King George III Proclaims the American Colonies in Rebellion as the Northern Army Invades Canada
August 1 — The Second Continental Congress decided to take a summer break, voting to end its session and reconvene on September 12, 1775.
August 3 — General George Washington convened a Council of War at his headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to discuss the low supply of American gunpowder, which was poorly stored and susceptible to dampness and deterioration. They resolved to ask the colonies for fresh supplies.
August 3 — A flotilla of armed American galleys, led by Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Tupper, engaged the British frigates HMS Rose and HMS Phoenix on the Hudson River. The Phoenix sustained serious damage and retreated while the Americans lost four dead and 14 wounded.
- Benjamin Tupper (1738–1792) — Tupper was an officer in the Continental Army during the war. He is most famous for his role in helping to organize the Ohio Company of Associates, which established Marietta, Ohio, the first permanent settlement in the Northwest Territory.
August 4 — An officer in General Gage’s army says: “The reason that so many more of the king’s troops were wounded than killed in the late action in New England, is, that the Americans use a small shot, called buck shot, which is much smaller than the soldiers’ bullets.”
August 4 — The Pennsylvania Journal reported: “The good people of Virginia now consider Lord Dunmore as their mortal enemy, and will no longer brook the many gross insults they have received from him, which are daily repeated; and the d—d shirtmen, as they are emphatically called by some of his minions, it is more than probable, will make some of them rue, before long, their ill-timed, base, and ungenerous conduct.
- Pennsylvania Journal — First published by William Bradford in 1742, the Journal supported the Patriot Cause. Bradford famously printed a masthead with the “emblem of the Effects of the Stamp Act” on October 31, 1765, the day before the Stamp Act took effect. He also printed key documents issued by the Continental Congress and Thomas Paine’s The American Crisis.
August 6 — The Virginia Convention appointed Patrick Henry as Colonel of the 1st Regiment of the Virginia Militia.
August 7 — Exploits of Cresap’s Maryland Riflemen
Boston — The following account of the exploits of Captain Michael Cresap’s 1st Company of Maryland Rifles was published in the Pennsylvania Journal (August 23) and the Virginia Gazette (September 9).
On Friday evening last, arrived at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on their way to the American camp. Captain Cresap’s company of riflemen, consisting of one hundred and thirty active, brave young fellows, many of whom have been in the late expedition under Lord Dunmore, against the Indians. They bear in their bodies visible marks of their prowess, and show scars and wounds which would do honor to Homer’s Iliad. They show you, to use the poet’s words: —
“Where the gor’d battle bled at every vein!”
One of these warriors, in particular, shows the cicatrices of four bullet holes through his body. These men have been bred in the woods to hardships and dangers from their infancy. They appear as if they were entirely unacquainted with, and had never felt the passion of fear. With their rifles in their hands, they assume a kind of omnipotence over their enemies. One cannot much wonder at this, when we mention a fact which can be fully attested by several of the reputable persons who were eye-witnesses of it.
Two brothers in the company took a piece of board five inches broad and seven inches long, with a bit of white paper, about the size of a dollar, nailed in the centre, and while one of them supported this board perpendicularly between his knees, the other, at the distance of upwards of sixty yards, and without any kind of rest, shot eight bullets through it successively, and spared a brother’s thigh!
Another of the company held a barrel stave perpendicularly in his hands with one edge close to his side, while one of his comrades, at the same distance, and in the manner before mentioned, shot several bullets through it, without any apprehension of danger on either side.
The spectators, appearing to be amazed at these feats, were told that there were upwards of fifty persons in the same company who could do the same thing; that there was not one who could not plug nineteen bullets out of twenty, as they termed it, within an inch of the head of a tenpenny nail.
In short, to evince the confidence they possessed in their dexterity at these kind of arms, some of them proposed to stand with apples on their heads, while others at the same distance, undertook to shoot them off; but the people who saw the other experiments declined to be witnesses of this.
At night, a great fire was kindled around a pole planted in the Court House Square, where the company, with the captain at their head, all naked to the waist, and painted like savages (except the captain, who was in an Indian shirt), indulged a vast concourse of people with a perfect exhibition of war-dance, and all the maneuvers of Indians, holding council, going to war, circumventing their enemies by defiles, ambuscades, attacking, scalping, &c. It is said by those who are judges that no representation could possibly come nearer the original.
