Author Archives: Mark Maloy
George Washington’s Hometown: Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria, Virginia, often thought of as merely a suburb of Washington, D.C., is actually one of the most historic towns in the United States. The town, founded in 1749, predates the nation’s capital and the nation itself. While most towns … Continue reading
An Irish Catholic Hero of the Revolution
One of the great unsung heroes of the American Revolution was an Irish Catholic colonel in the Continental Army who called Alexandria, Virginia home. His name was John Fitzgerald and he would be by George Washington’s side during some of … Continue reading
Victory or Death
Early on the morning of December 26, 1776, George Washington and his 2,400 man army went running into the Hessian occupied village of Trenton, New Jersey. It was snowing hard that morning and the one American soldier recalled that “we … Continue reading
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, 1776
There was perhaps no darker Christmas Eve in American history than in 1776. The cause of American liberty and independence was on the very verge of disintegration. General George Washington’s army (that had once had more than 20,000 soldiers) had … Continue reading
“I die hard; but I am not afraid to go.” – George Washington’s Final Battle
George Washington died on December 14, 1799. On December 12, 1799, the celebrated Revolutionary War general and former president rode around his beloved Virginia plantation, Mount Vernon. Despite the fact it was snowing and sleeting, Washington spent five hours in … Continue reading
Is the Mercer Legacy Secure?
In one of the songs of the Broadway hit Hamilton, the character of Aaron Burr says: “Did ya hear the news about good old General Mercer? You know Clermont Street? They renamed it after him. The Mercer legacy is secure.” … Continue reading
Hugh Mercer’s Last Companion
While walking through the Willis cemetery, located at the top of Marye’s Heights in Fredericksburg, Virginia, I encountered the grave of an American patriot from the Revolutionary War, George Washington Lewis. Lewis, as it turns out was George Washington’s nephew … Continue reading