Author: Gene Procknow

Gene Procknow’s passion for the American War of Independence emanates from living among Revolutionary War sites in Boston, New Jersey, and Vermont. His research includes interpreting “the politics of command” among the Continental Army major generals, and in Ethan Allen and the creation of Vermont. He is the author of two books—William Hunter, Finding Free Speech: The Son of a British Soldier Who Became an Early American and the Mad River Gazetteer, which traces the naming of prominent Vermont place names after Revolutionary War patriots. Procknow’s website, Researching the American Revolution, aids students and researchers. Gene holds a Masters in American History from Norwich University. He is married with two historian sons and lives in Washington, DC.

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Politics During the War (1775-1783) Posted on

Franklin’s Failed Diplomatic Mission

Benjamin Franklin’s Revolutionary War diplomatic successes have been well chronicled. He was instrumental in persuading King Louis XVI to enter into a military alliance with the fledgling United States and for negotiating the Treaty of Paris with the British ending the Revolutionary War. Less remembered is Franklin’s first diplomatic mission after the onset of hostilities. […]

by Gene Procknow
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People Posted on

Top 5 Foreign Continental Army Officers (Other Than Lafayette)

At the war’s outset, there was a dearth of proven military leadership within the thirteen colonies severely limiting the Continental Army’s ability to engage the British on equal terms. This paucity of military leadership was especially pronounced in the technical aspects of war including engineering, artillery and cavalry. To fill the void, the Continental Congress […]

by Gene Procknow
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Reviews Posted on

Inventing Ethan Allen

Book Review: Inventing Ethan Allen by John J. Duffy and H. Nicholas Muller III. Hanover and London: University Press of New England, 2014. Hardcover: $85.00, ISBN 978-61168-553-4. Pp. XII, 285. Index, bibliography, maps and illustrations. “When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.” From The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence “Where I’m from, we believe […]

by Gene Procknow
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Critical Thinking Posted on

Seth Warner or Ethan Allen: Who Led the Green Mountain Boys?

The legendary stories of Ethan Allen and Vermont’s Green Mountain Boys have long been part of American folklore. Their heroically described exploits are fabled in many fictional accounts and children’s books.[1]  Allen’s name is synonymously linked with the Green Mountain Boys as if he was their sole leader.  However, while Allen receives the fame, there […]

by Gene Procknow
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People Posted on

Top 10 American Loyalist Officers

Many historical accounts over look the impact of American loyalist military leaders and their revolutionary war contributions to the British cause.  50,000 or more soldiers in loyalist combat units actively participated in most major revolutionary battles throughout North America[1].  In addition to much needed combat power, they provided valuable scouting, battlefield intelligence and geographic knowledge. […]

by Gene Procknow