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, preparations for the winter siege of Boston were set in motion, though supplies still trickle in. A British supply ship is captured in New Hampshire, and gambling for those in the army is clamped down on. Finally, Chief Physician of the Army Benjamin Church is tried for treason, with the Continental Congress weighing their options.

            On October 8, 1775, a Council of War meeting is called in Cambridge. George Washington meets with Major Generals and Brigadier Generals to discuss army composition, soldier pay and frequency of such, and winter preparations. The council agrees on a total army size of 20,372 men, broken into 26 regiments. Pay is not to be reduced, and all men currently enlisted will maintain their positions until December 1776. The council unanimously rejects the enlistment of enslaved people. With a majority, the council also rejects further enlistment of African or Black soldiers.

            In his General Orders the following day, Washington’s message is directed solely at the minimal Black soldiers currently enlisted. He states any solider not rising or “straggling after Taptoo” is to be “seized and confined until sun-rise.” For an army sorely lacking in men and equipment and in need of new ideas and experiences, this measure is not an advance of any call of liberty. African Americans would be first allowed in the army following the Militia Act of 1862, only belonging to segregated regiments. Desegregation of the armed forces would be finalized on July 26, 1948, with an Executive Order from President Harry Truman.

            Back to 1775, although Washington is not aware of it yet, on October 10, Loyalist General Thomas Gage receives his letter from London. Having notified the British of his performance at Bunker Hill on June 17, the Crown quickly sent a response three days later, with him just now receiving it. Gage is to be removed of his position and stripped of his title of Governor of Massachusetts. He was already unpopular back home, but his momentous defeat would seal his fate. His position in Boston and command over British troops on the continent would be transferred to Viscount and General William Howe.

            On October 12, Washington writes to John Hancock and the Continental Congress in another plea for supplies and winter assistance. For general strategy, he asks “From the various accounts received from Europe, there may be reason to expect troops will be landed at New York or some other middle Colony – I should be glad to know the pleasure of the Congress, whether upon such an event it would be expected that a part of this army should be detached,” as Washington expects a British invasion into New York. The capture of New York city would occur less than a year later, in September 1776. He also updates the congress on Colonel Benedict Arnold’s performance in the north, saying, “Our last Accounts from Col: Arnold are very favorable.” He is still enroute to Quebec, but would write to Washington the next day, saying, “Your Excellency may possibly think we have been tardy in our march, as we have gained so little.”

            On October 13, the Continental Congress in Philadelphia affirmed the creation of a Continental Navy. The Rhode Island General Assembly had gotten the ball rolling the past June with the construction of ships to protect merchants. The congress took over funding of the Rhode Island navy, per that province’s suggestion, and agreed there should be a single navy. There were still few ships in the navy, with many in construction, some purchased from friendly nations or British rivals, and many other captured. The first Chairman of the Marine Committee, in charge of the Continental Navy, would be John Adams of Braintree.

This Week in Revolutionary History…

By Sam Bishop

Sippican Historical Society’s new exhibit, “In Her World: The Life & Legacy of Elizabeth Taber,” opened on Friday, October 10 and will be viewable until next spring. The exhibit showcases much of the history of Elizabeth Pitcher Taber, the altruistic woman who donated much to the development of the Town of Marion and its institutions. Many of the town’s most notorious buildings draw their origin to Taber, including Tabor Academy, the Elizabeth Taber Library, the Congressional Chapel, the Marion Town House, the Marion Music Hall, and many others.

            Containing many artifacts from Taber’s home and life, the exhibit, presented in the historical society’s Ellis Gallery facing Front Street, showcases the times and life of the town’s important historic benefactor. A chair from one of her homes, a diatonic button accordion, some local maps, a doll and doll bed, and a collection of books from her home, including hymns, poems, and even One Thousand and One Nights.

            There are also a reproduction of an oil painting portrait and examples of her signature through the years. The first showcased signature originates from some time before 1872, having her last name spelt “Taber” with an “E.” Around 1880, signing a diploma, she signed her name “Tabor,” with an “O.” Why did she change? Sippican Historical Society Executive Director Alanna Nelson explained, “Well, we’re not really sure.” At some point around 1880, she just began signing her name differently. This led to the strange difference between sites in town, like “Tabor” Academy and “Taber” Library.

            Though she died 137 years ago at the age of 97, Elizabeth Taber’s legacy is present all over town and, for a few months more, can be further inspected and learned of in the Sippican Historical Society.

Sippican Historical Society: In Her World Exhibit

By Sam Bishop

This fall has seen a major outbreak of listeria, a bacterium that can spread via many foods, sickening people in 15 states, with at least 19 hospitalized and four deaths. The outbreak has been tied to packaged pasta meals made by Fresh Realm.

            How did we know this and so were able to recall products sold by Fresh Realm? We knew it because of the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, commonly called FoodNet. This highly successful program monitors labs in 10 states around the country and actively investigates possible food-borne illnesses.

            Despite its critical role in protecting Americans from food-borne illness, the program was drastically curtailed recently. While not closed, staffing was cut and henceforth only two of the prior eight pathogens will be monitored – listeria one of the six cut, along with campylobacter, even though these two bacteria made thousands sick and killed 72 people in 2022.

            More recently, draconian cuts were made to the staff of the Communicable Disease Center (CDC), supposedly due to the government shut-down and President Trump’s goal of destroying “Democrat programs.” [Note that about half the staff fired on Friday were reinstated over the weekend!]

            When I need to know about the description of a tropical disease that may have been imported to the U.S. or want to follow disease outbreaks anywhere in the world, the first place I look is the CDC-published MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports). This publication is usually the first to report on new and emerging infectious diseases.

            No longer, I guess, as virtually the entire staff of MMWR were fired last Friday.

            Despite RFK Jr’s insistence that his top priority was the burden of chronic disease in America, most of the staff guiding our response to chronic disease was also fired, along with those monitoring and responding to the opioid crisis.

            The Director of the CDC was fired last month because she refused to be a rubber stamp for ideologues and said she would rely on science rather than politics in her decision-making.

            I have met many CDC employees over the years. They are dedicated professionals who could generally be earning more in the private sector but believe in the life-saving mission of the CDC.

            We cannot sit idly by while the agencies that keep us healthy are gutted. Write to the White House. Write to your senators and representative. Public health protects Republicans, Democrats and independents. It must not be allowed to fall victim to partisan politics.

            Edward Hoffer MD is Associate Professor of Medicine, part-time, at Harvard.

What Does The Doctor Say?

By Dr. Edward Hoffer