Category: Memory

Review: The Ghost Ship of Brooklyn, An Untold Story of the American Revolution by Robert P. Watson

On By Phill GreenwaltIn Book Review, Common Soldier, Continental Leadership, Memory, MonumentsLeave a comment

ERW Book Reviews (1)

Andersonville. Bataan. Auschwitz. All conjure up images of disillusion, devastation, and death.

All are infamously known as harsh prisoner-of-war camps. When those words are read, images flash through your mind and memory of hollow faces attached to gaunt bodies staring blankly in the direction of the cameraman.GhostShip_300x456

With Robert P. Watson’s new history, The Ghost Ship of Brookly, An Untold Story of the American Revolution, one can add another word to the lexicon of prison camp vernacular.

Jersey.

Or a few more words specifically, the HMS Jersey.  Continue reading “Review: The Ghost Ship of Brooklyn, An Untold Story of the American Revolution by Robert P. Watson” →

“I hope my visit to Boston will do good…” Confederate Colonel John S. Mosby and American Revolution

On By Rob OrrisonIn Civilian, Memory, Minute Men, Monuments, UncategorizedLeave a comment

A version of this post appeared in the Emerging Civil War blog on August 17, 2018.

396781_3669473495948_5063264_n
John S. Mosby, photographed here as a Federal civil servant

Those who know me know of my “interest” in famous Confederate partisan, John S. Mosby. Ok, some would say “love affair,” but either way, I grew up reading about Mosby and his exploits during the Civil War. It was not until later in my life that I started to read about the most interesting part of Mosby’s life—not his time in the war, but his time AFTER the war.

Mosby had a deep interest and passion in American history and you can see that on a trip that Mosby took north in April 1906 to one of the sacred sites of America’s founding: Boston, Massachusetts. In a 1906 letter to his friend Sam Chapman (a former member of Mosby’s Rangers), Mosby describes his visit and the many ironies (as a southerner) he experienced. Continue reading ““I hope my visit to Boston will do good…” Confederate Colonel John S. Mosby and American Revolution” →

The Battle of Groton Heights, September 6, 1781: The Fort Griswold Massacre

On By Eric J. WittenbergIn Armies, Battlefields & Historic Places, Battles, British Leadership, Campaigns, Common Soldier, Continental Leadership, Memory, Militia (Patriot) Leadership, Monuments, Northern Theater, Personalities, Photography, Preservation, Revolutionary War1 Comment

Part Three
Click here for parts one and two.

With British soldiers pouring into the fort, Colonel Ledyard ordered a ceasefire, and prepared to surrender Fort Griswold to the victorious British. However, the British disregarded the ceasefire and continuing pouring fire into the American garrison, killing or wounding nearly all of the fort’s defenders. “I believe there was not less than five or six hundred men of the enemy on the parade in the fort,” claimed American soldier Rufus Avery. “They killed and wounded nearly every man in the fort as quick as they could.”

battleofgrotonheights_giclee_p3y8

Maj. Stephen Bromfield, the ranking British officer after Montgomery fell, called out, “Who commands this fort?” Ledyard stepped forward and responded, “I did, sir, but you do now.” Another American, Jonathan Rathbun, watched Bromfield run Ledyard through the heart and lungs with Ledyard’s own sword:

     “…the wretch who murdered him [Ledyard], exclaimed, as he came near, “Who
    commands this fort?” Ledyard handsomely replied, “I did, but you do now,” at the same
moment handing him his sword, which the unfeeling villain buried in his breast! Oh, the
hellish spite and madness of a man that will murder a reasonable and noble-hearted
    officer, in the act of submitting and surrendering!”

Continue reading “The Battle of Groton Heights, September 6, 1781: The Fort Griswold Massacre” →

Preserve Washington’s Legacy

On By erwpostIn Battlefields & Historic Places, Battles, Campaigns, Memory, Northern Theater, Personalities, Preservation, Revolutionary WarLeave a comment

If you follow Campaign 1776, the initiative by our friends at Civil War Trust, you are familiar with the saga over the Princeton Battlefield. Now you have a chance to help as well.

