On This Day In 1776, Washington Tightened Password Security As British Ships Arrived

This entry is part 27 of 32 in the series ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE

It was Wednesday, July 31, 1776.

George Washington learned that his army’s nightly countersign was reaching people who had no right to know it.

“It is with astonishment and concern,” his General Orders stated.

Washington said precautions intended to protect the countersign had failed because of “ignorance or misconduct.” He imposed a precise system for distributing future passwords through the army.

The same day, two enslaved men escaped British-held Staten Island and reached American guards in New Jersey. One reported overhearing British discussions about attacking New York when Lord Howe’s fleet arrived.

Brig. Gen. Hugh Mercer told Washington that 39 square-rigged vessels, including three warships, had entered the area within three days.

In Philadelphia, Congress ordered five tons of musket powder sent immediately to New York.

The DX Brief

Washington tightened control over the army’s nightly countersign after it reached unauthorized people.
The day’s parole was “Norwalk,” and the countersign was “Oxford.”
Two enslaved men named Joshua and Lawrence escaped Staten Island and reached American guards near South Amboy.
Joshua reported overhearing British discussions about attacking New York when Lord Howe’s fleet arrived.
Mercer reported that 39 square-rigged vessels had entered the area within three days.
Congress ordered five tons of musket powder sent immediately to Washington.
Washington told Maj. Gen. Philip Schuyler that the army’s cash chest was “all but Empty.”
Congress ordered a court of inquiry for an officer accused of abandoning his post during the retreat from Quebec.
Delegates sent powder and artillery to North Carolina and continued debating the Articles of Confederation.

Washington closes a security gap

The army used a changing parole and countersign to control access to its camps and defensive positions. The parole for July 31 was “Norwalk.” The countersign was “Oxford.”

Washington’s general orders did not identify who had disclosed the countersign or how many unauthorized people had received it.

Instead, he established a strict distribution chain.

At 6 p.m., the adjutant general would provide the parole and countersign to the brigade majors and the adjutant of artillery. They could not pass the words to brigade adjutants until the beating of retreat.

The adjutants would then deliver them to designated field officers, the officer commanding the advanced guards and officers leading other guards in and around the city or camp.

Washington said every officer and soldier should take pride in his “fidelity, prudence and discipline.”

Escapees carry intelligence from Staten Island

Brig. Gen. Hugh Mercer reported that American guards near South Amboy had found two enslaved men who escaped Staten Island during the night.

The surviving examination identified them as Joshua and Lawrence. Both men were enslaved by Peter Peleyon of Richmond County.

Joshua reported seeing a large British encampment at the Watering Place and another at Billop’s Point. He said he had overheard discussions among the British about “attacking New-York when Lord Howe’s Fleet shall arrive.”

He also reported hearing that English regiments would arrive with Howe’s fleet and that British troops already on Staten Island were largely Irish and Scottish.

Lawrence said a British officer and 14 soldiers were quartered at Peleyon’s home. He believed the largest number of troops had gathered near the shoreline where the fleet lay.

Mercer said their account “contains nothing new,” indicating that it supported intelligence already reaching American commanders rather than revealing an unknown plan.

Mercer added that 39 square-rigged vessels, including three men-of-war, had arrived from sea during the previous three days.

Congress sends powder to New York

Congress responded to the growing threat by ordering five tons of musket powder sent immediately to Washington.

Delegates also directed officials to provide medicine for hospitals serving the northern army and southern department. Massachusetts militia called to replace Continental troops would receive rations and pay.

John Hancock told Washington to give whatever orders he considered necessary for building boats for the Flying Camp. The boats could help troops attack Staten Island or move quickly toward New York or Philadelphia.

Hancock also wrote that Pennsylvania officials had been directed to send Mercer 10 six-pounders and 10 four-pounders “with the greatest Expedition.”

Washington’s cash chest runs dry

Washington could not provide similar financial help to the northern army.

“It is not in my Power to spare You any Money from hence,” Washington wrote. “Our Chest is all but Empty.”

Washington said he had repeatedly warned Congress about the need to maintain regular supplies.

Meanwhile, British strength continued to increase. Washington reported that ships had been arriving for several days and that the enemy was “Growing stronger.”

Congress continues examining the Canada failure

Congress continued investigating the failed invasion of Canada.

Delegates ordered a court of inquiry into Col. John Nicholson, who had commanded the post at Point Levi during the American withdrawal from Quebec.

The congressional resolution said Nicholson was accused of deserting his command and leaving his men “to shift for themselves.” The resolution ordered an inquiry; it did not establish guilt.

Congress also referred a petition from Col. James Easton to the Board of Treasury.

Powder and guns go south

Congress ordered another four tons of gunpowder and six four-pounders, or other available artillery, sent immediately to North Carolina.

Delegates also accepted troops raised by North Carolina into Continental service.

The measures reflected the breadth of the war. Congress was sending powder and artillery toward New York and North Carolina while still examining the collapse of the northern campaign.

The union remains unfinished

Congress again resolved itself into a committee of the whole to consider the Articles of Confederation.

Delegates again failed to reach a conclusion. They agreed to resume the debate the following day.

Why it mattered

The records of July 31 showed how many weaknesses Washington faced before the British fired the first major blow against New York.

Unauthorized people had learned an army password. Washington’s cash chest was nearly empty. British vessels continued entering the harbor, while intelligence from Staten Island said the enemy planned to attack when sufficient reinforcements arrived.

Congress rushed powder, artillery, boats, medicine and money toward several fronts, but it still had not settled the terms that would bind the states together.

The invasion had not begun. The contest was already testing whether the new nation could protect its secrets, supply its armies and act as one country.

Tomorrow on Road to Independence

August 1, 1776: Washington warned that divisions among troops from different colonies were helping the enemy. He ordered provincial distinctions set aside and told his soldiers that they were united under one name: American.

Follow the full Road to Independence series here.