The War Escalates in Virginia
November 1 — Nearly all the people belonging to Cape Ann, in Massachusetts, have evacuated the town, and have proceeded so far in removing their effects as to take away the glass windows from the meeting-house and many of the dwelling-houses. Lieutenant-Colonel Mason, of the artillery, has been down from Cambridge to give directions in fortifying the harbor, where two batteries are already erected, and other measures taken for giving the enemy a proper reception. — New England Chronicle (November 2, 1775).
November 2 — The Naval Committee voted to purchase and rename eight merchant vessels as men-of-war: Alfred (24 guns), Columbus (18), Andrew Doria (14), Cabot (14), Providence (12), Hornet (10), Wasp (8), and Fly (8).
November 2 — Major Charles Preston, after defending Fort St. John for 55 days, surrendered to General Richard Montgomery, yielding 500 prisoners and 41 artillery pieces. Preston’s surrender marked the first victory of American forces in the Canada Campaign (1775–1776).
- Richard Montgomery (1738–1775) — Montgomery was a Brigadier General in the Continental Army during the early days of the American Revolutionary War. He led part of the American forces during the failed Invasion of Canada and captured key positions before he was killed during the Battle of Quebec.
November 3 — Loyalist Militia led by Patrick Cunningham captured wagons loaded with guns and ammunition. The wagons had been sent to the Cherokee Indians as a gift by the South Carolina Committee of Safety.
November 4 — Congress reorganized the Continental Army stationed around Boston. There were approximately 20,372 officers and men, and most of them were enlisted through the end of 1776.
November 5 — General Richard Montgomery marched toward Montreal under rainy and muddy conditions.
November 5 — Congress appointed Esek Hopkins as the first Commodore of the Continental Navy. Hopkins assumed command of four armed commercial vessels that were being outfitted for duty at Philadelphia: Cabot, Alfred, Columbus, and Andrew Doria. His brother, Stephen Hopkins, was a member of the Naval Committee.
- See Operations in Narragansett Bay (1775) for additional details on Hopkins and the formation of the Continental Navy.
November 7 — The House of Commons rejected the Olive Branch Petition.
- Olive Branch Petition — The Olive Branch Petition was a final attempt by the Second Continental Congress in July 1775 to reconcile with Britain and avoid a full-scale war. Written largely by John Dickinson, it declared colonial loyalty to King George III while requesting an end to hostilities. The petition was rejected by the King, who soon declared the colonies in rebellion, which pushed Congress toward declaring independence.
November 7 — The province of New Hampshire has asked advice of the Congress relative to assuming government. The Congress advised the Provincial Convention to grant warrants for a free and full election of representatives of the colony, who, if they think it necessary, are to choose such a form of government as they, in their judgment, shall think will best promote the happiness of the people, and preserve peace and good order during the present dispute with Great Britain. The same advice was given to South Carolina, and in a few months, we hope every colony will be perfectly free. — Extract of a letter that appeared in the Constitutional Gazette (November 29, 1775).
November 7 — Congress amended its Articles of War to include treason as a capital crime, punishable by death.
November 7 — Lord Dunmore’s Proclamation
Williamsburg, Virginia — Governor John Murray of Virginia, known as Lord Dunmore, issued a proclamation that declared Virginia was in a state of rebellion and placed the colony under martial law. He took complete control of the military and accused anyone who refused to bear arms in defense of the Crown of being a traitor. Further, he made good on a previous threat to arm slaves. The proclamation offered freedom to any slaves who agreed to fight on behalf of the Crown. At first, Dunmore did not release the Proclamation to the public, but when he did, it led to a loss of support from wealthy, Loyalist plantation owners. As a result, many of them joined the Patriot cause.
November 8 — Congress instructed the Secret Committee to purchase arms and ammunition through merchants in the West Indies by trading American products.
- Secret Committee of Congress — Formed in 1775, it managed war supplies and foreign trade. It became involved in controversial contracts and privateering, later evolving into the Committee of Commerce and the Committee on Foreign Affairs in 1777.
