Category Archives: American Revolution

American Revolution

Those Who Remained Loyal

The American Revolution was much more of a civil war than a revolution. Though the patriot struggle focused on the problems with Parliament and the King, it brought them also to odds against their neighbors and family members. When most people think about the war they imagine a sharp dressed British army invading the colonies and spreading havoc. Those that may know a little more can also picture the German troops that fought on behalf of the British. Most people however don’t think about how many “Americans” fought against the revolution.

John Adams, later in life,  said (paraphrasing) that about a third of the country supported the patriot cause and about a third remained loyal to Britain. Approximately 19,000 men answered advertisements like the one shown above and actually fought as a part of the British Army during the war. That does not take into account loyalists militias, partisans, or those that swapped sides at some point. As far as civilians that remained loyal the number was between 200,000 and 500,000 thousand out of a population of about 3 million. A fairly wide gap, but accounts differ.

There were many reasons that men joined the British Army instead of the American cause. Many remained loyal to the king, they saw themselves as Englishmen and those that called themselves patriots were just thugs looking to enrich themselves. Some were men that became disillusioned with the cause and thought they would be on the winning side if they switched. There were some that were captured and given the choice to join the British Army, or face an almost certain death on the prison ships in New York Harbor. Some looked to settle old scores with neighbors that came down on the other side of the conflict. Their stories are wide and varied and just like their patriot counterparts they had their reasons.

Unfortunately the civil war aspect of the revolution lead to some of the most brutal and viscous fighting, especially in the South. Nothing that the Red Coats or Hessians or heck even he Native Americans, could do that would match any of the brutality of the backwoods of the Carolinas.

After the war the Loyalists found themselves out in the cold. Many of them no longer had homes as their property had been confiscated and for the most part they were just not wanted. Almost 100,000 of them left the country and resettled Newfoundland, Canada, or simply went back to England. Those who stayed faced discrimination and sometimes violence, for a while. Eventually the wounds faded and those that stayed became part of the fabric of the brand new country.

American Revolution

Leaving His Mark: General Lincolns Lows and Highs

Benjamin Lincoln is often an overlooked player on the Patriot side of the American Revolution. In a conflict where most the leaders were either exceptionally or incompetent he rides right in the middle, for the most part. He started in the Massachusetts militia in 1772 and eventually rose to the rank of Major General of the militia in 1776.  Showing some gumption and a little bit of skill he was noticed by General Washington who brought into the Continental Army as a major-general in 1777. After seeing some action including leading troops at Saratoga where he was wounded, Lincoln spent time recovering and preparing for his next step. It would be a big one.

In September of 1778 Washington chose Lincoln to be the commander of the southern department. It went OK for Benjamin. Until March of 1780 when a large British force under General Clinton landed and besieged Charleston, South Carolina.

The siege was text-book and though some believe that Lincoln should have abandoned the city and kept his army intact he decided to stay put, hope for reinforcements and try to survive the siege. Despite long odds he was able to do so for about six weeks. Then faced with pressure from the merchants and well to do in town (they didn’t want to lose their property) he was finally forced to surrender.

In total Lincoln surrendered to the British:

Over 5,000 soldiers

More than 300 artillery pieces

Over 9,000 artillery rounds

33,000 barrels of ammunition

49 ships

120 boats

and a lot more.

This was by far the worst defeat the Continental Army had ever, or would ever suffer and nearly broke the back of the new country. It would have been easy to lay the defeat at the feet of Lincoln and many did, but for the most part his reputation stayed fairly clean (as opposed to someone like Schuyler who faced charges after Ticonderoga).

Lincoln was eventually exchanged and rejoined the army, mainly as a staff officer, keeping his head down and avoiding controversy. in October 1781 however he was thrust back upon the stage at a place called Yorktown.

When the combined French and American forces besieged the army of British General Cornwallis, Lincoln found himself in command of a large portion of the American forces and as second in command to General Washington. In that role he played a huge part in the battle.

on October 19, 1781 the British forces surrendered to the allies. General Cornwallis, who plead illness, sent his second in command to meet the victorious army, General O’Hara, and to surrender his sword. one version of the story says that O’Hara first attempted to surrender the sword to French General Rochambeau who politely refused and indicated it should go the Washington. When offering the sword to Washington O’Hara was gently directed to turn the sword over to Washington’s second in command, General Benjamin Lincoln which accepted the sword and perhaps a little bit of satisfaction. Present at the biggest defeat and the biggest victory Lincoln left his mark on the American Revolution.

