On this day 250 years ago at Ile aux Noix, Quebec, 800 men led by Maj. Gen. Philip Schuyler launched an unsuccessful attack on the British fort at St. John’s.
Source: https://www.myrevolutionarywar.com/battles/1775-skirmish/; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTmCrc722jA
On this day 250 years ago in Massachusetts, the Salem Gazette reported that
Last Saturday a privateer belonging to Newburyport carried into Portsmouth a schooner of forty-five tons, loaded with potatoes and turnips intended for the enemy in Boston.
Source: https://allthingsliberty.com/2019/09/massachusetts-privateers-during-the-siege-of-boston/
On this day 250 years ago, the Virginia Gazette reported on the destruction of the HMS Liberty:
The Otter’s tender went ashore in the night, near Hampton; a number of inhabitants boarded her next day, secured the rigging, guns, &c. and then burnt the vessel. Six of the tender’s men were made prisoners, but have since been released in consequence of some threats from the Governor.
Source: https://catalogs.marinersmuseum.org/object/CL397
Also on that day Dixon & Hunter’s Virginia Gazette reported
Yesterday morning John Randolph, Esq; his Majesty’s Attorney General for this colony, with his Lady and daughters, set out from this city, for Norfolk, to embark for Great Britain. General Washington has been pleased to appoint Edmund Randolph, Esq; one of his Excellency’s aids de camp.
John Randolph never returned to Virginia during his life (he would be buried in Virginia) but Edmund Randolph would succeed him as the first Attorney General of the independent Commonwealth of Virginia, then became Governor of Virginia, and the first Attorney General and second Secretary of States of the United States.
Sources: https://research.colonialwilliamsburg.org/todayIn1770s/index.cfm?SelectedMonth=09&SelectedDay=09; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmund_Randolph
On this day 250 years ago, Julien Alexandre Achard de Bonvouloir departed France on a secret mission from the French government to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia.
Sources: https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Julien_Alexandre_Achard_de_Bonvouloir; https://www.carpentershall.org/the-unlikely-spy
On this day 250 years ago in Cambridge, Massachusetts, General George Washington wrote Major General Philip Schuyler, who was then in Canada beseiging Fort St. Jean about the plans for the invasion of Canada:
I . . . am much engaged in sending off the Detachmt under Col: Arnold upon the Plan contained in m[y letter] of the 20th Ultimo: A Variety of Obstacles have retarded us . . . , but we are now in such Forwardness that I expect they will set out by Sunday next at farthest.1 I shall take Care in my Instructions to Colonel Arnold, that in Case there should be a Junction of the Detachment with your army, you shall have no Difficulty in adjusting the Scale of Command.
You seem so sensible of the absolute Necessity of preserving the Friendship of the Canadians, that I need say Nothing on that Subject; but that a strict Discipline & punctual Payment for all Necessaries brought to your Camp will be the most certain Means of obtaining so valuable and important an End. I shall inculcate the same principle most strongly on the Troops who go from hence, as that, on which their Safety, Success & Honour intirely depends.
Source: “George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 8 September 1775,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-01-02-0330. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 1, 16 June 1775 – 15 September 1775, ed. Philander D. Chase. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1985, pp. 436–437.]
Washington also wrote the General officers besieging Boston to ask
whether, in your judgments, we cannot make a successful attack upon the Troops in Boston, by means of Boats, co-operated by an attempt upon their Lines at Roxbury—The success of such an Enterprize depends, I well know, upon the allwise disposer of Events, & is not within the reach of human wisdom to foretell the Issue; but, if the prospect is fair, the undertaking is justifiable under the following, among other reasons which might be assigned.
