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The British Raid In Connecticut That Prompted George Washington’s Letter
George Washington wrote his letter on May 7, 1777, roughly two weeks after the British raid on a supply depot in Danbury, Connecticut.
Raab CollectionThe front of George Washington’s letter to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons.
On April 26, British forces had raided the Danbury depot and burned colonial storehouses and equipment. During their retreat, the British met resistance from American militia in the nearby countryside (led by Brigadier General Benedict Arnold) but managed to make their way back to their ships and claim victory. To Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, the event was very concerning — and an ominous portent regarding the tides of the war.
“The Loss of our Stores at Danbury is an Event very Alarming to the Country,” the worried Parsons wrote to George Washington on May 2. “I hope the Effect will not be fatal to the Army: by the Examination of Sundry disaffected Persons: we have Reason to believe a Second Descent is soon to be made for destroying our little Magazines in Derby, & New Haven.”
In the face of Parsons’ concern, however, Washington expressed confidence.
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Public DomainA portrait of George Washington. 1776.
Sitting down to write a response to Parsons (probably first dictated to an aide), George Washington brushed aside his colleague’s concerns.
“The loss of the flour at Danbury is to be regretted, but I cannot consider it in the important light you seem to do,” George Washington wrote.
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