On This Day: A surge of loyalism in New York alarms George Washington

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. May 12, 1776 In his general orders this morning, Gen. […]

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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.

May 12, 1776

In his general orders this morning, Gen. George Washington directs carpenters, boat builders, and painters to parade at sunrise tomorrow morning to receive further instructions.

These skilled artisans are essential to turning New York into a defensible position.

After a mob delivers Charles Oliver Bruff, a New York goldsmith suspected of loyalism, into custody, Ensign Peter Clayes writes to Washington to ask for instructions. Clayes, an officer guarding prisoners at the old City Hall, is alarmed by the tumult.

ON THIS DAY: THE HESSIANS ARE COMING! SO IS MUCH NEEDED GUNPOWDER

Ensign Peter Clayes to George Washington, 12 May 1776

[New York] May 12, 1776. “Being the officer of the guard at the old City-Hall over the prisoners confined by order of the Provincial Congress, I was very disagreeably surprised by a very tumultuous noise, occasioned by the mob bringing a certain Charles Oliver Bruff, on suspicion of being a Tory, who is now in my custody.” Asks for GW’s orders regarding Bruff.