Search results for «Lord Dunmore»

Tomahawks & Hatches: Part 3 of 3 – Military Use & the American Revolution

Cover Artwork by leading American Revolutionary War artist Don Troiani. In war and conflict, Europeans had used battle axes and hand held throwing axes for over a thousand years by the time the Americas were colonized [see Tomahawks & Hatches parts 1 & 2 of this series for more detail of this history]. The original …

Captain Allen McLane: Death Defying Spymaster of the American Revolution

Was Captain Allan McLane (Aug. 8 1746 – May 27, 1829) the stuff of mythological tales, whose heroic feats clashed with British steel and titans of oppression? Did his covert operations save the American Army from a surprise attack and later General Lafayette from capture? Did he charge upon British dragoons with flashing saber and …

1776: List of Battles and Skirmishes of the American Revolution in Chronological Order

An American army emerged from a militia system of self-protection. For decades these militias had been supplied and nourished by the British, only to turn on its mother country in an act of violent defiance. By 1776, patriots proved they could gather in mass and were willing to fight and die for a cause they …

Road to Camden: The Southern War of the American Revolution

On June 18, 1778, British Commander-in-Chief Lieutenant General Henry Clinton vacated Philadelphia and marched his army across New Jersey. General George Washington’s Army pursued at a cautious distance and attacked ten days later at the Battle of Monmouth, June 28, 1778. Clinton retreated before hostilities could begin anew the next day and bottled himself up …

African Americans in the American Revolution: George Latchom’s Remarkable Strength and Courage

Almost nothing is known of Virginian and former slave George Latchom. Most of what we do know relates to one incident during the American Revolution in which he displayed incredible strength and unselfish courage. He was not a Continental soldier; over eight hundred African Americans would ultimately fight alongside patriots in the Virginia Line. Nor …

African Americans in the American Revolution: Black Soldiers’ Did Not Quit Whose Percentage was Much Higher than Previously Reported

The number of African American soldiers who stood beside their patriot white comrades in arms during the American Revolutionary War has frequently been dismissed as unimpressive or inconsequential. An incorrect argument can be made to support such an opinion when taking the total number of soldiers who fought the entire war and factoring the ratio …

African American History Children’s Books

The impact by African Americans to science, education, politics, war, and the course of American history, while facing incredible hardships of prejudice and bigotry, was nothing short of remarkable. Their’s was an monumental journey of slavery and sacrifice; a legacy that remains a beacon of hope for all Americans. As a retired educator, I’ve listed what …

Children & Young Adult Books

Having taught preschool to University, including over ten years at the elementary level, I have an appreciation for historical texts written for a younger audience. In the past two decades, the explosion of wonderful children’s & young adult books on the American Revolution has been nothing but phenomenal, especially those books featuring strong young female …

Over 100 of the Best Children and Young Adult Books on the American Revolution

Having taught preschool to University, including over ten years at the elementary level, I have an appreciation for historical texts written for a younger audience. In the past two decades, the explosion of wonderful children’s & young adult books on the American Revolution has been nothing but phenomenal, especially those books featuring strong young female …

African American History

African Americans played a larger than life role in the founding, military struggles, and the continuing formation and moral role of a unique democracy. They fought in every conflict, including the American Revolution. Those of African Heritage constitute a wealth of courage and sacrifice under fire and beyond the battle field. Scroll Down & CLICK …

African Americans in the American Revolution: The Ethiopian Brigade & Liberty to Slaves

The Ethiopian Brigade was the brainchild of John Murray, the 4th Earl of Dunmore, Royal Governor Lord Dunmore of Virginia. On November 7, 1775, he issued a proclamation that rattled the chains of slavery; that which fueled the economy of both the northern and southern thirteen rebellious British Colonies in North America.   Open warfare had …

African Americans in the American Revolution: Peter Salem

Peter Salem, a slave who was freed to fight in his master’s militia, is credited for stepping forward at a critical point in the Battle of Bunker Hill outside Boston in 1775; he fired the shot that killed British Royal Marine Major John Pitcairn. At the time of the battle, Salem was already a veteran …

Germ Warfare and Smallpox During the American Revolution

Boston, November 25, 1775: besieged British sent several boatloads of men, women and children, three hundred in all, across the Back Bay. They were left on the shore near Cambridge and the transport quickly departed. Ragged, weak, distraught, many sick and dying, it was a heartbreaking tableau to the rebels who came upon them. “The …

George Washington’s Silent Condemnation of Slavery: In His Lifetime, Never Set a Single Slave Free

Paradox of a New Nation’s Cause for Liberty & Its Acceptance of Slavery Till the mind of the slave has been educated to perceive what are the obligations of a state of freedom, and not confound a man’s with a brute’s, the gift would insure its abuse… slaves were bequeathed to us by Europeans. George …

Battle Tactics of the American Revolution

Military literature was of little or no value to the early colonists. There were no vast spreads of farmlands and meadows where massive armies could deploy. The terrain was wilderness and their forces small. Militias of farmers and merchants, properly armed to protect themselves from the “savages,” adopted the same methods of fighting as their …

General George Weedon: Soldier and Tavernkeeper of the American Revolution

Little is known of General George Weedon, who fought with the Continental Army during the early campaigns of the American Revolution. Most of the county records where he lived were destroyed during the Civil War. He was, for a time, regimental colonel, acting Adjunct General, and commanded a brigade of Pennsylvania and Virginia troops at …

African Americans in the American Revolution: Colonel Tye was the Greatest Guerrilla Fighter of the War

Escaped Slave, British Soldier, and the Greatest Guerrilla Fighter Of the American Revolutionary War It is late fall, 1775. A British officer stares out over the river. The wide mouth of the James River is choked with dark hulls that sit peacefully at their anchors, their towering masts swaying in the stiffening breeze that flows …

The Royal Colonies in North America: England, France, Netherlands & Sweden

Royal Colonies were established in North America by England, France, Netherlands and Sweden.  Spain launched earlier settlements and claimed lands south of the present Canadian border clear to the Pacific Ocean, but only established outposts and missionaries, particularly in Florida, which they maintained until 1763 when British took control. Different nations claimed many of the …

African Americans in the American Revolution: Black Soldiers in the Continental Army

Should African Americans Serve in the Continental Army? Washington and a new nation struggle with their convictions, morals, and necessity O’er the raging billows borne. Men, call’d Christians, bought & sold me, Paid my price in paltry gold; But though their’s they have enroll’d me, Minds are never to be sold. W. Cowper, Esq.            1774.   Humanity was not ready to bestow …

African Americans in the American Revolution: A Soldier in Washington’s Army

Welcome my friends, from every land. Where freedom doth not reign; Oh! Hither fly from every clime, Sweet liberty to gain – John Mason Harlem Heights, ten miles north of New York City as the crow flies; September 16th 1776 –  one hour before dawn. The Continental Army is entrenched on the high ground facing the British army, …