Uncategorized – Page 6 – On This Day In The Revolution

On this day 250 years ago in the Revolution — October 30, 1775

October 30th, 2025

On this day 250 years ago in the village of Sartigan, Quebec Province of Canada, Col. Benedict Arnold wrote that two Penobscot Indians “who appeared friendly . . . assisted us over the Portage” into Canada and had guided him to the village. Other Native Americans, both Penobscots and Abenakis had also aided the expedition. For example, seventeen year-old Private John Joseph Henry wrote of the assistance of “the worthy and respectable Indian, Natanis, and his brother Sabatis, with some others of their tribe, (the Abenaquis).” The young Indian woman Jacataqua had also served as a guide for one detachment over the portage.

Arnold and his small advanced detachment began purchasing supplies from the Native and Canadien inhabitants for his troops beginning the treacherous float down the Chaudière River to Sartigan or still struggling up the portage into Canada from Maine.

The men of his command were wet, cold, starving, sick and many were dying. I have not found the names of all those who gave their lives on the march before reaching Sartigan, but among them were George Innes of Capt. Daniel Morgan’s company who drowned when Morgan’s bateaux was destroyed in the rapids of the Chaudière and Private James Warner who fell behind and passed away from illness but his wife Jemima took his musket and soldiered after burying him under wet leaves. Another account recorded the death of Private Hart from illness after his group got lost and wandered for several days, but his companions passed twelve dead bodies before rejoining the march.

Sources: https://washcollreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/sce-kitri-post.pdf; https://www.americanrevolution.org/arnolds-expedition-across-the-terrible-carry/; Sources: https://washcollreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/sce-kitri-post.pdf; https://www.americanrevolution.org/arnolds-expedition-across-the-terrible-carry/;

On this day 250 years ago in the Revolution — October 29, 1775

October 29th, 2025

On this day 250 years ago off Canso, Nova Scotia, Captains Nicholson Broughton and John Selman commanding the USS Hancock and Franklin respectively captured the schooners Prince William and Mary although both schooners would be subsequently released by General Washington as noncombatant ships that were not involved in supplying Boston.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholson_Broughton

On this day 250 years ago in Philadelphia, Dr. Benjamin Rush, member of Congress and future signer of the Declaration of Independence, wrote to Thomas Rushton:

General Washington has astonished his most intimate friends with a display of the most wonderful talents for the government of an army. His zeal, his disinterestedness, his activity, his politeness, and his manly behavior to General Gage in their late correspondence have captivated the hearts of the public and his friends. He seems to be one of those illustrious heroes whom Providence raises up once in three or four hundred years to save a nation from ruin. If you do not know this person, perhaps you will be pleased to hear he has so much martial dignity in his deportment that you would distinguish him to be a general and a soldier from among ten thousand people. There is not a king in Europe that would not look like a valet de chambre by his side.

Tonight, October 29, 2025, at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, my wife and I watched an excerpt of Ken Burns’ coming film The American Revolution that quotes the final sentence of this excerpt from Benjamin Rush’s letter.

Sources: https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/political-writings-of-george-washington/benjamin-rush-to-thomas-ruston-october-29-1775-excerpt/6D75D9856FE45BCC40736D9C3BAAA382

On this day 250 years ago in the Revolution — October 28, 1775

October 28th, 2025

On this day 250 years ago, the Continental Army companies commanded by Captains Daniel Morgan, Matthew Smith, William Hendricks, Henry Dearborn, Oliver Hanchett, William Goodrich, Samuel Ward, Simeon Thayer, and John Topham entered Canada from Maine. Several companies that had taken the wrong route and stragglers would catch up with them over the next few days while an entire division had turned back. Col. Benedict Arnold wrote to General Washington from his advanced camp on Chaudier Pond:

