The Rifleman

by Oliver North

  Effective immediately, all Rifle Company sharpshooters will be deployed to engage enemy targets only when under attack by our enemy or authorized in advance by this Headquarters.

  Rifle Company personnel not otherwise engaged in contact with our enemy or authorized sniping duty shall henceforth assist our Continental soldiers in digging protective revetments and preparing field fortifications including abatis, fascines, and gabions.1

  //signed// Horatio Gates, Brg Gnr’l., Adjutant General of the Army

  Roxbury Heights, overlooking Boston

  Tuesday, August 15th, 1775

  Yesterday’s parade of our two Virginia Rifle Companies—led by Captain Morgan—included a “pass in review” accompanied by fifes and drums before General Washington and his mounted staff.

  It will always be memorable to me because it was the first time I ever laid eyes on General Washington and the parade was held on the campus of Harvard College where my brother Joshua was a student when the British killed him at Concord, just four months ago.

  After the parade, Captains Morgan and Stephenson were invited for “refreshments” with the Commander-in-Chief and his staff. The rest of us in the two Virginia Rifle Companies were treated to a gill of diluted rum, which helped relieve any lingering angst Capt. Stephenson’s Riflemen may have over Capt. Morgan’s “early departure” from Virginia on July 14th.

  This morning, two sharpshooters of Capt. Stephenson’s Company killed two British officers as they were inspecting their Redcoat Regulars on Boston Neck. In the aftermath, ships of the British Fleet anchored around Boston fired at least 100 rounds of every possible artillery caliber toward our lines without inflicting a single casualty. Apparently, very few of the cannons aboard the British warships in the harbor can be elevated high enough to reach our position.

  Roxbury Heights, overlooking Boston

  Monday, August 28th, 1775

  In the two weeks since our parade for General Washington, the additional Rifle Companies—two from Maryland and six from Pennsylvania—have arrived and been assigned to picket duty around Boston. The newer arrivals, apparently less disciplined than our Virginia Riflemen, have spent their first few days sniping at targets of opportunity—and each time a Redcoat falls, the British fleet anchored in the Boston Harbor responds with rarely effective cannon fire.

  Capt. Morgan takes time every day to inspect the men and speak with each one, and I accompany him on these rounds. This morning, he walked up to one of our Riflemen who was busy constructing a gabion and asked, “How are you today, Private Kilgannon?”

  “Well sir, I’m glad you asked. I thought I was coming on this expedition to fight the enemy. I’ve only fired my rifle once since leaving Virginia, but this is the twentieth wicker basket I’ve made since we arrived.”

  The Captain nodded, then replied: “The fighting will come soon enough. If the Redcoats sally forth from those ships down below and charge out of their garrison in Boston, when that basket you’re weaving is full of rocks, it could save the life of a Patriot—maybe yours.”

  As we walked back to his tent he said, “Have Lt. Humphrey inform Adjutant General Gates’s aide that I desire a meeting with the general.”

  Late this afternoon, Captain Morgan was informed General Gates would see him at 8 a.m. tomorrow.

  Gen. Washington’s Headquarters,

  Cambridge, Massachusetts

  Tuesday, August 29th, 1775

  As Capt. Morgan, Lt. Humphrey, and I were walking to Continental Army Headquarters this morning, one of Captain Stephenson’s lieutenants informed us, “My Captain was supposed to go with you to a meeting with General Gates this morning. Unfortunately, Captain Stephenson has been taken to the hospital. The doctor believes he has Camp Fever2 and has quarantined him and the four Riflemen who carried him there. Please keep them in your prayers.”

  We agreed to do so, but as soon as the messenger was out of earshot, Capt. Morgan turned to Lt. Humphrey and said, “I thought this meeting with General Gates was just for us, evidently Capt. Stephenson was invited, are there others?”

  Lt. Humphrey said, “I don’t know, sir.”

  “Now, regarding Capt. Stephenson’s malady, I do not know how Camp Fever is transmitted. I have been told it could be by rats. But I do know many of our men have friends in Captain Stephenson’s company. As soon as we get back to our encampment, tell all our officers and sergeants to quietly inform our Riflemen to stay away from Stephenson’s troops and keep them out of our billeting area. And separately, issue an order that every Rifleman who brings Ensign Newman a rat killed by anything other than a rifle or pistol shall be issued an extra gill of rum.”

