The 5th New York Regiment

Today in Fort Montgomery History: We must be supplied with Rum and Salt! George Clinton writes to Commissary William Paulding urgently requesting essential p...rovisions for himself and his men feverishly at work on the Hudson River Chevaux de Frise (obstructions) near today’s Bannerman’s Island. The urgency of the note indicates how important alcohol and salt were in a time period without refrigeration and where alcohol was considered a necessary tonic for dealing with the elements and the often tough physical demands of military life. New Windsor, 4th December 1776. Dear Sir, I have received yours of the 2d Instant. I can’t tell whether Capt. Tappen is to be under your Direction or Watterburry’s. This I know it is a Part of the Division and Brigade for which you was appointed Commissary near this Place which is to be supplied, & Waterbury was as I understand appointed for the Forts in the Highlands only. He said he coud not supply this Detachm’t & mentioned the Appointment of Capt. Tappen for the Purpose. I approved of it, knowing him to be a good Man but I think he ought to be under your Direction & wish it might be so. At any Rate we must be supplied with Rum and Salt; these are two Articles we cant do without & the first, considering we are to work in the Water, is as absolutely necessary as the Latter... Yours sincerely, Geo. Clinton (Source: George Clinton Papers, Vol. 1, pg. 447)

On This Day... November 30, 1776, Howe brothers offer amnesty. In 1776, Admiral Richard Howe and General William Howe, "the King's Commissioners for restoring P...eace," issue a proclamation from New York City, promising pardon to those who will within 60 days subscribe to a declaration that they will desist from "Treasonable Actings and Doings." The Howes' offer appealed to thousands of residents from downstate New York, who were willing to trade in their weapons for pardons. At the time, Westchester, Manhattan and Long Island were securely in British hands and would remain so until after the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783. General William Howe's large army had arrived on Long Island on August 22, hoping to capture New York City and gain control of the Hudson River, a victory that would divide the rebellious colonies in half. Five days later, on August 27, the Redcoats marched against the Patriot position at Brooklyn Heights, overcoming the Americans at Gowanus Pass and then outflanking the entire Continental Army. The Americans suffered 1,000 casualties to the British loss of only 400 men during the fighting. Howe chose not to follow the advice of his subordinates, however, and did not storm the Patriot redoubts at Brooklyn Heights, where he could have taken the Patriots' military leadership prisoner and ended the rebellion. General Washington ordered a retreat to Manhattan by boat. The British could easily have prevented this withdrawal and captured most of the Patriot officer corps, including Washington. However, General William and Admiral Richard Howe still hoped to convince the Americans to rejoin the British empire in the wake of the humiliating defeat, instead of forcing the former colonies into submission after executing Washington and his officers as traitors. On September 11, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and other congressional representatives reopened negotiations with the Howe brothers on Staten Island. The negotiations fell through when the British refused to accept American independence. The British captured New York City on September 15; it would remain in British hands until the end of the war. By contrast, upstate New York suffered through a civil war between Patriot and Loyalist fighters, most of whom were New York born and bred. After the Treaty of Paris, the British evacuated their New York Loyalists to remaining British territories, mainly in Canada, where they ultimately created the present-day province of Ontario. With thanks to Sons of the American Revolution, San Antonio Chapter.

https://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2020/11/war-remains.html

On this day in history 28Nov1777 - Congress appointed John Adams to succeed Silas Deane as the commissioner to France.

On this day 25Nov1783 The British evacuated New York, their last military position in the United States, during the Revolutionary War.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees and Staff of Mount Gulian, as we celebrate Thanksgiving we want to thank our generous supporters. 2020 has been an extraordin...ary year, and our members, businesses, and friends have continued to support and assist us during a very difficult time. We are truly thankful for your continued support and enthusiasm for the history we preserve. We wish everyone a happy and healthy Thanksgiving and look forward to seeing you when we are able to reopen. See more