I am pleased to announce that The Trials of War is available. Normally, when I publish a new book, I share the most interesting aspects of the research.
“The Trials of War” is Available
ArcGIS Pro Map Package for Battle of Breed’s Hill
Happy 4th of July! After publishing the List of Americans in the Battle of Breed’s Hill from the Rolls last year, I had intended to also publish the ArcGIS Pro map I used as part of the research to compile the list. I am finally sharing that here today.
Aaron Oliver and Ezra Fuller – Memorial Day
I continue my Memorial Day habit of documenting little-known soldiers of the American Revolution who made the ultimate sacrifice. This year I chose two. They were equals in pay, misery, risk, and soldierly duties.
Will Burton and July 5, 1777
The Americans at Fort Ticonderoga numbered about 3,000 with a majority being Continental Army soldiers and the rest Massachusetts and New Hampshire militia. On boats they carried cannon and baggage south toward Skenesborough (now Whitehall), though most marched east and then turned south toward Hubbardton. Will Burton, barely 15-years-old, a fifer with the 3rd New Hampshire Continental Regiment, and likely full of adrenaline marched with them
Memorial Day Tribute to Five of a 40-Man Scout
"a Scout of 40 men under Command of Capt. fry of Colo. Scammels Regt. was Surpris'd By a Body of Indians & others Consisting in the whole of about 300. we Lost out our scout 9 men kild & taken--"
Freeman’s Farm: The more I read …
Do the math: In the Battle of Freeman's Farm, the Americans fired upwards of 60,000 bullets and maybe 1,000 found an enemy soldier. The British fired about the same number and only hit half as many Americans.
Schaghticoke in the American Revolution, Major VanVeghten scalped
Got to love the Internet for providing the basis to connect the threads of history! See my comment proposing the connecting the thread at the end.
Reflections on Josiah Parker
This Memorial Day, take some time to consider what you've learned from a Revolutionary War soldier who was killed or died while serving.
Balancing the Balance of Power
On May 5, 1776, General George Washington wrote to Congress. Among the many items was this paragraph:
"I beg leave to lay before Congress, a Copy of the proceedings of a Court Martial upon Lieutenant Grover of the 2d. Regiment, and of his defence, which I should not have troubled them with, had I not conceived the Courts Sentence upon the facts stated in the proceedings, of a singular nature; the small fine imposed, by no means adequate to the enormity of his offence
New Hampshire Continental Bounties in 1777: A model for the Army College Fund?
Early on I learned my ancestor, Isaac Frye, recruited a company of soldiers for the Continental Army in early 1777. He ranked as a captain at that time, and records show was given 300£, for to be paid as bounties to induce the men to enlist.
For years, I took that literally, i.e., he was given species as in hard sterling silver money. In those days that was enough money to buy a nice plot of land.
Duty in the Cause of Liberty 