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. Never uneventful, last week, delegates from the Continental Congress met George Washington at his headquarters in Cambridge with discussions mostly centered on the General’s plans to make it through the winter. Washington also received information from his troops regarding their desire to continue service into the next year in order to make further conscription preparations. Cambridge also received updates from Benedict Arnold and Philip Schuyler on their offensive campaign into Quebec, which is showing its first signs of disaster.
On October 29, 1775, Washington receives a note from his cousin and the manager of his estate/plantation, Mount Vernon, Lund Washington. Lund is about five years younger than George and has served as steward of the tract of land on the Potomac since the war’s onset. He initially writes of some unfurling behavior by the General’s wife, Martha Washington. Lund says she often departs with him being unsure of her exact whereabouts. He adds, “she has often declared she would go to the camp (Cambridge) if you would admit her.”
He gets into the real message he wants to convey. He seeks counsel. Lund is unsure how to ensure the safety of the property in the case of a British assault, looting, or capture. The property was about 8,000 acres just off the Potomac River in northern Virginia. He recommends fortifications, and a series of walls and batteries to stop the British from disembarking. It is difficult terrain to build on, but Lund is evidently fearful of the highly vulnerable position of the property. Washington’s reply was lost to time, but such fortifications were never erected.
On October 30, John Hancock writes with urgency and stress. “I confess I have great anxieties upon the subject,” referring to the eminent possible retiring of up to half of Washington’s officers at the end of the year. He hopes increased pay, better contract terms, and “a regard to their country” will retain some servicemen. Though the threat of a severely diminished army is a serious one.
That same day, Governor Jonathan Trumbull of Connecticut writes from Lebanon (the city), ironically also fearing the fragile defensive position near the sea, similar to Lund’s fears the day prior. Trumbull also suggests batteries, this time floating ones in the Long Island Sound. He fears New London is a prime target of the British. He is seeking recommendations from “skilled engineers.”
Josiah Quincy of Braintree writes Washington on October 31 (they don’t celebrate Halloween quite yet – sorry) with a potential strategic opportunity to get a leg up in Boston. When the delegates from the Continental Congress have come north last week, Quincy met with some of his friends, including Benjamin Franklin, and discussed the cruel “vengeance of a tyrannical government.” He and his friends have devised a “scheme.” In great detail, he outlines a plan to block the sea routes and starve British-held Boston of its maritime connections, thus isolating the garrison and making it an easy recapture. In speaking with Franklin, John Adams, and others, Quincy explains many possible methods for blocking the city. Including the construction of forts near the two channels into the city, the sinking of ships in said channels, or even the creation of “machines” to lay chains or barriers. “I doubt not, your Excellency will readily agree with me, that these are become objects of much greater importance, since the destruction of Falmouth (Portland, ME) demonstrates, the malicious resolution of our barbarously civilized enemies, to destroy all the rest of our maritime towns, if they can.” He then invites Washington to have a view of the harbor with him, to better formulate plans.
Washington sends a response a few days later. The army has no supplies, and such a plan isn’t near possible at the moment.
On November 1, Washington’s General Orders again instruct officers to manage their finances. They are not to order coats if they do not have the essential shirts and shoes first. That same day, Washington received a letter from the recently displaced Bostonian merchant Gillam Tailer: “I beg leave to represent to you that I am a young person from Boston, where I have left my all. I have been brought up in the mercantile way but by reason of the unhappy situation of affairs am now out of employ, should esteem it a great favor if your Excellency would bestow some employ on me, that I may be of some little service to my Country, for which shall ever retain a grateful sense & am your Excellency’s most obedient humble servant.” Many share a similar set of circumstances, and Tailer would become an ensign in the 2nd Continental Infantry about a month later.
Finally in a lucky victory against the supply shortage, on November 3, merchant John Brown of Providence informs Washington “a small quantity of powder” has just arrived from Suriname. Though little, it highlights a spark of hope and assistance from unlikely allies across the Commonwealth. On November 5, Washington also gets some more good news. This time, from Canada. Major General Philip Schuyler states Fort Chambly has been captured. The fort lies only a few miles east of Montreal. A great victory that Schuyler and Major General Richard Montgomery seek to capitalize on, pushing for Montreal and then Quebec City.
This Week in Revolutionary History
By Sam Bishop