 

American Revolution, Book Reviews

Book Review: Give Me a Fast Ship: The Continental Navy and America’s Revolution at Sea

Give Me a Fast Ship: The Continental Navy and America’s Revolution at Sea
Written by: Tim McGrath

Time and time again the story of the Continental Army has been told. Farmers and tradesmen rose up to fight one of the most powerful empires in existence.One story that does not always get its fair share of space is that of the Continental Navy, a handful of ships against what was in no doubt the largest and most powerful navy in the world. With just a handful of ships these me were able to make a stand and show Britain that even though they ruled the seas, ruling America would be a little more difficult.

That is the story told by the author in this fantastic book that takes you through the birth of the American Navy and brings you tales of heroism and sacrifice that should never be forgotten. Men such as John Barry, Nicholas Biddle, James Nicholson and of course John Paul Jones are brought to life in an unforgettable manner.

The amount of research the author has done on the subject is beyond dispute as he brings to bear a fountain of information on the subject. Never though does he lose sight of the humanity of those that fought and died during the epic struggle. All this leads to a well written and informative look at what can be considered and undeserved aspect of American history.

This book is highly recommended and as always you can get by clicking the picture above.

American Revolution

Meet General Nicholas Herkimer…

Nicholas Herkimer was a Patriot militia General during the American Revolution. Odds are good you have not heard his name as he is certainly not in the top-tier of American or British leaders during the war. The one thing that he was though was easily one of the bravest generals of the war. To be honest several years ago when I started putting together the idea of this blog, General Herkimer was one of the reasons why and I am pleased to tell you a little bit about him.

Herkimer was the son of German immigrants, born in the Mohawk Valley of what was then the Colony of New York. He participated in the French and Indian War as a captain and as tensions with Britain escalated in 1775 he was named a colonel of the Tryon County militia, soon promoted to brigadier general by the Provincial Congress. He and his militia were instrumental in the struggle against the British aligned natives and Herkimer himself, who spoke Iroquois, worked to keep the tribes as neutral as possible.

In 1777 as part of the Hudson Valley campaign one wing of the British Army from Canada came south to invest Ft Stanwix in New York. Their force was mixed regular, militia and Mohawk Indians. As soon as Herkimer heard they fort was under attack he called out his militia and rushed them to the rescue.

And they never made it. On their way his troops were ambushed by a large force of Mohawks and the Battle of Oriskany was on. In the opening moments of the battle Herkimer was wounded and despite the pleas of his men, refused to be taken off the field. instead his wound was dressed and he was propped up with his saddle next to a tree where he continued to direct his troops, calmly smoking his pipe all the while as chaos erupted all around him. twice the tide of battle turned against his men and they were on the verge of a route, but he rallied them and kept them in the fight. Eventually the Mohawk attackers realized that their losses in the fight did not make for the gains and the retreated back to the British lines at Ft Stanwix. Herkimer was carried off the field by his men, victorious. S few weeks later, due to an inexperienced surgeon Herkimer died from a botched amputation as his wounded leg had become infected.

So a little known battle in the wilds of New York, but the consequences were huge. The Mohawks confronted the British after the battle wondering why they were being sent out to die while the British sat safely in the siege lines. Tensions between the British and Indians grew worse until eventually the Indians quit the British camp to return home, sacking the place on the way out. this would set the stage for the siege to be lifted (By none other than Benedict Arnold) and was one more nail in the British coffin that would be sealed that fall at Saratoga. All thanks to cool and calm General Herkimer who refused to leave the field…

 

American Revolution

Big Ol’ Grasshopper

yGrasshopper

Big Ol’ Grasshopper

What you see above is one of the biggest grasshoppers you will ever see! This six pound cannon, called such because of the weight of the projectile, is a recreation of the small and relatively light model used by both sides during the American Revolution.

