The British Are Coming: The War for America, Lexington to Princeton, 1775-1777

In early 1776, occupied Boston faced dire conditions. Bitter cold and scarce supplies led to widespread suffering among British troops and civilians. Firewood was nearly gone, and coal stocks were dwindling. Civilians resorted to burning dung for heat, while the military scavenged buildings and trees for fuel. Old South Meeting House was stripped for kindling and converted into a riding ring. General Howe threatened harsh punishment for unauthorized destruction of property. To “bolster morale” (273), British officers held masquerades, concerts, and theatrical performances. The Society for Promoting Theatrical Amusements staged comedies and dramas at Faneuil Hall. General Burgoyne contributed scripts, including The Blockade of Boston, a satirical farce featuring “various illiterate Yankee caricatures” (274). During a performance on January 8, an American raid in Charlestown disrupted the play. Captain Thomas Knowlton led 130 men to burn buildings and capture redcoats, triggering chaos among British forces.

Supplies remained scarce. Smallpox spread widely, prompting inoculations “despite Boston’s historic aversion to the practice” (277). Disease and malnutrition ravaged the garrison, while food shortages grew critical. Supply ships faced perilous Atlantic crossings; many were lost or diverted. Ships arriving often had spoiled provisions and high livestock casualties.