Battle of Princeton - Death of Mercer by Trumbull (Yale)
Battle of Princeton, Death of Mercer by Trumbull (courtesy of Yale University)

Continue reading “Preserve Washington’s Legacy” →

Reporting Success on a Monday!

On By erwpostIn Battlefields & Historic Places, Memory, Monuments, National Park Service, Preservation, Revolutionary WarLeave a comment

With the start of the work week, some folks loath logging onto the computer to check work email, news, and updates. If you are one of those folks, keep reading, as the news we are about to share is positive and exciting.

campaign-1776-logo-220This past Thursday, July 27, 2017, Campaign 1776, the initiative of the Civil War Trust, announced the preservation of 184 acres at two sites in New York state. One tract of land was pivotal to the United States success in the Saratoga Campaign in 1777 and where a U.S. fleet was saved during the War of 1812.

The Battle of Fort Ann, fought on July 8, 1777 was a four-hour affair and was influential in the course of the larger Saratoga Campaign as it affected the British’s attempt to secure the strategically important Hudson River Valley. The delay around Fort Ann and every delay on the route of General John Burgoyne’s push south aided the Patriot cause tremendously.

Fast-forward to the War of 1812 and Sackets Harbor, New York provided as safe-haven for the United States fleet operating on the Great Lakes. Horse Island and the harbor that gained prominence during the May 29, 1813 offensive by the British, is where 24 acres were saved by Campaign 1776. The battlefield, which was one of 19 sites that benefited from $7.2 million in grants announced earlier in July and the first War of 1812 site anywhere in the country to be awarded money since the National Park Service expanded the grant opportunities in 2014.

Not just one success, but two for this Monday morning! For the full report, courtesy of our friends at Civil War Trust, click here.

 

Part Two: The Battle of Groton Heights, September 6, 1781: The Fort Griswold Massacre

On By Eric J. WittenbergIn Battlefields & Historic Places, Battles, British Leadership, Continental Leadership, Memory, Monuments, Preservation, Revolutionary WarLeave a comment

For Part One, click here.

Lt. Col. Edmund Eyre’s battalion of 800 Regulars and Loyalists landed on the east bank of the Thames River, facing tangled woodlands and swamps. The New Jersey Loyalists, in fact, had so much difficulty moving the artillery that they did not participate in the assault on Fort Griswold.

19554343_10159163061815413_6728549902399513958_n
Model of Fort Griswold (author collection)

Eyre sent a Captain Beckwith to the fort under a flag of truce to demand its surrender. Ledyard called a council of war and consulted with his officers. The Americans believed that a large force of militiamen would answer the call, and that this augmented force could defend the fort. Ledyard responded by sending an American flag to meet the British flag bearer. The American told Beckwith, “Colonel Ledyard will maintain the fort to its last extremity.” Displeased by the response, Eyre sent a second flag, threatening no quarter if the militia did not surrender. Ledyard gave the same response even though some of the Americans suggested that they should leave the fort and fight outside instead.  Continue reading “Part Two: The Battle of Groton Heights, September 6, 1781: The Fort Griswold Massacre” →

American Revolutionary Era Reading Lists

On By erwpostIn Book Review, Memory, Revolutionary WarLeave a comment

Recently, a few emails have appeared in the Emerging Revolutionary War (ERW) email detailing lists of books to read on the American Revolutionary Era. During the summer months, when large segments of the population hit the road for vacations, ERW thought a post about what books to nab for that trip would be a helpful tidbit of information.

Museum of the American RevolutionOne of the emails was from our friends at The Museum of the American Revolution and was geared toward younger audiences. The books were geared toward different age groups, bracketed for 12 years and up, ages 7 to 12 years, and then ages 2 to 7. A final category was for graphic novels.

