The following is an installment of “On This Day,” a series celebrating America’s 250th anniversary by following the actions of Gen. George Washington, the Continental Congress, and the men and women whose bravery and sacrifice led up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Jan. 20, 1776
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Gen. George Washington issues orders directing regimental commanders to send their officers into the countryside to purchase any serviceable firearms for their men, as the shortage has become critical.
“The Colonel, or commanding Officer of each Regiment, is forthwith to send out one, or two, prudent and sensible Officers, to buy up such Arms as are wanted for his regiment, These Officers to be also good Judges of arms, and they are directed to purchase none, but such as are proper and in the best repair, and if possible to get them with Bayonets, but not to refuse a good Firelock without—The Officers going upon this duty, are to be furnish’d with Cash, from their respective Colonels, or Commanding Officers, out of the Money designed for the Month’s advance pay, for the Recruits, which money will be replaced as wanted—The Names of the Officers sent upon this business, with Sums advanced them, are to be immediately returned to the Adjutant General by the Colonels. These Officers are not to be absent longer, than the 4th of February next.
Washington instructs that all recruits shall furnish their own arms, provided they are good, and that they will be compensated $1 for using them and will have the privilege of carrying them away when their time is out.
If their arms are inadvertently tossed through no fault of their own, Washington instructs that they will be paid for them at the end of the campaign.
On that same day, Brig. Gen. David Wooster writes with grim news from Montreal, enclosing a letter from Benedict Arnold and confirming Richard Montgomery’s death.
Wooster details the fragility of American control, the lack of gunpowder, and the urgent need for heavy cannon.
“Sir
I herewith enclose a Letter just received From Colo. Arnold,1 and take this Oppertunity most heartily to Condole with you for the Loss of the brave and most Amiable General Montgomery And the other Brave Officers and Soldiers who Fell with him, and for the Failure of success in the unfortunate Attack upon Quebec, the particulars of which you will Doubtless have received before this Reaches you.
I should have gone down Immediately upon hearing of the Defeat to the Camp before Quebec, but the Necessity of securing this place, and the Country round in our Interest Induced all the Officers & our Friends here to request me not to Leave this place, till we should have a reinforcement from the Colonies when they Arrive I expect to proceed On with them—We have many Enemies in this province particularly among the Clergy who are using every artifice to excite the Canadians to take Up Arms Against us but I hope to be able to prevent any thing of the kind—I have Called in many of the Commissions given by Govr Carlton And have given out New ones under the Congress, and expect soon to have them spread Through the Country which I expect and indeed I perceive Already that it answers Very Salutary purposes after receiving new Commissions they Look upon themselves as bound and unless we Succeed they will all be Treated as Traitors. I allow each parish to Chuse their own Captains, a Circumstance which pleases them much, and there has been but few Instances that they have not chosen a Zealous Friend to our cause—The taking of Quebec must be a matter of the greatest Consequence to the Colonies but at present we are Very ill provided for it, the place is strong I believe they are determined to Defend it, to the Last extremity we have but about four Tons of powder in the province. we have I believe a sufficiency of small Cannon; none Larger than Twelve pounders except Two Brass Twenty fours which are at St Johns. we have Expectations of having shott and shells Cast at three Rivers.
ON THIS DAY: HANCOCK WARNS WASHINGTON THAT CONGRESS IS REELING FROM WAR
In my Opinion it will not only be Necessary to Forward men and powder from the Colonies but also a Number of heavy Cannon such as Thirty Two pounders and One Thirteen Inch morter if no more and some small ones if to be had.
I understand that the Large Mortar from Tionderoga with a Number of pieces of Cannon are gone to your Camp, It is of the Greatest Importance that Whatever is sent from the Colonies should be here by the Middle of March at furthest for after that time the Gentlemen here inform me it will be Impossible to Transport any thing from this place to Quebec on Account of the River being filled with Ice and the Water of Consequence over Flows the flat Country. Therefore if any of our Wants can be Supplyed from your Camp I could wish that whatever is sent may be Forwarded as expiditiously as possible I am Sir with the Greatest Esteem & respect Your most Obedient Servant
David Wooster”