The state of Delaware contributed some of the finest troops to serve in the Continental Army; the tiny state however saw only one battle fought within its borders during the Revolution: the battle of Cooch’s Bridge.
Fought on September 3, 1777, the battle, actually only a skirmish in size, was part of Washington’s tactics to delay the British as they marched on Philadelphia. The hand-picked light infantry corp of around 800 men under Brigadier General William Maxwell had been scouting and skirmishing with the British after their landing at Head of Elk in late August. Maxwell and his men on the morning of September 3 had prepared an ambush for the British south of Cooch’s bridge on the main road leading to Philadelphia. The British marched into the ambush. The Americans retreated after the British brought up enough troops to overwhelm the force of Maxwell if the Americans did not retreat. (more…)
A good video on the type of rations for troops at Valley Forge. The major problem for Washington during the Revolution was not the British; his chief dilemma was keeping his army from dissolving from lack of food and clothes. The American economy was in near collapse throughout the Revolution, due to the disruptions caused by military operations, the British blockade of the ports held by the Americans, the seizure of major ports by the British, rampant inflation caused by the currency issued by Congress, the infamous Continental, lacking any security other than a promise of payment in gold if the Americans miraculously won their struggle, and this had a major impact on the ability of Congress to keep the troops supplied. It must also be stated that Congress, the states and much of the American people were often shamefully neglectful of the troops struggling against the odds to win their lop-sided conflict against the mightiest empire in the world.
At Valley Forge Washington wrote, “that unless some great and capital change suddenly takes place … this Army must inevitably … Starve, dissolve, or disperse, in order to obtain subsistence in the best manner they can.” Some 2000 of Washington’s 12000 troops would die before the winter encampment ended, dying from disease, little food and inadequate clothing. Instead of dissolving however, the troops trained, being taught how to manuever on the battlefield through the drill drummed into them by General Von Steuben who joined the army during the winter. By the time the army took the field and fought the British at Monmouth, the ragged Continentals were able to stand toe to toe against the best regiments in the British army. (more…)
Congress on April 3, 1776 formally authorized American privateers to raid British merchant ships. In this Congress was merely recognizing what was already well under way, the patriot governments of the various colonies having issued letters of marque and reprisal since the beginning of hostilities. The British parliament would authorize privateers against American merchant ships in December 1776.
Privateers were a traditional part of European naval war which fitted in well with the American national character. Private operations, a common seamen on board a privateer after a successful cruise of capturing several British ships, could come back home with a small fortune in his pocket, often enough to purchase a small farm, or an inn, or set himself up in trade. Privateers led by more daring commanders would even make prizes of several smaller ships of the Royal Navy. Of course the risks were commensurate with the rewards, with death by sinking, or the slow death of rotting away in a British prison hulk if a crew was captured, ever a possibility. Most American sailors were eager to take the risk, so many that the Continental Navy often found it difficult to man its ships. Some 11, 500 Americans died on the British prison ships, more than were killed in battle in all wars of America up to the Mexican War. The dead are remembered in the Prison Ship Martyr’s Monument in Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn. (more…)
Two hundred and forty years ago the War of Independence officially ended with the ratification of the Treaty of Paris by Congress. Nine states were needed under the Articles of Confederation to ratify the treaty and with the rough winter of 1783-1784 only seven states were represented in Congress meeting in Annapolis, Maryland. The arrival of delegates from Connecticut and South Carolina on January 13 and January 14 allowed the treaty to be ratified unanimously by the delegates present. Congress had previously on April 11, 1783 announced the cessation of hostilities with Great Britain. The British had evacuated New York City on November 25, 1783, their last major foothold in the new United States. Member of Congress Edward Hand of Pennsylvania, who had served in the Continental Army and risen to the rank of Major General, shared the hopes of many of the American people when he wrote: “God grant the Peace may be perpetual & productive of every happiness to America, as I think it commences with the joint & full accord of all her good Citizens.”
A nice rendition of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem, The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere. The poem was published in January of 1861 on the eve of the Civil War which gives added meaning to the closing lines of the poem:
For, borne on the night-wind of the Past, Through all our history, to the last, In the hour of darkness and peril and need, The people will waken and listen to hear The hurrying hoof-beats of that steed, And the midnight message of Paul Revere. (more…)
The year 1775 ended on a note of defeat for the Americans. Since December 6, 1776 the city had been under siege by the combined forces of General Richard Montgomery and Colonel Benedict Arnold. Twelve hundred Americans confronted 1800 British regulars and French Canadian militia. The Americans realized that the British would eventually strongly reinforce Quebec by sea, and that a prolonged siege in the teeth of a Canadian winter would probably do far more harm to the besiegers than the besieged.