The captain’s expertness and agility, in particular, in these experiments astonished every beholder. This morning, they will set out on their march for Cambridge.
- Michael Cresap (1742–1775) — Cresap was a frontiersman from Oldtown, Maryland, who hunted and traded in the Ohio Country. In 1774, he led a militia force into the Ohio Country, with the intention of establishing settlements near present-day Wheeling, West Virginia. This led to Cresap’s War, a series of skirmishes with Native American Indians. An attack on a party of Indians at Yellow Creek (Yellow Creek Massacre), which included the wife and sister of Chief Logan, a Mingo warrior, was initially blamed on Cresap. The massacre triggered Lord Dunmore’s War.
- Chief Logan (c. 1723–1780) — A Mingo leader known for his eloquent 1774 speech, “Logan’s Lament,” expressing sadness and anger after his family was killed in an incident that led to Lord Dunmore’s War. Also known as “Logan the Orator.”
August 8 — Captain Daniel Morgan arrived at Cambridge with his contingent of Virginia riflemen. Morgan and his men gained notoriety for their dress, insubordination, and disregard for military etiquette. However, they were also noted and praised for their exceptional marksmanship.
- Daniel Morgan (1735–1802) — Morgan, a frontiersman turned officer, earned distinction for his leadership, especially at Saratoga and Cowpens. His military service started as a teamster and soldier in the French and Indian Wars. At the onset of the American Revolutionary War, Morgan raised a rifle company in 1775, fought in Canada, and later led elite troops in key battles. He briefly retired due to poor health but returned to service in the South. His cousin was the legendary frontiersman, Daniel Boone.
August 9 — Appeal to Spinners in Philadelphia
Philadelphia — This appeal was printed in the Philadelphia Journal: To the SPNNERS in this city, the suburbs, and country: — Tour services are now wanted to promote the AMERICAN MANUFACTORY, at the corner of Market and Ninth streets, where cotton, wool, flax, &c., are delivered out; strangers, who apply, are desired to bring a few lines, by way of recommendation, from some respectable person in their neighborhood.
One distinguishing characteristic of an excellent woman, as given by the wisest of men, is, “That she seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands to the spindle, and her hands holdeth the distaff.”
In this time of public distress, you have now, each of you, an opportunity not only to help to sustain your families, but likewise to cast your mite into the treasury of the public good. The most feeble effort to help to save the state from ruin, when it is all you can do, is as the widow’s mite, entitled to the same reward as they who, of their abundant abilities, have cast in much.
August 9–10 — HMS Falcon Attacks Gloucester
Gloucester, Massachusetts — The British sloop HMS Falcon attacked two American schooners off the coast of Gloucester, Massachusetts, capturing one. However, when Captain John Linzee pursued the second ship into Gloucester Harbor, he was met with intense fire. Linzee retreated, towing the captured American schooner with him.
This article appeared in the Virginia Gazette on September 16:
Yesterday, the Falcon sloop-of-war, under the command of Captain Lindzee, hove in sight of Gloucester, Cape Ann, and seemed to be in quest of two schooners from the West Indies, bound to Salem, one of which he soon brought too; the otlier taking advantage of a fair wind, put into Gloucester Harbor; but Lindzee having made a prize of the first, pursued the second into the harbor, and brought the first with him.
He anchored and sent two barges with fifteen men in each, armed with muskets and swivels. These were attended by a whale boat, in which was the lieutenant and six privates, with orders to seize the loaded schooner and carry her under the Falcon’s bow.
The militia and other inhabitants were alarmed at this dangerous attempt and prepared for a vigorous opposition. The barge men, under the command of the lieutenant, boarded the schooner at the cabin windows, which provoked a smart fire from the people on the shore, by which three of the enemy were killed, and the lieutenant wounded in the thigh, who thereupon returned to the man-of-war.
Upon this, Lindzee sent the other schooner and a small cutter he had to attend him, well armed, with orders to fire upon the damned rebels, wherever they could see them, and that he would, in the meantime, cannonade. He immediately fired a broadside upon the thickest settlements and stood with a diabolical pleasure to see what havoc his cannon might make
“Now,” said he, “my boys, we will aim at the damned Presbyterian church. Well! my brave fellows, one shot more and the house of God will fall before you.”
