Daniel Shays: Difference between revisions

While government forces organized in the east, Shays, Day, and other rebel leaders in the west organized their forces, establishing regional regimental organizations that were run by democratically elected committees. Their first major target was the federal armory in Springfield.<ref>Szatmary, pp. 98–99</ref> General Shepard had, however, pursuant to orders from Governor Bowdoin, taken possession of the armory and used its arsenal to arm a force of some 1,200 militia.<ref>Richards, pp. 27–28</ref><ref>Holland, p. 261</ref>

 

The insurgents were organized into three major groups, and intended to surround and simultaneously attack the armory. Shays led one group east of Springfield near [[Palmer, Massachusetts|Palmer]], Luke Day had a second force across the Connecticut River in [[West Springfield, Massachusetts|West Springfield]], and the third force, under [[Eli Parsons (soldier)|Eli Parsons]], was to the north at [[Chicopee, Massachusetts|Chicopee]].<ref>Richards, p. 28</ref> The rebels had planned their assault for January 25, but Luke Day changed this at the last minute, sending Shays a message indicating he would not be ready to attack until the 26th.<ref>Szatmary, p. 101</ref> Day's message was intercepted by Shepard's men, so the militia of Shays and Parsons, some 1,500 men, approached the armory on the 25th not knowing they would have no support from the west.<ref name="Richards29">Richards, p. 29</ref>