Nathan Hale: A Hero’s Fiasco
byDear Mr. History: What’s the story on Nathan Hale? Like countless American schoolchildren, I was taught that he was executed for spying and said…
4
The Perfect Storm: Bernardo de Gálvez and the Gulf Coast Campaign
byOne of the genuine pleasures of research is the discovery of someone whose contributions are barely noticed in classroom histories, but without whom, events…
3
The Revolution’s 150-year Impact on Military Policy
byFor the enhanced e-version of Reporting the Revolutionary War, I filmed interviews with several of the book’s historian contributors. My questions covered a lot…
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The Role of Dancing
byThere are countless reasons why and how people do things for amusement. But, in Colonial America there were at least three reasons that influenced…
“Horrid and Treasonable”
byIn late May 1775, the Scots-Irish settlers of remote Mecklenburg County, in the Carolina backcountry, received news by express messenger of the Battles of…
4
The Greatest Moment in American History
byCannon boomed 13 rounds and the stylishly dressed citizens of Annapolis, Maryland, swarmed into the streets. General George Washington was arriving, accompanied by only…
13
The Legacy of Ethan Allen
byDear Mr. History: What is the true impact and legacy of the “Green Mountain Boys” and their commander, Colonel Ethan Allen? Some say they…
8
From Pounds to Dollars
byIn all times and places, people have engaged in trade, and the American Colonies during the time of the Revolution are no exception. Although…
2
The Fate of the Regulars
byInstead of working out plans for a peacetime army, in 1783 Congress ordered General George Washington to discharge the remaining regiments in the service,…
3
Jefferson and the Declaration
byMyth: Thomas Jefferson found the ideas for the Declaration of Independence “from deep within himself.” (Joseph Ellis, American Sphinx.) Busted: Not according to Jefferson….
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From Cuckoo to Charlottesville: Jack Jouett’s Overnight Ride
byBecause the heat was oppressive, and perhaps because the dinner and drink sat heavy in his gut, John Jouett Jr. curled up beneath the…
17
Unleashing the Dogs of War
byNearly everyone loves a dog. This is especially true of soldiers to whom a dog is a friendly reminder of home, a companion and…
Top 10 Most Popular Articles in February 2013
byOur second month since launch was equally educational and entertaining with outstanding contributions by several new authors, including Pamela Murrow, Taylor Stoermer, Ray Raphael,…
Stamp Act Riot To-Do List
byDuring my recent book tour, the Stamp Act riot part of my talk generated the loudest audience reactions so I thought I’d re-purpose what…
8
How They Loved Their Spirits
byColonial Americans loved their rum – and their port, and their Madeira, and their beer. Many of them were confident that alcohol could cure…
3
Will the Real Lord Botetourt Please Stand?
byIn the center of the Botetourt Gallery at the Swem Library of William & Mary stands a curious statue, one that time and torment…
1
British Soldiers, American War – Voices of the American Revolution
byAmericans, even Americans who enjoy studying the American Revolution, don’t know much about the British soldiers. While British officers have left some written accounts…
7
Academy Award Casting of the American Revolution
byDear Mr. History: The recent article on this site by Hugh Harrington about the 10 best Revolutionary War films got me thinking – if…
Liberty Tavern
byPublished in 1976 but currently available in an electronic version via Amazon and Barnes and Noble. This is historical fiction at its finest. The…
4
America’s First Declaration of Independence
byMyth: Americans did not formally resolve for independence until 1776. Busted: On October 4, 1774, the town meeting of Worcester, Massachusetts, declared that British…
2
Private Yankee Doodle by Joseph Plumb Martin
byThis book is must reading for anyone interested in the American Revolution. It is by far the best account written by a private soldier. …
4
Second Coming of a Revolutionary War Patriot
byExcept outside of historical circles, Revolutionary War figures are not widely known, and are even more rarely celebrated. There are the ones you would…
2
Top 10 American Revolution YouTube Videos
byYouTube is synonymous with Gangnam Style, Giant Double Rainbows and the Evolution of Dance, but not the American Revolution, right? Wrong. When it comes…
1
Valentine to Miss Mercy Scollay
byWhen researching the biography of Revolutionary War hero Dr. Joseph Warren, I had the unexpected pleasure of becoming acquainted with his fiancée Miss Mercy…
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The Essential American Revolution Library
byThe American Revolution is quite obviously a very broad topic. It would require a huge quantity of books, even watered down to the “essentials,”…
6
The True Start of the American Revolution
byMyth: The American Revolution started at Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775. Busted: All of contiguous Massachusetts – except Boston! – cast off…
8
John Adams’s Rule of Thirds
byDear Mr. History: I often hear that John Adams estimated that one-third of Americans supported the Revolution, one-third opposed it, and one-third was neutral. …
10 Questions with Don Troiani
byAsk any Civil War or Rev War buff to name one modern day historical artist and chances are Don Troiani will come to mind…
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Revolutionary War 101: Beginning Books
byWhen any reader is new to a subject it often is hard to know where to start. Once underway studying the American Revolution the…
4
Life in the Southern Colonies (part 3 of 3)
byTransportation in the eighteenth century was a major factor in the growth of economic activity in the colonial period. The most common transportation of…
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Top 10 Facts About British Soldiers
by1 // They were volunteers The British Army was not allowed to force men into service by conscription or impressment. When the war began,…
11
The Pine Tree Riot
byWho can call to mind the Pine Tree Riot? Until recently, this act of defiance to accepting British authority was one with which I…
Top 10 Most Popular Articles in January 2013
byJanuary was an exciting launch month for us. We published a smorgasbord of great content from several authors: Todd Andrlik, Rick Britton, Hugh T….
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Top 10 Revolutionary War Novels
byWhen we speak of history books normally we refer to non-fiction. But, what of fiction? There is a definite place for novels in our…
James Monroe: Bona Fide Hero of the American Revolution
by“It may be doubted whether so small a number of men ever employed so short a space of time with greater and more lasting…
2
Life in the Southern Colonies (part 2 of 3)
byRead Part 1 The economic life of the Southern colonists was also most positive as the colonial period continued. Up until the end of…
15
Tarleton: Before He Became “Bloody Ban”
byBefore he became “Bloody Ban,” Banastre Tarleton fought in New York and learned the difficulties of cornering seasoned Continental cavalry. “Surrender you damned rebel,…
2
John Trumbull: Art and Politics in the Revolution
byThe American Revolution and the decade of disputes with Great Britain that preceded it marked a major turning point in the development of political…
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Top 10 Revolutionary War Movies
byThis ranking of the best American Revolution films is based on my own appreciation of the movies. Obviously, any attempt to rank films in…