250 Years Ago, Part 10: 1775, the Year Americans Turned on Each Other

The crucial year ended with some gains and losses by the American patriots. These led to the unity of the 13 colonies for the historical events in 1776.

"The Death of General Montgomery in the Attack on Quebec, December 31, 1775" is a 1786 oil painting by John Trumbull. It depicts the tragic death of the American general Richard Montgomery at the Battle of Quebec on Dec. 31, 1775, during the Invasion of Quebec, a major military operation by the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War. Public Domain

After the Revolutionary War began on April 19, 1775, British soldiers in Massachusetts Bay repeatedly clashed with Patriot militias. But following Gen. George Washington’s arrival in July to assume command of those forces, a stalemate settled over Boston and dragged on through the winter.

The British retained control of the city and strengthened their defenses with additional troops and heavy artillery. Washington initially planned to assault Boston and force the British out before his soldiers’ enlistments expired on Dec. 31. He was forced to abandon those plans, however, after discovering that his army faced a critical shortage of gunpowder and lacked artillery powerful enough to break the British position.

Guns and Powder

In 1774, Britain imposed an embargo on weapons and powder to the 13 colonies. With few iron mills capable of producing arms in large quantities, Americans began seizing British weapons from ships, magazines, and armories. They also turned to Britain’s enemies.