On this day 250 years ago in Philadelphia, the Continental Congress

recommended that . . . able bodied effective men, between sixteen and fifty years of age in each colony, immediately form themselves into regular companies of Militia, to consist of one Capt*, two lieutenants, one ensign, four serjeants, four corporals, one clerk, one drummer, one fifer, and about 68 privates.

That the officers of each company be chosen by the respective companies.

That each soldier be furnished with a good musket, that will carry an ounce ball, with a bayonet, steel ramrod, worm, priming wire and brush fitted thereto, a cutting sword or tomhawk, a cartridge-box, that will contain 23 rounds of cartridges, twelve flints and a knapsack.

That the Companies be formed into Regiments or Battalions, officered with a Colonel, lieutenant Colonel, two Majors, an Adjutant, and Quarter Master.

. . .

That it be recommended to the assemblies or Conventions in the respective colonies to provide, as soon as possible, sufficient stores of ammunition for their colonies; Also that they devise proper means for furnishing with Arms, such effective men as are poor and unable to furnish themselves.

Sources: Journals of the Continental Congress at 188-89 accessed at https://archive.org/details/us_congress_continental/lljc002/page/187/mode/2up; https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/united-states-and-canada/us-history/minutemen

On this day 250 years ago in North Carolina, the Brunswick County Regiment of Militia under the command of Col. Robert Howe and Cornelius Harnett and the New Hanover County Regiment of Militia led by Col. John Ashe captured Fort Johnston. The 500 Patriot militia greatly outnumbered the fort’s garrison of 15 British troops, so the captain in command of the fort withdrew his men with a few cannon to a ship in the Cape Fear River. The Patriot militia occupied the fort without a shot fired, and the next day burned the fort so the British could not reoccupy it after the militia went home. With the capture of Fort Johnston, the British lost control of their last onshore outpost in North Carolina.

Sources: https://www.carolana.com/NC/Revolution/patriot_leaders_nc_robert_howe.html; https://amrevnc.com/fort-johnston/; https://www.carolana.com/NC/Revolution/revolution_fort_johnston_1.html;

On Saturday, July 19, 2025, the North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport is conducting an all-day program to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the capture and burning of Fort Johnston. https://www.wwaytv3.com/maritime-museum-to-host-program-on-burning-of-fort-johnston/; https://historicsites.nc.gov/2025-events#IntheGloriousCauseofLibertyThe250thAnniversaryoftheBurningofFortJohnston-5242