National Society Sons of the American Revolution

10/03/2026

We think of the big picture of the battle when we think about the Revolutionary War, but what about all the little things that add up to big things. Colonel John Stuart, Superintendent of Indian Affairs in the Southern District provides us some insight in his October 2 & 3 letters.

We think of the big picture of the battle when we think about the Revolutionary War, but what about all the little things that add up to big things. Colonel John Stuart, Superintendent of Indian Affairs in the Southern District provides us some insight in his October 2 & 3 letters.

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British Colonel John Stuart, Superintendent of Indian Affairs in the Southern District was warned by Governor Sir James Wright, that it was time to get out of Charleston. The congress of South Carolina had ordered Stuart's arrest for trying to win the Indians to the British cause. He became a refugee at St. Augustine. But Stuart continued his work.

Alan Cameron, mentioned in the letters, and his friends were arrested at an inn near Hager's Town, Maryland, and a fortnight later still, Kirkland's vessel was overhauled by a Continental schooner and taken into Boston harbor. Thence Kirkland was sent to Washington's headquarters at Cambridge. Thus collapsed a great double plot to preserve the South to the British: Connolly and Cameron's mission had been to divide the Northern from the Southern provinces, and aid Dunmore in the recovery of Virginia; Kirkland's mission was to induce the British military and naval commanders at Boston to send an expedition to Charleston, and with the support of Southern Loyalists and Indians save the lower colonies to the king. (1)

Not all important happenings of the Revolutionary War begin with "The Battle of." Following are intercepted letters transmitted to Congress by General Washington, with his letter dated December 18, 1775.

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John Stuart to Major Small.
St. Augustine, October 2, 1775.

Dear Sir: I was extremely glad to learn, by our old friend. Captain Barker, of the 16th, who arrived here yesterday, that you was well when he left Boston. I congratulate you upon a very narrow escape, where so many fell. The St. Lawrence, armed schooner, is safe moored in this harbour; she sailed in, at half flood, without touching. This I mention because I understand that it was apprehended her coming in would be attended with much difficulty; on the contrary, there was not one thing taken out of her, and she did not want the assistance of a boat. I have again been disappointed in a supply of am******on. I had twenty-five hundred pounds of powder on board a ship bound from London to Georgia; about fourteen days ago she arrived, and the Rebels seized her powder, as they had before that in Captain Maitland's ship. However, I borrowed from the ordnance stores about four thousand pounds; which, with some I have purchased, will be a supply.

This will be delivered by an unfortunate gentleman named Cameron, who has been obliged to leave his country on account of an affair of honour, in which his antagonist fell; he is desirous of becoming a volunteer, and begged of me to mention him to some officer in the army. I have, therefore, taken the liberty of troubling you upon the occasion, to beg your good offices, so far as you can with conveniency; and you must blame yourself for this, for if you had not made your own character remarkable by benevolent and good-natured actions, I should not now have applied to you, as I do with hopes of being pardoned by you for taking a liberty which nothing else could warrant. I have no particular news of any sort. Our communication with all parts of America is difficult, and dangerous to any person residing in any of the disaffected Colonies. Our Carolina neighbours have threatened to pay us a visit; however, I doubt much of their putting their threats in ex*****on. By the detachments sent from the Fourteenth Regiment this garrison is much weakened. Before the arrival of the St. Lawrence, the second detachment of troops to Virginia embarked, and left only thirty-five men fit for duty. I shall bring down some of my friends to stay with us here also. I shall find it extremely difficult to find provisions.

I most sincerely wish you success and safety in all your enterprises; and am, with sincere regard, dear sir, your most obedient humble servant,

John Stuart.

John Stuart to General Thomas Gage.
St. Augustine, October 3, 1775.

Sir: Last night I had the honour of receiving your Excellency's letter of 12th September, and I shall pay the strictest attention to your commands contained in it; nothing in my power shall be neglected to forward the interests of Government and your Excellency's views.

Since writing my last letter, by Colonel Kirkland, I have received, by the way of Savannah, a copy of a talk from the Cherokees, to Mr. Cameron, which I now enclose. It shows their disposition, which I shall, by all means, cultivate; for which purpose my brother is preparing to set off for the Creek, and afterwards for the Cherokee nation.