While he was thus venting his hellish rage and setting himself, as it were, against heaven, the Almighty was on our side. Not a ball struck or wounded an individual person, although they went through our houses in almost every direction when filled with women and children.
Under God, our little party at the water-side performed wonders, for they soon made themselves masters of both the schooners, the cutter, the two barges, the boat, and every man in them, and all that pertained to them.
In the action, which lasted several hours, we have lost but one man, two others wounded, one of whom is since dead, the other very slightly wounded. We took, of the men-of-war’s men, thirty-five; several are wounded, and one since dead; twenty-four are sent to head-quarters. The remainder, being impressed from this and the neighboring towns, are permitted to return to their friends. This morning, Captain Lindzee warped off with but one-half of his men, with neither a prize boat nor tender, except a small skiff the wounded lieutenant returned in.
Among the prisoners taken is one Budd, gunner of the Falcon sloop-of-war, who was some time ago at Machias with a number of others, and carried to Worcester, and upon being released from close confinement, took an opportunity of running off” with a few of the Tory gentry, and got on board the Falcon again. It is hoped this fellow, if retaken, will be better secured.
August 14 — Major John Brown completed his scouting mission in Canada and reported to General Philip Schuyler at Ticonderoga. Brown told Schuyler the French population and Indians in Canada were neutral regarding the war. However, Fort Saint Johns was lightly garrisoned by 300 men and could be attacked. The information encouraged Schuyler to invade Canada.
- John Brown (1744–1780) — Brown was a lawyer and soldier from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, who rose to prominence in the early days of the American Revolutionary War. Brown is most famous for his role in the Capture of Fort Ticonderoga (1775) and the Canada Campaign (1775–1776).
August 14 — Celebration of the First Boston Stamp Act Riot
Cambridge, Massachusetts — This day being the anniversary of the ever memorable 14th of August, 1765, when an opposition to the ministerial plan to enslave the Americans was first made, it was celebrated by the field-ofiicers of the sixth brigade, under the command of Colonel James Frye, at the House of Jonathan Hastings, Esq., in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where the following toasts were drank, viz.:
- The Continental Congress.
- Success to our undertakings.
- The memorable 14th of August, 1765.
- May American valor ever prove invincible to the attempt of ministerial tyranny to oppress them.
- The twelve united colonies.
- All our friends in Great Britain.
- Liberty without licentiousness.
- A speedy and happy conclusion to the present unhappy disputes.
- The 19th of April, 1775.
- A speedy entrance, possession, and opening of the town of Boston.
- The President of the Continental Congress.
- General Washington and the other general officers of the American Army.
- A speedy export to all the enemies of America, without any drawback.
- Immortal honor to that patriot and hero, Doctor Joseph Warren, and the brave American troops, who fought the battle at Charlestown on the 17th of June, 1775.
AHC Notes — This appeared in Gaine’s Mercury on August 28. The reference to ‘twelve united colonies’ likely excludes Georgia. The ‘battle at Charlestown’ refers to the Battle of Bunker Hill.
- Hugh Gaine (c. 1726–1807) — A New York printer who published the New York Mercury and the New York Royal Gazette. He held a neutral view of the American Revolution, which created conflicts with Loyalists and Patriots. In November 1775, the New York Sons of Liberty threatened to destroy his print shop. During the war, Gaine’s position shifted, depending on who was perceived to be winning the war.
August 14 — Thomas Mifflin was appointed as the first Quartermaster General. He was responsible for the camps, transportation, troop movements, and logistical matters. However, the needs of artillery logistics were given to the Commissary of Artillery.
- Thomas Mifflin (1744–1780) — Mifflin was an officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He fought in several key battles and also served as a delegate to the Continental Congress, representing the state of Pennsylvania. Although he was involved in the “Conway Cabal,” a plot to remove George Washington as Commander-in-Chief, he later participated in the Constitutional Convention and signed the document.
