240th Anniversary of the “Shot Heard Around the World”

On April 19, 2015 By Rob OrrisonIn Battlefields & Historic Places, Revolutionary WarLeave a comment

As we remember the events around Bennett Place this weekend, keep in mind our friends near Boston are commemorating another important anniversary. Today marks the 240th anniversary of the battles of Lexington and Concord. To read more about the events taking place at Minuteman National Park, the Lexington Historical Society and the Concord Historical Society our friend J.L. Bell’s “Boston 1775” blog is an excellent resource. You may visit his blog by following the link: http://boston1775.blogspot.com/

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read our Rev War Wednesday posts. We hope shedding light on the events during the American Revolution gives more perspective to the events leading up to the American Civil War.

“A Negro Man”: Prince Estabrook of Lexington

On April 15, 2015 By Rob OrrisonIn Emerging Civil War, Revolutionary War3 Comments

As the British under Lt. Col. Francis Smith marched out of Lexington on the morning of April 19^th, they left behind them 18 American casualties. One of these men who suffered wounds that morning was Prince Estabrook. Estabrook was unlike the others who lined up that morning on the Lexington Green, Estabrook was an enslaved African American.

Prince Estabrook Service Record for June 1775

Born in the 1740’s and owned by Benjamin Estabrook there is little information on Prince’s life and family. Benjamin Estabrook operated a grist mill near Lexington and maintained a decent sized farm. Benjamin served in various positions in Lexington including coroner, justice of the peace and Selectman. He inherited Prince from his father and both men were near the same age. Prince enlisted in the Lexington militia in 1773 and his owner had to grant him the ability to do so. Continue reading ““A Negro Man”: Prince Estabrook of Lexington” →

Another Anniversary to Commemorate Next Week

On April 8, 2015 By Phill GreenwaltIn Emerging Civil War, Revolutionary War1 Comment

As we observe the beginning of the end of the American Civil War this week at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, another anniversary is just around the corner.

240 years and 10 days ago and approximately 630 miles the first shots of the American War of Independence was fired on Lexington Green on April 19, 1775.

Two events, two weeks in April. One commemorating the end of what some combatants at the time referred to as the Second American Revolution, whereas the other anniversary began the First American Revolution (if one sticks with that same theme).

So, as you finish your time tracing the last steps of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Court House head north and traverse the Battle Road between Boston, Lexington, and Concord.

Our friends at the national park, Minuteman National Historical Park have multiple events going on leading up to, through, and after the 19th of April.

Check out their events here; http://www.nps.gov/mima/planyourvisit/calendar.htm

Washington at Gettysburg

On April 1, 2015 By Phill GreenwaltIn Revolutionary War2 Comments

When thinking of generals at Gettysburg, for many, images of Lee, Longstreet, Meade, and Sickles race to the forefront of their historical memory. Avid readers and historians may even call to mind lesser-known major and brigadier generals of the battle. Those that feel they have mastered the climactic action of July 1863 and have dug deeper into the other numerous layers of Gettysburg may even associate the military rank with Eisenhower and his time in Adams County. Few, however, link the hero of the War for Independence and our nation’s first President to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Continue reading “Washington at Gettysburg” →

The Most Fateful Decision of April 19, 1775

On March 25, 2015 By Phill GreenwaltIn Emerging Civil War, Revolutionary War1 Comment

Lord Hugh Percy, the 2^nd Duke of Northumberland and holding the rank of brigadier general commanded the relief brigade that was ordered out from Boston by Sir Thomas Gage after Lieutenant Colonel Francis Smith had sent back a messenger asking for reinforcements.

Little did Lord Percy realize at the time that by the late afternoon of April 19^th, one quick decision saved the lives of countless British Redcoats and hundreds of American militia and minutemen. Continue reading “The Most Fateful Decision of April 19, 1775” →

The Shot Heard Round the World

On March 18, 2015 By Phill GreenwaltIn Battlefields & Historic Places, Battles, Revolutionary WarLeave a comment

Today, we are pleased to welcome back guest author Kate Gruber.

Ralph Waldo Emerson. Courtesy of the Library of Congress.

