December 1: Knox Meets Schuyler in Albany

Henry Knox confers with Gen. Philip Schuyler in Albany about how to move the guns from Fort Ticonderoga to the American siege of Boston.

December 2: Arnold and Montgomery Unite

Gen. Richard Montgomery’s troops link up with Benedict Arnold’s soldiers outside Quebec City.

December 3: The Grand Union Flag Is Raised

The first American flag—the Grand Union Flag—is raised aboard the Alfred, commanded by John Paul Jones.

December 4: The Knox Brothers Reach Fort George

Henry Knox and his brother, William, arrive at Fort George at the foot of Lake George—one day’s sail from Fort Ticonderoga.

December 5: Arrival at Fort Ticonderoga

The Knox brothers sail up Lake George and arrive at Fort Ticonderoga to begin moving cannon to the siege of Boston.

December 6: Congress Replies to the King

Congress responds to King George III’s August 23 proclamation of rebellion, stating they remain loyal to the King but owe no allegiance to Parliament.

December 7: Early Submarine Progress Reported

Dr. Benjamin Gale writes to Connecticut congressional delegate Silas Deane about David Bushnell’s progress building a submarine.

December 8: The Siege of Quebec Begins

Montgomery, Arnold, and their troops begin to besiege Quebec City.

December 9: Knox Launches the “Noble Train”

Knox floats 58 cannon—including a 24-pounder nicknamed the “Old Sow”—on three boats down Lake George to begin the journey to Boston.

December 10: Artillery Opens on Quebec

As a heavy snowstorm pounds Quebec City, Gen. Montgomery’s artillery begins shelling the city walls.

December 11: Martha Washington Arrives in Cambridge

Martha Washington arrives at her husband’s Cambridge headquarters. She “shudders every time I hear” cannon roar and writes, “I endeavor to keep my fears to myself.”

December 12: Massachusetts Authorizes Fuel Demolition

Desperate for fuel as temperatures drop, Massachusetts permits decayed barns, houses, and stores to be torn down and burned for heat.

December 13: Winter Misery on Bunker Hill

British Lord Rawdon complains about the brutality of the New England winter as his men camp on Bunker Hill.

December 14: Washington Proposes a Prisoner Exchange

Washington informs Congress he will propose a swap with Gen. Howe: a British officer in exchange for freeing Ethan Allen, captured in Canada.

December 15: Dunmore Threatens Norfolk

The Virginia Gazette reports that Gov. Lord Dunmore plans to bombard Norfolk if American riflemen enter the town.

December 16: Washington Runs Low on Hay

Washington writes to the Massachusetts Provincial Congress that he is running out of hay to feed the army’s animals.

December 17: A “Cruel Thaw” Slows Knox

Knox begins the return trip to the American army with the “noble train” of artillery, but a “cruel thaw” slows overland travel.

December 18: Washington Warns Howe

Washington warns Howe that if Ethan Allen is harmed, the Americans will do the same to a captured British officer.

December 19: Patriots Burn the Pest House

South Carolina patriots burn the Pest House on Sullivan’s Island to deny its use to Tories and British forces.

December 20: Congress Halts the Wyoming Valley Dispute

Congress orders Pennsylvania and Connecticut to pause their dispute over ownership of Pennsylvania’s Wyoming Valley.

December 21: Skinner Flees New Jersey

New Jersey’s Tory attorney general, Cortlandt Skinner, flees after intercepted letters blaming the war on “tea smugglers and Presbyterians” are seized by the New Jersey militia.

December 22: A Navy Takes Shape

Congress names Esek Hopkins to lead the new American navy and appoints its first captains.

December 23: Ethan Allen Arrives in England

Ethan Allen arrives in England as a prisoner.

December 24: “Lycurgus” Argues for Independence

“Lycurgus” publishes the first public argument by a New Jerseyan in favor of independence.

December 25: Snow Makes the Cannon Move

Three feet of snow falls in the lower Adirondacks, allowing Knox to use sleds to move the “precious convoy” of cannon.

December 26: Doubts About the Quebec Assault

Gen. Richard Montgomery writes to Gen. Philip Schuyler that some American troops are reluctant to attack Quebec.

December 27: Betrayal in the Ranks

American commanders Arnold and Montgomery learn a deserter has betrayed their plans for the attack on Quebec City to its commander, Sir Guy Carleton.

December 28: France Signals Interest

A French representative gives Congress informal assurances that France has a “strong interest” in the war and may offer support.

December 29: Limited Pay for the Army

Washington informs the troops that he can only pay them for one month’s service, not three as he had hoped.

December 30: Free Black Men Recruited

American recruiting officers begin recruiting free Black men into the army.

December 31: Disaster at Quebec

Gen. Montgomery is killed and Benedict Arnold is wounded as the American attack on Quebec City, launched during a driving snowstorm, fails badly.