the excessive heavy Rains & bad Weather have much retarded our March. I have this minute arrived here with seventy Men, and met a person, on his return, whom I sent down some Time since to the French Inhabitants —he informs me they appear very friendly, and by the best Information he could get will very gladly receive us: He says they informed him . . . that there were few or none of the King’s troops at Quebec, and no advice of our coming. . . . as our Provissions were short by reason of loosing a Number of loaded Batteaus at the Falls & rapid Waters, I ordered all the Sick & feeble to return, . . . as the Roads prove much worse than I expected, and the Season may possibly be severe in a few Days. I am determined to set out immediately with four Batteaus & about fifteen Men, for Sartigan [the first town in Canada on the Chaudier River], which I expect to reach in three or four Days, in order to procure a Supply of Provissions, and forward back to the Detachment the whole of which I dont expect will reach there in less than eight or ten Days. If I find the Enemy are not apprised of our coming, and there is any Prospect of surprising the City, I shall attempt it as soon as I have a proper Number of Men up. If I should be disappointed in my prospect that Way, I shall wait the Arrival of the whole, and endeavour to cut off their Communication with Govr Carleton, who I am told is at Montreal.

Our March has been attended with an amazing Deal of Fatigue, which the Officers & Men have borne with Chearfulness. I have been much deceived in every Account of our Rout, which is longer, and has been attended with a Thousand Difficulties I never apprehended

Sources: “Colonel Benedict Arnold to George Washington, 27–28 October 1775,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-02-02-0224. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 2, 16 September 1775 – 31 December 1775, ed. Philander D. Chase. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1987, pp. 244–246.]; https://ia801306.us.archive.org/2/items/journalisaacsenter00sentrich/journalisaacsenter00sentrich.pdf; https://www.americanrevolution.org/arnolds-expedition-across-the-terrible-carry/

On this day 250 years ago in the Revolution — October 27, 1775

October 27th, 2025

On this day 250 years ago, the 14-gun sloop HMS Otter anchored in the Hampton River to bombard the town while the HMS Hawke and three other tenders, shallow draft vessels, carried landing parties with orders to burn the Town of Hampton. Fifty members of the Culpeper Minute Battalion, led by Col. William Woodford and Capt. Abraham Buford rode in from Williamsburg early in the morning to reinforce the companies of the 2nd Virginia Regiment, Gloucester Minute Battalion and Hampton Militia defending the town. The Virginians prevented the tenders from entering the harbor, capturing the Hawke, killing three or more crewmen of the British ships, wounding the Lieutenant commanding the Hawke and others, and capturing six. This attack resulted in the first British or Loyalist combat casualties in Virginia.

Sources: https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/the-battle-of-hampton-october-26-27-1775/;

A Tale of Two Cities: The Destruction of Falmouth and the Defense of Hampton

https://www.virginiasar.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=429:virginia-road-to-revolution&catid=20:site-content

Also on this day in London, Lord North’s Cabinet expanded on King George III’s proclamation at the opening of Parliament that the rebellion was being fomented by a “desperate conspiracy” to create an “independent empire”. The speech indicated that King George intended to deal with the crisis with armed force and was considering “friendly offers of foreign assistance” to suppress the rebellion.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Continental_Congress

On this day 250 years ago in the Revolution — October 26, 1775

October 26th, 2025

On this day 250 years ago, Lt. Matthew Squire of the Royal Navy commanding a flotilla of the 14-gun HMS Otter, the sloop HMS Hawke, another sloop and two tenders, entered the Hampton River to bombard Hampton, Virginia. The 25 men of Capt. George Nicholas’s company of the 2nd Virginia Regiment on one side of the Hampton River, and 30 Gloucester Minutemen commanded by Capt. George Lyne on the other side of the river, plus a few militia from Hampton opened fire on the British fleet. The British fired four-pounder cannons and muskets at the Patriots but the Virginians suffered no casualties, and reportedly killed one British sailor and wounded others. The battle would continue to the next day and the British would continue to get the worst of the fighting.

