named Wainwood if he might carry it to certain “friends” in Boston.
Wainwood grew suspicious and personally delivered the envelope to General Washington who examined its contents and sent for the woman. After several hours of interrogation, the woman confessed that Church was its author.
Washington’s staff deciphered the letter and found it full of military information. It reportedly ended with the plea, “Make every use of precaution or I will perish.” Church’s arrest is particularly embarrassing to the Massachusetts Provincial Congress, since he was instrumental in creating their own spy network. If found guilty, the former member of the rebel Congress could receive the death penalty.
Several local Patriots have hinted if the allegations prove to be true, the doctor’s downfall was most probably caused by his penchant for women and luxurious living. Church recently built a magnificent country house at Raynham.
GAGE IS GONE
Howe Named as Successor
I must lament that General Gage, with all his good qualities, finds himself in a situation of too great importance for his talents.
Lord Germain
June 14, 1775
William Howe
Boston, Massachusetts: Oct. 11, 1775. At the urging of the King’s Ministers, a disgruntled English Parliament relieved General Thomas Gage of his command. Apparently, the government became impatient with Gage’s reluctance to move off the mainland and engage the rebels around Cambridge. General Gage, General Washington and Major General Charles Lee all served under General Braddock in his ill-fated campaign against the French in western Pennsylvania 20 years ago.
The naming of William Howe as commander might indicate that Parliament is considering a peace initiative, since Howe is known to sympathize with some of the rebel grievances against his former commander who was instrumental in writing the so called “Intolerable Acts,” which included the much despised quartering of British troops in colonial households.
The peace initiative was speculated among rumors that General Howe’s brother, Lord Admiral Richard, or “Black Dick” as he’s known among his followers, will be sailing from England with powers to sign an agreement with the rebel leaders. It seems a majority of delegates to the rebel Congress are in favor of another attempt to reconcile with their mother country. It is believed Congress will write a petition directly to King George III in hopes the monarch will intervene at Parliament on their behalf.
In related news, Colonel Benedict Arnold marched 1,000 militiamen out of Cambridge early last month. It is speculated that Arnold’s volunteers might be foraging a new route through Canada to re-enforce General Schuyler’s troops who are reportedly mired down at Fort Ticonderoga. Colonel Daniel Morgan and his Pennsylvania riflemen are among Arnold’s expedition.
REBEL CONGRESS AT ARMY HEADQUARTERS
This army, which you will hear so much said, and see so much wrote about, is truly nothing but a drunken, canting, lying, praying, hypocritical, rabble without order, subjection, discipline, or cleanliness; and must fall to pieces of itself in the course of three months, notwithstanding every endeavor of their leaders, teachers, and preachers, though the last are the most canting, hypocritical lying scoundrels that this or any other country ever afforded.
From a Letter Written by a Surgeon
On a British Ship in Boston
May 26, 1775
Cambridge, Massachusetts: Oct. 24, 1775. Pennsylvania delegate Dr. Benjamin Franklin, accompanied by Congressmen Thomas Lynch of South Carolina and Benjamin Harrison of Virginia, arrived at rebel headquarters to confer with Commander George Washington late this afternoon.
The meeting was reportedly in response to a letter General Washington dispatched to Congress last month, expressing an urgent need to fill his empty war chest. The rebel commander is faced with providing his troops sufficient supplies to carry them through the winter. Without funds to purchase adequate food, clothing, tents and blankets, the entire rebel army might be forced to disband.
General Washington will undoubtedly remind Congress that in December enlistments will be up for over half his troops. The British would then outnumber the rebels three to one. A British offensive could destroy Washington’s army if no new troops arrive after Christmas.
Sources close to rebel command have stated there is widespread discontent among junior officers over their pay. Most are earning little more than the privates serving under them. Many senior officers believe the chronic lack of discipline among militia can be attributed to Congress’ unwillingness to provide a decent living for their officers. Some senior officers have even grumbled in private about their own compensation.
In related news, rebel troops led by Brigadier General Richard Montgomery advanced from Fort Ticonderoga and laid siege to St. Johns sometime last month. General Montgomery took command from the ailing General Schuyler who is recuperating near Albany. No details were given on the nature or extent of General Schuyler’s illness.
BRITISH SURRENDER ST. JOHNS
Rebel Siege Successful
Carlton
St. Johns, Quebec, Canada: Nov. 3, 1775. Britain’s hope of retaining her Canadian territory was dealt a severe blow when a force of 500 British regulars and 200 provincials surrendered to rebel troops after a 55-day siege at Fort St. Johns. British General Guy Carlton lost half his forces when his garrison commander capitulated this strategic post. Fort St. Johns is situated on the Richelieu River between Fort Ticonderoga and Montreal, 40 miles northeast.
When asked why General Carlton had not marched his entire force of 2,000 troops to Quebec after learning General Montgomery was advancing, a source at British headquarters stated that Carlton was compelled to leave half his troops behind because their Indian and Canadian allies would have considered a full retreat to Quebec weakness and fear of the rebel advance.
Montgomery was able to surround St. Johns and seal it off from Montreal when a portion of his 2,000 troops slipped up the river past the heavily armed fort at night. A British rescue party of 800 men was repelled by New Hampshire’s Green Mountain boys, while Montgomery’s men captured a British supply train, leaving the British garrison with only three days of rations.
It is expected that Montgomery will advance to the weakly defended garrison at Montreal. There has been no news of Colonel Benedict Arnold and his 1,000 volunteers who left Cambridge in September, apparently headed for Quebec through the Maine wilderness.
In related news, the Earl of Dunmore, Royal Governor of Virginia, issued a proclamation promising freedom to all slaves who would desert their masters and join the Loyalist movement. The proclamation, written a week after Dunmore declared martial law, angered thousands of Virginia planters who consider themselves neutral in the rebellion.
