Volume 5 covers the preliminary phase of the New York campaign,
the period from mid-June to mid-August 1776 when the stage was set
for Washington's greatest challenge yet as commander in chief of
the Continental army. As the summer weeks passed, the British
concentrated a massive military force in New York Harbor, bringing
in thousands of Redcoats and German mercenaries backed by the guns
of a large fleet. "The Powers of Despotism," Washington wrote in
August, "are all combined against America], and ready to strike
their most decisive Stroke." Not knowing exactly where the stroke
would fall, Washington wrote urgently to Congress and the states
seeking reinforcements for the extensive lines that he was obliged
to defend, while vigorously pushing forward construction of
fortifcations and efforts to obstruct the Hudson River. At every
opportunity he sought and read any piece of intelligence regarding
the enemy force and its intentions.
Washington could not focus his thoughts solely on the defense of
New York City, however, for letters from the north informed him of
the disastrous American retreat from Canada. That alarming
situation elicited from Washington detailed consideration of the
strategy to be pursued in defensing the upper end of the vital
Hudson River-Lake Champlain corridor. Other correspondence
concerned threats from internal enemies, conspiracies allegedly
fomented by disaffected persons to undermine the American cause
through subversion and sabotage. Such reports resulted in the
execution of Thomas Hickey, a soldier in Washington's personal
guard, for treachery in late June and the forced removal of many
suspicious persons from New York City a short time later. Although
the reading of the Declaration of Independence to the Continental
army in early July boosted its morale, Washington continued his
unrelenting efforts to check disorder and discord at all levels and
to overcome the spirit of disunity that threatened the American
cause as much as did British arms. "Let all distinctions of
Nations, Countries, and Provinces," he told his men on 1 August,
"be lost in the generous contest, who shall behave with the most
Courage against the enemy, and the most kindness and good humor to
each other." Washington's roles as miltary commander and political
leader cannot be separated.
General
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