November 9 — Benedict Arnold’s Expedition, reduced to 675 men due to sickness, exposure, and abandonment, reached the St. Lawrence River across from Quebec City.
- 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 attempted to surrender West Point 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.
November 9 — General William Howe received instructions from William Legge, Lord Dartmouth, to consider evacuating Boston and moving on to New York. However, Howe did not have enough ships to transport both his army and the Loyalists who wanted to evacuate. Because of this, Howe remained in Boston.
- William Howe (1729–1814) — A veteran of the French and Indian War, Howe was a cautious yet skilled British officer. He played a central role early in the war, leading British forces during the Siege of Boston, the New York Campaign, the New Jersey Campaign, and the Philadelphia Campaign. Despite notable victories, his strategic hesitations, logistical challenges, and flawed leadership hindered British success and led to his removal.
- William Legge (1731–1801) — Legge was the Second Earl of Dartmouth and the Secretary of State for the Colonies at the start of the American Revolutionary War. Dartmouth is most well-known for ordering General Thomas Gage to use military force to arrest leaders of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress and restore order in Massachusetts.
November 9 — The Rhode Island General Assembly declared Governor Joseph Wanton had vacated his position and replaced him with Deputy Governor Nicholas Cooke. Wanton was declared an “Enemy to His Country” on November 10. Cooke was appointed Governor, and William Bradford was appointed Deputy Governor.
November 9 — Battle of Lechmere Point
Boston — British forces successfully raided Lechmere Point during the Siege of Boston, seizing ten cattle before American forces fired on them and drove them off. The Americans were led by Colonel William Thompson, but arrived too late to keep the British from removing the cattle. After the British withdrew, the Americans secured the position and constructed Fort Putnam.
November 9 — Patriot Defenses in South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina — In South Carolina, they have two thousand men in actual pay, and five hundred horsemen on the frontiers. Colonel Gadsden, commander-in-chief, and Colonel Isaac Huger, second colonel, first regiment. Second regiment, Colonel William Moultrie, Isaac Mott, Lieutenant-Colonel, late of the Royal Americans. Fort Johnson is fortified and garrisoned with four hundred and fifty men. Mount Pleasant is fortified with four cannon, two hundred men stationed to prevent the shipping from taking water. No provisions allowed for the king’s ships. Two schooners fitted out, mounting fourteen and twelve guns, and full manned as cruisers. The three forts in Charleston and the first bastion, fortified with cannon. An intrenchment, about four miles from town, laid out; tools made and men ready to begin the intrenchment when the express came away. Women and children almost all moved out of town, and barracks built for them in the country. Tliey have twenty tons of powder, and the quantity daily increasing. Two thousand men in uniforms, blue faced with red. Light horse, five hundred, blue faced with white, and well furnished. The militia in the country is in fine order; drill sergeants have been sent among them many months past. The Regulators in the back country, who were under oath, have entered into a treaty to remain neutral; Thomas Fletcher and Patrick Cunningham, their chiefs, are now in Charleston. The people are under no apprehensions from their negroes. The Honorable William Henry Drayton, the worthy judge of the superior court, has made a treaty with the Cherokees to assist the inhabitants in case of necessity. — Rivington’s Gazette (November 9, 1775).
November 10 — George Germain (Lord Germain) replaced William Legge as Secretary of State for the Colonies.
November 10 — Captain Coit
Plymouth, Massachusetts — Captain Coit, in a privateer from Plymouth in Massachusetts, has taken two prizes laden with fish, flour, hogs, sheep, cattle, potatoes, cheese, and all kinds of poultry, from Halifax, for the use of the hungry crew in Boston. The vessels were brought safe into Plymouth, where Captain Coit (a humorous genius) made the prisoners land upon the same rock our ancestors first trod when they landed in America, where they gave three cheers, and wished success to American arms. — Extract from a letter printed in the Pennsylvania Journal (November 29, 1775).
