicholas Cooke of Rhode Island cautions against future trips to Bermuda for arms and powder. He instead re-emphasizes the proposition discussed last week of sending ships to Bayonne, France to pick up from friendly merchants. He states he will forward this plan to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. His writings also highlight the importance of Falmouth, being the origin point of more possible supply trips to Bermuda.
On September 28, the Canadian Brigantine Dolphin is found anchored off Thatcher Island near Gloucester. The Gloucester Committee of Safety writes to Washington to inform him the ship was carrying 68 sheep and 45 oxen, a gift to British soldiers stationed in Boston from merchants in Quebec. A few days later, he would order the Dolphin to be seized, and cargo sold by the committee.
Also on September 28, Washington writes to the Massachusetts General Court informing them of communications he’s received from the Oneida tribe, a member of Haudenosaunee (Iroquois Confederacy). He states of a visiting representative, “his tribe has been very friendly to the cause of the united colonies.” Washington emphasized this meeting’s importance to the court and urges further cooperation to sway the people into joining the conflict more directly.
On September 29, Nicholas Cooke writes to Washington to inform him that the 74 men stationed on Block Island have observed “six transports, with some ships of war, are now in the Vineyard Sound, designed, without doubt, to procure another supply of fresh stock.” The British ships are patrolling the waters, looking to raid and capture provisions and livestock.
On September 30, Washington’s General Orders highlight the postponement of a court hearing between surgeons and Chief Physician & Director General Benjamin Church of Newport. Doctor Church, the day prior, had been found to have “carried on with the enemy” following the deciphering of his letters. His trial would be discussed at an official Counsil of War on October 3.
This Week In Revolutionary History…
By Sam Bishop