Revolutionary War Historical Article
The American Revolution Month-by-Month April 1777
By Compatriot Andrew "Andy" Stough
Editor's Note: This article was reprinted by Permission of the Gold Country Chapter No. 7 of the CSSAR and was slightly edited by the Sons of Liberty Chapter of the CSSAR
“We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; for he today that sheds his blood with me; shall be my brother.” -- William Shakespeare, “Henry V”
With the advent of April, sunny days returned, warming the earth as well as the hearts of the citizens and a sense of renewal for General Washington and the Continental Army. Enlistments and supplies began to roll in to support another year's action against the enemy. Other than an attack on the town of Danbury, Connecticut (Footnote 1) there were no major or decisive battles fought. Nor was there any outstanding workings of Congress.
Gone was the bulk of last year's army, only a small cadre remained. For many who had served in the 1776 campaign the glory of war had lost it's glow and they had returned to their homes to rebuild their lives. Many would never serve again as a Continental, preferring to serve closer to home in militias. They were no less patriotic than before, but many had families who depended upon them. This was primarily a rural, agricultural nation and a family's subsistence was usually dependent on the man to tend the farm. They were still ready and willing to fight for freedom, but on a temporary and localized basis.
It was just as well, as it was to be a long war. New recruits, who had not endured the heat of summer and cold of winter without sufficient food or clothing or had not lacked the wherewithal to actively engage the enemy, would have a fresh outlook. Unburdened by last year’s troubles, they could go confidently forward, trained by those seasoned veterans who remained.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Magazine (February 1997) issue has an article "Band of Brothers" (Footnote 2) which has to do with the camaraderie that exists among wartime soldiers and describes the 1777 recruits to have been for the most part the disadvantaged in the economy; those who lacked the family ties of husbandmen and would find their ties within the brotherhood of soldiers.
Aside from the actual rigors of a wartime army, the recruitment problem could be laid at several doors. Congress, having no real power over the states, was unable to provide for the Continental Army as it had promised. Congress, with no actual assets, could offer less inducements to enlist Continentals than the individual states were offering for their own militia recruits. In this respect, Congress with no real control over the states, was in the same predicament as the Confederacy in 1861-1865. The State of Georgia with warehouses bulging with shoes refused to release any to the barefoot Army of Northern Virginia; claiming that shoes must be reserved for the exclusive use of Georgia troops. Little wonder the national motto became "In God We Trust".
Since the days of Plato and Socrates, people have been finding and recording natural laws and rules or mottoes which guide our activities. "Money is the Mother's Milk of Politics" is purported to be one such natural law. Money also applies to the conduct of wars; Francois Rabelais expressed it as "The strength of war waged without monetary reserves is as fleeting as breath. Money is the sinews of battle".
To every rule there is an exception. The American Revolution and the Continental Army is notably so. While it's generals were mainly men of substance who could maintain themselves, the man in the ranks was not. Lacking everything from a hat to cover their heads to shoes for their feet or provender for their bellies they marched and fought short of powder and ball or even a proper weapon to fire. Even so, they slogged along, fulfilling their commitment to serve; besting British regulars and hired mercenaries in the bargain.
Lacking in everything but courage and belief in freedom; how could they accomplish this? Adrenaline and an idea can carry men only so far. Fortunately Ben Franklin and other patriot diplomats were successful in finding clandestine, covert support in the Courts of Europe. While this support came in dribs and drabs it was sufficient to supplement what Congress was able to furnish directly to sustain the Continental Army; allowing it to continue fighting and to survive. In 1777 this assistance was greater than in 1775 and 1776. The army was in better shape logistically to begin the campaign than it had ever been.
If money is the "Mother's Milk of Politics" perhaps courage, loyalty and camaraderie may more properly be the "Mother's Milk of Armies". Arms, clothing, rations and pay are also basic necessities; therefore money is also basic to war. There was no shortage of courage and loyalty in American forces, but there was a shortage of money, supplies and other materiel of war. Fortunately, Franklin in Europe was funneling that support to the Congress – not to the individual states.
Fortunate also was the fact that the Continental Army had recruited the less advantaged men without the close ties of property and family. They were more apt to depend upon the "fraternal ties of brothers in arms" to see them through the hard days and years ahead rather than being concerned with families left behind. Re-enlistment rates soared in 1777 with the enlistment of the disadvantaged. A veteran army would have the discipline and experience to train tomorrow’s recruits to stand up to European soldiers, a very powerful plus in a war that lasted until a treaty of peace was finally signed in 1783.
FOOTNOTES:
(1) Ward states that military supplies had been located in Danbury, Connecticut in 1777. April 25th, British Governor William Tryon of New York made a sea-borne approach to Danbury in an armada of 26 ships. He led a force of about 2,000 including 300 Loyalists in a foray against the town, destroying military stores and burning the town/village with the exception of homes of known Tories. Departing Danbury on April 27th, he had in typical British fashion destroyed or taken, not only the military stores, but anything in the town useable by the general American population. His rear guard was attacked 9 miles south of Danbury by an American force of 200 men under Gen. David Wooster (who succeeded Montgomery at Quebec). This attack failed when Wooster was shot from behind, allegedly by a loyalist who was not a part of Tryon’s force. He died on May 2nd, 1777. Continuing on to the village of Ridgefield on April 27th, Tryon was met by a larger force of 500 under the dual command of Generals Silliman and Benedict Arnold who was visiting a relative. There is some discussion as to who was the victor in the encounter at Ridgefield. Since Tryon was not stopped, it would appear that he was the winner of that encounter. Arnold attacked again at Compo but was forced to retreat when a superior British force made a bayonet charge. Tryon then led his troops back to the ships and returned to New York. Until after Valley Forge there would be few occasions when Americans could stand up to the British bayonet. Other than the death of General Wooster I find no reference to the number of casualties on either side. (Editor's Note: For more information on the Danbury engagement click on this War Statistics Link.).
(2) Encyclopedia Britannica . . . the Battle of Agincourt, October 25th, 1415, in the French department of Pas de Calais. The French vastly outnumbered the starving English but were slaughtered with the loss of 5,000 men, many of noble birth, including the constable, three dukes, five counts and 90 barons. 1,000 more were taken prisoner including the duke of Orleans (Charles d’Orleans). The English under Henry the Fifth lost 13 men at arms including the duke of York, grandson of Edward III. Before the battle Henry is said to have addressed his men with the statement “We few, we happy few, we band of brothers etc." After the battle he supposedly said "We few, we happy few, we band of brothers have met an overwhelming enemy. Like those gallant knights of yore, we have defeated him in open battle.”
References: Christopher Ward's “War of the Revolution”; Marcus Cunliffe's "George Washington, Man and Monument", Encyclopedia Brittanica.
Back to Index of American Revolution Month-by-Month Articles