November 10 — Skirmish at Charlestown Point
Charlestown, Massachusetts — This day, three dead bodies have floated along shore, supposed to be drowned by the sinking of a barge, which our field-pieces stove. The enemy had cannon placed at the water’s edge, along Charlestown Point, which, together with the large artillery from Bunker Hill, made an incessant roar, with grape-shot, chain-shot, &c., but to no purpose. The riflemen drove them like a herd of swine down a steep place, where some of them were killed, drowned, or scared to death, in sight of their brethren in iniquity, who covered the tops of Fort Beacon and Bunker Hill to view the noble exploit of cowstealing. The general [Washington] has since ordered all the stock to be driven off the peninsula of Dorchester. — Extract from a letter printed in the Pennsylvania Journal (November 29, 1775).
November 10 — Birth of the United States Marine Corps
Philadelphia — Congress authorized two battalions of Continental Marines: “That two battalions of Marines be raised consisting of one Colonel, two Lieutenant-Colonels, two Majors, and other officers, as usual in other regiments; that they consist of an equal number of Privates with other battalions; that particular care be taken that no persons be appointed to offices, or enlisted into said battalions, but such as are good seamen, or so acquainted with maritime affairs as to be able to serve by sea when required; that they be enlisted and commissioned to serve for and during the present war with Great Britain and the Colonies, unless dismissed by order of Congress; that they be distinguished by the names of the First and Second Battalion of Marines.” According to legend, the first recruiting drive was held later in the day at Tun Taver and is considered the birth of the United States Marine Corps.
November 11 — General Guy Carleton evacuated Montreal and withdrew his forces to Quebec City.
November 11 — Naval Battle at Hog Island Channel
Charleston, South Carolina — Captain Simon Tuft and his ship Defense were towing old ships into Hog Island Channel, intending to sink them and prevent British ships from entering Hog Island Creek. Captain Edward Thornborough of the HMS Tamar saw the Defense and fired on it. The Defense stopped and returned fire before sinking three of the old ships in the water. Early the next morning, the Tamar and HMS Cherokee approached the Defense and fired at it for several hours while Tuft’s crew sank the last old ship and then withdrew. During this, batteries from Fort Johnson fired on the British ships, hitting their sails.
November 12 — General George Washington, as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, prohibited recruiting officers from enlisting African Americans into the army, regardless of their legal status (free or enslaved).
November 13 — American forces, led by General Richard Montgomery, advanced on Montreal and received the city’s surrender. Afterward, they captured two small British vessels on the St. Lawrence River.
November 13 — Arnold’s Expedition prepared to cross the St. Lawrence River to assemble outside Quebec and demand the city’s surrender.
November 13 — Riding School in the Old South Church
Boston — A gentleman who lately came out of Boston assures that the rebels in Boston, by order of their general, Howe, have taken down the pulpit and all the pews in the Old South meeting-house, and are using it for a riding school. This he saw. Thus, we see the house, once set apart for true worship and service of God, turned into a den for thieves! — Pennsylvania Journal (November 29, 1775).
November 15 — Battle of Kemp’s Landing
Kemp’s Landing, Virginia — As tension between Lord Dunmore and Virginia Patriots increased, Princess Anne County organized its militia forces under Colonel William Woodford. Upon hearing this, Dunmore led 150 men south toward Great Bridge, including experienced British Regulars, Loyalist Militia, and members of the Ethiopian Regiment, which was made up of freed slaves. The Americans were easily defeated and withdrew after losing nine killed and 14 wounded.
