General Washington is known for his use of spies and reconnaissance soldiers during the Revolutionary War. What is not so well known is that he also transmitted information by way of general local newspapers.

Several of the popular newspapers at the time printed Washington’s orders verbatim. The news reporters paid particular attention to Washington’s notices of Courts-martial. Such reports by General Washington were intended to stiffen the resolve of the troops, and make them better soldiers.

However, he also used the news as a method to get his troops all ready at once for certain activities. At one period in the war, Washington’s army occupied a region which did not have a newspaper. As a result, George Washington helped to start the New Jersey Gazette!