History of the American Revolution
From the earliest settlements in New England and Virginia, the British Government encouraged the colonists to incorporate into tight knit communities. All supplies and necessities of life were to be provided by King and country in exchange for raw materials harvested and mined from this rich new land. This arrangement was not driven by a …
The gallant and brave Colonel Knowlton, who would have been an honor to any country. General Washington on learning of Colonel Knowlton’s death Summer, 1776, New York City, and the first intelligence and Special Forces of the newly claimed republic of America was formed. Special Forces members were called Rangers and were chosen from the …
Six feet tall and weighing over 250 pounds, he was a giant of his time with calm gray eyes, keen intellect, and a round face that perpetually beamed with good humor. Henry Knox was jovial, gregarious, quick of wit, fat, and very active. John Adams described him as one “of pleasing manners and inquisitive turn …
During the exceptionally cold winter month of February, 1778. The colonialists’ cause for freedom was slowly being strangled by a superior force. In this, America’s darkest hour, a ‘foreigner’ came to the aid of the struggling nation’s army and taught it how to stand up before the enemy and fight. That man was Baron Fredrich …
“I never in my life saw better rifles, or men who shot better, than those in America.” Lt. Colonel George Hanger, 4th Baron Coleraine, considered one of the finest marksmen in all of Europe. Lt. Colonel Hanger served with Hessian Jaegers, German huntsmen who all carried rifles, and later with Banastre Tarleton’s Legion. At the …
On October 18th, 1776, at first light, Colonel John Glover stood atop a hill and raised his spy-glass to look out over the harbor of Pell’s Point, NY along the Long Island Sound. He was flabbergasted. He saw what looked like upwards of over two hundred British ships sitting off shore. General William Howe was …
“I have once fought for the Virginians and by God, I will let them see that I can fight against them.” John Murray, Virginia Royal Governor Lord Dunmore, Fall of 1775 Royal Governor Lord Dunmore’s Fight to Retain Virginia as a Royal Colony was dealt a fatal blow with his loss to American Militia at …
In 1776, Trinity Church stood along Broadway on the high ground opposite the west end of Wall Street. It was one of three churches in the Anglican parish in New York City; the other two were St. Paul’s, located further north on Broadway and St. George’s to the east on Beekman’s Street. New York was …
Revolutionary war period cannon used by all armies was the standard smooth-bore muzzle-loading weapon that had not changed its design in the previous two hundred years. It would go on to remain very much the same for another hundred years. Cast in iron or bronze, a cannon was loaded with prepared cartridge of paper or …
Compared to the massive casualties sustained during the American Civil War, relatively few soldiers died in battle during the American Revolution. The reason for this disparity is in the technology and military tactics of the day. The Battle of Long Island, August 26th 1776, lasted just over four hours, and it is amazing that the …