Tag «Valley Forge»

Revolution in Crisis: America’s Darkest Hour

Pennsylvania Mutiny, January 1, 1781.

The American Revolution was teetering on ruin. But if you were to ask folks on the street to identify America’s darkest hour, except for the glazed looks of those who had slipped texts to their friends during high school history class, the common answer is Valley Forge, winter 1777-78. Wrong!  It was four years later …

General William Woodford: Battlefield to Prison Ship

William Woodford of Virginia (October 6, 1734 – November 13, 1780), southern aristocratic plantation owner, was born to a prestigious family of military tradition. At the very start of the American Revolution, he commanded the 2nd Virginia militia during the Battle of Great Bridge, resulting in a decisive victory labeled the southern Bunker Hill. Among …

Oneida Iroquois: America’s Ally and Polly Cooper who Helped Feed Washington’s Army at Valley Forge

Polly Cooper’s generosity and courage have long been honored by the Oneida Native American people over the generations as exemplar of the indomitable spirt of the Oneida. With the unveiling of the Oneida memorial at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington DC that honors Polly and her people’s contribution to the American Revolution, the United States …

Black Presence in the American Revolution: African American Percentage Was Higher Than We’ve Been Told

1st Rhode Island Regiment of all black soldiers.

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 …

Adjunct General: Washington’s Staff During the American Revolution

In Washington’s army, the role of Adjunct General was to keep all records. All of Washington’s orders were sent though the Adjunct and within the Adjunct’s department, they were registered, made official, and handwritten copies were made. He received multiple general instructions from Washington on a daily basis, whereupon he issued the necessary orders to …

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 …