Washington Acknowledges the Shortage of Trained Gunners and Sailors

Brass artillery calipers. The calipers are engraved with scales for measuring bore diameters and shot diameters, which allowed a soldier to quickly gauge the caliber of a cannonball or cannon without having to measure or weigh it. Object ID 2022.2.398. Courtesy of The Fort Ticonderoga Association.

One of the greatest challenges that Washington and Schuyler faced in the summer of 1776 was finding a sufficient number of trained artilleryman and sailors to support Arnold’s developing fleet.

"It is impossible to spare any Gunners or Mates from hence, our Posts being so extensive, that We are Obliged to draft upwards of six hundred Men from different Regiments to assist the Artillery. Colo. Knox informs Me You have four Companies of Gunners & Mattrosses at the Lakes as good as any here. You must draw What are Necessary from them & Other Parts of the Army. As to Seamen they are extremely difficult to procure, & I wish they may be got. As It is almost certain, they would not engage in the service, You want ’em for, Upon the Terms usually allowed here, There seems to have been a Necessity for Employing them on the best that can be had"

General Washington to General Schuyler, 7 August 1776

Sources

www.founders.archives.gov

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