General Thomas Gage, who had become the…
August 1774 CE
Seeking to prevent the outbreak of war and to keep the peace between the American Patriot (Whig) majority and the Loyalist (Tory) minority, he believes that the best way to accomplish this is by secretly removing military stores from storehouses and arsenals in New England.
The secrecy of these missions is paramount, as Gage fears that leakage of any plans will result in the seizure or concealment of the stores by Patriot sympathizers before his men get there.
There are several places throughout the colonies where the British army has stockpiled supplies.
Some of these places are fortifications that are manned by small garrisons; others are merely locked magazines.
Most of the powder in these is under the control of the provincial government, though some is the property of individual towns.
One locked storehouse near Boston, in what is at this time part of Charlestown, now Powder House Square in Somerville, is controlled by William Brattle, the leader of the provincial militia and an appointee of the governor.
Brattle, who has not obviously sided with either Loyalists or Patriots, notifies Governor Gage in a letter dated August 27 that the provincial ("King's") powder is the only supply remaining in this storehouse, as the towns have removed all of theirs.
Gage decides that this powder has to be brought to Boston for safekeeping.
On August 31, Gage sends Middlesex County sheriff David Phips to Brattle with orders to remove the provincial powder; Brattle turns the key to the powderhouse over to Phips.
Gage also gives orders to ready a force of troops for action the next day, something that does not go unnoticed by the local population.
At some point on this day, General Gage, whether by his intent, accident, or theft by a messenger, loses possession of William Brattle's letter; the widely held story is that it was dropped.
News of its content spreads rapidly, and many consider it to be a warning to Gage to remove the provincial powder before Patriots can seize it.
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