Thus before dawn on December 31, 1775, in the midst of a blizzard, the Americans began a two pronged assault on the lower town of Quebec, the plan being that the forces led by Montgomery and Arnold would meet in the lower town, and then scale the walls of the upper town.
Washington crossing the Delaware is ingrained in the American psyche, and well it should be. Without Washington’s brilliant attack at Trenton against the Hessian garrison stationed there on December 26, 1776, his subsequent maneuver around the reacting British force under General Cornwallis, and his victory at Princeton on January 3, 1777, it is likely that the American Revolution would have died during the winter of 1776-1777, Washington’s army dissolving in the gloom and pessimism brought on by the string of American defeats of 1776. Instead, Washington’s victories brought out fresh levies of patriot militia from New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware, strengthening Washington’s army and causing the British to retreat from New Jersey. In the span of a week, Washington and his men altered the likely outcome of the American Revolution, and all subsequent history. Here is Washington’s report to the Continental Congress on the victory at Trenton:
Sir: I have the pleasure of Congratulating you upon the success of an enterprize which I had formed against a Detachment of the Enemy lying in Trenton, and which was executed yesterday Morning. The Evening of the 25th I ordered the Troops intended for this Service [which were about 2400] to parade back of McKonkey’s Ferry, that they might begin to pass as soon as it grew dark, imagining we should be able to throw them all over, with the necessary Artillery, by 12 O’Clock, and that we might easily arrive at Trenton by five in the Morning, the distance being about nine Miles. But the Quantity of Ice, made that Night, impeded the passage of the Boats so much, that it was three O’Clock before the Artillery could all get over, and near four, before the Troops took up their line of march.
This made me despair of surprising the Town, as I well knew we could not reach it before the day was fairly broke, but as I was certain there was no making a Retreat without being discovered, and harassed on repassing the River, I determined to push on at all Events. I form’d my detachments into two divisions one to March by the lower or River Road, the other by the upper or Pennington Road. As the Divisions had nearly the same distance to March, I ordered each of them, immediately upon forcing the out Guards, to push directly into the Town, that they might charge the Enemy before they had time to form. The upper Division arrived at the Enemys advanced post, exactly at Eight O’Clock, and in three Minutes after, I found, from the fire on the lower Road that, that Division had also got up. The out Guards made but small Opposition, tho’ for their Numbers, they behaved very well, keeping up a constant retreating fire from behind Houses. We presently saw their main Body formed, but from their Motions, they seemed undetermined how to act. Being hard pressed by our Troops, who had already got possession of part of their Artillery, they attempted to file off by a road on their right leading to Princetown, but perceiving their Intention, I threw a body of Troops in their Way which immediately checked them. Finding from our disposition that they were surrounded, and that they must inevitably be cut to pieces if they made any further Resistance, they agreed to lay down their Arms. The Number, that submitted in this manner, was 23 Officers and 886 Men. Col Rall. the commanding Officer with seven others were found wounded in the Town. I dont exactly know how many they had killed, but I fancy not above twenty or thirty, as they never made any regular Stand. Our loss is very trifling indeed, only two Officers and one or two privates wounded. I find, that the Detachment of the Enemy consisted of the three Hessian Regiments of Lanspatch, Kniphausen and Rohl amounting to about 1500 Men, and a Troop of British Light Horse, but immediately upon the begining of the Attack, all those who were, not killed or taken, pushed directly down the Road towards Bordentown. These would likewise have fallen into our hands, could my plan have been compleatly carried into Execution. Genl. Ewing was to have crossed before day at Trenton Ferry, and taken possession of the Bridge leading out of Town, but the Quantity of Ice was so great, that tho’ he did every thing in his power to effect it, he could not get over.(more…)
The American Revolution was in the process of dying 247 years ago as General George Washington revealed in letters to his cousin Lund Washington who looked after Mount Vernon for the General during the War.
Falls of Delaware,South Side,
10 December, 1776
.
Dear Lund,
* * * * * *
I wish to Heaven it was in my power to give you a more favorable account of our situation than it is. Our numbers, quite inadequate to the task of opposing that part of the army under the command of General Howe, being reduced by sickness, desertion, and political deaths (on or before the first instant, and having no assistance from the militia), were obliged to retire before the enemy, who were perfectly well informed of our situation, till we came to this place, where I have no idea of being able to make a stand, as my numbers, till joined by the [78] Philadelphia militia, did not exceed three thousand men fit for duty. Now we may be about five thousand to oppose Howe’s whole army, that part of it excepted which sailed under the command of Gen. Clinton. I tremble for Philadelphia. Nothing, in my opinion, but Gen. Lee’s speedy arrival, who has been long expected, though still at a distance (with about three thousand men), can save it. We have brought over and destroyed all the boats we could lay our hands on upon the Jersey shore for many miles above and below this place; but it is next to impossible to guard a shore for sixty miles, with less than half the enemy’s numbers; when by force or strategem they may suddenly attempt a passage in many different places. At present they are encamped or quartered along the other shore above and below us (rather this place, for we are obliged to keep a face towards them) for fifteen miles. * * *
December 17, ten miles above the Falls.