  At this, Lt. Humphrey replied, “Aye, sir. May we also let it be known to the men that effective immediately, Ensign Newman’s nickname is officially changed from ‘The Boy’ to ‘Rat ­Collector’?”

  Even I laughed with them at the suggestion, but was gratified when Captain Morgan said, “No.”

  On arrival at Continental Army Headquarters, a large, attractive, three-story brick house once the home of a prosperous Loyalist, Major George Baylor—General Washington’s aide—greeted us at the front door. He escorted us into a library to the left of the entry portal and said, “Please excuse me for a moment, I’ll be right back.”

  Less than a minute later, Brigadier General Horatio Gates entered, shook Captain Morgan’s hand, and said, “Captain, so good to see you again. Please come with me.”

  We followed him across the entry hallway and as we entered a large meeting room he said, “Your Excellency, gentlemen, please allow me to introduce Captain Daniel Morgan of Frederick County, Virginia. As has become his habit, he is the first to arrive for our meeting.”

  General Washington rose, as did the other three men at the far end of the table. The Commander-in-Chief held out his hand to our Captain, shook it, and said, “Daniel, thank you for joining me in another fight. Lord willing, this one will turn out better than when we served with General Braddock.”

  He then introduced the others, “This is Major General Charles Lee, Brigadier General Nathanael Greene, and Colonel Benedict Arnold. While we await the arrival of others, Captain Morgan please introduce your officers.”

  While Capt. Morgan was doing so, the process began all over again as seven other officers arrived. Colonel Arnold did the introductions:

  “Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Greene of Rhode Island and his deputy, Major Timothy Bigelow of Massachusetts;

  “Lieutenant Colonel Roger Enos of Vermont and his deputy, Major Return Meigs of Connecticut;

  “Captains William Hendricks and Matthew Smith, commanding their Pennsylvania Rifle Companies, and Captain David Jones, commanding our artillery detachment.”

  The introductions complete, General Washington bade everyone to sit while he stood and spoke.

  “Gentlemen, it’s clear our British adversary in Boston is unwilling to emerge from behind their buttresses to confront us. Though they cannot break out, we cannot break in. Congress has therefore decided to end the stalemate by launching a campaign to Quebec in hopes of bringing Canada into this contest on our side.”

  At this he moved to uncover a map of the northern colonies tacked to an easel. Pointing to the map, he continued, “This is to be a two-pronged offensive, the primary force moving north from Albany, up Lake George and Lake Champlain to seize Montreal under the overall command of General Philip Schuyler. With Montreal secured, General Schuyler will proceed northeast to Quebec.

  “A second force, commanded by newly promoted Colonel Benedict Arnold, consisting of ten infantry companies, three rifle companies, a light artillery detachment, and necessary logistics and medical support will depart here and proceed to the northern coast of Massachusetts where it will embark on vessels to a port in southern Maine. There, Colonel Arnold’s men will disembark and proceed overland to the St. Lawrence River, opposite Queb
ec. The two Patriot forces, united under the command of General Schuyler, will then subdue the British garrison in Quebec, liberate the populace and, as Congress hopes, and Providence wills, succeed in encouraging our Canadian neighbors to become our allies.

  “Since you are going to be taking more than a thousand men into harm’s way, I order your particular attention to two very important matters.

  “First, security is paramount as you prepare your men for this mission. What I have just shown you on this map and your ultimate destination may not be divulged to your men until you have arrived in the backwoods of Maine. If British spies learn of this plan, between now and your departure, their fleet could destroy this entire force at sea before it even begins.

  “Second, you must strictly enforce my General Order prohibiting harm to any of the local population on your way to or in Canada. This includes any Indians you encounter. As you know, any of our soldiers charged with rape, looting, plundering, desertion, or harming any inhabitant who is not threatening our soldiers shall be immediately court martialed and if convicted, immediately sentenced to death by hanging. Do I make myself clear?”

  There was an immediate chorus, “Yes, sir!”

  “Very well. Colonel Arnold, I yield the remainder of this briefing to you.”

