Posted on 05/04/2016 10:34:59 AM PDT by Academiadotorg
On April 8, 2016, military historian and author Patrick K. O’Donnell spoke at the Heritage Foundation to discuss his book “Washington’s Immortals,” a book about the forgotten people and battles in the revolutionary war.
The author discusses facts of the war that many schools fail to recognize; these include details of the colonists’ struggles with the loyalists, the soldiers’ shortages of clothing and food, and the sacrifices of many wealthy colonists. The stories in this book of the band of brotherhood and the sacrifices of the colonists are beneficial for students in order for them to fully understand American values.
Prior to O'Donnell's book, only a sign outside an auto garage recognized the death of the Marylanders, an independent company that General Washington heavily depended on to help win critical battles of the revolutionary war. In his book, O’Donnell discusses the bond between the Marylanders as they stuck together during the darkest times to defeat the British troops.
Surprisingly, the Marylanders were also an integrated unit; seven to nine percent were free African Americans. O'Donnell uncovers the story of the forgotten hero Private Thomas Carney, a free black man who fought seven years in the revolutionary war and contributed to the victory of the battle of Guilford Court House.
The book also tells of Jenny Ramsey, wife of ardent patriot Nathaniel Ramsey. Despite the Ramsey's great wealth, Jenny set her riches aside to accompany her husband in the war. She marched with the army out of love and devotion and even got captured.
O'Donnell also addresses the inaccurate perception of the Battle of Trenton. Most students learn that Washington attacked the drunken Hessian troops because it was an easy victory that increased the morale of the American soldiers. O'Donnell emphasizes, however, that the Hessian soldiers were highly trained; they slept in their uniforms and had their muskets ready to fight. Contrary to popular belief, the Battle of Trenton was not an easy win.
This book provides a new perspective of the brutalities and sacrifices in the revolutionary war; it will help Americans understand not only who we were in the past, but also who we are today.
The aspect of having to fight loyalists, while fighting the British, would be of great interest to preppers, I would think.
Well, OK, we can add one more great to that. My mother was born in 1895, and my grandmother was born in 1864. My great grandmother was born in 1837. Her father, my great great grandfather was born in 1798, and his father, my great, great, great grandfather, was born in 1760, and he’s the one who was in the Revolutionary war. Since I’m 91, that isn’t so hard to do. dontcha think?
My family fought in the Revolutionary too. My 5th great-grandfather was a Lieutenant in the 2nd Regiment Dutchess County (NY) Militia. He is listed as a Patriot in the D.A.R. Patriot Index. A son of Francis’, along with a handful of cousins fought as well.
Bump for later
Nice. Thanks for the ping.
Wow, you’re 91?
Then that is more believable!
(I have one set of grandparents born c. 1890, and I am only 47 next month. Older parents of older parents, helps that happen.)
Respect to your family history ......
Older parents of older parents describes my family. One grandfather was born in 1885, 24 miles from I’m typing this reply. I’m a young 62.
You’re right. When there is more age between parents and children, it takes fewer generations to go back so far. What’s amazing about my family history is that my grandmother (born 1864, died 1961) knew her grandfather very well (he was born in 1798 and died in 1874. And I knew my grandmother very well. I was 27 when she died. That covers a lot of the history of this country!
Maryland “Freak State” PING!
Yep.... always thought it was Yorktown but learned of the last battle late in life, Interesting that the “speed of news” was to blame.......stay safe !!
The book is in my possession. Looking forward to reading it.
India had little to do with the new US.
But Yorktown was NOT the end of the RevWar, regardless. Another 2 years. Cornwallis did not have the whole army. Some skirmishes, and threats of battles that didn’t happen.
John Batchelor interview author of Washington’s Immortals.
This podcast is a good overview of the book.
My 5th and 6th Great-grandfathers fought as local militia in Schoharie County NY. Several cousins as well. My 6th Great Grandfather was captured and held for a year by the British. My 5th Great Grandfather and several cousins were killed by Chief Joseph Brant and his fellow tribesmen who were fighting with the British. The majority of the male members were wiped out except my 6th Great Grandfather. Most lost their homes several times over. They paid a heavy price for our freedom.
we all much to them.
You do realize that Geo. Washington’s views were not just his alone. That was the mindset of everyone back then. Washington was not overtly Christian, he drank, cussed up a storm, it has been wriiten. “When Gen. Washington cussed at Gen Lee at Monmouth, the very air would catch fire”...“You damned poltroon,” Washington rejoined, “you never tried them!” Always reluctant to resort to profanities, the chaste Washington cursed at Lee “till the leaves shook on the tree,” recalled General [Charles] Scott. “Charming! Delightful! Never have I enjoyed such swearing before or since.” Lafayette said it was the only time he ever heard Washington swear. “I confess I was disconcerted, astonished, and confounded by the words and the manner in which His Excellency accosted me,” Lee recalled.
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