Minuteman Myth & Citizen Soldiers of the American Revolution

            “…any dependence on Militia is assuredly resting on a broken staff” George Washington Ask most Americans what comes to mind when the word, “minuteman” is mentioned. They will no doubt answer something to the affect that they were eighteenth century citizen patriot militias who, within a minute’s notice, grabbed their muskets and fought for …

Music in Colonial America

The vast majority of music performed and heard in the colonies of America was melodies carried down from generation to generation over the centuries; ballads and bawdy drinking songs that told stories of love, adventures, battles, political strife, and humorous tales.   Hymns both secular and sacred were always popular and many new ones were composed …

Diseases and Epidemics During Revolutionary America 1763 – 1783

The Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia compiled the most extensive report about diseases and success rates of doctors during the Revolutionary War Period. Aside from mental disorders which affected nearly one fifth of all patients, half of the hospital’s cases concerned seven disorders: scurvy – 15%, fevers – 9%, venereal disease – 9%, dropsy – 6%, …

Notes on the Declaration of Independence. Freedom’s Paradox.

Come all you brave soldiers, both valiant and free, It’s for Independence we all now agree; Let us gird on our swords, and prepare to defend, Our liberty, property, ourselves and our friends.                                   –Jonathan Mitchell Sewall July 2nd, 1776, the beginnings of the British fleet had arrived New York Harbor.  Americans lined the piers …

Life in the Continental Army Camp During the American Revolution

Contrary to general belief, the term ‘rebel’ was not used solely when referring to Confederate soldiers during the American Civil War. It was first commonly applied to Americans who fought for independence from Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War. The British often referred to the rebellious rabble that formed a new government and army …

Guard Duty During the American Revolution

Alone “’Tis nothing – a private or two, now and then, Will not count in the news of the battle; Not an officer lost – only one of the men, Moaning out, all alone, the death rattle.”[1] From “The Picket Guard” by Ethel Lynn Beers. First published in Harper’s Weekly, November 30, 1861. The lone sentry looks hard …

Industry in the American Colonies was Non-existent. European Goods Preferred Over ‘Homespun’

The American colonies produced much of the raw material used to manufacture fine linen. Up to the time of the Revolution, the finest materials traditionally came from overseas; American-made was scorned as homespun and worn only during work or by those of lesser means. This reputation was altered drastically during the time of the Revolutionary …

Battle of Charleston and Fort Sullivan: American Victory and Hope in 1776

Throughout the American Revolution the British demonstrated a wonderful incapacity to evolve an over-all strategy to crush the rebellion. They first moved against New England, regarded as the prime instigator of sedition. When that move failed, [the British forces, with a fleet of Tories in tow, evacuated Boston to Halifax], they transferred their main operations …