The British Are Coming: The War for America, Lexington to Princeton, 1775-1777 (The Revolution Trilogy Book 1)

by Rick Atkinson

That Howe was coming from Halifax, perhaps soon, no one doubted. Every report of approaching sails—a recent sighting proved to be a fogbank—sent more frightened New Yorkers fleeing in carts and coaches piled high with baggage. New York was considered the least disloyal of the thirteen colonies, and those well-affected to the Crown lay low and waited for their hour to come round. At noon on Tuesday, June 4, Tryon’s small squadron fired a protracted salute to honor the king’s birthday. Loyalist churches lighted candles that evening to pray for His Majesty’s good health and continued wisdom. For now, however, allegiance was best whispered; those heard singing “God Save the King” were marched to jail. Meanwhile, more rebel trenches were dug, more ramparts built, more cannons pointed. Precisely how the mighty Royal Navy was to be defeated, along with General Howe’s army and whatever other legions were en route from Britain, remained uncertain. “Great numbers of angels,” a Connecticut preacher assured his flock, “no doubt are encamping round our coast for our defense and protection.”