An account of the Battle of Kemp’s Landing appeared in the New York Gazette on December 4, 1775:
Colonel Henry received an express yesterday morning, at Williamsburg, Virginia, with the following intelligence, viz: that Lord Dunmore having received advice that about two hundred of the militia were on their march to join the troops destined for the protection of the lower parts of the country, marched from Norfolk last Tuesday, about one o’clock in the afternoon, with about three hundred and fifty men, consisting of regular soldiers, sailors, runaway negroes, and Tories, to intercept them; who, not having the last intelligence of his lordship’s approach, were obliged to engage under every disadvantage, both as to the enemy’s superiority in point of numbers, and the situation of the ground, being hemmed in by a fence. Our people fought a considerable time, and it is thought did great execution; but were at last overpowered, and forced to retreat, with the loss of Mr. John Ackiss, in the minute service, killed on the spot; and Colonel Joseph Hutchings, and one Mr. Williams, wounded, who were taken prisoners with seven others. The public, no doubt, will bo exceedingly incensed, on finding that Lord Dunmore has taken into his service the very scum of the country, to assist him in his diabolical schemes, against the good people of this government, all well attached to his Majesty, but mortal enemies to his infamous ministry and their subordinate tools; but it is to be hoped his sphere of mischief will soon be circumscribed within narrow bounds, as Colonel Woodford, with about eight hundred as brave troops as the world can produce, are now on their march to Norfolk; and, should his lordship incline to give them battle, we have not the smallest doubt they will give a very satisfactory account of him.
- 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.
November 15 — Arnold’s Expedition crossed the St. Lawrence River, and he assembled his troops on the Plains of Abraham. He did this in hopes that the British garrison, led by Lieutenant Colonel Allan MacLean, would surrender. However, MacLean remained within the city, forcing Arnold to wait for the arrival of General Montgomery.
November 16 — American supporter Edmund Burke introduced a bill in the House of Commons calling for Parliament to allow the Colonies to impose taxation and end the Intolerable Acts. He argued for its passage and struck a conciliatory tone. However, Parliament defeated the bill on November 17.
November 17 — A letter from England by the last packet says: — The prevailing toast in every company of true Englishmen is, “Victory to America! and re-establishment to the British Constitution.” — Constitutional Gazette (November 25, 1775).
November 17 — American privateers attacked and looted Charlottetown on Prince Edward Island.
November 17 — Colonel Henry Knox was appointed commander of the new Continental Regiment of Artillery, succeeding Richard Gridley, who continued with his duties as Chief Engineer. Washington sent Knox to retrieve artillery pieces from Fort Ticonderoga. Knox referred to his expedition as his “Noble Train of Artillery.”
November 18 — After learning that Colonel Patrick Cunningham had captured the wagons carrying guns and ammunition to the Cherokees, Colonel Andrew Williamson, commander of the Patriot forces in the Ninety-Six District, organized his forces. Williamson marched to Ninety-Six and took defensive positions on the plantation of John Savage, a place known as Savage’s Old Fields. He had his men build a crude fort.
November 19 — Battle of Sorel
Sorel, Quebec — British forces under General Guy Carleton’s command tried to sail from Montreal to Quebec City on the St. Lawrence River. However, American forces led by Colonel John Brown had artillery batteries at Sorel. They opened fire when the British came into range. Many of the British ships were sunk or captured. Americans captured General Richard Prescott and 145 troops, but Carleton escaped and continued on to Quebec.
November 19 — Benedict Arnold withdrew from Quebec and marched 20 miles to Point aux Trembles. He did this to avoid a sortie from Lieutenant Colonel Allan MacLean.
- Sortie — An attack made by troops coming out of a defensive position.
November 19 — General George Washington complained to Congress that supplying soldiers to the new marine battalions would disrupt his army.
November 19 — Battle of Ninety-Six Begins
South Carolina — Colonel Patrick Cunningham and his 1,800 Loyalists laid siege to Colonel Andrew Williamson and his 600 Patriots at Ninety-Six. The siege lasted for two days. On November 21, the two leaders agreed to a 20-day truce and to meet in Charleston for further negotiations. Williamson also agreed to destroy the fort he had built, release prisoners, and send his men home.
However, this truce was short-lived because Cunningham’s brother, Robert, decided to reject the agreement, as did Colonel Richard Richardson, who was leading South Carolina Militia forces. Among the troops in Richardson’s command were Captain Thomas Sumter, Colonel Francis Marion, and Major William Thomson.
The Siege of Savage’s Old Fields at Ninety-Six was the beginning of the lengthy civil war between Patriots and Loyalists in South Carolina.
