Editor’s note: In the style and spirit of Silence Dogood and in acknowledgement of the upcoming United States Semiquincentennial, we look at the founding of this nation through the eyes of the fictional Albert Louder and others and explore the conflict from a personal perspective.
February 19, 1776
It has been a hard life among this morose state of affairs surrounding Boston. In the months previous, we have been beset by outbreaks of scurvy and smallpox, both in and outside of the city. Washington has moved his infected soldiery to a singular hospital and quarantined them from their comrades.
The King’s Lions have attempted to lessen the effects by moving 1,500 troops out of Boston, but their destination remains unclear. Sources from within the city say they are bound for the southern colonies in an attempt to prevent our little uprising from spreading any further.
As for our own, dare I say, army, Washington has his hands full. The King’s Men still raid occasionally, burning the homes of good and loyal families. Our own riflemen are keen to return the favor upon the King’s sworn officers.
Word has reached us that our dear friend Colonel Ben of Connecticut has since been promoted to Brigadier General for his daring assault on Quebec just after Christmas. Unfortunately, the attack failed, General Montgomery was killed and poor old Ben is nursing a broken leg while maintaining a very tenuous siege of the city.
But Hail and Rejoice, good fellows, for there is joyous news at last. The good and jolly Colonel Henry Knox has returned from Ticonderoga, bearing gifts of a martial fashion that may give us the upper hand in our current proceedings.
The young Colonel of only 25 years, having departed Boston in mid-November, was tasked with the impossible — bring the heavy ordinance from Ticonderoga to Boston. Knox planned to return in a fortnight, but after a harrowing adventure, he returned to Boston only but three weeks ago — an absence of more than two months.
In recounting his tale, Knox and his men braved freezing lakes, two rivers, — he actually lost and recovered the cannon twice — deep snow, dreadful temperatures, swamps, and untamed forests. But, he delivered his “noble train of artillery” to Washington on January 24.
And quite an impressive gift it is. Over 50 field pieces, heavy guns, mortars, and coeherns ranging from three to eighteen pounders, amounting to nearly 60 tons of ordinance.
In the weeks since, revetments have been constructed to house the big guns and threaten the city with a proper bombardment once the guns have been placed and sighted. Up to now, our wily General has been content with hiding small field pieces among tarred logs and rotating those pieces around the city, giving the impression he has many more guns than he actually possesses.
While the King’s Army has been, for now, checked, the problem that continues to vex the Commander-in-Chief is the King’s Navy as it ventures freely into and out of Boston’s harbor. This is a lifeline that must be cut — and soon, before our army melts away with the spring thaw.
Your Obedient Servant,
Alby Louder