  At that, General Washington and his staff exited the room. We all stood as they departed but not a word was uttered until the door closed.

  Colonel Arnold moved to the head of the table, sat, and motioned for us to do so. It was then I noticed General Nathanael Greene remained behind. He nodded and Arnold began, “You are all volunteers, that is, except for Captain Morgan and me. We are both commissioned officers in the Continental Army. But if any of you choose not to go on this expedition, speak now.”

  Everyone in the room knew of Benedict Arnold’s well-­publicized exploits in seizing Fort Ticonderoga in May. And I recalled having to bring one of my father’s maps to Captain Morgan’s home so a group of Virginians could see where Ticonderoga is. This morning, no one said a word about not accompanying the “The Hero of Ticonderoga” to Quebec.

  Colonel Arnold continued, “Gentlemen, as of now, I plan to organize as follows: Captain Morgan will command a 250-man Advance Guard comprised of his Virginia Rifle Company and volunteers from the two Pennsylvania Rifle Companies commanded by Captains Hendricks and Smith.

  “Lieutenant Colonel Greene and his deputy Major Bigelow will command our 1st Infantry Battalion, which will consist of three companies of one hundred Massachusetts volunteers each.

  “Major Return Meigs will command our 2nd Infantry Battalion comprised of three, one-hundred-man companies of Vermont and Connecticut volunteers, and Captain Jones’s artillery.

  “Lieutenant Colonel Roger Enos of Vermont will command our Reserve and Rear Guard Force comprised of three, one hundred-­man, New England infantry company volunteers and our teamsters, engineers, carpenters, pioneers, logistics support, and medical personnel.

  “When we meet tomorrow, bring with you a roster of volunteers who have enlistments that do not expire until year end or later. Though you cannot tell the men our mission or objective, Quebec; you may tell them we are going to take the fight to the enemy, we shall return victorious and I will be their commander.

  “We will meet again tomorrow morning at eight o’clock at the yellow house next door. Adjutant General Gates has generously allowed us to use it as our headquarters since we have a very ­short-term lease.” The humor was missed. I immediately sought out my counterparts in the Pennsylvania Rifle Companies to get their rosters.

  Colonel Benedict Arnold’s Headquarters,

  Cambridge, Massachusetts

  Wednesday, August 30th, 1775

  As everyone now knows to be Daniel Morgan’s habit, the Captain, 1st Lt. Humphrey, and I arrived a half-hour early at the yellow house on “Tory Row” at 7:30 this morning. A young guard, armed with a musket and wearing leather shoes, white britches, a white vest, blue jacket, and a matching cocked hat3 greeted us: “Halt! State your name and business.”

  “I am Captain Daniel Morgan, Commander of the Virginia Rifle Company. These are my officers. We’re here to see Colonel Arnold.”

  “Stand where you are, sir. I will return in a moment.”

  The guard disappeared inside and just seconds later, came out the door followed by Col. Arnold and two other men; one very young, short, thin, and dressed in a Continental Army uniform and another; older, heavier, and garbed in what we Virginians would call “Williamsburg Finery.”

  In a grand gesture, the colonel said, “Gentlemen, this is Captain Daniel Morgan, Continental Line, a legendary hero of many frontier fights in Virginia and the commander of the Advance Guard on our upcoming expedition. Captain Morgan, please meet Lieutenant Aaron Burr and Mr. Reuben Colburn, an experienced and much admired boat builder from Maine. Both men are Patriots committed to the success of our mission. It’s likely you will see a good bit more of each in the days ahead.”

  With that, Messer’s Burr and Colburn said, “Good to meet you,” while shaking our hands. They then saluted Colonel Arnold and departed. Colonel Arnold waved us to follow him into the house and we entered a room not much different than the one we were in yesterday.

  Spread out on the large dining room table were maps, sea charts, and sheets of paper with lists of equipment, supplies, and sketches, which appeared to be fortifications. Colonel Arnold sat at the end of the table, motioned for us to do so as well and asked, “Captain Morgan, what brings you here a half-hour before the others?”

  Though our Captain is six years older than Col. Arnold, our commander is usually deferential and polite to those who outrank him—particularly if the person with whom he is conversing is a commissioned officer of the Continental Line. Such was the case here this morning.