It occurs to me that it will no longer be good policy to foment the difference between the Choctaws and Creeks; for while they continue at war it will be difficult or even impossible to get the Creeks to act in His Majesty's service, by which they must expose their women and children to the attacks of their enemies. I shall impatiently wait for your Excellency's ideas upon this subject, which I humbly submit. In the mean time I shall send the necessary instructions throughout the District.

I shall immediately take steps to get some Indians here, which will be an acquisition to this place, in its present weak state; and I have been for some time past using all possible means of supplying myself with necessaries for engaging the Indians firmly in His Majesty's interest, I am apprehensive I shall find difficulty in getting a supply of provisions.

I have the honour of being, with the utmost respect, sir, your Excellency's most obedient and most humble servant,

John Stuart.
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JOHN STUART TO GENERAL GAGE.
October 3, 1775.

Sir: Colonel Kirkland will acquaint your Excellency that a great majority of the frontier and back inhabitants of Carolina are attached to and inclined to support Government. In such circumstances I conceive that an indiscriminate attack by Indians would be contrary to your Excellency's idea, and might do much harm; but I shall dispose them to join in executing any concerted plan, and to act with and assist their well-disposed neighbours. The Allatchaway Indians are now here; and I now look with impatience for answers to my despatches to the different nations, which I have reason to expect every hour.

I have the honour of being, most respectfully, sir, your Excellency's most obedient and most humble servant,

John Stuart. (2)
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(1) East Florida as a Refuge of Southern Loyalists, 1774-1785, by Wilbur H. Siebert, American Antiquarian Society, Vol. 37 Issue 2, Oct. 1927.

(2)American Archives: Fourth Series, A Documentary History of the English Colonies in North America, Vol. 4, Peter Force, 1833

Image: Colorized woodcut print of British General Burgoyne seeking Indian support.

© 2019-2026 Clifford Olsen/250YearsofLiberty

10/03/2026

People throughout America's history have tried to assist those disabled in the defense of their country. It is one of the many things that define us as a nation.

10/03/2026

An American Moment, 250 years ago, October 3, 1776, remarks on the Constitution of Pennsylvania:

An American Moment, 250 years ago, October 3, 1776, remarks on the Constitution of Pennsylvania:

It has often been said that the Americans are the first people in the world that ever have been blessed with an opportunity of forming a government for themselves. For the honour therefore of human nature it is to be hoped we shall form such governments as shall be productive of more liberty, order and happiness, than those which have been formed by accident, or obtained by grants from kings and proprietors.

It becomes legislators always to remember that mankind are prone to error and vice, and that all governments are instituted to rectify the one and restrain the other.

From the weakness and depravity of Human nature, power is apt to become absolute, and liberty to run into licentiousness. The perfection of government consists in laying both under proper restraints.

In the constitution of Pennsylvania I see no kind of power delegated to the executive part of the government, and yet I find an hundred barriers erected to prevent the supposed power in that branch from becoming arbitrary. But in the assembly I find the most unbounded liberty, and yet no kind of barrier it prevent its degenerating into licentiousness.

If men were wise and virtuous as angels, a single legislative assembly would be the best form of government that could be contrived for them, except a despotic one, which from being more simple would approach nearer to perfection: but as this is not the case, the inhabitants of free states, in every age, have found it necessary to secure and perpetuate their liberty by compound legislatures…
All government supposes power, and power can exist only by delegation. Why than should the people, by the constitution of Pennsylvania, in so many cases refuse to part with their power, when it is given wholly to their servants, who are bound by a thousand ties to employ it only for their benefit, and who must return it to them every year? …

Maryland Gazette, October 3, 1776, p.1, from the Pennsylvania Packet.

© 2026 Clifford Olsen/1776 American Moments

10/02/2026

The ex*****on of Major John Andre October 2, 1780 was much different than America’s Nathan Hale’s or several others ex*****on by the British following the Battle of Long Island.

10/02/2026

There is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties, each arranged under its leader, and concerting measures in opposition to each other. This, in my humble apprehension, is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil under our Constitution. (J. Adams)
A little levity is good during times of stress as in 1775. I found the following story was reprinted in some Southern newspapers from 1859-1864. Published in the Gaines Mercury, October 2, 1775.