Reaching younger enthusiasts is the goal of many preservation and/or historic sites and this list is a great way to get them involved during the summer months. Check out the entire list here.

Lastly, if so inclined, the Museum sends out a “Read the Revolution” email list via their website to read reviews of applicable books.

The other email was our friends at the Journal of the American Revolution and was geared toward adults as it tabulated “The 100 Best American Revolution Books of All Time.” The list is broken down into different categories, including but limited to, “all-in-one” histories, people, politics, and conflict and war.

Journal of the American Revolution

For the complete listing, click here. How many have you read? What has been your favorite?

Happy Reading!

ERW Weekender: Cornwallis House

On By Phill GreenwaltIn Battlefields & Historic Places, British Leadership, Campaigns, Memory, Revolutionary War, Southern TheaterLeave a comment
IMG_0461
Cornwallis House, Winnsboro, South Carolina

In the quaint South Carolina town of Winnsboro, a few miles off of current Interstate-77 sites a two-story stands one of the oldest dwellings in a town founded by Richard Winn of Virginia a few years before the start of the American Revolution.

Yet, it was during those hostilities that one of the more famous military leaders came to “Winnsborough” as it was sometimes listed on maps of the time. His name, Lord Charles Cornwallis, the overall commander of British forces in the Southern Colonies. He would use the house during the winter of 1780-1781.

The house itself is an enigma. The structure dates to pre-1776 obviously, but the builder and owner of the house is still not known. Yet, it is well document that the house did serve during the labeled “winter of discontent” for the British and Cornwallis.

Across the street resides the Mount Zion Institute which became quarters for British soldiers during that winter of 1780-1781.

After the conflict the property and house was deeded to Captain John Buchanan, a veteran of the American Revolution. Buchanan was part of the welcoming party for the Marquis de Lafayette when the Frenchman landed at Georgetown, South Carolina.

Although not open to the public, special requests will be entertained. Click here for the link below for more information on the house and also who to contact for those special arrangements.

ERW Weekender: Bunker Hill Monument & Museum

On By erwguestIn Battlefields & Historic Places, Battles, British Leadership, Campaigns, Common Soldier, Memory, Monuments, National Park Service, Northern Theater, Preservation, Revolutionary War1 Comment

Emerging Revolutionary War welcomes back guest historian Katie Turner Getty. 

Towering over Charlestown, Massachusetts, its foundation set in sacred battleground soil, the Bunker Hill Monument is a 221 foot obelisk commemorating the Battle of Bunker Hill. The cornerstone of the monument was laid by the Marquis De Lafayette in 1825, fifty years after the battle was fought on June 17, 1775.

BunkerHillMon-KTGetty
Bunker Hill Monument (author collection)

Although the land surrounding the monument has been greatly developed since the battle, visitors today can get still get a sense of the 18th-century landscape just by walking through Charlestown and climbing the hill to reach Monument Square. Approaching visitors are greeted by the statue of Colonel William Prescott, the gray granite of the monument serving as an impressive backdrop behind him. Continue reading “ERW Weekender: Bunker Hill Monument & Museum” →

Memorial Day

On By Phill GreenwaltIn Battlefields & Historic Places, MemoryLeave a comment

Memorial Day, the last Monday of May, commemorates the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice in defense of this country. I wanted to take the moment to remember all those who gave their life in service to this country. Thank you!

The picture below is of Chalmette National Cemetery, which is now preserved by the National Park Service, as part of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. In total, over 15,300 United States veterans are interred there, serving in armed conflicts from the War of 1812 through the Vietnam War.

IMG_8609
Chalmette National Cemetery (author collection)

In the theme of the Revolutionary War Era, in which this blog is dedicated, one of the most famous quotes to come out of any soldiers’ mouths about giving their life for the cause of American independence was from Nathan Hale.

Hale, about to be executed for espionage, uttered the now famous words;“I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”

Or can you think of another one?