  Capt. Morgan immediately responded, “Thank you for seeing us, Colonel. I, like you, want this mission to be a success. I want to help you in any way I can in planning this victory. The more I know now, the more helpful my Riflemen and I can be to you on this expedition.”

  “What is it you want to know?”

  “Well, sir, if we were not about to embark together on what appears to me to be a very hazardous mission, I wouldn’t ask this question since it would not be appropriate. If you do not mind, let’s start with, who are the two gentlemen we just met?”

  Col. Arnold nodded and replied, “There is no reason why you should not know this. General Washington introduced Mr. Colburn to me several weeks ago. He is, as I said, a boat-builder from Maine. He is familiar with the kind of boats we need to safely make the sea and river transit from Newburyport, Massachusetts, to Fort Western, and up the Kennebec River in Maine.”

  “Excuse me, sir,” Captain Morgan interrupted. “Can you show me the route on one of your maps or charts so we all have a sense for the distance and time it will take?”

  “Certainly,” the colonel said, as he pulled out a naval chart and a terrain map labeled:

  Samuel Goodwin copy (with Corrections) of Lt. John Montresor’s 1760-61

  MAP of the SOURCES of the

  Chaudiere, Penobscot & Kennebek

  RIVERS

  Col. Arnold continued, “I am assured this naval chart is very accurate since it is used by Patriot smugglers to evade British Revenue Cutters. The route we will be taking from Newburyport to the mouth of the Kennebec River is about seventy-five miles. According to Mr. Colburn, with favorable winds and tides we should get upriver to Gardinerston in another forty-eight hours.”

  Turning to the terrain map, he continued, “From Gardinerston to Fort Western, to the south shore of the St. Lawrence opposite Quebec, we will follow the route I have sketched on this map provided by Mr. Samuel Goodwin, a friend of Mr. Colburn’s. Goodwin estimates it’s about 200 miles. I’m planning about twenty days to traverse the entire route—about ten miles per day.”

 
“We will use shallow-draft batteaux4 to transport our heavy equipment and supplies up the Kennebec, portage across the ‘Height of Land,’ to Lake Mégantic, and proceed downstream on the Chaudière to the St. Lawrence, directly across from Quebec.”

  At this point, Captain Morgan said, “Sir, all this begs the question, when will we depart here? Winter is coming soon in these latitudes.”

  Colonel Arnold nodded, paused, and said quietly, “I do not yet know our departure date. General Washington is waiting to hear from General Schuyler. All I have is this”—he handed Capt. Morgan a tiny piece of paper and an opened “Courier Ball.”5

  “This was delivered to me late last night, by an Express Messenger from Albany. I opened the Courier Ball—thankfully he had not needed to swallow it—but I do not know this code.”

  Captain Morgan looked at the tiny piece of paper:

  THE EIGHTH MONTH OF THE YEAR OF OUR LORD, 1775

  1T 3A 5T 3U 4A 5T 4U 3G 5T 2A 4S 5T

  4A 1G 2U 4G 5A 2T 1S 3T 5T 1A 3U 3U 3T 3G 4U 1S 4A 5T

  3U 2T 1A 3U 5T 1U 4G 4U 5T 2G 4A 5T 4U 3G 3G 5T

  2G 2T 2T 5T 4U 3G 5T 4U 3T 1A 4U 1S 2T 5G

  3A 3G 3U 4U 2A 3G 3A 1S 3T 5A 5T 4U 3G 5T

  1G 3G 3A 3A 1A 3U 1U 5G

  Then he said, “This is what we call a ‘calendar code.’ The key is the first line. The eighth month of the year is August. Our Committees of Safety have been using these codes for more than a year—too long in my estimation. Here’s how this one works.” With Col. Arnold looking over his shoulder, Capt. Morgan took a blank sheet of paper and explained:

  “To create an ‘August code,’ write the letters of the month across the top line and beneath each letter of the month, place sequential letters of the alphabet like this, five rows and six columns. A number and a letter represent each letter of the coded message. So, the first letter of the message, 1T is F. The second letter, 3A is M. The third entry, 5T is a space. 3U is P, 4A is S, and so on . . .