August 14 — The Pennsylvania Journal reported: Last night, arrived at the camp in Cambridge, Swashan the chief, with four other Indians of the St. Francis tribe, conducted by Mr. Reuben Colburn, who has been honorably recompensed for his trouble. The above Indians came to offer their services in the cause of American liberty, have been kindly received, and are now entered the service. Swashan says he will bring one-half of his tribe, and has engaged four or five other tribes, if they should be wanted. He says the Indians of Canada, in general, and also the French, are greatly in favor of the Americans, and are determined not to act against them.
August 14 — According to the Constitutional Gazette: Intelligence was received this morning, at Williamsburg, Virginia, that a brig which was lately taken, laden with provisions, and carried into Boston by ministerial pirates, returned from thence to Norfolk last Wednesday, having on board seven officers of the regular army. We do not hear that any soldiers are come with them, or are to follow, but it is certain that the Earl of Dunmore’s ship is now completed for an expedition; and that his lordship has fitted up thirteen field-pieces for service. It is apprehended he intends to commence hostilities upon York, or James River very soon.
August 17 — The Providence Beacon was tested for the first time in Providence, Rhode Island. The Beacon was part of a network of beacons that warned people about impending British naval attacks and raids (see Operations in Narragansett Bay, 1775).
August 17 — Female Infantry
East Hartford, Connecticut — The Connecticut Courant reported: This morning, at East Hartford, Connecticut, sallied from the Lyon Tavern and its dependencies, a corps of female infantry, of twenty rank and file, with a flank guard of three chosen spirits of the male line, and marching westward about one mile in martial array and excellent order, saving stride and gabble, these attacked and carried, without opposition from powder, law, or conscience, Mr. Pitkin’s store, in which was lodged a quantity of sugar designed for the army, of which they plundered and bore away in triumph two hundred and eighteen pounds.
A travelling gentleman falling in with the rear, whom they mistook for the owner of the spoils, was attacked and drove with great fury; but being well mounted, made his escape. The whole was completed in two hours, and without loss of blood, except from a few accidental scratches of side arms, underslung without scabbards.
That so unexampled a spirit of heroism may not want due notice and encouragement, it is proposed that this corps be augmented by voluntary enlistment to a battalion, for the ranging service in the northern department, to be in the uniform of rifle frocks, and the snug Scotch kilt, and allowed, besides perquisites and plunder, a generous bounty on scalps, and a fine new standard with an elegant device of a lady inverted, and to be commanded by the celebrated Madame de la Mell Hobb Greg Scratch.
- Connecticut Courant — Founded by Thomas Greene in 1764, the Courant started as a weekly newspaper in Hartford, Connecticut. The paper is still published as the Hartford Courant, and is believed to be the oldest continuously published newspaper in the United States.
August 20 — General Washington expanded the plan for the Invasion of Quebec by adding a second expedition. Led by Benedict Arnold, it would approach Quebec City from the east, hoping to take it by surprise. Congress was not informed of this expedition, which took Arnold and his men across the mostly uncharted wilderness of Maine — and took much longer than expected.
- Arnold’s Quebec Expedition (September–November, 1775) — A 1775 military expedition led by Colonel Benedict Arnold to capture Quebec and rally Canadian support for the Patriot Cause. The expedition involved a difficult 300-mile march through the Maine wilderness, along a little-used route with a poorly drawn map. Arnold and his men suffered from severe weather, disease, starvation, and exhaustion before finally reaching Quebec and joining forces with General Richard Montgomery.
- Benedict Arnold (1741–1801) — Arnold was an officer who rose to prominence for his bold leadership in battles such as Quebec, Valcour Island, and Saratoga. Despite his military talent, Arnold was driven by personal grievances and ambition that put him at odds with many of his contemporaries. Feeling slighted by the Patriot Cause, Arnold famously committed treason in 1780 when he tried to turn West Point over to the British. After the plot was discovered, Arnold defected, received a commission in the British Army, and led raids in Connecticut and Virginia. Following the war, he moved to England, where he struggled as a merchant.
August 21 — Events in Boston
Boston, Massachusetts — An extract of a letter from the American Camp at Cambridge was printed in Gaine’s Mercury. It provided details on the Siege of Boston:
Captain Ross, with his company of riflemen and the stores, arrived at Cambridge on Friday last. There has not [been] a random shot of a rifleman done any execution lately, worth mentioning.
