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.
June 15, 1776
The unease in New York Harbor grows.
The night before, on June 14, multiple boats brazenly passed Governor’s Island despite sentinels firing dozens of muskets directly at them as they taunted those keeping guard.
How defiant were they? They kept going despite the warning shots. And once out of firing range, they shouted “huzzah!”
Gen. William Heath writes in his guard report for this date of the incident:
“Colo. Prescott, (By his Adjutant) reports this morning that a Number of Boats Passed Governors Island the last night, and altho frequently Fired at by the Sentinels (who Discharged at different Times more than Thirty muskets) stood on, their Crews answering Fire and be Damn’d and when out of Shot Huzzaing.”
ON THIS DAY: THE COMMITTEE OF FIVE IS BORN. NOTHING WILL EVER BE THE SAME.
Meanwhile, at his headquarters, Gen. George Washington faces daily supply issues.
The Commander of the New York Regiment, Col. Alexander McDougall, reports that clothing the troops requires the men to dig deep into their own pocketbooks. A soldier’s shirt costs nearly half a month’s pay. His men are unpaid, uneasy, and they are at severe risk of mass desertion at what is increasingly becoming their most critical hour.