10/02/2026

An American Moment, 250 years ago, October 2, 1776. Committee of Secret Correspondence to Silas Deane regarding new Commissioners Franklin and Jefferson:

An American Moment, 250 years ago, October 2, 1776. Committee of Secret Correspondence to Silas Deane regarding new Commissioners Franklin and Jefferson:

Philadelphia,

Sir:

We have this day received from the honourable the Congress of Delegates of the United States of America the important papers which accompany this letter: being first a treaty of commerce and alliance between the Court of France and these States; second, instructions to their Commissioners relative to the said treaty; and lastly, a commission whereby you will find that Doctor Franklin, the Hon. Thomas Jefferson and yourself are appointed Commissioners tor negotiating the said treaty at the Court of France. These papers speak for themselves, and need no strictures or remarks from us, neither is it our business to make any.

You will observe that in case of the absence or disability of any one or two of the Commissioners, the other has full power to act. We therefore think it proper to inform you, that Doctor Franklin and Mr. Jefferson will take passage with all speed; but it is necessary that their appointment on this business remain a profound secret; and we do not choose even to trust this paper with their route. Suffice it therefore that you expect them soon after this reaches your hands, and if you don't see some evident advantage will arise by communicating this commission to the French Ministry immediately, we give it as our opinion you had best suspend it until the arrival of one or both these gentlemen, because you will then benefit of each other's advice and abilities, and we apprehend their arrival will give additional importance to the embassy…

American Archives, Peter Force, Series 5, Vol. 2, 839.

© 2026 Clifford Olsen/1776 American Moments

10/01/2026

October 1, 1768, two British regiments, nearly 2,000 armed soldiers arrive by several ships, and parade through Boston. The military force stirred the Colonies. An action that was a serious divide between Britain and the Colonies.

October 1, 1768, two British regiments, nearly 2,000 armed soldiers arrive by several ships, and parade through Boston. The military force stirred the Colonies. An action that was a serious divide between Britain and the Colonies.
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"I am in fashion and out of fashion, as the whim goes. I will stand alone. I will oppose this tyranny at the threshold, though the fabric of liberty fall, and I perish in its ruins." Sam Adams. (1)

The Legislature had been arbitrarily dissolved, and the Governor had refused to call another.

Following the dissolution, a convention was called. The delegates from sixty towns assembled at Faneuil Hall on the first day. Before the close of the convention, there was a representation from ninety-six towns and eight districts,— or nearly every settlement in the Province. Besides adopting the petition to the King (that emanating from the House of Representatives in the previous winter), they carefully disclaimed the assumption by the convention of any legislative and government authority, declared their object to be the obtaining of relief from the oppressive system of imposts, custom-house officers, and regular troops, which were grievous to the Province, and incompatible with its just authority, its rights and liberties. In their address, they say :—

"We hold that the sovereignty of King George the Third is entire in all parts of the British empire. God forbid that we should ever act or wish anything in repugnation of the same. "We appear as plain, honest men, humbly desiring peace and order ; and while the people observe a medium between abject submission and a slavish stupidity under grievous oppressions on the one hand, and illegal attempts to obtain relief on the other, and steadily persevere in constitutional applications to recover their just rights and liberties, they think they may promise themselves success."

The object of the convention having been accomplished, it dissolved; and in the absence of a charter Assembly, the Governor and Council remained in charge of the public affairs.

On the day the convention dissolved, the squadron of seven armed vessels arrived from Halifax with two regiments of troops. The Council refused to prepare quarters for them, upon which the fleet, with springs on their cables, was placed off the wharves, so as to command the town ; and then the Fourteenth and Twenty-ninth Regiments, with drums beating, fifes playing, and colors flying, were landed on Long Wharf, and marched to Boston Common, where they paraded in full uniform, each soldier being provided with sixteen rounds of shot, and all hostile preparations made as if they were entering the territory of a foreign enemy. Colonel Dalrymple, their commander, encamped the Twenty-ninth Regiment, and demanded quarter of the selectmen for the Fourteenth. The law would have justified a refusal, but the compassion of the inhabitants being moved for the soldiers standing shelterless in the cold night, they were allowed by the Sons of Liberty to sleep in Faneuil Hall,—the first time that the "Cradle of Liberty," as it came afterwards to be called, had echoed to the clank of a foeman's tread. The menace of military rule served only to exasperate the little town which it was intended to overawe. The following letter illustrates the temper of the people: —

Boston, Oct. 3, 1768.

