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. Last week, Washington had to curb the anti-Catholic celebrations inherent to Guy Fawkes Day. This was primarily to not alienate the Catholic Quebecois, for whom Washington hoped to win the favor of on the battlefield. In Canada, the Continental Army moved closer to Montreal, capturing Fort Saint-Jean. Even with that victory, Colonel Bennedict Arnold’s column faces severe supply shortages and abandonment. The British appeals to those enslaved also began, with thousands fleeing their brutal plantations to take up the ranks in the British Army. Finally, the Continental Congress had voted on and approved another mission into Canada. This time, to send a seaborne assault with marine divisions to capture Nova Scotia.
On November 12, 1775, Washington issues his General Orders from Cambridge and in them, details various actions required by new recruits, primarily focused on the incoming winter. He says those enlisting will need to furnish their own weapons, although uniforms and blankets will be provided. He does say. “Two dollars will be allowed to each non-commissioned officer, and soldier, who provides himself with a good blanket,” a nice incentive to supply for yourself even more.
Much of the orders regard the enlistment, or re-enlistment, soldiers, with Washington adding, “The officers are to be careful not to enlist any person, suspected of being unfriendly to the liberties of America, or any abandoned vagabond to whom all causes and countries are equal and alike indifferent – The rights of mankind and the freedom of America will have numbers sufficient to support them, without resorting to such wretched assistance – Let those who wish to put shackles upon freeman fill their ranks.” Ironically and unfortunately, Washington explicitly outlaws Africans or those “unfit to endure the fatigues of the campaign” from enlisting, a sharp contrast to the British who are rally support among the enslaved. At the time, there were around half-a-million enslaved people in the Thirteen Colonies. The total population of the colonies was around 2.5 million.
On November 13, Washington hears from Colonel Bennedict Arnold. “The wind has been so high these three nights that I have not been able to cross the river” says Arnold, writing from Pointe de Lévy, just across the Saint Lawrence River from Quebec City. That same day, Brigadier General Richard Montgomery crosses the Saint Charles and arrives on Pointe-Saint-Charles, an island of Montreal. The garrison and people of Montreal surrender without much of a fight, welcoming Montgomery.
The next day, Washington’s General Orders are jubilant, declaring “This moment a confirmation is arrived, of the glorious success of the Continental Arms, in the reduction, and surrender, of the Fortress of St Johns.” He has not yet been notified of Montreal. He continues, “The Commander in Chief is confident, the army under his immediate direction, will shew their gratitude to Providence, for thus favoring the cause of freedom and America.”
On November 16, Washington gives his instructions to Colonel Henry Knox for what will become a legendary expedition. He writes, “You are immediately to examine into the state of the artillery of this army & take an account of the cannon, mortars, shells, lead & ammunition that are wanting; When you have done that, you are to proceed in the most expeditious manner to New York.” Knox is to travel to New York City and then head north to Ticonderoga or further to gather captured artillery and armaments for Washington’s use. “After you have procured as many of these Necessaries as you can there, you must go to Major General Schuyler & Get the remainder from Ticonderoga, Crown point, or St Johns – If it should be necessary, from Quebec, if in our hands – the want of them is so great, that no trouble or expense must be spared to obtain them.” Thus began the “Knox Expedition,” otherwise known as the “noble train of artillery.”
On November 17, Washington writes to Major General Artemas Ward, also stationed in the area, with another warning with the dropping temperatures. He writes, “As the season is fast approaching when the bay between us and Boston will, in all probability be close shut up, thereby rendering any movement upon the ice as easy as if no water was there.” If the Charles River is the freeze, either General William Howe will be able to flee the city or receive reinforcements for the British garrison. Washington is further pushing the idea of a pre-winter offensive, though is still unsure of the exact methods.
This Week in Revolutionary History
By Sam Bishop