The Season is now fast approaching when warm, and confortable Barracks must be erected for the Security of the Troops, against the inclemency of the Winter—large & costly provision must be made in the article of wood, for the Supply of the Army—and after all that can be done in this way, it is but too probable that Fences, woods, orchards, and even Houses themselves, will fall Sacrifices to the want of Fuel, before the end of the winter—a very considerable difficulty, if not expence must accrue on acct of Cloathing for the Men now ingaged in the Service, and if they do not inlist again, this difficulty will be Increased to an almost insurmountable degree—Blankets I am inform’d are now much wanted, and not to be got, how then shall we be able to keep Soldiers to their duty, already impatient to get home, when they come to feel the Severity of winter without proper Covering? If this army should not Incline to engage for a longer term than the first of Jany what then is to be the consequence, but that, you must either be obliged to levy new Troops and thereby have two Setts (or partly so) in pay at the same time, or, by disbanding one set before you got the other, expose the Country to desolation, and the Cause perhaps to irretrievable Ruin. These things are not unknown to the Enemy, perhaps it is the very ground they are building on, if they are not waiting a reinforcement; and if they are waiting for succours, ought it not to give a Spur to the attempt? Our Powder (not much of which would be consumed in such an enterprize) without any certainty of Supply, is daily wasting: and to sum up the whole, in spite of every saving that can be made, the expence of supporting this army will so far exceed any Idea that was form’d in Congress of it, that I do not know what will be the consequences.
Source: “Circular to the General Officers, 8 September 1775,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-01-02-0327. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 1, 16 June 1775 – 15 September 1775, ed. Philander D. Chase. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1985, pp. 432–434.]
On this day 250 years ago off Gloucester, Massachusetts, the USS Hannah captured the sloop Unity, its cargo of lumber, naval stores and provisions and its Royal Navy crew of a midshipman and six sailors.
Sources: https://founders.archives.gov/?q=%227%20September%201775%22&s=1111311111&sa=&r=3&sr=; “Gloucester Committee of Safety to George Washington, 7 September 1775,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-01-02-0321. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 1, 16 June 1775 – 15 September 1775, ed. Philander D. Chase. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1985, pp. 429–430.]; https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/museums/nmusn/explore/photography/american-revolution/continental-navy-ships/continental-schooner-hannah.html; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholson_Broughton; https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/USS_Hannah;
On this day in Tryon County (now Montgomery County), New York, the Committee of Tryon County reported to the Provincial Congress of New York that:
There is a great number of proved enemies in and about Johnstown under Sir John Johnson, being Highlanders amounting to two hundred men.
On this day 250 years ago, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, General George Washington dictated to the Army’s Adjutant General, Col. Joseph Reed, an Address to the Inhabitants of Bermuda:
In the great Conflict which agitates this Continent I cannot doubt but the Assertors of Freedom & the Rights of the Constitution are possessed of your most favourable Regards & Wishes for Success. As the Descendants of Freemen & Heirs with us of the same glorious Inheritance we flatter ourselves that tho. divided by our Situation we are firmly united in Sentiment. The Cause of Virtue & Liberty is confined to no Continent or Climate it comprehends within its capacious Limits the wise & the good however dispersed & separated in Space or Distance. You need not be informed that the Violence & Rapacity of a tyrannick Ministry have forced the Citizens of America your Brother Colonists into Arms. We equally detest & lament the Prevalence of those Councils which have led to the Effusion of so much human Blood & left us no Alternative but a Civil War or a base Submission. The wise Disposer of all Events has hitherto smiled upon our virtuous Efforts, those mercenary Troops a few of whom lately boasted of subjugating this vast Continent, have been checked in their earliest Ravages, & are now actually encircled in a small Space their Arms disgraced & suffering all the Calamities of a Siege. The Virtue & Spirit & Union of the Provinces leave them nothing to fear but the Want of Ammunition: The Applications of our Enemies to foreign States & their Vigilance upon our Coasts are the only Efforts they have made against us with Success. Under these Circumstances & with these Sentiments we have turned our Eyes to you Gentlemen for Relief. We are informed that there is a large Magazine in your Island under a very feeble Guard. We would not wish to involve you in an Opposition in which from your Situation we should be unable to support you, we know not therefore to what Extent to sollicit your Assistance in availing ourselves of this Supply: but if your Favour & Friendship to North America & its Liberties have not been misrepresented I perswade myself you may consistent with your own Safety promote & favour this Scheme so as to give it the fairest Prospect of Success. Be assured that in this Case the whole Power & Exertion of my Influence will be made with the Honourable Continental Congress that your Island may not only be supplied with Provisions but experience every other Mark of Affection & Friendship which the grateful Citizens of a free Country can bestow on its Brethren & Benefactors
Washington’s assertion that “[t]he Cause of Virtue & Liberty is confined to no Continent or Climate it comprehends within its capacious Limits the wise & the good however dispersed & separated in Space or Distance” and similar statements in letters by Washington and the Continental Congress seeking support from British colonies in Canada, the West Indies, Ireland and from the British people themselves illustrates that the American Revolution was predicated on universal rights that should be enjoyed by all People and not just rights peculiar to the American colonists.
