01/05/2026
The Blandford Mutiny: How Local Grit Saved the Revolution’s Most Vital Mission 250 Years Ago
BLANDFORD, MA – On Sunday, January 11, 2026, the town of Blandford will commemorate a forgotten crisis of the Revolutionary War: the day the "Noble Train of Artillery" almost came to a permanent halt. Exactly 250 years to the day after General Henry Knox arrived to find his mission in jeopardy, the town will host the Knox 250th Cannon Salute & Bonfire Celebration from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM at the Blandford Fairgrounds (10 North Street). The event will include a 30-minute performance with General Knox, citizen Solomon Brown and his oxen (who saved the day) and other notable Blandford Revolutionary War patriots.
More Than a Passing Train: A Critical Turning Point
The journey of the "Noble Train of Artillery" dragging 120,000 pounds of artillery from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston was fraught with obstacles from the start, but unbeknownst to most, the mission reached a critical breaking point in Blandford. The first division of the train had actually arrived days earlier, but the hired teamsters, overwhelmed by the lack of snow and the sheer verticality of the terrain, refused to go any further. They remained stalled in town until Knox arrived to personally address the situation. It was not a professional military force that saved the mission, but a surge of local civilian intervention that bridged the gap between a failed retreat and the eventual liberation of Boston.
Solomon Brown and the "Devil’s Staircase"
The event will place special focus on local citizen Solomon Brown, whose specialized local know-how proved critical to the expedition’s survival. While the outsiders were paralyzed by the terrain, Brown, a veteran and member of the local Committee of Inspection, understood the unique geography of the hills. He provided the fresh teams of oxen and the technical navigation necessary to haul the heavy artillery down the treacherous “Devil’s Staircase,” a steep and icy descent into the Connecticut River Valley.
Other event highlights include:
• Revolutionary Cannon Fire: The celebration will conclude with a live demonstration as a Revolutionary War guard fires several rounds.
• Fireside Hospitality: Attendees can grab a seat, warm up by two bonfires with FREE donuts, hot chocolate and cider.
• Extended History: After the Cannon Salute, the story will continue with a special exhibit at the Blandford Historical Society (One North Street) reliving the 200th Bicentennial Celebration and the legendary 1976 Knox Noble Train Reenactment.
"Blandford is a small town with a big history," says Jane Rohman, who is organizing the event as a member of the Blandford Historical Society. "This anniversary is a rare opportunity to stand on the same ground where history was made 250 years ago and celebrate the grit and spirit of the people who helped shape our nation."
