April 16, 1776

After the British evacuation of Boston, George Washington began to send Continental Army regiments south to New York. He himself followed, departing his headquarters in Cambridge on April 4 and arriving in New York City on Saturday, April 13, as reported in the Pennsylvania Evening Post a few days later. Washington’s record of travel expenses survives, in the handwriting of his aid-de-camp William Palfrey. It shows where he stayed and what modes of transportation he used. Somewhere between New London and Saybrook on the coast of Connecticut, Washington bought a salmon.

The Pennsylvania Evening Post
Printed by Benjamin Towne

Last Saturday his Excellency General WASHINGTON arrived at New-York from Cambridge, attended by — Palfrey, Esq; his Aid-de-Camp, Horatio Gates, Esq; Adjutant-General, and several other gentlemen of distinction.