​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, news of the catastrophic defeat and decimation of the Continental forces assaulting Quebec City finally reached General George Washington in Cambridge. Urgent back-to-back War Council meetings were then called to discuss retreat, regroup, and the possibility of another assault. The main worry is weather the British would now wage a counter-attack from the north. Washington and the army’s current priority is still Boston, with the siege of the city still continuing well into the new year.

            On January 21, 1776, Washington issues his General Orders to Colonels and other Commanding Officers, instructing them “to buy up such arms as are wanted for his regiment.” Supplies are low and if an attempt is to be made on Boston, which the General and the Continental Congress wish to do soon, officers should scour the land and buy up any arms they can find from locals. Washington promises monetary reimbursements should the officers prove funds were used for this purpose. He also notes that any new recruits that furnish their own arms, or show up with their own guns, are to be paid one dollar for the use of them, hopefully alleviating more supply needs.

            That same day, Brigadier General David Wooster writes Washington from Montreal, confirming “the loss of the brave and most amiable General Montgomery and the other brave officers and soldiers who fell with him.” He also confirms the tragedy at Quebec. There is no update on the status of Brigadier GeneralBennedict Arnold, but Wooster finishes, “The taking of Quebec must be a matter of the greatest consequence to the Colonies but at present we are very ill provided for it, the place is strong I believe they are determined to defend it” before requesting back the artillery taken from Ticonderoga for another potential attack on the Canadians later.

            Speaking of artillery taken from Ticonderoga, on January 25, John Adams writes in his diary from Framingham, stating the “the Train of Artillery” is passing through and is nearing Cambridge. Two days later, on January 27, Colonel Henry Knox arrives in Cambridge, bringing an end to the famous “Noble Train of Artillery,” or “Knox’s Expedition” after over two months of trekking.

            That same day, Washington pens a letter to Bennedict Arnold, with no record indicating they have yet spoken following the Battle of Quebec. Washington says, “I received the melancholy account of the unfortunate attack on the City of Quebec, attended with the fall of General Montgomery, and other brave officers & men, & your being wounded – This unhappy affair affects me in a very sensible manner, & I sincerely condole with you upon the occasion.” He then reassures the Brigadier General that three more regiments are on their way from Connecticut and New Hampshire and adds the prospect of more from New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He stresses the importance of operations in the north, saying “I need not mention to you the great importance of this place, & the consequent possession of all Canada in the scale of American affairs – you are well apprised of it – to whomsoever it belongs, in their favor probably, will the balance turn.”

            Though an attack on Boston is eminent, Washington, with pressure from Congress, is not yet ready to give up on their aspirations of capturing Canada. He finishes, “If It is in ours, success I think will most certainly crown our virtuous struggles – If It is in theirs, the contest at best, will be doubtful, hazardous, and bloody.” Not much time remains of winter, and soon, rivers like the Saint Lawrence will begin to thaw, closing their window of opportunity for good.

This Week in Revolutionary War History

By Sam Bishop

            This is the continuing monthly column for the astronomer in all of us; or the aspiring astro-physicist. Compared to areas near Boston or New Bedford, generally speaking, the Tri-Town has pretty good dark skies, and we are very fortunate in that regard. Though we can’t normally make out the Milky Way’s signature glow, we can still spot a lot. This year has already brought with it some great stellar sights, including increased solar activity leading to the lingering possibility of seeing the aurora borealis, though that is never a given.

            A full moon will occur on February 1, that being the “Snow Moon” ironically enough, as more snow is forecast that day. It is also known as the “Storm Moon” for similar reasons or the “Hunger Moon” by the nomadic Native Americans during a traditionally harsh time to search for food.

            In huge space news, the launching of NASA’s Artemis II is currently scheduled for February 7. The Orion spacecraft will be carried on the long-developed SLS rocket system designed for lunar missions. It will carry four astronauts, Victor Glover, Jeremy Hansen, Christina Koch, and Reid Wiseman, on a flyby of the moon. The last time any astronaut did a flyby of the moon, landing or otherwise, was Apollo 17 in December 1972, nearly 54 years ago. The craft will leave Kennedy Space Center and is scheduled to return about a week later on February 15.

            There is no visible meteor shower for us this month, with February’s only meteor show being the Alpha Centaurids visible in the Southern Hemisphere and peaking on February 8.

            On February 16, Venus will have its “greatest illuminated extent,” meaning it will be at its brightest point for the year. It will be to the west after sunset near Mars. Also on this day, February 16, Neptune and Saturn have their “final conjunction,” or a point when they are very close in the sky. The next time they appear this close together will be the year 2132, or nearly after a Neptunian orbital period of 165 Earth years.

            A New Moon will occur on February 17, and if you find yourself far, far to the south near Antarctica, there will also be a partial solar eclipse. There will be a lunar eclipse early next month that will be partially visible to us!

            On February 28, there will be a planetary alignment of six planets, with four being visible to the naked eye: Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn will all be visible without help, while Uranus and Neptune are there for any with telescopes. The Moon will be nearing its full stage, making viewing fainter objects more difficult, but the four nearest planets will be bright enough to spot easily, stretching between the Moon and the horizon.

            There are plenty of apps, websites, and other resources you can use to make your cosmic journey easier. NASA offers satellite tracking, too, so you can await the ISS on its flyovers.

Astronomy Update for February

By Sam Bishop