Source: “Address to the Inhabitants of Bermuda, 6 September 1775,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-01-02-0311. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 1, 16 June 1775 – 15 September 1775, ed. Philander D. Chase. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1985, pp. 419–420.] (emphasis added)
On this day 250 years ago, about1500 men under the command of General Philip Schuyler occupied the undefended Île-aux-Noix in the Richelieu River of Canada. With this action the nascent United States invaded Canada and began the siege of Fort St. John.
Sources: https://www.americanhistorycentral.com/entries/quebec-invasion-1775/; https://250andcounting.com/; https://250andcounting.com/
On this day 250 years ago in Watertown, Massachusetts, Mercy Otis Warren wrote John Adams to pass along intelligence she had gathered on the War’s progress in Boston:
The ships which Arrived Last Fryday are from Halifax with a few petatoes and a Little wood. The people there are in Expectation of an Attack from a Body of troops which they hear are to be sent down under the Command of Preble and are preparing for Defence. If they suffer such terrors from the Name of a Worn out American Veteran what must be their Apprehensions from the Active Vigorous spirited Heros who are Riseing up from Every Corner of the united Colonies to oppose the Wicked system of politicks which has Long Governed a Corrupt Court.
. . .
The Worthy bearer of this will inform you of all the Inteligence stiring. Tranqulity still Reigns in the Camp. We scarcly hear the Distant Roar of Cannen for 24 hours past.
By a person from Boston Last saterday we Learn they are Building a Floating Batery in town in order to Bombard Prospect Hill. What a Contemptable figure do the arms of Britain make.
Source: “Mercy Otis Warren to John Adams, 4 September 1775,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/06-03-02-0073. [Original source: The Adams Papers, Papers of John Adams, vol. 3, May 1775 – January 1776, ed. Robert J. Taylor. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1979, pp. 129–131.]
On this day 250 years ago in Cambridge, Massachusetts, General Horatio Gates writing on behalf of the commander General George Washington sent this letter to Reuben Colburn “of Gardnerstone, upon the River Kennebeck in The Province of Massachusetts Bay.”
You are to go with all Expedition to Gardnerstone upon the River Kenebeck, and without Delay proceed to The Constructing of Two Hundred Batteaus, to row with Four Oars each; Two Paddles and Two setting Poles to be also provided for each Batteau.
You are to Engage a Company of Twenty Men consisting of Artificers, Carpenters, and Guides to go under your Command to Assist in such Services as you, & they, may be called upon to Execute.
You are to Purchase Five Hundred Bushells of Indian Corn, to Provide the Workmen employ’d on Building The Batteaus.
You are to bespeak all The Pork, and Flour, you can from the Inhabitants upon the River Kennebeck, & a Commissary will be immediately sent from the Commissary General, to agree, and pay for the same; You will also acquaint The Inhabitants, that The Commissary will have Orders to Purchase Sixty Barrells of Salted Beef, of Two hundred & Twenty pounds each Barrell.
You are to receive Forty Shillings Lawfull Money for each Batteau, with the Oars, Paddles, and Setting Poles included, out of which, you are also to pay The Artificers, & for all the Provisions, Nails &ca they shall expend.1 Given at Head Quarters at Cambridge this 3d day of September 1775
Colburn was gathering supplies for the March of the troops commanded by Benedict Arnold across the Maine wilderness to attack Quebec.
