On this day 250 years ago in Boston, General Gage issued an order for British Army officers in his command to let him know if they are “capable of taking sketches of a Country.” Although Gage did not disclose the nature of the assignment that needed these skills, he wanted to produce maps and directions for his troops to march to locations where the Patriots were storing arms and gunpowder, including Lexington and Concord.

Sources: https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3278509&seq=42

https://www.americanheritage.com/spies-who-went-out-cold