Sources:

A Tale of Two Cities: The Destruction of Falmouth and the Defense of Hampton

https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/the-battle-of-hampton-october-26-27-1775/

Today, October 26, 2025, there is a commemoration of the Battle of Hampton.

https://www.virginiasar.org/battle-of-hampton

On this day 250 years ago in the Revolution — October 25, 1775

October 26th, 2025

This evening 250 years ago, four British tenders from the HMS Otter raided homes on Mill Creek at the mouth of the Hampton River in Virginia. This was the beginning of the first combat of the Revolution in Virginia and would continue for the the next two days.

This weekend, October 25-26, 2025, there is a reenactment and commemoration of the Battle of Hampton on its 250th anniversary at different locations in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia.

Sources: https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/the-battle-of-hampton-october-26-27-1775/; https://www.visitchesapeake.com/event/250th-anniversary-of-the-battle-of-hampton-reenactment/13766/; https://www.visitchesapeake.com/event/250th-anniversary-of-the-battle-of-hampton-reenactment/13766/; https://www.hampton.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=5798

On this date 250 years ago, Col.Benedict Arnold and his advance divisions under Captain Daniel Morgan and Major Return Jonathan Meigs were struggling through snow and ice to drag their battered bateaux up the flooded Dead River in Maine to reach the height of land that separated Maine from Canada and the head waters of Chaudiere River that flowed into Canada. All the men of Arnold’s force were soaked and cold, many were sick and much of their supplies had been lost or destroyed when the bateaux capsized or leaked in the flood. The day before Arnold had dispatched orders to the rear divisions commanded by Lt. Cols. Christopher Greene and Roger Enos to send the sick soldiers with three days provisions back downstream to Fort Western but to send forward all able men with 15 days of provisions.

On that same day Lt. Col. Greene and Lt. Col. Enos and their officers met at the Ledge Falls on the Dead River in Maine, to discuss whether to proceed with the march to Quebec. In contravention of Arnold’s orders, Lt. Col. Enos and his officers decided to turn back with the bulk of the expedition’s remaining supplies and only left two and half barrels of flour for Arnold’s men. However, Lt. Col. Greene, Major Timothy Bigelow, and Captains John Topham, Simon Thayer, Samuel Ward and Henry Dearborn made “a determined resolution to go through or die” with the expedition as Dr. Isaac Senter, one of their number, recorded in his journal. The 300 men in the companies commanded by Enos, plus 150 sick soldiers, would begin their descent back down the Kennebec River the next day. The loss of these men, and perhaps more importantly, their supplies, would end up spelling doom for Arnold’s expedition. But for reasons hard to understand now, Lt. Col. Enos would be acquitted at his court martial when he returned to the Army’s headquarters in Cambridge.

Sources: https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/arnolds-march-quebec; https://ia801306.us.archive.org/2/items/journalisaacsenter00sentrich/journalisaacsenter00sentrich.pdf; https://wheninyourstate.com/maine/in-1775-a-fort-in-maine-held-the-key-to-quebec-benedict-arnold-fumbled-it-in-just-six-days/; https://www.americanrevolution.org/arnolds-expedition-flood-famine-desertion/

Note: I try to post this blog each day. Although it appears this post is a day late, I am in California now so it is still October 25 here.

On this day 250 years ago in the Revolution — October 24, 1775

October 24th, 2025

On this day 250 years ago at his camp in Roxbury, Massachusetts besieging Boston, General John Thomas replied to a letter from Congressman John Adams passing on criticism of the Massachusetts regiments voiced by some of the members of the Continental Congress from the Southern colonies:

I am Sorrey to hear that any Prejudice Should take Place in any of the Southern Colony’s with Respect to the Troops Raised in this; I am Certain the Insinuations you Mention are Injurious; if we Consider with what Precipitation we were Obliged to Collect an Army. The Regiments at Roxbury, the Privates are Equal to any that I Served with Last war, very few Old men, and in the Ranks very few boys, Our Fifers are many of them boys, we have Some Negros, but I Look on them in General Equally Servicable with other men, for Fatigue and in Action; many of them have Proved themselves brave

Source: “John Thomas to John Adams, 24 October 1775,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/06-03-02-0123. [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. 239–241.]