A letter from a selectman in Boston to his son in our camp advises him to quit it, as there was to be some very important stroke made in a few days; we do not pay much regard to it, as it is very improbable he should know anything of what they intend. Our lines are so strong, we have nothing to fear but a surprise.
There have been letters passing between the Generals, Washington and Gage, on his treatment of our officers who are in jail in Boston. One letter was in very mild terms, carefully avoiding any epithets that might be deemed unpolite.
Gage’s answer was in a different strain, directed to “George Washington, Esq.,” calling us rebels and usurpers, and whatnot, affecting great clemency in having forborne to hang our prisoners.
General Washington gave him a suitable reply; and so it stands: — “We broke a Colonel Gerish yesterday, for cowardice on Bunker’s Hill, the 17th of June.”
August 21 — The Pennsylvania Packet reported: We hear from Cecil County, in the province of Maryland, that Mr. Elihu Hall, Jr., a young gentleman of family, fortune, and character, in said county, last Sabbath had liis first-born son baptized John Hancock, as well to express his esteem of the New England bravery in general, as in particular honor of the great American Patriot of that name, who now, under God, presides in the honorable Continental Congress.
August 23 — Proclamation of Rebellion
London, England — King George III issued a Royal Proclamation of Rebellion, declaring the colonies “misled by dangerous and ill-designing men.” By promising strict measures against any public official deemed treasonous, the proclamation eliminated the possibility of reconciliation between the American Colonies and Britain.
August 24 — A provision war started in the waters around Rhode Island, including Narragansett Bay. Around 100 British troops raided the farm of John Allin on Prudence Island. The supplies were loaded onto the HMS Swan and taken to Boston.
August 24 — HMS Asia Fires on New York City
New York City — Captain John Lamb and 60 men captured the New York City battery and seized cannons despite the presence of the 64-gun HMS Asia, anchored nearby. When the British sent a barge ashore to investigate, they were repelled by the Americans. The Asia unleashed its cannons on the battery, which triggered the mass exodus of people from New York City.
- John Lamb (1735–1800) — Lamb was a prominent leader of the New York Sons of Liberty and fought in the war as an artillery commander. Lamb participated in the Invasion of Quebec (1775–1776), served as commander of West Point, and was involved in the Yorktown Campaign (1781).
Gaine’s Mercury published an article about this incident on August 28 that said:
The Provincial Congress of New York, having resolved that the cannon should be removed from the battery in the city, a number of the citizens collected for that purpose last Wednesday evening; an part of the provincial artillery, under the command of Captain John Lamb, were posted on the battery to prevent the landing of any party from the Asia man-of-war, to annoy them while at work.
When they marched down, which was about eleven o’clock, they observed one of the above ships’ barges lying at some distance from the shore, where she continued upwards of an hour; then she got under sail, and fired a musket at the men that were posted on the Battery.
This was immediately returned by a smart fire of musketry from the artillery, and a few of the Independent light infantry belonging to Colonel Lasher’s battalion, that were likewise posted there for the above purpose. Soon after this, the Asia fired three cannon, when the drums beat to arms, which alarmed the inhabitants.
When they had assembled, she began a heavy and smart fire of nine, eighteen, and twenty-four-pounders, and some grape shot, succeeded by a discharge of musketry from the marines, but without doing any other mischief than damaging the upper part of several houses near the fort and Whitehall, and wounding three men.
Notwithstanding the fire from the Asia, the citizens effected their purpose, and carried off twenty-one pieces of cannon, being all that were mounted on carriages.
Since this disturbance, the women and children have been continually moving out of town, with their most valuable effects.
- John Lasher (1724–1806) — A New York merchant who served as a Colonel in the New York Militia during the war. Afterward, he was the Surveyor of the Port of New York from 1784 to 1789.
August 24 — John Hancock Marries Dorothy Quincy
Fairfield, Connecticut — The New York Gazette reported: This evening was married, at the seat of Thaddeus Burr, Esq., at Fairfield, Connecticut, by the Reverend Mr. Elliot, the Hon. John Hancock, Esq, President of the Continental Congress, to Miss Dorothy Quincy, daughter of Edmund Quincy, Esq., of Boston.
