In late 1755 the Connecticut Gazette reported a minor scandal: the circulation of a “false and scurrilous” letter in the colony. The author of this offensive missive was Edward Cole, an officer in the Rhode Island militia, who was described elsewhere as “a fellow of no reputation”. Much of the vitriol in Edward Cole’s letter was aimed at Connecticut-born Major-General Phineas Lyman, in particular Lyman’s conduct during the Battle of Lake George. Cole’s attack on local hero Lyman caused such a ruckus in Milford, Connecticut that the town elders there resolved to take stern action:

“…it was thought proper that [the letter] should be publicly whipped, as tending to beget ill will… Accordingly it was here at 4 o’clock this afternoon, after proper notice by beat of drum, [the letter was] publicly whipped… 40 stripes save one, by the common whipper, and then burnt.”

Source: Connecticut Gazette, November 29th 1755. Content on this page is © Alpha History 2019-23. Content may not be republished without our express permission. For more information please refer to our Terms of Use or contact Alpha History.