The following is an installment of “On This Day,” a new 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. 16, 1776
Cambridge, Massachusetts
At his headquarters, Gen. George Washington convened a council of war. Present were John Adams, a Massachusetts delegate to the Second Continental Congress and an outspoken advocate of independence, and James Warren, then serving as paymaster general and a member of the Navy Board.
Washington argued that a bold strike against the ministerial army in Boston was necessary, and that it had to come before British reinforcements arrived in the spring.
The council responded unanimously: The attack should be attempted as soon as circumstances allowed.
At a Council of General Officers held at Head Quarters in Cambridge [16]th January 1776.
Present
- His Excellency General Washington
- The Honourable John Adams
- The Honourable James Warren
- Major General Ward
- Major General Putnam
- Brigr General Heath
- Brigr General Spencer
- Brigr General Sullivan
- Brigr General Greene
- Brigr General Gates
The Commander in Chief laid before the Council a State of the Regiments in the Continental Army, the consequent Weakness of the Lines, and in His Judgement, the indispensible necessity of making a Bold attempt to Conquer the Ministerial Troops in Boston, before they can be reinforced in the Spring, if the means can be provided, and a Favourable Opportunity Offer; & then desired the Opinion of The Council, thereupon.
The Council agreed unanimously, that a Vigourous attempt ought to be made upon The Ministerial Army in Boston, as soon as Practicable, all concurring circumstances Favouring the Wish’d for Success; and Advised His Excellcy, to Request from this, & the Neighbouring Colonies, Thirteen Regiments of Militia to His Aid, to be at Cambridge by the First of February, & to Consist of the same Number of Men and Officers, as Those upon the Continental Establishment, & to remain (should Occasi[o]n require) until the last of March, Application to be made to the General Court of The Massachusetts Bay for Seven of those Regiments, to Connecticut for Four, & to New hampre for Two; Exempting Rhode Island from their Quota of Men, on Account of the repeated Insults of the Enemys ships of War, and the Exposed Situation of the Sea Coasts of that Colony.1
ON THIS DAY: WASHINGTON WRITES FOUNDING FATHER JOSEPH REED FOR ADVICE
His Excellency also inform’d The Council, of the Great Defficiency of Arms, & the small prospect of a Supply, (the recruiting Officers having Signified to Him, that the Recruits would not bring Arms, without an Allowance for the use of them, & be assured, they might carry them home at the expiration of their services). The Council thereupon advised The General to procure Arms upon Those Terms, as there seem’d no probability of getting Imported Arms & The Service must be put to the Utmost Hazzard without.
Writing from New Haven, where Washington had dispatched him to secure New York, Gen. Charles Lee assured Washington that he would raise sufficient volunteers for the task. He cautioned against dwelling on recent setbacks, arguing that defeats should harden their resolve, not weaken it.