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, the Continental Army was laying out plans to combat their dire lack of supplies, both food and arms. Washington was also displeased with information circulating of American POWs being treated improperly and sent a message to the British commander.
This week, British Lieutenant General Thomas Gage responded to Washington’s letter, claiming Washington’s spies have lied and the British following the King have humility and righteousness on their side. He states even though they have “take[n] arms against King and Country” are being treated better than the King’s own men. He mirrors Washington’s threats from last week, saying any retaliation will have “dreadful consequences.”
That same day, August 13, the Massachusetts General Court, having corresponded with Selectmen of towns throughout the colony, stated they would work with General Washington to stiffen solider absence and abandonment. There was also a small skirmish in Chelsea at 3:00 am along the river, with Continental troops opening fire on boats. No American casualties were reported.
To tackle the supply issues, Washington appoints Philadelphia Quaker Thomas Mifflin to the position of Quartermaster General. Mifflin is tasked with finding ways around supply shortages, to which he and Washington, the same day he is appointed, are again working on the plan to strike at Bermuda. In writing to the Governor of Rhode Island Nicholas Cooke, saying “The voyage is short, our necessity is great: The expectation of being supplied by the inhabitants of the island under such hazards as they must run, is slender: so that the only chance of success is by a sudden stroke.” Supplies are running low, and time is of the essence. The night of August 14 was the actual raid. Henry Tucker, a local Bermudan merchant impacted by the cutoff trade between the island and the Thirteen Colonies now in revolt, had met with the Continental Congress in Philadelphia to come to business agreements. According to The Smithsonian, “Tucker didn’t have gunpowder to offer, but he knew how to get it.”
There aren’t many sources on the matter, with historians having to guess, estimate, and retrace events using various letters. We know men in touch with Tucker broke into the powder magazine, and eventually made out with 126 kegs of gunpowder. With each keg being about 25 pounds, that makes 3,150 pounds of powder, “enough to quadruple Washington’s ammunition” according to the Smithsonian’s Matt Jancer. Two American ships were involved, the Lady Catherine and the Charleston and Savannah Packet, with both making it away even being chased by British customs ships upon departure. Eventually, most of the powder found its way to Washington’s hands.
On August 15, Washington’s General Orders instruct troop regiments to supply detailed lists to the newly appointed Quartermaster General of their own numbers along with the supply stocks of ammunition. He warns of desertion and thievery, saying any regiment caught with missing ammunition will “be charged with the deficiency and so much of his pay stopt accordingly.”
On August 19, Washington sent his final reply to the British Lieutenant General Thomas Gage. An enraged General Washington again chastised his opponent’s treatment of Continental officers and citizens in Boston. He ends his letter without much room for reply, saying “You advise me to give free operation to truth, to punish misrepresentation and falsehood. If experience stamps value upon counsel, yours must have a weight which few can claim. You best can tell, how far the convulsion which has brought such ruin on both countries, and shaken the mighty Empire of Britain to its foundation, may be traced to those malignant causes.” Washington then says his cause is just, and the Lieutenant lacks honor and vision. He concludes, “I shall now, sir, close my correspondence with you, perhaps forever.”
This Week In Revolutionary History…
By Sam Bishop