Sources: “Instructions to Reuben Colburn, 3 September 1775,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-01-02-0300. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 1, 16 June 1775 – 15 September 1775, ed. Philander D. Chase. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1985, pp. 409–410.]; https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=283512
Last year we visited the home of Reuben Colburn in Pittston, Maine and you can visit this site also. https://visitusparks.com/staging/3015/me/colburn-house-shs/
On this day 250 years ago in Cambridge, Massachusetts, General Washington issued an order to Captain Nicholson Broughton of Marblehead, Massachusetts to
Some historians consider the 78-ton schooner Hannah to be the first ship of the US Navy. It was certainly the first ship of the US Armed Forces.
Sources: “Instructions to Captain Nicholson Broughton, 2 September 1775,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-01-02-0292. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 1, 16 June 1775 – 15 September 1775, ed. Philander D. Chase. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1985, pp. 398–401.]; https://archive.org/details/journalsofeachprma00mass/page/242/mode/2up?view=theater
On this day 250 years ago, there was continued fighting at Roxbury and on Plowed Hill in the siege lines around Boston. Lt. Paul Lunt recorded in his journal that
Last night a number of cannon was fired at Roxbury, and small arms; . . . a great number of small arms fired at the lower sentries upon both sides ; one man wounded at Plowed Hill, and two killed at Roxbury with cannon shot, and two deserted from the Regulars from Roxbury.
Unfortunately I have not found any sources providing the names of the two Continental Soldiers killed at Roxbury or the soldier wounded on Plowed Hill.
Source: https://archive.org/details/paulluntsdiaryma1775lunt/page/12/mode/2up
On this day 250 years ago, the North Carolina Provincial Congress appointed Robert Howe as Colonel commanding the newly-formed 2nd North Carolina Regiment.
Source: https://www.carolana.com/NC/Revolution/patriot_leaders_nc_robert_howe.html
And on this day 250 years ago in New York City, the New York Provincial Congress named Seth Warner as the Lt. Colonel in command of the Green Mountain Boys Regiment, and Samuel Safford as Major in the Regiment. Warner and Safford would serve in the Continental Army throughout the War.
The New York Provincial Congress on that day also received reports on the status of the regiments at Albany heading north to man Fort Ticonderoga or to join the invasion of Canada. Colonel Goose Van Schaick wrote that:
it gives me pain to inform you that Col. Clinton arrived here with the other field officers and six companies of his battalion, five of which are armed, but in bad repair. They have been supplied with blankets at this place — other necessaries are wanted.
“Col. Van Cortlandt is also arrived here with five companies of Holmes’ battalion, who have not arms sufficient to supply one company, and are totally destitute of all other tents, accoutrements and necessaries, saving their regimental coats. We shall endeavour to procure as many stand of arms as possible, upon terms of the resolve published by you ; but am very well persuaded that the number will greatly fall short of the number wanted to supply the companies that are now here and those expected.
And Major Henry Livingston, Jr. reported:
I am desired by Col. Clinton to inform you that he arrived here last Saturday, and has now with him six companies, encamped about a mile out of town — that there are guns enough to equip about three companies — that there are two companies beside that have arms, but want some repairs ; and as there are not armourers sufficient at Ticonderoga, must wait here ’till they can be repaired. That there is great want of officers’ tents, there being here only sufficient for 2 companies, and 1 tent for the lieutenant-colonel. Of soldiers’ tents for our regiment there is a sufficiency, (but no more than barely for our 7 companies.) That the soldiers murmur much for want of pay, and are very unwilling to march from here without it. That the medicine chest is not yet arrived, or a surgeon, and that drums and fifes are wanting. However, 3 companies will be equipped with all speed, and sent off immediately.
Source: https://archive.org/details/journalsofprovin01newy/page/130/mode/2up
On This Day In The Revolution 