Capt. Febiger, Col. Arnold’s Adjutant, saw us coming and greeted us at the door before the sentry could detain us. He waved us into the house saying with a great smile, “Welcome, Virginians! Good news. We have our orders. The Colonel is next door making final arrangements.”

He escorted us into the dining room and offered us coffee and tea and a small, flat, circular confection he called a “pancake.” It was coated with a sweet liquid he described to be “maple syrup.” I had never eaten anything quite so delicious and proceeded to devour three of them before Lt. Humphrey scowled when I reached for a fourth.

As we waited for others to arrive, our Captain asked Colonel Arnold’s Adjutant, “Can you tell us when we’re leaving here for Maine?”

Capt. Febiger’s response was both direct and diplomatic, “Colonel Arnold deserves that privilege, sir. And in truth, we do not know for certain our departure date since much depends on British sea-borne patrols, tides, winds, and ship availability to transport us from Newburyport to Gardinerston, Maine, where we shall disembark from sea-going transports to batteaux for transport further up the Kennebec River.”

At this point the door opened and in trooped Colonel Arnold, our fellow “Arnold Expedition Commanders,” and the remainder of Colonel Arnold’s staff. We all rose immediately and remained so as Colonel Arnold said, “Chaplain Spring, let’s begin with a prayer.”

The Reverend responded immediately: “Almighty God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—we bow down before You and no other. We beg You to bless our endeavor, protect us in carrying out our mission, and pray You will deliver us from harm and return us to our families. Amen.”

Col. Arnold, said, “Take your seats, gentlemen,” and as soon as we did, he stated, “General Washington has ordered us to depart here on Monday, the 11th of September and proceed to a Massachusetts seaport where we will board vessels to commence offensive operations against the forces of Great Britain.”

There was an immediate shout, “Huzzah!” Those at the table slapped it with their palms while those of us seated against the wall applauded as though we had just heard a great oration.

The colonel held up his hand to stop the celebration and there was immediate silence as he resumed more quietly, “All of us—you and your men—are about to make history. We are part of the first offensive operation conducted by the new Continental Army. We will be taking the fight to our oppressors, the most powerful army and navy on earth. It is important you impress upon our men how important this mission is to them, their families, and to our freedom.”