When American colonists reached for their newspapers on the morning of April 20, 1775—the day after the first shots fired at Lexington and Concord—they did not see the words “The Shot Heard Round The World!” emblazoned across the front page. Today, we use this phrase to describe the legendary first gunshot fired on Lexington Green, the gunshot that began the 8-year war for American independence from Britain. The words “the shot heard round the world” are as omnipresent in our collective memories as “one if by land, two if by sea,” and even “I have not yet begun to fight!” But did you know that this phrase did not exist during the American Revolution? In fact, the words “the shot heard round the world” were not penned until sixty years after the event, and were written not by an eyewitness to the action at Lexington and Concord, but by famed American poet (and Civil War contemporary) Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Continue reading “The Shot Heard Round the World” →

Cowpens: Defense in Depth

On March 18, 2015 By Phill GreenwaltIn Armies, Arms & Armaments, Battlefields & Historic Places, Battles, Revolutionary War, Weapons1 Comment

On a cold January morning 234 years ago, one of the most stunning events in American military history took place in a cattle pasture. Cowpens, South Carolina, was an overwhelming American victory, at a time when one was desperately needed.

What went so well? General Daniel Morgan understood the limitations and strengths of his troops, as well as those of his opponents. He used that to his advantage, along with a keen eye for terrain and a good understanding of the strategic satiation.

Continue reading “Cowpens: Defense in Depth” →

Looking Back to Cowpens: William J. Hardee and the Battle of Averasboro

On March 16, 2015 By Phill GreenwaltIn Armies, Battlefields & Historic Places, Battles, Campaigns, Common Soldier, Personalities, Revolutionary War3 Comments

After abandoning Fayetteville, North Carolina to Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman’s army group, Lieutenant General William J. Hardee withdrew his corps north of the city. Hardee had ordered the Clarendon Bridge over the Cape Fear River destroyed, removing the possibility of a vigorous pursuit by the Federals. The situation for the Confederates, however, remained dire. Hardee’s immediate superior, Gen. Joseph Johnston, was in the process of assembling a makeshift army to delay Sherman’s advance. By the middle of March, the forces that Johnston hoped to consolidate were still scattered throughout the state. More time would be needed for the Confederates to rendezvous. Since Hardee’s corps was naturally positioned to contest the enemy as they left Fayetteville, it would fall to him to engage Sherman once he resumed his march. The veteran officer would prove to be more than equal to the task.

Continue reading “Looking Back to Cowpens: William J. Hardee and the Battle of Averasboro” →

“Remember the Ladies”

On March 11, 2015 By Phill GreenwaltIn Revolutionary War3 Comments

March is Women’s History Month, a time to reflect on the many contributions women have contributed in our country. At George Washington Birthplace National Monument, our social media policy for the month has been to highlight important women to the history of the National Park Service and/or to George Washington’s life.

By writing the history text and developing what images to use for these posts, I thought I would take this example and expand it to include two other women that played integral parts in the American Revolutionary movement.

Abigail Adams and Mercy Otis Warren. Continue reading ““Remember the Ladies”” →

Lexington Part II – “Our troops advanced towards them, without any intention of injuring them.” Who Fired First at Lexington?

On February 25, 2015 By Rob OrrisonIn Battlefields & Historic Places, Battles, Revolutionary War2 Comments

The above words were written by Lt. Col. Francis Smith in his official report to General Thomas Gage. Smith, in command of the British expedition to Concord recently returned from what would be the opening salvo of rebellion. Smith wanted to be clear that he never intended to start bloodshed. In the days afterwards, the Massachusetts militia made it clear that they intended to lay the blame at the “regulars.” As soon as the British returned to Boston, the war of words began on who fired the first shot to begin a worldwide war. The British column that was led by Smith was sent from Boston to capture supplies reportedly stored at nearby Concord. To get to Concord, the British would have to march through Lexington. Due to a complex warning system, the local militia in Lexington were mustered and called to arms. Captain John Parker and his minutemen were lined up on the Lexington green in two rows, facing the road to Cambridge and the Lexington meetinghouse. The road south of the green headed to Concord, and Parker had his mean assembled on the northern portion of the green, away from the Concord road.

Continue reading “Lexington Part II – “Our troops advanced towards them, without any intention of injuring them.” Who Fired First at Lexington?” →