Floras informs us that “in the second Punic War, when Hannibal besieged Rome and was very near making himself master of it, a field upon which part of his army lay, was offered for sale, and was immediately purchased by a Roman, in a strong assurance that the Roman valor and courage would soon raise the siege.”
Equal to the conduct of that illustrious citizen was the marriage of the Honorable John Hancock, Esq., who, with his amiable lady, has paid as great a compliment to American valor, and discovered equal patriotism, by marrying now while all the colonies are as much convulsed as Rome when Hannibal was at her gates.
- President of Congress — Hancock was the fourth President of Congress and held the title from May 24, 1775, to October 31, 1777. The First Continental Congress, Second Continental Congress, and Confederation Congress all selected someone to preside over the proceedings. This person is usually referred to as the President, and sometimes is mistakenly referred to as “President of the United States.” It is essential to recognize that the role and authority of the position in the Continental Congress and the Confederation Congress, prior to the adoption of the United States Constitution, differed significantly from their current status.
August 26 — The Rhode Island General Assembly instructed Stephen Hopkins and Samuel Ward to present the establishment of an “American fleet…for the protection of these colonies…” to the Second Continental Congress. This was the start of the establishment of the Continental Navy.
August 26 — Battle of Ploughed Hill
Boston — General John Sullivan sent 1,200 men to build fortifications on Ploughed Hill, Boston. From there, American artillery could fire on British ships in Boston Harbor. As Sullivan’s men worked, two floating British batteries bombarded them. In the exchange that followed, American artillery sank one of the batteries while Sullivan suffered three killed and two wounded.
- John Sullivan (1740–1795) — Sullivan led troops in Canada, New York, and Pennsylvania. He fought in many key battles and led American forces against Native American Indians on the frontier of New York and Pennsylvania. He also represented New Hampshire in the Continental Congress.
August 28 — American Invasion of Quebec Begins
New York — General Richard Montgomery left Fort Ticonderoga and sailed toward Isle aux Noix. Strong winds slowed his boats, and he did not arrive until September 5. Meanwhile, General Philip Schuyler left Albany and sailed to join Montgomery. Montgomery’s action initiated the American Invasion of Quebec.
- Richard Montgomery (1738–1775) — Born in Ireland, Montgomery served in the British Army during the French and Indian War (1754–1763) before settling in New York and joining the Patriot Cause. At the opening of the Invasion of Quebec, he captured St. Johns and Montreal but was killed during the failed assault at the Battle of Quebec (December 31, 1775).
- Philip Schuyler (1733–1804) — A wealthy New York patroon and one of the four original major generals of the Continental Army. He played a key role in the American victory in the Battle of Saratoga and in maintaining relations with the Six Nations.
August 30 — General Schuyler, who was sick, approved Montgomery’s decision to invade Canada and headed north with an additional 500 men to join him.
August 30 — Bombardment of Stonington
Connecticut — The HMS Rose bombarded Stonington, Connecticut, after the townspeople refused to turn over livestock. When the Rose tried to land troops onshore, Captain Oliver Smith and Captain William Smith gathered men and fired on the British, forcing them to withdraw.
The New York Gazette reported on this incident on August 31:
Yesterday morning, a tender chased into Stonington Harbor two small sloops, which had a number of people on board, bound to Block Island. They had but just time to get on shore before the tender came in, which, after making a tack, came close alongside of Captain Denison’s wharf, discharged a full broadside into the stores and houses, and sailing out again, in a little time returned with the Rose man-of-war and another tender.
As soon as the Rose could get her broadside to bear on the town, she began a very heavy fire, also the tenders, who were under sail, and continued firing the whole day, with very little intermission.
During the time, a flag was sent off from the shore, desiring Captain Wallace, commander of the Rose, to let them know what he meant by firing on the town. His answer was that he did it in his own defense.
We have one man mortally wounded, and the houses, stores, &c., very much shattered. This morning, they sailed out and anchored at the north side of the west end of Fisher’s Island, where they remain.
There were five or six people killed on board the tenders, by the inhabitants, who assembled and were under arms the whole day. They have carried off a schooner loaded with molasses, belonging to Patuxet, near Providence, from the West Indies, and the two small sloops that landed the people.