November 21 — Washington’s Address to the Army
Boston — This morning, the following address to the worthy officers and soldiers in the American army was distributed in the camp at Cambridge, Roxbury, and elsewhere:
Honor will Crown every Defender of Liberty
Your exertions in the cause of freedom, guided by wisdom and animated by zeal and courage, have gained you the love and confidence of your grateful countrymen, and they look to you, who are EXPERIENCED VETERANS, and trust that you will still be the GUARDIANS OF AMERICA.
As I have the honor to be an American, and one among the Free Millions, who are defended by your valor, I would pay the tribute of thanks and express my gratitude, while I solicit you to continue in your present honorable and important station.
I doubt not America will always find enough of her sons ready to flock to her standard, and support her freedom; but experience proves that experienced soldiers are more capable of performing the duties of the camp, and better qualified to face the enemy, than others; and therefore every friend of America will be desirous that most of the gentlemen who compose the present army may continue in the service of tlieir country until “LIBERTY, PEACE, AND SAFETY” are established.
Although your private concerns may call for your assistance at home, yet the voice of your country is still louder, and it is painful to heroic minds to quit the field when Liberty calls, and the voice of injured millions cries “To arms! to arms!”
Never was a cause more important or glorious than that which you are engaged in; not only your wives, your children, and distant posterity, but humanity at large, the world of mankind, are interested in it; for if tyranny should prevail in this great country, we may expect LIBERTY will expire throughout the world.
Therefore, more human glory and happiness may depend upon your exertions than ever yet depended upon any of the sons of men. He that is a soldier in defence of such a cause, needs no title; his post is a post of honor, and although not an emperor, yet he shall wear a crown — of glory — and blessed will be his memory!
The savage and brutal barbarity of our enemies in burning Falmouth is a full demonstration that there is not the least remains of virtue, wisdom, or humanity, in the British court; and that they are fully determined with fire and sword, to butcher and destroy, beggar and enslave the whole American people.
Therefore, we expect soon to break off all kind connection with Britain, and form into a Grand Republic of the American United Colonies, which will, by the blessing of heaven, soon work out our salvation, and perpetuate the liberties, increase the wealth, the power, and the glory of this Western world.
Notwithstanding the many difficulties we have to encounter, and the rage of our merciless enemies, we have a glorious prospect before us, big with everything good and great. The further we enter into the field of independence, our prospects will expand and brighten, and a complete Republic will soon complete our happiness. “Blindness seems to have happened to Britain, that the fullness of America might come in,” and we have every encouragement to “stand fast in the liberties wherewith heaven hath made us free.”
Persevere, YE GUARDIANS OF LIBERTY! May success be your constant attendant, until the enemies of freedom are no more, and all future generations, as they successively tread the stage of time, and taste the JOYS OF LIBERTY, will rise up and call YOU blessed.
November 24 — Two more ships were sunk in the Hog Island Channel near Charleston. The purpose was to force British ships to pass within range of Fort Johnson’s artillery batteries.
November 24 — The South Carolina Provincial Congress authorized outfitting the ship Prosper so it could engage British ships along the coast. Captain Simon Tuft was placed in command.
November 25 — Congress authorized privateering against English shipping and urged the creation of Admiralty Courts to dispense “prizes.”
- Privateering — The government-sanctioned practice of using private ships to attack enemy trade was significant from the 18th Century to the War of 1812, helping maritime nations and communities economically and militarily during wartime.
- Prizes — Ships and cargo captured by Privateers.
November 25 — Colonel William Woodford was sent to protect Patriot supplies at Suffolk, Virginia. Lord Dunmore responded by sending troops to intercept the Americans at Great Bridge.
November 27 — Captain John Manley, commanding the armed schooner Lee, captured the HMS Nancy off Cape Ann, Massachusetts. The Nancy was carrying muskets, ammunition, and a mortar. Everything was sent to the Continental Army, where the mortar was nicknamed “Congress.”
November 28 — John Adams and the Naval Committee established regulations for the Continental Navy, called “Rules for the Regulation of the Navy of the United Colonies of North America.” This established rules regarding pay, rations, discipline, and prize money.