And on this day 250 years at the Army Headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a delegation from the Continental Congress ( Chaired by Benjamin Franklin and including Congressmen Benjamin Harrison and Thomas Lynch) concluded seven days of meetings with delegations from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Rhode Island and General Washington and his generals regarding the siege of Boston. During the conference, it was agreed that the Continental Congress and the provinces needed to supply the Continental Army with lead, flint, gunpowder, tents, “cloathing,” and “good Firelocks with Bayonets” and steel ramrods, and on “the Necessity of having Money constantly and regularly sent” to the Army. The conference reported to Congress and requested approval for

all Persons taken in Arms . . . be treated as Prisoners of War but with Humanity. And the Allowance of Provisions to be the Rations of the Army.

. . .

Several Indian Chiefs of the St. Francis, Penobscot Stockb[ridge] and St. Johns Tribes have been to offer their Services and told they would be called for if wanted and dismiss’d with Presents. . . . these Indians or others may be called on in Case of real Necessity and . . . giving them presents is both suitable and proper.

Six Vessels (armed) are now fitted out and fitting upon the best Terms to intercept the Enemys Supplies

. . .

The Council of War lately held having in Consequence of an Intimation from the Congress deliberated on the Expediency of an Attack upon Boston and determined that at present it was not practicable, The General wishes to know how far it may be deemed proper and adviseable to avail himself of the Season to destroy the Troops who propose to winter in Boston by a Bombardment, when the Harbour is block’d up or in other Words whether the Loss of the Town and the Property therein are to be so considered as that an Attack upon the Troops there should be avoided when it evidently appears the Town must of Consequence be destroyed?

The Committee are of Opinion this is a Matter of too much Consequence to be determined by them therefore refer it to the Hon. Congress.

Source: “Minutes of the Conference between a Committee of Congress, Washington, and Representatives of the New England Colonies, 18[–24] October 1775,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-22-02-0142. [Original source: The Papers of Benjamin Franklin, vol. 22, March 23, 1775, through October 27, 1776, ed. William B. Willcox. New Haven and London:: Yale University Press, 1982, pp. 224–241.]

And this evening 250 years ago in the wilderness of Maine, snow began to fall on Col. Benedict Arnold’s expedition to Quebec, leaving six inches of snow the next morning, The next day would bring even worse news for Arnold’s men.

Sources: https://ia801306.us.archive.org/2/items/journalisaacsenter00sentrich/journalisaacsenter00sentrich.pdf; https://www.americanrevolution.org/arnolds-expedition-flood-famine-desertion/

On this day 250 years ago in the Revolution — October 23, 1775

October 23rd, 2025

On this day 250 years ago in Cambridge, Massachusetts, General William Heath wrote to John Adams that

There are in the Massachusetts Regiments some few lads and old men, and in several regiments, some negroes.

Among the African Americans serving in the Massachusetts regiments are Privates Jacob Francis, Cuff Chambers (then known as Cuff Blanchard), Manuel Soto, Caesar Glover, Romeo, Barzillai Lew, Alexander Ames, George Middleton, Isaiah Bayoman, Titus Coburn, Grant Cooper, Caesar Dickenson, Charlestown Eaads, Alexander Eames, Asaba Grosvenor, Blaney Grusha, Jude Hall, Cuff Haynes, Cato Howe, Caesar Jahar, Pompy of Braintree, Salem Poor, Caesar Post, Job Potama, Robin of Sandown, Peter Salem, Sampson Talbot, Caesar Brown, Cato Tufts, and Cuff Whitemore

The Connecticut and Rhode Island regiments also included numerous Black soldiers. At that time, General Washington had prohibited the enlistment of additional Black soldiers, but those who had already enlisted were allowed to continue to serve. In recognition of the Continental Army’s need for more recruits, by the end of the year, Washington would allow additional Blacks to enlist.

