Non-Profit Dedicated to Historical Education of the American Revolution and the Colonial Period
The Battle of Block Island, April 6, 1776, was between the British 20-gun frigate HMS Glasgow and the first fleet launched by an infant United Colonies Navy, led by its first commander, Commodore Esk Hopkins. Some scholars considered the contest a British victory, while most concur the battle was a draw. Four American ships, all …
On November 10, 1775, the future United States Marine Corps was officially born. The Second Continental Congress authorized the raising of two battalions of Continental Marines to be drawn from General George Washington’s army outside Boston. They would be commanded by one colonel, two lieutenant colonels, and two majors, with the subordinate officers chosen along …