* * * I have since moved up to this place, to be more convenient to our great and extensive defences of this river. Hitherto, by our destruction of the boats, and vigilance in watching the fords of the river above the falls (which are now rather high), we have prevented them from crossing; but how long we shall be able to do it God only knows, as they are still hovering about the river. And if every thing else fails, will wait till the 1st of January, when there will be no other men to oppose them but militia, none of which but those from Philadelphai, mentioned [79] in the first part of the letter, are yet come (although I am told some are expected from the back counties). When I say none but militia, I am to except the Virginia regiments and the shattered remains of Smallwood’s, which, by fatigue, want of clothes, &c., are reduced to nothing—Weedon’s, which was the strongest, not having more than between one hundred and thirty to one hundred and forty men fit for duty, the rest being in the hospitals. The unhappy policy of short enlistments and a dependence upon militia will, I fear, prove the downfall of our cause, though early pointed out with an almost prophetic spirit! Our cause has also received a severe blow in the captivity of Gen. Lee. Unhappy man! Taken by his own imprudence, going three or four miles from his own camp, and within twenty of the enemy, notice of which by a rascally Tory was given a party of light horse seized him in the morning after travelling all night, and carried him off in high triumph and with every mark of indignity, not even suffering him to get his hat or surtout coat. The troops that were under his command are not yet come up with us, though they, I think, may be expected to-morrow. A large part of the Jerseys have given every proof of disaffection that they can do, and this part of Pennsylvania are equally inimical. In short, your imagination can scarce extend to a situation more distressing than mine. Our only dependence now is upon the speedy enlistment of a new army. If this fails, I think the game will be pretty well up, as, from disaffection and want of spirit and fortitude, the inhabitants, [80] instead of resistance, are offering submission and taking protection from Gen. Howe in Jersey. * * * I am &c.(more…)
A skilled seamstress, Elizabeth “Betsy” Ross was noted for her beauty and her patriotism. Twenty-three at the start of the Revolution, she would lose two husbands during the War, the second a mariner who died in a British jail. It is little wonder that she was an ardent patriot. She sewed not only flags, but tents, uniforms and blankets for the American forces. She was the mother of six daughters, one by her second husband, and the remainder with her third. Her descendants kept alive the family tradition that she sewed the first American flag. There is no contemporary evidence for that, although she did know General Washington, and if she did not sew the first flag, it is clear that she was among the first seamstresses to sew American flags. She outlived her third husband by nineteen years, dying at age 84 in Philadelphia in a free America.
“I am a Jew; it is my own nation; I do not despair that we shall obtain every other privilege that we aspire to enjoy along with our fellow-citizens.”
Haym Salomon
One of the main problems confronting the American patriots during their struggle against Great Britain was financing the Revolution. Largely cut off from trade with Europe by British blockade and occupation of the major American ports throughout the War, American finances throughout the conflict were in a state of perpetual collapse. Somehow the Americans, barely, found the funds to keep their armies in the field until victory was achieved, and one of the prime heroes of the financial portion of the American Revolution was merchant and financier Haym Salomon.
Born in Lezno, Poland in 1740, Salomon was a descendant of Jewish refugees from Portugal. As a young man he traveled throughout Western Europe gaining the mercantile skills that would serve him throughout his career and displaying a facility in learning languages, becoming proficient in eight. In 1775 he settled in New York City as a financial broker for foreign merchants. He swiftly became an ardent patriot and joined the local Sons of Liberty.
After the British conquered New York City, Salomon was arrested as a spy and served 18 months. The British made use of his linguistic skills to communicate with their Hessian mercenaries. Salomon secretly urged the Hessians to desert and helped other Americans escape captivity. Arrested again by the British in 1778, and this time sentenced to death, Salomon escaped and made his way to Philadelphia. Resuming his work as a financier, he swiftly rose to prominence, becoming the agent of the French consul to America and paymaster of the French forces in North America.
In 1781 he began to work closely with Robert Morris, the Superintendent of Finance for the Continental Congress. He skillfully sold $600,000.00 in bills of exchange to raise desperately needed funds for the War effort. He played a pivotal role in the Yorktown campaign. Washington needed at least $20,000.00 to finance the sending of his army to Virginia. Told by Robert Morris that there were no funds and no credit, Washington gave him this order: Send for Haym Salomon. Working his financial wizardry, Salomon raised the funds that allowed the Continental Army to win the War at Yorktown. (more…)
Donald R. McClarey
Paul Zummo
Almost Chosen People 