The United States Army would not again match the integration of the Army in the Revolution until the Korean War.

Sources:

The American Revolution of Private Jacob Francis

https://www.nps.gov/people/cuff-chambers.htm; O’Donnell, The Indispensables at 58; https://revolutionarywarjournal.com/philip-abbot-african-american-slave-fought-and-died-for-americas-liberty-at-bunker-hill/

On this day 250 years ago in the Revolution — October 22, 1775

October 23rd, 2025

On this day 250 years ago in Philadelphia, Peyton Randolph died at age 54 of a stroke while having dinner with his cousin and fellow delegate to the Continental Congress, Thomas Jefferson. Although little known today, Randolph was the first President of the Continental Congress and the President of the first three Virginia Conventions. He was to that point the most prominent leader of the American Revolution. The next day his fellow Delegate Richard Henry Lee wrote to George Washington that

American liberty lost a powerful Advocate, and human nature a sincere friend.

Source: https://daybydayamerica.com/day-by-day/year-1775/october-22-1775/; https://kamcpherson.substack.com/p/death-of-peyton-randolph

On this day 250 years ago in the Revolution — October 21, 1775

October 21st, 2025

On this day 250 years ago in Braintree, Massachusetts, Abigail Adams wrote to her husband John attending the Continental Congress an interesting account of a man named Haskings who had escaped from Boston:

He had been in Irons 3 weeks, some malicious fellow having said that he saw him at the Battle of Lexinton, but he proved that he was not out of Boston that day, upon which he was releazd, and went with two other men out in a small boat under their Eye to fish. They play’d about near the shore a while catching small fish, till they thought they could possibly reach Dorchester Neck; no sooner were they perceived attempting to escape than they had 20 cannon dischargd at them, but they all happily reachd the shore. He says no Language can paint the distress of the inhabitants, most of them destitute of wood and of provisions of every kind. The Bakers say unless they have a new supply of wood they cannot bake above one fortnight longer—their Bisquit are not above one half the former size. The Soldiers are obliged to do very hard duty, and are uneasy to a great degree, many of them declareing they will not continue much longer in such a state but at all hazards will escape; the inhabitants are desperate, and contriveing means of escape. A floating Battery of ours went out two nights ago, and row’d near the Town, and then discharged their Guns. Some of the Ball went into the Work house, some through the Tents in the common, and one through the Sign of the Lamb Tavern; he says it drove them all out of the common, Men, women and children screaming, and throe’d them into the utmost distress. But very unhappily for us in the discharge of one of the cannon, the Ball not being properly ramed down one of them split and killd 2 men and wounded 7 more, upon which they were obliged to return. . . . This Man is so exasperated at the ill usage he has received from them that he is determined to inlist immediately. They almost starved him whilst he was in Irons, he says he hopes it will be in his power to send some of them to Heaven for mercy.

I have read a few other accounts of the cannon that blew up on the floating batteries in the siege of Boston, but unfortunately have not identified the two men who were killed and the seven who were wounded. Please let me know if you can identify these men who gave their all in defense of American Liberties.

Abigail Adams continued her letter:

At present it looks as if there was no likelihoods of peace. . . . The time is hastning when Gorge like Richard may cry a kingdom a kingdom for a horse, and want even that wealth to make the purchase.

Although most Americans at that time were still proclaiming loyalty to the King, it is clear that 250 years ago today Abigail Adams was ready for No Kings.

Source: “Abigail Adams to John Adams, 21 October 1775,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/04-01-02-0202. [Original source: The Adams Papers, Adams Family Correspondence, vol. 1, December 1761 – May 1776, ed. Lyman H. Butterfield. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1963, pp. 305–309.]

Also on this day 250 years ago, the Lynch and the Franklin sailed from Marblehead, Massachusetts, with orders from General Washington to capture “two north country brigantines of no force” and to also “seize and take other transports laden with men, ammunition, clothing, or other stores for the use of the Ministerial Army or Navy in America.”

Source: https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/1955/november/birth-american-na

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