This particular one is at the Cowpens Battlefield park and is based on one that the British used during their attack on the Americans under General Daniel Morgan. This model was used a lot by the light infantry on both sides and though it lacked the punch of some of its larger brethren, it could often turn the tide of a battle but firing solid shot, canister or basically anything that would fit down the barrel it was deadly, especially at close range.

So, why was it called a grasshopper?

When moving the cannon into position the crew would often use two long poles that connected to axle. With these poles they could push or pull the piece up and down hills and over rough terrain. It maneuvered much easier than the larger cannons. These poles would be removed once the cannon was in its final position. While they were in they provided the cannon with unique appearance. I tried to find a photo of the cannon with the polls in place, but that is a little elusive. So I will provide the next best thing.

Image result for grasshopper cannon

That is about what it would look like, Except, you know, as a cannon and not an insect. At some point we will go over the story of the Race for the Grasshopper that happened during Cowpens. Stay tuned.

American Revolution, Book Reviews

Book Review: Washington’s Immortals

Washington’s Immortals  is the story of a Maryland regiment during the American Revolution. It follows them from their formation as a militia unit before the war all the way to the events at Yorktown and beyond. See that is one of the things that makes this book so unique in regards to the warm any war in general. This unit, these men from Maryland were there at almost every battle, every historic moment and every turning point.

Author Patrick K. O’Donnell does a fantastic job telling the story of these men and their role in the war.  This is not a top-down study that simply deals with the battles they fought in, but boots on the ground personal and visceral telling of history. The research was meticulous and very well presented through a rich and compelling narrative. One thing that struck me was how in so much of my personal reading and research the Maryland Line showed up in the course of so many battles, but it was after reading this that you can see their line of march as one continuous campaign that took them from New York to the Carolinas and eventually to Virginia. An amazing journey.

This book is very definitely recommended to anyone that feels ready to deep dive into a very good unit history and has a good understanding of the war. If you are looking for a good solid narrative about a brave bunch of men, this is good for you too. You don’t need to be a scholar of the Revolution to enjoy the book, but it may help fill in some gaps and provide additional perspective.

As always click on the image of the book to purchase it at Amazon.

 

American Revolution, Book Reviews

Book Review: Benedict Arnold’s Navy: The Ragtag Fleet That Lost the Battle of Lake Champlain but Won the American Revolution

Benedict Arnold’s Navy: The Ragtag Fleet That Lost the Battle of Lake Champlain but Won the American Revolution is a book that takes one of America’s greatest traitors and presents as the hero that he was until things turned sour.

In October 1776 the Americans forces had all but fled from Canada while British reinforcements threaten to sweep them from Lake Champlain and right down the Hudson River to Albany. Effectively splitting the colonies in two. The only thing standing in their way was Commodore Benedict Arnold and a rag tag fleet of American ships. As the two fleets sailed the great lake in a game of cat and mouse, Arnold showed a courage and uncanny leadership ability that would make him a star in the Continental Army and the ego and hubris that would come back to haunt him in the years to come.

Author James L. Nelson tells the story of Arnold’s Navy in a deft and efficient manner around the Battle of Valcour Island, in which a small American fleet, led by the Arnold, went toe to toe with the British navy, only to be overwhelmed and destroyed.

Using skills that shone in a dozen novels the Nelson presents a new Benedict Arnold. Not the egotistical traitor but a fearless and talented officer, One of General Washington’s favorites and a who capably led his men to hell and back.

If you really want to see a different side of the Arnold this book shows you a fair and honest look at one of the most pivotal moments in the American Revolution that put him center stage. this book may not change how you view Arnold, but it show you that if nothing else he was  a man of tremendous courage. It is recommended for those that like to dive a little deeper into what they have been told about the man. As always you can click the cover of the book to purchase yourself a copy!

American Revolution, Book Reviews

Book Review: A Narrative of a Revolutionary Soldier

If you have read almost any book on the American Revolution or seen any documentary the odds are you will have run into quotes by Joseph Plumb Martin. Martin fought in the Revolution from 1776 through 1783, pretty much the entire time and was involved with almost every major event in the Norther Colonies during that time. His memories, of which this book above is one of the many editions, was first published in 1830 and has served as a touchstone for scholars ever since.