November 28 — Samuel Nicholas was commissioned as “Captain of the Marines” by Congress. As a senior officer, he was also considered the first commandant.
November 29 — Rivington’s Press Destroyed
New York City — On the twentieth of this month, sixteen respectable inhabitants of New Haven, Connecticut, in company with Captain Sears, set out from that place to East and West Chester, in the province of New York, to disarm the principal Tories there, and secure the persons of Parson Seabury, Judge Fowler, and Lord Underhill.
On their way thither, they were joined by Captains Richards, Sillick, and Mead, with about eighty men. At Mamaroneck, they burnt a small sloop, which was purchased by the government, for the purpose of carrying provisions on board the Asia.
At East Chester, they seized Judge Fowler, then repaired to West Chester and secured Seabury and Underhill. Having possessed themselves of these three caitiffs, they sent them to Connecticut under a strong guard.
The main body, consisting of seventy-five, then proceeded to New York, where they entered at noonday on horseback, bayonets fixed, in the greatest regularity, went down the main street, and drew up in close order before the printing office of the infamous James Rivington.
A small detachment entered it, and in about three-quarters of an hour brought off the principal part of his types, for which they offered to give an order on Lord Dunmore. They then faced and wheeled to the left, and marched out of town to the tune of Yankee Doodle. A vast concourse of people assembled at the Coffee House, on their leaving the ground, and gave them three very hearty cheers.
On their way home, they disarmed all the Tories that lay on their route, and yesterday arrived at New Haven, escorted by a great number of gentlemen from the westward, the whole making a very grand procession.
Upon their entrance into town, they were saluted with the discharge of two cannon, and received by the inhabitants with every mark of approbation and respect. The company divided into two parts, and concluded the day in festivity and innocent mirth.
Captain Sears returned in company with the other gentlemen and proposes to spend the winter at New Haven, unless public business should require his presence at New York.
Seabury, Underbill, and Fowler, three of the dastardly protesters against the proceedings of the Continental Congress, and who it is believed had concerted a plan for kidnapping Captain Sears, and conveying him on board the Asia man-of-war, are (with the types and arms) safely lodged in New Haven, where it is expected Lord Underhill will have leisure to form the scheme of a lucrative lottery, the tickets of which cannot be counterfeited; and Parson Seabury sufficient time to compose sermons for the next Continental fast. — Pennsylvania Journal (December 6, 1775).
AHC Notes
- Isaac Sears was a prominent leader of the Patriot Movement in New York City, along with Alexander McDougall and John Lamb. Sears was involved in various incidents, including the Battle of Golden Hill (1770).
- James Rivington was the publisher of a Loyalist newspaper called Rivington’s New-York Gazetteer, or simply Rivington’s Gazette. This made him a target for the New York Sons of Liberty, who forced him to cease publication in 1783. Despite his public support for Britain, historians have speculated that he had ties to the Culper Spy Ring and provided intelligence to General George Washington.
- Lord Underhill was Nathaniel Underhill, the Mayor of Westchester.
- Samuel Seabury was the first Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States. He was born in 1728 and graduated from Yale College in 1751. He went to England to study medicine, but turned his attention to the ministry. He was first settled at Brunswick, New Jersey, then at Jamaica, on Long Island, and afterward in Westchester, New York. After the commencement of the war, he fled to New York City, where he remained until the declaration of peace. In November 1784, he was consecrated as bishop of the Episcopal Church of Connecticut, and for many years after, performed the duties of the office at New London, Connecticut. He died in 1796.
November 29 — The Continental Congress created the Committee of Secret Correspondence to handle diplomatic relations with foreign nations and groups that supported the American Cause. Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, John Dickinson, Benjamin Harrison, and Thomas Johnson were appointed to the committee.
November 29 — Colonel William Woodford positioned his troops at Great Bridge on the Elizabeth River to prevent British forces from capturing the Patriot supply depot at Suffolk, Virginia. This contributed to the Battle of Great Bridge (December 9, 1775).
