Author Archives: Rob Orrison

Washington Redskins…a team rooted in Revolutionary War History?

Posted on July 13, 2020

There is much debate today about names of streets, buildings, and sports teams. One team that has been in the headlines for several years about their name is the Washington Redskins. Now, I have to be upfront…I have been a … Continue reading →

Posted in Memory, Monuments, Native American, Social History, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

“The Sword is Now Drawn…” The Powder Incident, Lexington and Concord moves Virginia to Revolution

Posted on April 29, 2020

One of the most amazing parts of the events on April 19, 1775 is just how sophisticated the colonial information network was. As soon as Lt. Col. Francis Smith’s British Regulars began to move across the Charles River, riders fanned … Continue reading →

Posted in Arms & Armaments, Battlefields & Historic Places, Battles, British Leadership, Civilian, Militia (Patriot) Leadership, Personalities, Revolutionary War, Uncategorized, Weapons | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

ERW in the Hudson Valley: 4th Annual ERW Trip

Posted on November 18, 2019

Just over two weeks ago, ERW historians Billy Griffith, Phillip Greenwalt, Mark Maloy, Rob Orrison and Kevin Pawlak took a long weekend trip up to upstate New York. This was the fourth year that ERW authors have gotten together to take … Continue reading →

Posted in African-American, Armies, Arms & Armaments, Battlefields & Historic Places, Battles, Campaigns, Civilian, Common Soldier, French and Indian War, Memory, Monuments, National Park Service, Northern Theater, Photography, Preservation, Revolutionary War, Uncategorized, Weapons | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Gentlemen, what is best to be done?” Gates Moves Towards Camden and Makes a Fateful Decision

Posted on August 16, 2019

Picking up the story of Camden from Thursday morning, we continue with Col. Otho Holland Williams comments on the events on the evening of August 15th. As Gates’ army moved southward at night, a dangerous undertaking even with a professional … Continue reading →

Posted in Armies, Battlefields & Historic Places, Battles, British Leadership, Campaigns, Revolutionary War, Southern Theater, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“troops will observe the profoundest silence upon the march…” Gen. Gates’ Orders on August 15, 1780

Posted on August 15, 2019

Two hundred and thirty nine years ago today from his camp at Rugeley’s Mill, SC, American General Horatio Gates issued the following orders to his Southern Army to move on to the British post of Camden, SC. “The sick, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Armies, Battlefields & Historic Places, Battles, Campaigns, Revolutionary War, Southern Theater, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

George Washington’s “Favorite” Charles Lee

Posted on July 15, 2019

When you mention the name “Charles Lee” in many Revolutionary War circles, one immediately thinks of Maj. Gen. Charles Lee. Though there was another Charles Lee and it can be argued provided more contributions to the United States than the … Continue reading →

Posted in Charles Lee, Civilian, Continental Leadership, Personalities, Politics, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Announcing the First Emerging Revolutionary War Symposium!

Posted on May 5, 2019

Mark your calendars for September 28, 2019!  Emerging Revolutionary War is excited to announce that we are partnering with Gadsby’s Tavern Museum and The Lyceum of Alexandria, VA to bring to you a day long Symposium focusing on the American … Continue reading →

Posted in Armies, Arms & Armaments, Battles, British Leadership, Campaigns, Civilian, Common Soldier, Continental Congress, French and Indian War, Memory, Militia (Loyalist) Leadership, Militia (Patriot) Leadership, Minute Men, Northern Theater, Personalities, Politics, Preservation, Revolutionary War, Uncategorized, Women | Leave a comment

Alexander Hamilton’s “First” Duel

Posted on February 19, 2019

Alexander Hamilton has reappeared as a modern pop star with the wide success of the Broadway musical “Hamilton.” Due to this success, most people today know that Alexander Hamilton met his end in a duel with Aaron Burr on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Alexander Hamilton, Battlefields & Historic Places, Battles, Continental Congress, Continental Leadership, Memory, Personalities, Politics, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Book Review: A Battlefield Atlas of the American Revolution by Craig L. Symonds

Posted on November 16, 2018

As a young history buff, I remember well wearing out the pages of the original A Battlefield Atlas of American Revolution by Craig Symonds. Though I have no idea where that well worn out book is today, I am happy … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, Emerging Revolutionary War | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

“In the deepest distress and anxiety of mind…” Gen. Gates letter to Congress on the Battle of Camden

Posted on August 16, 2018

238 years ago today the United States military suffered one of its worst defeats. The Battle of Camden, fought on August 16, 1780 just a few miles north of Camden, SC was a total defeat for the American “Grand Army” … Continue reading →

Posted in Armies, Battlefields & Historic Places, Battles, Campaigns, Memory, Militia (Patriot) Leadership, Personalities, Preservation, Revolutionary War, Southern Theater, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments