General Bloomfield's Announcement

Source

On the morning of June 20, 1812, at about nine o'clock, news from Washington was received by mail in New York City that war had been declared by the United States against Great Britain on the 18th. An extra of the National Intelligencer, published at Washington, was issued about four o'clock on the 18th of June, making the announcement, and was in the morning mail that arrived in New York City. This news was confirmed by a bulletin issued by Gen. Bloomfield, at his headquarters in the fort off the Battery (now Castle Garden) in the city, at about half-past nine o'clock A.M., who was then in command of the fortifications in New York City and Harbor. It was as follows:

General Orders.

General Bloomfield announces to the troops that war is declared by the United States against Great
Britain.

By order

R. H. McPherson, A. D. C.
[Robert Hector MacPherson]