At a Council of General Officers held at General Ward's Quarters. Roxbury, March 13. 1776ー
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Present
His Excellency General Washington
Major Generals |
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| [Artemas] Ward |
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[Israel] Putnam |
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Brigadier Generals |
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[John] Thomas
[William] Heath
[Joseph] Spencer |
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[John] Sullivan
[Nathaneal] Greene
[Horatio] Gates |
His Excellency the Commander in Chief inform'd the Council, That from the appearance of the Ministerial Fleet and Army. ー The intelligence he had receiv'd from sundry Persons who had escap'd from Boston, and from frequent observations, he had reason to beleive that the Troops were about to evacuate the Town; that in all probability they were destin'd for New York, and would attempt to possess themselves of that City, by which means they would command the Navigation of Hudson's River — open a Comunication with Canada ー and cut off all intercourse between the Southern and Northern Colonies.ー
His Excellency then demanded the opinion of Council, whether under the present Circumstances (i.e, before the Town was wholly evacuated), it would be advisable to march any part of the Continental Army (now before Boston) to NewYorkー
The Council were of opinion that it will be proper, that five Regiments with the Rifle Battalion should be detach'd immediately to New York — The Rifle Battalion to march tomorrow, and the others to follow as speedily as possible. That his Excellency be advised to write to the Governor of Connecticut to desire he would immediately send two thousand of the Militia of his Government to New York, and that one thousand be requested from the Convention or Committee of Safety of New Jersey. ー in order to reinforce the Troops: already station'd, there, until the detachment from this Army shall arrive.
His Excellency likewise demanded the opinion of Council whether, if the Ministerial Troops should totally abandon the Town of Boston, it would be necessary to continue any part of the Continental Army for its defence.
Resolved, that if the Ministerial Troops should totally abandon the Town of Boston, it will be unnecessary to employ any part of this Army for the defence and Security of the same. ー as the Militia of the Province will be adequate thereto.—
The opinion of the Council was also demanded by his Excellency, ー whether, if the Ministerial Troops should continue in the Harbour of Boston, it would be advisable to fortify Newk's Hill in Dorchester.—
Resolved, That if the Ministerial Troops should continue in this Harbour to morrow it would be advisable to fortify Newk's Hill the next Night at all Events.ー
