On this day 250 years ago in New Haven, the Connecticut Legislature commissioned David Wooster as a Major General in command of six regiments, with Joseph Spencer and Israel Putnam commissioned as Brigadier Generals.That day several other officers received their commissions and immediately began recruiting in Connecticut.
Source: https://www.americanwars.org/ct-american-revolution/general-staff-officers-connecticut-1775.htm
On this day 250 years year ago in Litchfield, Connecticut, Maj. David Welsh began raising a company for service in the 1st Connecticut Regiment. African-American Cash Africa would join this company although his enlistment date is unknown. Pvt. Cash Africa served in the siege and capture of St. John’s and the taking of Montréal and was discharged on November 23, 1775, making him one of the very last in his company to be released from service.
On this day 250 years ago in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Joseph Warren, Thomas Gardner, and Joseph Palmer of the Committee of Safety conferred with General Artemas Ward about “the proposal made by Col. Arnold of Connecticut, for an attempt upon Ticonderoga.” Following that meeting they drew up the following resolutions that were issued by the Committee of Safety:
Voted, That the Massachusetts Congress be desired to give an order upon the treasurer, for the immediate payment of one hundred pounds in cash ; and also to order 200 pounds of gunpowder, 200 pounds of lead balls, and 1000 flints, and also ten horses, to be delivered unto Capt. Benedict Arnold, for the use of this colony, upon a certain service approved of by the council of war : said Arnold to be accountable for the same, to this or some future Congress, or house of representatives of this colony.
. . .
Voted, That Col. Arnold, appointed to a secret service, be desired to appoint two field officers, captains, &-c., to be allowed the same pay during their continuance in service as is established for officers and privates of the same rank, who are ordered by the Congress of Massachusettss Bay to be raised for the defence of the rights and liberties of America; the officers and privates to be dismissed by Col. Arnold, or the committee of safety, whenever they shall think proper.
Voted, That the committee of supplies be desired to procure ten horses for Col. Arnold, to be employed on a special service.
The members of the Committee of Safety were not just political leaders ordering other men into combat, they were all prepared to take to the field themselves. Warren, Gardner and Palmer all would fight at Bunker Hill. Warren was killed there and Gardner mortally wounded. Palmer survived and would go on to serve as a Brigadier General in the Massachusetts Militia for the remainder of the War.
Source: Journals of each Provincial Congress of Massachusetts at 531-32 accessed at https://archive.org/details/journalsofeachprma00mass/page/530/mode/2up?view=theater
On this day 250 years ago in Charlestown, Henry Laurens was elected chair of South Carolina General Committee.
Source: Cashin at p. 127
On This Day In The Revolution 