Category Archives: Revolutionary War

George Washington Inspires His Troops in 1777

Posted on by July 5, 2016

GeorgeWashingtonMost of us remember a little bit about the Revolutionary War as we learned it in our youth. We can recall the heroic efforts of Colonel Knox at Boston as he was requested to recover lost cannon and other materiel lost at Fort Ticonderoga. We remember the victory at Dorchester. Then the move to New York, where George and his valiant soldiers were chased from Long Island, lost at several posts along the retreat, and moved to New Jersey.

The famous painting of George Washington and his military crossing the Delaware reminds us of his small but miraculous victories at Trenton and at Princeton. Spirits were raised again for the battles. read more

John Adams and Benjamin Franklin in France

Posted on by June 22, 2016

JohnAdamsAfter Benjamin Franklin was sent to France by Congress, John Adams was soon sent to join and assist him in his labors. Adams and Franklin were very different personalities. Ben was very patient, diplomatic, affable and even affectionate.

John Adams, on the other hand was terse, undiplomatic, impatient, and even gruff at times. Ben and John didn’t see eye to eye on how to proceed. Finally John became so impatient that he uncharacteristically left his assignment and travelled to Amsterdam where he was able to be introduced to some Dutch bankers. Men who controlled money. He was able to convince them to come to the aid of the Colonies, and save the Revolution at desperate time in the War. Thus saving the armies of Washington. read more

George Washington A Hero

Posted on by June 9, 2016

GeorgeWashingtonI’m sure you’ve heard some of those strange stories that claim that my hero, George Washington got himself appointed Commander in Chief so that he could amass more wealth! Not at all true.

Instead of increasing his wealth, he actually lost much of it. As you will recall from your high school history class, he asked only that his actual out of pocket expenses be reimbursed. He wanted not pay, no salary.

It has been estimated that “Washington’s cumulative financial losses from the war—from neglect of his lands, noncollection from delinquent debtors and tenants, stoppage of exportation, and rapid depreciation of paper money—rose to some $120,000.00.” That’s more than $1 million in today’s money. Think about that. read more

George Washington and His Mother

Posted on by June 2, 2016

GeorgeWashingtonIt’s not a tale usually told, but George Washington didn’t get along real well with his mother. He thought she was too controlling, too dominating, and too unpleasant around him. He always respected her and was honor bound to submit to her wishes.

George’s half-brother, Lawrence, was in the British Royal Navy. When he learned that the navy was looking for some more good men, he notified George. George thought that becoming a midshipman would let him engage in a life of adventure and would become glorious career. read more

Battle for Independence

Posted on by May 24, 2016

Ben Franklin thumb pictureYou may have missed it but the Revolutionary War ended in 1781 at Yorktown, VA. The particulars of that battle were amazing. So was the outcome. British General Cornwallis surrendered his army after the valiant efforts of the Americans and the French.

After the defeat at Yorktown, a friend of Benjamin Franklin approached him and said: “It looks as if the battle for independence is finally over.”

Franklin replied: “Sir, you are mistaken. The Revolutionary War may be over, but the battle for independence has just begun.” read more

George Washington’s Perseverance

Posted on by May 6, 2016

GeorgeWashingtonWashington was well known for sticking to a task that he had undertaken. He couldn’t be shaken from doing his duty, or fulfilling his promise.

After he had fought in the French and Indian War, served in the Virginia House of Burgesses, Served as Commander in Chief of the United Colonial Armies until he won the War, served as President of the Constitutional Convention, was unanimously elected, not once but twice as the President of the new United States of America, he finally wanted to return home to Mount Vernon to live out his life. The country wanted him to serve a third term as President, but he finally declined a job! He truly had served enough!! read more

George Washington Didn’t Quit

Posted on by May 4, 2016

GeorgeWashingtonOne thing that the British are certain about is that General George Washington never quit. No matter how difficult the challenge, or how bad the weather, or how small the number of recruits, George carried on. He was after all the unanimously appointed Commander in Chief of the United Colonial Army.

He carried on courageously until Yorktown when he became the ultimate winner. What a war. But he still wasn’t finished.

I just read a story about another person who would quit. For some reason it made me think of all Washington had to endure. read more

Connecticut Yankees

Posted on by April 26, 2016

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAToday the citizens of Connecticut will vote in their primary elections. Did you know that the State anthem of Connecticut is “Yankee Doodle”? I didn’t.

That is a very interesting song with a fascinating history. It was sung by the British during the French and Indian War to signify that the colonists weren’t very good soldiers. Not disciplined, not brave, not very smart.

Yankee Doodle went to town
A ridin on a pony.
Stuck a feather in his cap and called it macaroni. Etc. Etc.

It was later sung by the British in the Revolutionary War to indicate their disdain for the rebels. Then it was adopted by some of the Revolutionary Soldiers, to throw it back in the face of the Redcoats. read more

Thomas Jefferson’s Birthday!

Posted on by April 13, 2016

ThomasJeffersonThomas Jefferson should truly be remembered and honored today. What did he accomplish? I’ll just mention a few here. He graduated from William and Mary College and then studied law for 5 years under George Wythe, the first law professor in Virginia.

By then he was already an accomplished violinist and dancer. He fell in love with and married another musician, Martha Wayles Skelton. He had already begun construction on Montecello, so they moved in to the one room that was finished there. He worked on building and remodeling for the next 40 years. (If you haven’t been there, you should go to visit and to observe the detail and the beauty of his mansion on the hill. read more

What? A Violent Benjamin Franklin?

Posted on by April 11, 2016

Ben Franklin thumb pictureFranklin, of course, was first a printer. And a good one at that. Of course he needed things to print in his newspaper. He loved good stories. He even made some up—especially to discourage the British in the Revolutionary War.

Did he go too far? Only you can decide. In 1789, the year before Ben died, a newspaper article was printed in which Ben is reported to have said:

“My proposal, then, is to leave liberty of the press untouched, to be exercised in its full extent, force and vigor, but to permit liberty of the cudgel (which is a short and heavy club, for those of you who can’t remember your high school English) to go with it . . . .Thus, my fellow citizens, if an impudent writer attacks your reputation, dearer to you perhaps than your life, you may go to him openly and break his head.” (Clarence S. Brigham, Journals and Journeymen, Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1950, page 69. Emphasis omitted, spelling and capitalization modernized. read more