Sir,—

I am to acknowledge your favor of the 27th June per Blure. The troops, which you mentioned in your letter to the Speaker, arrived last week. Barracks are provided for them at the Castle, which is within the limits of the town, sufficient to contain more than their number. Governor Bernard, in opposition to the unanimous advice of his Council, insists upon their being quartered in the body of the town ; they remain this day unprovided with any other quarters. The people, in general, as you may naturally suppose, are utterly averse to their continuing among them ; yet such was their humanity towards them that they were careful to shelter them from the open air for a night or two, even in the City Hall. "What will be the event of, I had almost said the obstinacy of the Governor against the sense of a provoked people, God only knows. The revenue, be it just or not, is not at all affected in this struggle. It has been paid without interruption during the retirement of the Commissioners to the Castle, which was of their own accord, and, some suspect, was to make an appearance and a plausible pretence to the nation. The troops are hitherto orderly. The inhabitants preserve their peace and patience. The late convention has no doubt contributed much towards it. They, however, look upon their situation, being surrounded with men of war, hostile, at least in appearance, and the determination of the Governor to quarter soldiers upon them when there are barracks provided according to act of Parliament, which was made undoubtedly to prevent such a calamity, to be a new and intolerable grievance. They are resolved not to pay their money without their own consent, and are more than ever determined to relinquish every article, however dear, that comes from Britain, till the acts are repealed and the troops removed. May God preserve the nation from being greatly injured, if not finally ruined, by the vile ministrations of wicked men in America.

I am, in haste, your most humble servant,

Samuel Adams.

Now that the troops were quartered in Boston, they found themselves in an orderly town, without an enemy to fight. The inhabitants, keenly alive to their rights, and yet careful not to be the aggressors, stood quietly by, and witnessed this tyranny, but knew that the time for action was not yet. To the requisition for allowances for the soldiers which was laid before the Council, that body replied that they were ready to comply on their part with the act of Parliament, if Colonel Dalrymple would on his. But the latter was too haughty to make any promises. They were willing to appoint a commissary, if he would "take the risk of the Province's paying," since the Legislature was dissolved, and no other power, by the charter, could appropriate the money of the Province.

General Gage, Commander-in-Chief of the forces in America, came to Boston to demand quarters for the troops ; but the Council still refused until the barracks at the Castle were filled, and, after trying every plan, the Governor admitted that he was " at the end of his tether," for the law was unquestionably on the side of the town. Finally, as the weather was growing inclement, the main guard was established opposite the State House, which was occupied by troops, and their cannon were pointed towards the legislative hall.(2)

The Council appealed to the General, in a memorial, to testify from his own observation, that the town was peaceful, and desired him to remove the obnoxious regiments to the Castle or Point Shirley. But, though Gage admitted the justness of their statements, he declined to remove the troops. Boston was under a military despotism. The refusal to make use of the barracks at the Castle, which were yet unfilled, and quartering the soldiers on the town, was a manifest infringement of the act of Parliament, but remonstrances were lost upon the commander.

Mr. Adams viewed the establishment of military power as the first step in the system which must eventually bring on a collision.

(1)Manuscript Memoir by the daughter of Samuel Adams, 1804.

(2) Massachusetts Gazette, Nov. 3, 1768.

Image: British Ships of War landing their Troops, Paul Revere.

© 2019-2026 Clifford Olsen/250YearsofLiberty

10/01/2026

Preacher, Major General, US Senator: Peter Muhlenberg is one of Pennsylvania's two statues in the United States Capitol. He was born and died on October 1st. Do you know who is represented for your state in the US Capitol, some have recently been removed?

10/01/2026

An American Moment, 250 years ago, October 1, 1776. John Adams, in his autobiography writes of this date:

An American Moment, 250 years ago, October 1, 1776. John Adams, in his autobiography writes of this date:

Resolved that a Committee of four be appointed to confer with Brigadier General Mifflin. The Members chosen, Mr. R. H. Lee, Mr. Sherman, Mr. J. Adams and Mr. Gerry.

Resolved that a Committee of five be appointed to prepare and bring in a Plan of a military Accademy at the Army: The Members chosen Mr. Hooper, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Wythe, Mr. Williams and Mr. J. Adams.

On this same day, I wrote to Colonel Knox in these Words:

“This day I had the honour of making a motion for the Appointment of a Committee to consider of a Plan for the Establishment of a military Accademy, in the Army. The Committee was appointed and your Servant was one. Write me your Sentiments upon the Subject.”

