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. The best way to figure out what was going on was to read Washington’s papers and General Orders of the time period, as there was daily correspondence and orders put out to his officers and troops. Last week, Washington had mounting stresses over the lack of discipline in his army, as well as their dwindling supplies. A plan was being formulated to strike the British stores on Bermuda and smuggle arms and ammunition back to Massachusetts.
Washington’s greatest concern isn’t necessarily British troop movements or the situation in Boston, but with his men’s own supplies. From his position in Cambridge to Major General Philip Schuyler in Ticonderoga, New Hampshire, the newly formed Continental Army is struggling to arm itself adequately. Not to mention, they are fighting the most advanced and well-supplied army the planet had ever seen at that point. On August 7, Schuyler mentions in writing he is struggling to even ascertain how much armaments he has, as well as worrying of a counterattack from Canada in the north. We are still a few months off from the march of artillery south to Boston.
In continuing appointments for army officers, Washington responds to English-born, Quincy-based entrepreneur and commanding officer at Concord, Joseph Palmer, saying he cannot promote Palmer’s son to the position of Quartermaster General of the Army. In his selections for these positions, Washington states he is avoiding “jealousies” and must spread appointments to those who qualify across all 13 colonies. The same day, Washington receives a note from Norwich, Connecticut, warning of eight or nine large ships around New London and possibly moving up the Thames River. Governor of Connecticut Johnathan Trumbull would later take account of these ships instead moving to supply at Fisher Island.
At this time, ammunition isn’t the only dwindling supply. Washington is weary of soldiers abusing the leave system and taking supplies away from the army. In his August 8 General Orders, he warns his men that if anyone is caught “defrauding” the army, exemplary punishment and disgrace” are due. He also outlines official rations for Continental soldiers. Per week, they’d receive: “One pound of fresh beef, or 3/4 of a pound of pork, or one pound of salt fish; one pound of bread or flour; three pints of peas, or beans or Vegetables equivalent; one pint of milk; one half pint of rice, or one pint of Indian meal (ground corn); one quart of spruce beer or 9 gallons of molasses per company of 100 men; three pounds of candles to 100 men; twenty-four pounds of soft, or eight pounds of hard soap for 100 Men.”
On August 10, two men, Lambert Bromitt and Benjamin Silsby, wash ashore at Marblehead. Saying they left Boston, they are escorted to Washington’s encampment under fear of them being British spies. The next day, Washington receives news from Watertown of Continental troops raiding the local village of Watertown, west of Boston. He states, “Any person who shall for the future be detected in such flagitious, wicked practices, will be punished without mercy.” The same day, Washington writes to British General and Military Governor of Massachusetts Thomas Gage in Boston, lambasting his treatment of captured Americans. He threatens anything Cage does to Continental soldiers, will be done likewise to the British. Although, he states he will treat his prisoners kindly should Cage change his treatment.
On August 12, Washington sides against an incursion into Nova Scotia. He says he does not want an army of conquest, though his reservations are likely due to dwindling supplies. Nicholas Cooke in Providence informs him the gunpowder in Bermuda would be “easily obtainable.” The stage is set for a gunpowder heist that will take place on the night of Monday, August 14.
This Week in Revolutionary History…
By Sam Bishop