The Connecticut Journal. No. 420. New-Haven: Printed by Thomas and Samuel Green, near the College, 1 November 1775. 4pp, 9 x 13 3/4 in., bifolium. Featuring extensive military coverage of the early months of the Revolutionary War, notably an account of the burning of Falmouth, present-day Portland, Maine. Ownership inscription on right margin reads "Nathan Woodward."

A Revolutionary War-era newspaper featuring extensive reporting on pages 2 and 3 of the ongoing conflict. From Watertown [Massachusetts] comes reporting on activities of General Gage, and from Cambridge [Massachusetts], an October 26 account of the Burning of Falmouth, an attack by a fleet of Royal Navy vessels commanded by Captain Henry Mowat: "Last Tuesday fe'night, about two Hours before Night, arrived before the Town of Falmouth, Casco-Bay, from Boston, the Canceaux Ship of war, Capt. Mowar, with four other armed Vessels. Mowat, who was the Commodore, sent a Flag of Truce ashore informing the Inhabitants that he should destroy the Town in two Hours, unless they complied with certain Proposals he should make...which were, in Substance, that, as a Rebellion now existed in the American colonies, unless the Town would deliver up their Arms & Ammunition, acknowledge the Supremacy of Parliament, and give up four Hostages as Security for their future good Behaviour, he must begin to cannonade & bombard the town within Two hours...." The account continues that the representatives of the town told Mowat they would not comply with his demands, and women and children were removed from the town prior to the British beginning their "hellish Work." The destruction of the town is detailed, as is the resulting determination of the Patriots to prevent similar occurrences: "In Consequence of the barbarous Proceedings, of the Enemy at Falmouth, vast Numbers of Men have been employed, for several days past, in fortifying the Towns and Harbours of Portsmouth, Newbury-Port, Beverly, Salem, and Marblehead."

Pages 3 and 4 contain details of the taking of the Isle of Noix in Quebec near Lake Champlain, by General Montgomery; a letter from an "old soldier" in London, apparently questioning the accuracy of General Gage's reporting on recent battles; frustration with getting accurate reports of events in the St. John's, New Brunswick vicinity, and an "Extract of a letter from Manchester, July 29" in which General Burgoyne's uncle is said to have received a letter in which the general writes that "Americans are exceeding obstinate and their numbers incredible, and that he thinks them invincible..." Also with a notice of the passing of the Honorable Peyton Randolph of Virginia "late President of the Continental Congress...."

A newsy issue published in the early days of the war.

[Broadsides, Ephemera, Printing, Posters, Handbills, Documents, Newspapers] [American Revolutionary War, American Revolution, Founding Fathers, Declaration of Independence, Colonial America, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, James Monroe]

Toned, creasing at folds.