As this was, in my Opinion the most critical and dangerous Period of the whole revolutionary War, as all that I had seen and heard and read of the State of our Army made a great impression my Mind, and arroused the most allarming Apprehension, I will conceal nothing from Posterity. My own private Letters, to confidential Friends, will shew my Opinion at the time of the State of facts, and the measures that were necessary, to retrieve our disgraces. Like Mr. Gifford, I look back, with a sort of Scepticism, on the Application of those days and cannot account for the possibility of finding time amidst all my Employments in Congress and the Board of War, to write and copy the Letters I find in my Books.

The National Museum of the United States in the Henry Knox Biography states:

During the winter encampment of 1778-79, Knox established the Continental Army’s first artillery and officer training school, a predecessor to the United States Military Academy at West Point. The young general trained over 1,000 Soldiers in unforgiving conditions

John Adams Autobiography [Tuesday October 1. 1776.], Founders Online.

© 2026 Clifford Olsen/1776 American Moments

09/30/2026

Benedict Arnold, the burning of him in effigy, occurred all over the United States. This is an example of the September 30, 1780 burning in Philadelphia. In places in Connecticut, where Arnold was from, I understand that they still have annual effigy burnings to the traitor who burned some of their cities.

Benedict Arnold, the burning of him in effigy, occurred all over the United States. This is an example of the September 30, 1780 burning in Philadelphia. In places in Connecticut, where Arnold was from, I understand that they still have annual effigy burnings to the traitor who burned some of their cities.

September 30, 1780.—This afternoon the people of Philadelphia and vicinity made a demonstration somewhat unfavorable to the late commander at West Point, by carting that notorious conspirator through the streets of the city. The exhibition was as follows:—A stage raised on the body of a cart, on which was an effigy of General Arnold sitting; this was dressed in regimentals, had two faces, emblematical of his traitorous conduct, a mask in his left hand, and a letter in his right from Beelzebub, telling him that he had done all he mischief he could do, and now he must hang himself.

At the back of the general was a figure of the Devil, dressed in black robes, shaking a purse of money at the general's left ear, and in his right hand a pitchfork, ready to drive him into hell as the reward due for the many crimes which his thirst for gold had made him commit.

In the front of the stage, and before General Arnold, was placed a large lantern of transparent paper, with the consequences of his crimes thus delineated, i.e.: On one part General Arnold on his knees before the Devil, who is pulling him into the flames; a label from the general's mouth with these words, "My dear sir, I have served you faithfully;" to which the Devil replies, "And I'll reward you." On another side, two figures hanging, inscribed, "The Traitor's Reward," and written underneath, "The Adjutant-General of the British Army, and Joe Smith; the first hanged as a spy, and the other as a traitor to his country." And on the front of the lantern was written the following:—

"Major-General Benedict Arnold, late Commander of The Fort West Point. The crime of this man is High Treason.

He has deserted the important post West Point, on Hudson River, committed to his charge by his Excellency the Commander-in-chief, and has gone off to the enemy at New York.

His design to have given up this fortress to our enemies, has been discovered by the goodness of the Omniscient Creator, who has not only prevented him carrying it into ex*****on, but has thrown into our hands Andre, the adjutant-general of their army, who was detected in the infamous character of a spy.

The treachery of this ungrateful general is held up to public view, for the exposition of infamy, and to proclaim with joyful acclamation, another instance of the interposition of bounteous Providence.

The effigy of this ingrate is therefore hanged (for want of his body) as a traitor to his native country, and a betrayer of the laws of honor."

The procession began about four o'clock in the following order:—Several gentlemen mounted on horseback; a line of Continental officers; sundry gentlemen in a line; a guard of the city infantry; just before the cart, drums and fifes playing the Rogue's March; guards on each side.

The procession was attended with a numerous concourse of people, who after expressing their abhorrence of the treason and the traitor, committed him to the flames, and left both the effigy and the original to sink into ashes and oblivion.

Pennsylvania Packet, October 3.

Diary of the American revolution. From newspapers ... v.2. Frank Moore, 1860.

Image: "Burning Benedict Arnold in effigy." The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, The New York Public Library. The New York Public Library Digital Collections.

© 2019-2026 Clifford Olsen/250YearsofLiberty