Through Martin’s eyes we see the history of the American Revolution literally from the trenches. We experience the horrid conditions and depredations, the fear  and joy, the hunger and cold. Through his eyes we are taken to the camp and battlefield of the struggle for independence. With a no-nonsense view of the war, and the aftermath you feel the emotions served up with a little side of humor as he makes little asides to his audience.

Like many memoirs though there are some bad along with the good.  Martin wrote his memories later in life and because most of the stories he tells are based on his own recollections, rather than something like a journal that was kept at the time, there are some cases of exaggeration and missing details, and incorrect ones. That happens in cases like this and  for the most part can be corrected with cross referencing. None of that takes away from the narrative though.

All said this is a good book to have, a decent read and great reference. Also it can usually be found for a very decent price (especially if you click on the book cover above). Joseph Plumb Martin is not as well-known as Washington, Jefferson,  and Adams, but without men like him you probably would not know a lot about those other guys. His story is the bedrock of the foundation of this country and sometimes these stories are the one that should be focused on.

American Revolution

An Ordinary Man

On March 5, 1770 the streets in Boston were boiling. For a number of years British soldiers had been occupying the city to enforce the Parliamentary taxes that tweaked just about every citizen in the colonies.  On this night a group of young men took to taunting a British soldier standing guard in front of the Custom house on King Street. The crowd grew with other British soldiers standing in line with their comrade. Eventually verbal assaults turned to rocks and ice and other projectiles being hurled at the soldiers, the crowd yelling for the men to fire their muskets the entire time. Suddenly the soldiers did with no orders actually being given. Immediately three colonists were dead, several wounded and the events of what would eventually be called The Boston Massacre gave succor to the nascent rebellion against Great Britain.

One of the colonists killed outright was Crispus Attucks. Attucks was mixed race, African and Native American and may have been either a runaway slave or a freedman, that question has support on all sides. He was a sailor who apparently was in port after his ship had arrived from the Bahamas. Little is known about him and some of what is known has been changed and mutated over time. He holds a special place in the story of the American Revolution being one of the first colonial casualties of the conflict. History remembers him for being the first African-American (his father was from Africa, his mother a Native American, Crispus himself was born in Massachusetts) as well as the first Native American to give their life to the cause.

The teapot in the picture belonged to Crispus Attucks. A small personal item that should hopefully serve to show that no matter what history tells you about the man he was just that, a man. Albeit a man who ended up on the wrong side of a musket and helped advance the cause. The cause of the American Revolution.

American Revolution

December 31st 1775 The Attack on Quebec

Henry Bryan Hall, Sr. [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Yes that is Benedict Arnold the most notorious traitor in the history of this country. It is easy to forget that up until his fatal turn, he was among the best, if not the best general in the Continental Army.

He was bold and brash, outspoken and head strong with a sense of personal honor that caused him to go against what many would call common sense. He clashed with fellow officers and dueled with the Continental Congress. But the men that served under him did so gladly and followed him into battle. The enemy that he would one day join feared him on the field.

Two hundred forty years ago today Benedict Arnold and General Richard Montgomery led the assault against Quebec which had it succeeded may well have made Canada a part of the United States.

Though early in the war the strategic location of Canada proved a target that the colonies simply had to try to exploit, While the bulk of the nascent colonial forces were engaged with the British around Boston, two expeditions were sent to Canada. General Montgomery would go up the Hudson River to take Montreal and General Arnold would lead an expedition through the wilds of Maine (Then part of Massachusetts) to take Quebec and secure Canada.

The story of these campaigns is worth reading and studying on their own, but on New Years Eve, 1775 with Montreal subdued and Quebec under siege the combined forces of Montgomery and Arnold looked to take the city and perhaps end the war.

Of course the assault failed or history would have been different. Within moments of the battle opening Montgomery lay dead and Arnold wounded, the men that stayed and fought did so without much guidance and failed in their objectives. The city would not fall and many Americans would be killed or captured. Arnold, though recovering from his wounds would maintain the siege until the spring when British reinforcements arrived and eventually forced the Colonial troops from Canada. The last american to leave was Arnold who could only be left asking what if that fated assault on that New Years Eve had succeed. Maybe he would have still been considered a hero today?